Title: Chimera
Author: Amber
Pairings: Not Sure Yet but there will definitely be Yaoi.
Disclaimer: Gundam belongs to Gundam and any scene or plot similarity to another person's story, movie or anime is purely coincidental. Any new OC belongs to said author and her imagination.
Inside Out
The next few days were torture yet if he was being completely honest also some of the most incredible times of his life. After they brought Relena home, a gloom seemed to linger over the people and the house sucking the very life out of everything and one. Heero and Duo alternated between hovering over Relena and watching him with guarded eyes. And he.. well he watched her bleed for strangers and ached at not being able to help.
He played by their rules until the third night, then slipped out tracking the next link in the chain. Gabriel couldn't be there for her like he wanted so he went out and did what he was good at. He destroyed; he removed every possible avenue Thorne Industries had to harm Relena.
He obliterated their financial base as well as sending a file of involved personnel to the Preventers. Then, he went after Mark Thorne head of the company, for one of the largest equipment manufacturers responsible for maintaining the colonies upkeep. Except, somewhere along the line their greed became voracious and their sideline became weapons. All they needed was to remove what they considered the impediment to their plans. Relena, the leading proponent for downsizing of weapons.
Gabriel stood there impervious, as Thorne begged for his life. When suddenly, the image of Relena lost and hurt, because others had gotten killed superimposed over Thorne's begging. His eyes hardened, and under his cold gaze Thorne's pleas dwindled as the sickening realization set in he had met someone for once he couldn't bribe or manipulate. For the first time in thirty years, he prayed as he stared into the eyes of death.
When Gabriel returned that morning he slipped in the way he left only to find his absence hadn't gone unnoticed. Heero's gaze swept over him with an unreadable expression, he waited tense for what Heero's final decision would be. After a moment Heero slid the safety on his gun and silently left the room. The next day when the news broke about Thorne's tragic accident other than a knowing look Heero let the matter drop.
His thoughts turned once more, to the object of his fascination it was a surreal experience the last few days watching her grieve. He couldn't believe anyone was that selfless even though the proof was right there in front of him. Except, they weren't really strangers she was mourning were they? Relena had taken them and made them a part of her, and because she had it was now personal instead of merely faceless names in another long list of tragedies. Senseless sure but in his world an accepted part of life, one he had become inured to until her.
Most of the time there was an odd shifting, a clenching in his chest near the region of his heart that was damn disconcerting whenever he thought about her or was near her. Clinically, he noticed his elevated heart rate and shortness of breath and cursed, conceding he had lost control of this thing these feelings long ago. Objectivity was a thing of the past. All those years he watched her, visited her, loved her had been nothing compared to the reality of her. Noin had been right she was so much more than what he dreamed of and now that he knew, now that she had broken his barriers, leaving her was something he wasn't sure he knew how to do.
Gabriel looked thoughtfully around the room the guest room. But he could still see small personal touches added to the room that reflected the personalities of those within the house. The watercolors on the walls soothed making a visitor feel more at ease. A bed that beckoned with all its lushness making him think of things better off forgotten, he could see Duo's fine hand in that. His eyes continued around the room taking in shelves that were built into the wall holding everything from books, to games, to an entertainment system and computer. The sophistication and quality was without a doubt Heero's contribution.
If the bedroom was fit for a king, the bathroom was the Queen's. Gabriel smiled faintly or the Princess's. A sunken tub big enough for three people dominated the room, plush rugs were scattered through out, plants over flowed from a bay window adding to the effect encouraging one to linger, to forget and soak one's cares away while appreciating natures beauty beyond.
Gabriel collapsed on the bed, covering his eyes with his arm, he willed himself to sleep hell he never slept well, snatches at a time at most. But then no one had been sleeping well not since the attack on Relena.. For some reason tonight he was especially tense Heero was away on business. Duo had elected to stay behind for guard duty; no surprise there they didn't trust him alone with Relena. Gabriel dropped his arm to the bed, his lips thinning with irritation who was he kidding he knew what was eating him. He had found a kind of strange peace staying here, until he came down the hall earlier tonight and caught a glimpse of Duo and Relena through the crack in the door. He had froze.
She sat there in a t-shirt, lost within the sybaritic splendor of Duo and Heero's huge bed brushing Duo's hair. From the expression on Duo's face, he looked like he was in heaven. The muscles in Gabriel's stomach knotted painfully, staying here facing the reality of the three of them had been a bad idea. He just realized at the moment, he wasn't handling what he was seeing very well at all. There was a wistful look on her face as she ran the brush through his hair; god knows he didn't know how long he stood there, watching the casual intimacy between the two before he realized he was holding his breath.
