Title: So Close To Heaven
Author: Amber
Pairings: 1x2xR
Warnings: I have taken a few liberties with characters personalities. I'm trying something different; this will be a 1x2xR born from the frustration of Relena finds out stories. Frankly I don't like the idea someone has to be a looser.. If you disagree about character representation here then accept my apologies and please select another story with my blessing having said that one needs to also be aware I'm jumping into the deep end and including graphic lemon scenes in this story that may not suit everyone's taste. Please also avoid, if one is not of age for mature love scenes this story is not for you either. Thank you.
Disclaimer: Gundam belongs to Gundam and any scene or plot similarity to another person's story, movie or anime is purely coincidental.
So Close to Heaven
By Amber
Chapter 3
Relena leaned back in her chair dawn found her at her office. Once she left the hotel there was little time for anything else but coming straight to work early as it was there were still enough people in there to give her odd looks who could blame them she was still wearing the clothes she wore the day before. By now Heero knew of the locks not that something like that would stop him but it sent the message she wanted conveyed and if anything Heero understood the unspoken quite well. She knew the worst was yet to come she was only delaying the inevitable.
She had spent the rest of the night and early morning listening to Hilde's hopes and dreams. Then the last painful wall fell as she confessed she always knew someone else held Duo's heart. Once she had even kidded him about having a crush on Relena she hadn't seen any evidence of him doing anything about it or anyone else so she had held onto hope. As long he wasn't dating she had believed she was making progress. She was wrong. She pointed out they were partners in business that they both wanted a family why not make it partners for life she urged. Unfortunately she had taken his silence for assent now she knew he just hadn't wanted to hurt her. Hurt Relena pondered now there was an understatement if she had ever heard one..
After trying to comfort Hilde she felt like she had been run over several times with them backing up over her just in case she hadn't gotten the point. She had nothing left to give. The door opened and closed silently. Irritation and impatience surfaced followed by a frission of wariness when she heard the lock turn. Unfortunately for the visitor irritation won. Not for the first time she automatically smothered her initial response years of learning to control knee jerk reactions were not forgotten in a day.
Without turning her voice became clipped and precise. "I asked to not be disturbed until my eight o clock appointment. Please respect my request."
"I can't do that."
She froze carefully sitting the cup and saucer down with a hand that shook she slowly swung the chair around and stood. Eyes of midnight blue silently stared into violet ones before focusing on the rest of the man before her. If her night was hell it looked like she had company still anger ignited like a wildfire and for a moment she gripped the desk as red literally swam before her eyes. "Get out."
"No. I know you're hurt, and angry." Relena's eyes flashed at his before turning away grabbing the cup and saucer she strode across the room to replenish her cup. When she turned he was there blocking her retreat hemming her in.
"Move Mr. Maxwell."
He winced but forged on. "I wanted to tell you." She looked at him contemptuously. And made to move around him. "No." He grabbed her hand taking the splashing coffee he sat it down. "No more please I bleed a little more each time you look at me like I'm scum. Your going to listen to me after that what ever you decide I will try and respect."
She jerked away and shook her head. Eyes narrowing she went for the jugular. "What is the word of a liar worth? Spoke to Hilde this morning?"
Duo flinched, "I deserved that."
Relena smiled savagely. "You deserve to be horse whipped if your not careful I'll volunteer to do it." Shoving past him she took two steps before he clasped her arm halting her again.
"O no princess I meant it I mean to have my say."
She swung around. "You," she whispered rawly. "You YOU! " Her tone grew in volume. "You had ample opportunity to have your say you lying weasel and you chose not to. Let me go." She demanded with icy precision.
"Lena," he pleaded.
Something snapped jerking her arm free she drew her hand back and slapped him putting everything she could behind it. The silence lengthened. Stunned she realized she felt hollow inside standing there detached somehow from it all studying his reaction as if from a distance she felt no satisfaction in causing him pain. Slowly after what seemed like forever he turned back. Her tears were falling steadily now blinking she glared at him fiercely trying to intimidate someone that didn't know the meaning of the word. When he lifted his eyes to meet hers with that empathetic look she literally growled her voice sounding raw.
"You have one minute to leave my office and stay away from me or I'll have my secretary call security and throw you out. Thank your stars I don't bar you from any official assignments regarding me because this is the only mercy you're going to get."