Gabriel watched her blink, like a sleeper waking from a long nap she placed the brush on the nightstand. Relena slid her fingers through Duo's hair in a final caress, and then rising up on her knees she draped her arms around his neck and hugged him. Gabriel felt every muscle tighten, in a small corner of his mind, he could hear himself screaming no as she kissed Duo's cheek.
O god, how he wanted to close his eyes. He ordered himself to turn away, his jaw ached where the muscles bunched and contracted in rhythm to his pounding heart. And then, the pounding stopped and his muscles relaxed one by one, as she slid from the bed and bid him goodnight. Duo took her hand and kissed it, and then closing his eyes he leaned his cheek against her hand. Gabriel stood there a few minutes longer willing her to leave. When she finally turned and moved toward the door, he silently continued down the hall without anyone knowing he was there which was pretty much the commentary of his life.
So here he lay hours later, his senses turned outward, wound tighter than a spring. When something changed so subtly he wasn't sure that it wasn't in part his imagination. Gabriel lifted his head; sliding his hand underneath the pillow, he grabbed his gun and killed the light, before he rolled to his feet all in one smooth movement. Gabriel glided toward the door, pulling it open he gave his eyes a moment to adjust to the dark before he moved silently down the hall. He made a circuit of the house and grounds and found nothing so why was he so dissatisfied? Maybe, because he was tired of keeping his distance when all he wanted to do was wrap himself in her and lock out the world. Gabriel blinked, he didn't quite trust what he was seeing, he found himself in front of her bedroom door without even realizing it. He smiled ruefully, he wasn't exactly dressed for a royal visit but he'd be in and out there without her ever knowing it. He just needed to make sure she was safe.
Gabriel tilted his head toward the door listening for sounds within then silently opened it and slipped through. He searched the room with curious eyes, deliberately keeping his gaze from the bed, drawing out the anticipation as long as he could. Here, were more watercolors on the walls it pleased him to know he had guessed correctly. Slowly moving deeper into the room, his fingers trailed along the smooth surface of the furniture, fingertips lightly thrummed the bristles of her brush, setting off a tingle in his fingertips that ended with a shiver coursing up his spine.
He stopped. Staring wide-eyed at his hazy image within the mirror, the room was silent except for her slow and steady breathing, it made him feel oddly at peace being here seeing a side of her few seldom got the chance to. He lifted a delicate glass container and removed the stopper. It was the light floral scent, he had come to associate with Relena returning the stopper he tilted it trying to see a name but there was none. That meant exclusivity and big money. He returned it gently, reluctantly almost, then turned, delaying the moment as long as he could, some how knowing nothing would quite ever be the same again.
His eyes traveled slowly upward, the bed like Heero's was huge but unlike theirs tall, slender, bedposts soared upward into some kind of canopy draped with yards of sheer filmy material. The material covering the bed was smooth and cool to the touch, he trailed his fingers along a comforter that was whisper soft, begging a person to linger within it's satiny folds. All in all, it was a bed fitting a princess. His heart started a tempo that rivaled a marching band as his eyes continued up the bed. Gabriel didn't remember consciously moving, but at some point he drew closer to the bed. Moonlight filtered through the curtains, throwing the room into gloom relieved only by the splashes of silver, that was Relena's skin and hair. Hair that spilled off the pillows, and down the sides of the bed in artless abandon, coaxing those fortunate enough to see it, to draw closer and linger within it's silken tresses.
She seemed so small and defenseless lying there barely noticeable among the mounds of covers and pillows. As once before, he found himself reaching for a strand of her hair before he could talk himself out of it, rubbing the silky softness between his fingers, savoring the feel before he opened his fingers to release them. Silver strands clung lovingly to his fingers, as if having a will of their own, seemingly as reluctant to go, as he was to let them go. But let them he did, he slipped his hand away, fingers trailing reluctantly through the silky strands of her hair until, once again, they no longer touched. Letting out a carefully hushed breath, he slid his gun into the small of his back before he let himself see her sleeping countenance.