He shook his head silently. "I can't. Don't you think I tried to keep my distance and give you time? I couldn't not knowing how badly I hurt you.."
"Hurt me?" She whispered hoarsely, "I loved you. You were closer to me than my own brother." Frustration flickered followed closely behind was despair and for the first time she saw something besides contrition.
"I'm not your brother. I don't want to be your brother." his tone turned savage with frustration.
Stunned at his cruelty she felt like her breath had been knocked out of her. Shoving him away she kept pushing him back slamming her fists into his chest he finally stumbled and fell, Following him down she grabbed the smooth leather of his jacket in fisted hands and slammed him back and forth against the ground her voice grew in volume as the sobs rose to keep pace with her cursing and swearing. Gradually slowing she sat there across his stomach head bowed whimpering her fingers repeatedly clenching in the jacket. Duo reached up to draw her into a hug when she violently shifted away. Not taking no for an answer he tried again. Caging her within his arms he pulled her down onto his chest.
"I can't think of you as my sister I've tried," he whispered brokenly. Relena stiffened and tried to sit up."No." He abruptly pulled her back against him. "Don't look at me it hurts when you look at me like you hate me. But you wanted the truth so here it is. I love you just as much as Heero does. It started out as something gentle and warm affection, respect coupled with the knowledge that you were so important to Heero something in you gentled him softened him. And I loved you for giving so unconditionally to him.. To me. Hell everyone was welcome to bathe in the warmth of your love. But it changed you both began making a nightly appearance in my dreams. But you couldn't see me that way so I gave you what you expected from me because I couldn't accept the alternative. Nothing at all. Some days it almost drove me crazy you give love and affection unstintingly to everyone and I didn't want to be just anyone not any more." The silence grew and he became increasingly worried. "Lena? Say something please.."
At first it was no louder than a hoarse whisper. "I loved you. You and Heero meant the world to me and you lied to me. You could have told me from the beginning. I trusted you with all that I am my heart and soul. However, neither of you trusted me enough to believe I would understand that I could want your happiness above all else. We could have still been there for each other without the pain. All those years I grieved and you knew where he was. Saw him. Loved him. Your betrayal hurts the most oddly enough because I confided to you what I thought what I felt I let you know me more than anyone else alive with the exception of Heero and you cheated me of the same experience from you."
"Fuck Lena do you think we wanted this? Heero and I started out as two lost souls clinging.."
"I don't want to hear this." She shoved him away.
"You have to."
"No I don't." She snapped.
He followed her up into a sitting position holding her waist gently but firmly. "But then it changed we fell in love we couldn't give each other up but didn't want to let go of you either."
She stared at him stunned. "Me what about Hilde Duo?? You were living with her sleeping with her."
"No Hilde was many things to me Relena but she knew where we stood from the beginning she was my friend. I never had sex with her foreplay sure sex no. I'm sorry she found out that way I wouldn't have wished that on her for the world. She was hurt unnecessarily and I plan on trying to make my peace with her before she goes back to L2. Lena she was going to have to know the truth sooner or later there could be nothing but friendship. I wasn't going to change my mind."
"O god." She shook her head, distantly registering his hand softly stroking her hair.
"I'm so sorry you found out the way you did. I told Heero to tell you the truth long ago. To at least let you decide if you could deal with it. But he was too afraid I guess. I don't think he would ever admit it but he was worried about loosing you as much as I was. With all the progress we've made there are some that still can't shrug off antiquated notions on the subject of lovers."
"Now there's no need." She pushed herself up and moved to step away when his hand grabbed hers. Avoiding his scrutiny she looked away and continued her heart felt like it was in a vice slowly tightening with each word but she forced herself on trying to take strength in that this was almost over. "You and Heero don't have to worry about protecting my feelings or my disgust for you two if that's what this visit is about." She slipped away and walked to the window staring into the distance.
Moving behind her he stood close enough that she felt the heat of his body through her clothes. "Relena he whispered don't give up on us." When she didn't answer he moved closer letting her feel his body against hers. "Lena I love you."
Her eyes slid closed rubbing her temple she tried to ease the pounding in her head that seemed to be keeping rhythm with her heart. "One big happy family hmm you, me, Heero?" She shook her head. "It will never work."
"Why?" he argued.
"I don't even know where to even begin with what you're wanting from me and that's just the physical. Most importantly I'm a politician. Remember?"
His eyes narrowed, "that's a cop out Quatre isn't exactly in the stereotypical idea of a traditional relationship and he's in the public eye. Besides if you wanted it bad enough there is always a way. I've seen you accomplish the impossible. Remember?
She turned meeting his eyes. "You mean lie? Like you and Heero lied to me."
They both jumped as the knock sounded at the door. "Ms. Darlian.. The knock came again. "Are you alright? Ms. Darlian?" The knob turned repeatedly as the knocking grew frantic.
"It wasn't my secret to tell."
"Lie," she whispered
He felt desperate as if she had eluded them somehow he tried another tact Duo cupped her cheek tenderly. "Is it so easy to throw us away?"
Her eyes flashed angrily a moment before turning sad. "I'm not throwing you or anyone else away. You and Heero hurt me and I need to understand how I feel about that. I need to understand how we failed one another."
Relena moved around him and unlocked the door letting her secretary in. "Minister Darlian I'm so sorry I didn't realize."
She shook her head, "it's all right Kathy we've concluded our meeting Col Maxwell was just leaving." Her eyes shifted curiously back and forth before bowing and closing the door.
He stood there defiantly matching her look for look eyes flashing rebelliously objectively she had to admit he looked sexy standing there with his daring me to push him to far look. It was obvious he was unsatisfied with the vagueness of her answers and wanted to stay until he heard some answers he did like. But she had no intention of being pushed into anything not as confused and hurt as she felt.
"Quatre has invited us for lunch before he heads out would you like to come?"
Before he could finish she was already shaking her head. "I got that same invitation and had to refuse I can't today Duo send Quatre and Trowa my love."
"Relena..."
The distinct tone of the intercom interrupted whatever he was about to say as Relena pushed the button in acknowledgement. 'Minister your eight o clock is here.'
"Shit."
Relena looked up and frowned at his reaction. "Thank you Kathy send him in."
Reluctantly conceding defeat he slowly left the room passing her visitor on the way out the composed tone of welcome was the last thing he heard before the door closed with a final click. "Damn it."
Kathy looked up with a smile. "What was that Colonel?"
"Nothing" Muttering to himself he stalked abruptly away, she blinked at his mood swing as he slammed out of her office. It's a shame all the cute ones are crazy. The phone's persistent beep enabled her to shrug off his odd behavior.
"Kathy see if Colonel Chang is available for my guard detail the next few days." She frowned intently, "Chang mam?"
"Yes I have it on good authority Col. Yuy has a previous commitment and we don't want to impose."
"I'll see to it right away."
"Thank you." Kathy sighed disconnecting apparently whatever it is-is catching because now the Minister was acting odd.
* * *
Duo wound his way through the restaurant taking in the subdued elegance that screamed big money and old family blood lines leave it to Quatre to pick the one where all he could afford if it had been him paying was a glass of water.
"Hey Quatre .."
Duo nodded "Trowa." He smirked "Wu."
"Duo." Quatre smiled gently, "everything ok?" Duo shrugged before collapsing into the chair.
"I stopped in and talked to Hilde she'll be all right eventually it wasn't like it was a surprise she suspected my interest was elsewhere."
Quatre looked up from the menu. "Relena couldn't come?" He probed delicately. Duo slumped deeper into the chair.
"She said she had other plans."
"Perhaps she did," he offered consolingly.
Trowa shook his head. "You brought this on yourselves Relena dislikes lies."
"Hey there's a news flash. He sulked. "It wasn't my call ream Heero about that one." Trowa's eyebrow rose speaking eloquently.
"If you had both done it in the beginning you wouldn't be trying so hard to convince yourself and now us."
"Enough already Relena already bounced my head against the floor at least a dozen times this morning." Wufei looked up and smirked. "Really this promises to be an interesting week then I look forward to it."
Duo frowned "What's that suppose to mean? "
Stunned Quatre stared, "you were kidding about the floor part weren't you?"
"Hmm o er actually he shook his head ruefully no she's got quite a temper. I recommend you avoid pissing off jousan."