Gabriel swallowed heavily, wanting to be away, anywhere but here. She looked; like she did while she was still in the capsule. Gone. Completely devoid of anything that was intrinsically definably Relena. And he hated it; his expression darkened as his thoughts did. His first instinct was to wake her. O, how he wanted her to open her eyes, it was so intense he shook with it, clenching his fists he forced himself to take a step back. In the middle of taking another step back, she opened her eyes and locked her gaze on his, as if the sheer intensity of his thoughts, his feelings had alone woke her.
Relena leaned up on her elbow and blinked sleepily. "Gabriel?"
O God, that's the last thing he wanted. Her shirt shifted, sliding off her shoulder. She looked so sexy, so damn huggable, he wanted nothing more than to pull back the bedclothes and join her. He swallowed trying to get moisture to a throat that suddenly seemed entirely too dry. " Shh, it's all right I heard a noise and I was just checking to make sure you were all right."
Her eyes seemed to sharpen and clear as she focused on his face, rising up on her arm she stretched a hand toward him. "What's wrong?" she whispered
Gabriel exhaled making a conscious effort to relax. He shook his head, "nothing. Go back to sleep."
Relena shifted, pulling the covers higher she winced a bit as stitches pulled taut then sat up on the bed studying him. "When are you and Heero going to tell me what this is all about?"
He shrugged dismissingly. "There's nothing to tell."
She smiled just a faint curve of her lips and then it was gone as quickly as it appeared. "Everyone, so determined to protect me. Do I really seem that fragile?" She looked down hiding her expression in a fall of hair.
He moved closer sitting on the edge of the bed. "No, not fragile, to good to be true. It causes people to not want to take the risk in finding out what could happen." He lifted her chin with his knuckle. "It make's those that care determined to keep you safe. Is that so terrible?"
She searched his eyes before shaking her head. "No, but keeping secrets doesn't protect, in the long run it always seems to cause more pain."
"Not this time princess," he replied cryptically.
She nodded, "and when this is all over then what?"
He took her hand clasping it between his stilling its restless movement. "Then your life returns too normal and mine." He shrugged leaving it unsaid.
"You'll return home?" She sought his eyes searchingly.
"Ah what's home?" His lips curved gently, "if your safe I'll have accomplished everything I needed to."
"What about family?" He shook his head.
Relena bit her lip, "I'm sorry. You.. You could stay we could become." He shook his head before she could finish. "I'll never see you again will I?"
He cupped her face, "will you miss me angel?"
"Yes. Yes I will .. I feel at times like I know you, have always known you. Why did I feel so close to you so quickly?"
He exhaled raggedly, "your killing me slowly here." He cupped her face, "once your safe you will have your whole life ahead of you. You'll forget me."
She shook her head. "I don't think so," she whispered. Relena lifted her hand, her fingers gently trailing through his long hair, "you feel it too don't you?"
He pulled slowly away, looking down at the hand he still held to hide his expression. "I don't run well with a crowd Relena it would never work out." He told her mocking himself for his cowardice. 'Why couldn't he just tell her he was jealous of her closeness with Heero and Duo and didn't want to share?'
"It won't work," he head jerked up. "What?" He said warily.
Relena smiled gently. "Duo, does the same thing. The more important it is to him, the more sarcastic he becomes to throw everyone off."
He smiled wryly lifting her hand he placed it over his heart. "You think you've got me all figured don't you angel?"
"No, not really, but give me time and the chance." She bit her lip nervously; "I haven't felt this way in a long time."
He leaned his forehead gently against hers. "I can't stay," he said hoarsely. 'God, how I want to though.'
"I promised myself, I would never again beg someone not to leave me. But for whatever time I have left in this world I don't want to have regrets about not doing something about the way I feel right now."
He leaned in moving his mouth to hers, speaking against her moist parted lips. "What am I going to do with you?" 'How do I fight myself and you?'
"Be with me," she whispered against his lips. "Just for a little while, whether it lasts for a day or a year. She pulled back taking his hands, pulling on them gently. Just for a little while, there is no tomorrow, you're not leaving, and we have all the time in the world."
Gabriel followed her down onto the bed; leaning over her he captured her lips in a tender kiss that quickly deepened into something hungrier. "God help me, I may be killed for this tomorrow but tonight I can't deny either one of us." His dark blue eyes narrowed to heavy-lidded slits that glittered intensely. "I love you," he murmured, his hoarse voice unrecognizable. He whispered against her ear. "I've always, loved you."
He dropped his mouth to the side of her neck, audibly suckling the skin there before he trailed hot kisses, alternated with languid licks of his tongue along the curve of her jaw. "Relena," his voice was a throaty, uncertain whisper. "I'll be careful of your wound." With a shivery sigh, her eyes fluttered open and met his own with a look of trust and acceptance.
Then she smiled a smile, which seemed to illuminate them both in the wonder and beauty of the moment. His nagging voice of reason grew still under the weight of her certainty, he fought it no longer, without taking his eyes from her he pulled his gun out and laid it on her nightstand. As he slid out of his jeans, his last coherent thought as he lost himself in the sultriness of her gaze was if her brother didn't kill him first he would have to stand in line behind Heero and Duo for the pleasure.
Gabriel came awake in a rush, eyes narrowed searching the silent room at a glance before his body subtly relaxed. He turned his head toward the silken body curled against him, almost afraid he had been dreaming again, his breathing stuttered then returned to normal. The gradual lightening of the sky, filtered through the curtains, hiding nothing of the body beside him. The tender thoughts he had been thinking upon waking immediately swung toward desire. Desire, he didn't have time to explore. Pulling his arm reluctantly from under her head, he had one foot on the floor and was trying to slip away without waking her, when eyes that reminded him of the sea at night fluttered and opened. Blinking drowsily she smiled as he placed a finger against her lips.
He slowly drew back from her embrace. "It's almost morning; I should go before the rest of the house wakes." Relena studied him intently, and then she nodded, leaning up on her elbow she made to raise.
He shook his head. "No, stay. I want to remember you today, just like this since I can't have what I really want." He claimed her lips in a kiss, which was both poignantly sweet and achingly painful, almost as if he was bidding her a final goodbye.
Relena shivered at the thought, cold dread seemed to shake off the last of the almost dreamlike quality that seemed to cocoon the lovers in a world of their own. Once again, reality intruded. She watched him with a troubled look, as he pulled his pants on and grabbed his gun shoving it into his pants at the small of his back. Gabriel raked his hands through his hair and looked around the room once more. Muttering under his breath, he swung around and headed toward the door. He halted, leaning his head against the wood. She watched his silent struggle worriedly as the muscles across his back bunched and flexed. When he turned back to her, she let out her breath with a sigh, not realizing she had held it until that moment.
He walked back to her slowly, almost hypnotically, his eyes never leaving hers as he knelt beside the bed. He was torn, she saw that, and so she waited, letting him make the choice knowing nothing else would satisfy her. Relena had learned over the years, that it took two to make a relationship work. And even then, it didn't always succeed just because there are strong emotions on both sides. There were no guarantees to a happy ending.
Finally, he reached out as if in a dream, and slowly drew her to him, his arms closing about her slender body. He cupped her cheek; his thumb caressed her lips as his eyes softly traced her features, almost like he was memorizing them. Then he kissed her, a light brush of lips, then another, before his mouth settled hungrily on hers. Hot and wet, devouring her with a passion, that coaxed her response as well as demanded it. Relena lifted her arms sliding them underneath his hair, she clasped his neck trying to pull him back to bed. He groaned and shifted away, leaning his forehead against hers as he struggled for control.
He slowly, awkwardly, pulled away and stood, taking a moment to adjusting his pants before he smiled down at her wryly, "I'm going now to take a shower." He backed toward the door. "A cold shower."
Relena smiled mischievously, "I have a shower."
He shook his head, "no we're going to do this right. I don't want you to think I'm after your body." Her arched eyebrow spoke volumes. "Ok --only want your body. I want it all princess heart and soul." He smiled recklessly, "and I'll get it too you already love me just a little or last night would have never happened." He slipped through the door before she could reply. Leaning his head against it he drew a shaky breath. Then straightening he absently glanced both ways, before heading back toward his room.
Gabriel entered the kitchen. At the site of Duo leaning against the counter drinking coffee he hesitated, but continued on to the cabinet and grabbed a mug. He could feel Duo's eyes boring into his back as he poured himself a cup of coffee. "What the hell are you playing at?"
Gabriel turned, mentally he winced, Duo knew. Somehow he knew and he was pissed. "I didn't know I was playing."
Duo's eyes glittered furiously, "Don't fuck with me, unless you have a death wish."
Gabriel sat his cup down slowly, he had killed for her, bled for her, and now he had finally gotten to love her, he would be damned if he'd let her go without a fight. He smiled savagely, "your welcome to try. What I do, what she does, is none of your business we're both adults." Duo came off the counter in a rush, gun drawn. Gabriel dropped back into crouch, with his gun out when a click of a third gun made him freeze.