Duo eye Wufei suspiciously."Hey Wu you know something we don't?" Wufei shrugged indifferently his attention remained focused on the menu.
"And on that note WuWu thank you for sharing." Wufei finally looked up meeting Duo's glare impassively.
"I know enough to not take advice on relationship's or women from Yuy which is more than you apparently do."
"Duo I know you're worried and frustrated but taking it out on Wufei won't help." Quatre chided.
Duo sighed restlessly. "Does anyone know where Heero is? He usually isn't late." Quatre looked up inquiringly before he smiled in delight. "Here he is now."
Heero glided effortlessly through the through the restaurant his usual enigmatic face marred by a scowl. "Heero I'm glad you could join us."
Nodding he gently stroked a hand down the back of Duo's braid before he jerked a chair out and seated himself. Duo leaned close and touched his arm. "What's wrong?"
"I went to the house this morning to wait for Relena none of the keys work." He scowled, "she changed the locks."
Duo sighed. "What did you expect Heero she was bound to be hurt finding out the way she did. I talked to her this morning." He rubbed the back of his head and grimaced. "I think she listened. Just talk to her tomorrow the trick is to make sure she's a captive audience. Since she's taking the Senate's budget proposals to L4 you have her on a shuttle with no where to escape that's your chance."
He smirked, "good plan but there's a problem. I've been told since I needed time for a previous engagement I now have the next two days open I didn't previously have to take care of my business."
"O man this is not good not good at all. What now?"
Heero's eyes narrowed, "eventually she has to come home when she does we're going to have that talk you wanted us to have one way or the other."
"If that fails then perhaps I can be of assistance since Sally and I were requested to replace Yuy while he.. handles his commitments."
"Ah shit." Duo dropped his head in the palm of his hand. "They'll kill each other."
"Don't be ridiculous Maxwell." Wufei frowned dropping his teasing attitude. "Relena's been hurt enough."
Heero lifted his eyebrow inquiringly. "Relena?" Wufei shrugged in response. "I admire strength and perseverance she's proven to have both."
"Take care of her for me."
Wufei met Heero's scrutiny calmly then inclined his head. "Of course."
Author: Amber
Pairings: 1x2xR
Warnings: I have taken a few liberties with characters personalities. I'm trying something different; this will be a 1x2xR born from the frustration of Relena finds out stories. Frankly I don't like the idea someone has to be a looser.. If you disagree about character representation here then accept my apologies and please select another story with my blessing having said that one needs to also be aware I'm jumping into the deep end and including graphic lemon scenes in this story that may not suit everyone's taste. Please also avoid, if one is not of age for mature love scenes this story is not for you either. Thank you.
Disclaimer: Gundam belongs to Gundam and any scene or plot similarity to another person's story, movie or anime is purely coincidental.
So Close to Heaven
By Amber
Chapter 3
Relena leaned back in her chair dawn found her at her office. Once she left the hotel there was little time for anything else but coming straight to work early as it was there were still enough people in there to give her odd looks who could blame them she was still wearing the clothes she wore the day before. By now Heero knew of the locks not that something like that would stop him but it sent the message she wanted conveyed and if anything Heero understood the unspoken quite well. She knew the worst was yet to come she was only delaying the inevitable.
She had spent the rest of the night and early morning listening to Hilde's hopes and dreams. Then the last painful wall fell as she confessed she always knew someone else held Duo's heart. Once she had even kidded him about having a crush on Relena she hadn't seen any evidence of him doing anything about it or anyone else so she had held onto hope. As long he wasn't dating she had believed she was making progress. She was wrong. She pointed out they were partners in business that they both wanted a family why not make it partners for life she urged. Unfortunately she had taken his silence for assent now she knew he just hadn't wanted to hurt her. Hurt Relena pondered now there was an understatement if she had ever heard one..
After trying to comfort Hilde she felt like she had been run over several times with them backing up over her just in case she hadn't gotten the point. She had nothing left to give. The door opened and closed silently. Irritation and impatience surfaced followed by a frission of wariness when she heard the lock turn. Unfortunately for the visitor irritation won. Not for the first time she automatically smothered her initial response years of learning to control knee jerk reactions were not forgotten in a day.
Without turning her voice became clipped and precise. "I asked to not be disturbed until my eight o clock appointment. Please respect my request."
"I can't do that."
She froze carefully sitting the cup and saucer down with a hand that shook she slowly swung the chair around and stood. Eyes of midnight blue silently stared into violet ones before focusing on the rest of the man before her. If her night was hell it looked like she had company still anger ignited like a wildfire and for a moment she gripped the desk as red literally swam before her eyes. "Get out."
"No. I know you're hurt, and angry." Relena's eyes flashed at his before turning away grabbing the cup and saucer she strode across the room to replenish her cup. When she turned he was there blocking her retreat hemming her in.
"Move Mr. Maxwell."
He winced but forged on. "I wanted to tell you." She looked at him contemptuously. And made to move around him. "No." He grabbed her hand taking the splashing coffee he sat it down. "No more please I bleed a little more each time you look at me like I'm scum. Your going to listen to me after that what ever you decide I will try and respect."
She jerked away and shook her head. Eyes narrowing she went for the jugular. "What is the word of a liar worth? Spoke to Hilde this morning?"
Duo flinched, "I deserved that."
Relena smiled savagely. "You deserve to be horse whipped if your not careful I'll volunteer to do it." Shoving past him she took two steps before he clasped her arm halting her again.
"O no princess I meant it I mean to have my say."
She swung around. "You," she whispered rawly. "You YOU! " Her tone grew in volume. "You had ample opportunity to have your say you lying weasel and you chose not to. Let me go." She demanded with icy precision.
"Lena," he pleaded.
Something snapped jerking her arm free she drew her hand back and slapped him putting everything she could behind it. The silence lengthened. Stunned she realized she felt hollow inside standing there detached somehow from it all studying his reaction as if from a distance she felt no satisfaction in causing him pain. Slowly after what seemed like forever he turned back. Her tears were falling steadily now blinking she glared at him fiercely trying to intimidate someone that didn't know the meaning of the word. When he lifted his eyes to meet hers with that empathetic look she literally growled her voice sounding raw.
"You have one minute to leave my office and stay away from me or I'll have my secretary call security and throw you out. Thank your stars I don't bar you from any official assignments regarding me because this is the only mercy you're going to get."
He shook his head silently. "I can't. Don't you think I tried to keep my distance and give you time? I couldn't not knowing how badly I hurt you.."
"Hurt me?" She whispered hoarsely, "I loved you. You were closer to me than my own brother." Frustration flickered followed closely behind was despair and for the first time she saw something besides contrition.
"I'm not your brother. I don't want to be your brother." his tone turned savage with frustration.
Stunned at his cruelty she felt like her breath had been knocked out of her. Shoving him away she kept pushing him back slamming her fists into his chest he finally stumbled and fell, Following him down she grabbed the smooth leather of his jacket in fisted hands and slammed him back and forth against the ground her voice grew in volume as the sobs rose to keep pace with her cursing and swearing. Gradually slowing she sat there across his stomach head bowed whimpering her fingers repeatedly clenching in the jacket. Duo reached up to draw her into a hug when she violently shifted away. Not taking no for an answer he tried again. Caging her within his arms he pulled her down onto his chest.
"I can't think of you as my sister I've tried," he whispered brokenly. Relena stiffened and tried to sit up."No." He abruptly pulled her back against him. "Don't look at me it hurts when you look at me like you hate me. But you wanted the truth so here it is. I love you just as much as Heero does. It started out as something gentle and warm affection, respect coupled with the knowledge that you were so important to Heero something in you gentled him softened him. And I loved you for giving so unconditionally to him.. To me. Hell everyone was welcome to bathe in the warmth of your love. But it changed you both began making a nightly appearance in my dreams. But you couldn't see me that way so I gave you what you expected from me because I couldn't accept the alternative. Nothing at all. Some days it almost drove me crazy you give love and affection unstintingly to everyone and I didn't want to be just anyone not any more." The silence grew and he became increasingly worried. "Lena? Say something please.."
At first it was no louder than a hoarse whisper. "I loved you. You and Heero meant the world to me and you lied to me. You could have told me from the beginning. I trusted you with all that I am my heart and soul. However, neither of you trusted me enough to believe I would understand that I could want your happiness above all else. We could have still been there for each other without the pain. All those years I grieved and you knew where he was. Saw him. Loved him. Your betrayal hurts the most oddly enough because I confided to you what I thought what I felt I let you know me more than anyone else alive with the exception of Heero and you cheated me of the same experience from you."