"I'm now making it my business, and unlike Duo I will shoot if I don't like your answer. So, someone tell me fast what this is all about?" Duo let his arm fall and stalked to the drawer jerking it open he pulled out a manila folder and tossed it on the table. Gabriel slowly let his hands down, and turned. Warily keeping his eyes on the both of them, he let his eyes drop to the table.
"Duo?"
"I haven't liked this from the beginning, to many coincidences, too many unanswered questions, and to many people acting too damn weird. But hey, I can go with the flow I'm flexible. This shit, takes the cake though."
"Duo.."
"No Heero!" He sliced his hand downward. "I bought into his shit on the off chance he'd keep Lena safe but he's been playing games from the start. Games, I don't intend to put up with."
"If I haven't kept her safe what the hell do you call what I've been doing?" He gritted.
Duo leaned into his face and hissed furiously. "Good question asshole, what were you doing coming out of her room this morning half dressed?" Gabriel lunged, grabbing his shirt at the same time Duo locked his arm around Gabriel's head and slammed his fist upward. Gabriel shoved him, drawing back to counter swing, when he felt himself jerked backward. Duo caught him again across he chin he saw stars for a moment then heard Heero's voice as he pulled Duo away.
Gabriel lifted his hand to his jaw and rotated it. "What pisses you off more that it was me or that she's not playing house with you and Yuy?"
"Enough."
"O, no." Duo continued on as if Heero hadn't spoken. "What pisses me off enough to blow you to hell and back is which freak scientist used Heero's DNA to cook you up without his knowledge."
It was quiet enough to hear a pin drop. Heero's eyes widened going from Duo to Gabriel. He holstered his gun as he moved toward the table, keeping a steady gaze on Gabriel he opened the folder. The shirt slid into his hand. Gabriel recognized the shirt, his jaw worked continuously as he strove to keep his glance impassive. Heero dropped the shirt, skimming the note before he flipped through the paperwork. He frowned as he read through the findings. Heero looked up, tossing the papers on the table. "I asked you once, if you were an experiment? I asked the wrong question, what are you to me?" His eyes methodically swept over the man before him with an unreadable expression.
"I told you, all I can. I'm to eliminate any and all threats to Relena Darlian you were the ones that insisted I be here to do that."
Duo let a hard laugh slip out. "O right, so now it's our fault you slept with her when you don't intend on staying around," he said brusquely. Heero's mouth tightened angrily, he swung away staring out the kitchen window.
"I would never deliberately hurt her," the words were low and hoarse forced out against every instinct against explaining himself.
Duo fixed him with a cold look. "That remains to be seen, you haven't explained this yet with any satisfaction and I know I for one want an explanation. According to that, Heero is your father."
"Good morning, what's..." Relena strolled through the door and halted, her eyes going from one to the other before settling on the bloody shirt lying on the table. The silence lengthened growing uncomfortable. "Has.. something happened?" She tried to catch Gabriel's eye, but he glanced away without answering. "Duo?" He grimaced. Frowning she glanced at Heero's tense back. "Heero?"
Relena cautiously moved toward the table, studying the three of them perplexed she picked up the papers seeking some explanation for the tension, when her hand was grabbed. Startled she looked up and met with Gabriel's stormy gaze.
"Let her go," Heero said coldly. Gabriel's hand twitched, his eyes begged her silently. For what? She couldn't understand, the click of a safety being released sounded loudly in the room. "I won't tell you again."
Gabriel's eyes went blank as he dropped his hand and stepped back. Relena looked at them bewildered, "what has gotten into you guys?" She glanced down at the papers casually then froze. Her brow furrowed as she read the attached post it note out loud. Her voice started out puzzled, then grew progressively raspier by the time she finished.
"Duo, I dug up the records on Heero from when he was held at the Federation Naval Hospital won't be able to tell you 100% without more extensive tests but I'd say forget clone. As incredible as it seems it's a match Heero is this guy's father. Forget dinner will settle for an explanation instead. Call me. Sally."
The doorbell cut through the house with a welcome reprieve, yet no one moved they continued to stand there like a bunch of voyeurs at the scene of a car accident waiting for the climax. Turning pages were loud within the silence of the kitchen as another then another followed then fluttered wildly to the floor. Gabriel swallowed convulsively, as he forced himself to look at her face. There was a blankness, to her gaze a blindness, as if she saw nothing beyond her shock. When he left her this morning, her skin had taken on a rosy glow that screamed satisfaction and contentment, now she looked like every bit of life had been drained out of her. He flinched, he felt like he had actually taken a hit, far worse than any physical wound he had ever received.