"Fuck Lena do you think we wanted this? Heero and I started out as two lost souls clinging.."
"I don't want to hear this." She shoved him away.
"You have to."
"No I don't." She snapped.
He followed her up into a sitting position holding her waist gently but firmly. "But then it changed we fell in love we couldn't give each other up but didn't want to let go of you either."
She stared at him stunned. "Me what about Hilde Duo?? You were living with her sleeping with her."
"No Hilde was many things to me Relena but she knew where we stood from the beginning she was my friend. I never had sex with her foreplay sure sex no. I'm sorry she found out that way I wouldn't have wished that on her for the world. She was hurt unnecessarily and I plan on trying to make my peace with her before she goes back to L2. Lena she was going to have to know the truth sooner or later there could be nothing but friendship. I wasn't going to change my mind."
"O god." She shook her head, distantly registering his hand softly stroking her hair.
"I'm so sorry you found out the way you did. I told Heero to tell you the truth long ago. To at least let you decide if you could deal with it. But he was too afraid I guess. I don't think he would ever admit it but he was worried about loosing you as much as I was. With all the progress we've made there are some that still can't shrug off antiquated notions on the subject of lovers."
"Now there's no need." She pushed herself up and moved to step away when his hand grabbed hers. Avoiding his scrutiny she looked away and continued her heart felt like it was in a vice slowly tightening with each word but she forced herself on trying to take strength in that this was almost over. "You and Heero don't have to worry about protecting my feelings or my disgust for you two if that's what this visit is about." She slipped away and walked to the window staring into the distance.
Moving behind her he stood close enough that she felt the heat of his body through her clothes. "Relena he whispered don't give up on us." When she didn't answer he moved closer letting her feel his body against hers. "Lena I love you."
Her eyes slid closed rubbing her temple she tried to ease the pounding in her head that seemed to be keeping rhythm with her heart. "One big happy family hmm you, me, Heero?" She shook her head. "It will never work."
"Why?" he argued.
"I don't even know where to even begin with what you're wanting from me and that's just the physical. Most importantly I'm a politician. Remember?"
His eyes narrowed, "that's a cop out Quatre isn't exactly in the stereotypical idea of a traditional relationship and he's in the public eye. Besides if you wanted it bad enough there is always a way. I've seen you accomplish the impossible. Remember?
She turned meeting his eyes. "You mean lie? Like you and Heero lied to me."
They both jumped as the knock sounded at the door. "Ms. Darlian.. The knock came again. "Are you alright? Ms. Darlian?" The knob turned repeatedly as the knocking grew frantic.
"It wasn't my secret to tell."
"Lie," she whispered
He felt desperate as if she had eluded them somehow he tried another tact Duo cupped her cheek tenderly. "Is it so easy to throw us away?"
Her eyes flashed angrily a moment before turning sad. "I'm not throwing you or anyone else away. You and Heero hurt me and I need to understand how I feel about that. I need to understand how we failed one another."
Relena moved around him and unlocked the door letting her secretary in. "Minister Darlian I'm so sorry I didn't realize."
She shook her head, "it's all right Kathy we've concluded our meeting Col Maxwell was just leaving." Her eyes shifted curiously back and forth before bowing and closing the door.
He stood there defiantly matching her look for look eyes flashing rebelliously objectively she had to admit he looked sexy standing there with his daring me to push him to far look. It was obvious he was unsatisfied with the vagueness of her answers and wanted to stay until he heard some answers he did like. But she had no intention of being pushed into anything not as confused and hurt as she felt.
"Quatre has invited us for lunch before he heads out would you like to come?"
Before he could finish she was already shaking her head. "I got that same invitation and had to refuse I can't today Duo send Quatre and Trowa my love."
"Relena..."
The distinct tone of the intercom interrupted whatever he was about to say as Relena pushed the button in acknowledgement. 'Minister your eight o clock is here.'
"Shit."
Relena looked up and frowned at his reaction. "Thank you Kathy send him in."
Reluctantly conceding defeat he slowly left the room passing her visitor on the way out the composed tone of welcome was the last thing he heard before the door closed with a final click. "Damn it."
Kathy looked up with a smile. "What was that Colonel?"
"Nothing" Muttering to himself he stalked abruptly away, she blinked at his mood swing as he slammed out of her office. It's a shame all the cute ones are crazy. The phone's persistent beep enabled her to shrug off his odd behavior.
"Kathy see if Colonel Chang is available for my guard detail the next few days." She frowned intently, "Chang mam?"
"Yes I have it on good authority Col. Yuy has a previous commitment and we don't want to impose."
"I'll see to it right away."
"Thank you." Kathy sighed disconnecting apparently whatever it is-is catching because now the Minister was acting odd.
* * *
Duo wound his way through the restaurant taking in the subdued elegance that screamed big money and old family blood lines leave it to Quatre to pick the one where all he could afford if it had been him paying was a glass of water.
"Hey Quatre .."
Duo nodded "Trowa." He smirked "Wu."
"Duo." Quatre smiled gently, "everything ok?" Duo shrugged before collapsing into the chair.
"I stopped in and talked to Hilde she'll be all right eventually it wasn't like it was a surprise she suspected my interest was elsewhere."
Quatre looked up from the menu. "Relena couldn't come?" He probed delicately. Duo slumped deeper into the chair.
"She said she had other plans."
"Perhaps she did," he offered consolingly.
Trowa shook his head. "You brought this on yourselves Relena dislikes lies."
"Hey there's a news flash. He sulked. "It wasn't my call ream Heero about that one." Trowa's eyebrow rose speaking eloquently.
"If you had both done it in the beginning you wouldn't be trying so hard to convince yourself and now us."
"Enough already Relena already bounced my head against the floor at least a dozen times this morning." Wufei looked up and smirked. "Really this promises to be an interesting week then I look forward to it."
Duo frowned "What's that suppose to mean? "
Stunned Quatre stared, "you were kidding about the floor part weren't you?"
"Hmm o er actually he shook his head ruefully no she's got quite a temper. I recommend you avoid pissing off jousan."
Duo eye Wufei suspiciously."Hey Wu you know something we don't?" Wufei shrugged indifferently his attention remained focused on the menu.
"And on that note WuWu thank you for sharing." Wufei finally looked up meeting Duo's glare impassively.
"I know enough to not take advice on relationship's or women from Yuy which is more than you apparently do."
"Duo I know you're worried and frustrated but taking it out on Wufei won't help." Quatre chided.
Duo sighed restlessly. "Does anyone know where Heero is? He usually isn't late." Quatre looked up inquiringly before he smiled in delight. "Here he is now."
Heero glided effortlessly through the through the restaurant his usual enigmatic face marred by a scowl. "Heero I'm glad you could join us."
Nodding he gently stroked a hand down the back of Duo's braid before he jerked a chair out and seated himself. Duo leaned close and touched his arm. "What's wrong?"
"I went to the house this morning to wait for Relena none of the keys work." He scowled, "she changed the locks."
Duo sighed. "What did you expect Heero she was bound to be hurt finding out the way she did. I talked to her this morning." He rubbed the back of his head and grimaced. "I think she listened. Just talk to her tomorrow the trick is to make sure she's a captive audience. Since she's taking the Senate's budget proposals to L4 you have her on a shuttle with no where to escape that's your chance."
He smirked, "good plan but there's a problem. I've been told since I needed time for a previous engagement I now have the next two days open I didn't previously have to take care of my business."
"O man this is not good not good at all. What now?"
Heero's eyes narrowed, "eventually she has to come home when she does we're going to have that talk you wanted us to have one way or the other."
"If that fails then perhaps I can be of assistance since Sally and I were requested to replace Yuy while he.. handles his commitments."
"Ah shit." Duo dropped his head in the palm of his hand. "They'll kill each other."
"Don't be ridiculous Maxwell." Wufei frowned dropping his teasing attitude. "Relena's been hurt enough."
Heero lifted his eyebrow inquiringly. "Relena?" Wufei shrugged in response. "I admire strength and perseverance she's proven to have both."
"Take care of her for me."
Wufei met Heero's scrutiny calmly then inclined his head. "Of course."