"Well, you gentlemen obviously have things to discuss." She paused for a moment, a look of uncertainty in her face, then finally began again struggling keep her voice steady. "I'll.. leave you to it." The doorbell's peal cut through the house again this time a bit more insistently.
"Lena," Duo began hesitantly.
She lifted her hand for silence, "that's my ride I'll be fi...", drawing a deep breath she turned and silently left the room.
Duo turned. "Heero, go after her. Talk to her."
"No," he said flatly. Heero lifted his gaze, blue eyes glinted dangerously in a face that was unnaturally still. Through the years, not much made Gabriel pause, till now. But calmly meeting the deadly promise in those eyes took everything he had.
"Damn it, Heero!" Duo tossed the remains of his coffee and cup in the sink and stormed out.
Gabriel lost track of how long they stood there, silently waiting for what he didn't think either of them knew, when the front door slammed. The whine of the garage door, followed the angry scream of the motorcycle, as it sped down the driveway into the early morning silence signaling the death knoll, of what had started out as a beautiful day. One, of the few he had ever had.
Author: Amber
Pairings: Not Sure Yet but there will definitely be Yaoi.
Disclaimer: Gundam belongs to Gundam and any scene or plot similarity to another person's story, movie or anime is purely coincidental. Any new OC belongs to said author and her imagination.
Inside Out
The next few days were torture yet if he was being completely honest also some of the most incredible times of his life. After they brought Relena home, a gloom seemed to linger over the people and the house sucking the very life out of everything and one. Heero and Duo alternated between hovering over Relena and watching him with guarded eyes. And he.. well he watched her bleed for strangers and ached at not being able to help.
He played by their rules until the third night, then slipped out tracking the next link in the chain. Gabriel couldn't be there for her like he wanted so he went out and did what he was good at. He destroyed; he removed every possible avenue Thorne Industries had to harm Relena.
He obliterated their financial base as well as sending a file of involved personnel to the Preventers. Then, he went after Mark Thorne head of the company, for one of the largest equipment manufacturers responsible for maintaining the colonies upkeep. Except, somewhere along the line their greed became voracious and their sideline became weapons. All they needed was to remove what they considered the impediment to their plans. Relena, the leading proponent for downsizing of weapons.
Gabriel stood there impervious, as Thorne begged for his life. When suddenly, the image of Relena lost and hurt, because others had gotten killed superimposed over Thorne's begging. His eyes hardened, and under his cold gaze Thorne's pleas dwindled as the sickening realization set in he had met someone for once he couldn't bribe or manipulate. For the first time in thirty years, he prayed as he stared into the eyes of death.
When Gabriel returned that morning he slipped in the way he left only to find his absence hadn't gone unnoticed. Heero's gaze swept over him with an unreadable expression, he waited tense for what Heero's final decision would be. After a moment Heero slid the safety on his gun and silently left the room. The next day when the news broke about Thorne's tragic accident other than a knowing look Heero let the matter drop.
His thoughts turned once more, to the object of his fascination it was a surreal experience the last few days watching her grieve. He couldn't believe anyone was that selfless even though the proof was right there in front of him. Except, they weren't really strangers she was mourning were they? Relena had taken them and made them a part of her, and because she had it was now personal instead of merely faceless names in another long list of tragedies. Senseless sure but in his world an accepted part of life, one he had become inured to until her.
Most of the time there was an odd shifting, a clenching in his chest near the region of his heart that was damn disconcerting whenever he thought about her or was near her. Clinically, he noticed his elevated heart rate and shortness of breath and cursed, conceding he had lost control of this thing these feelings long ago. Objectivity was a thing of the past. All those years he watched her, visited her, loved her had been nothing compared to the reality of her. Noin had been right she was so much more than what he dreamed of and now that he knew, now that she had broken his barriers, leaving her was something he wasn't sure he knew how to do.
Gabriel looked thoughtfully around the room the guest room. But he could still see small personal touches added to the room that reflected the personalities of those within the house. The watercolors on the walls soothed making a visitor feel more at ease. A bed that beckoned with all its lushness making him think of things better off forgotten, he could see Duo's fine hand in that. His eyes continued around the room taking in shelves that were built into the wall holding everything from books, to games, to an entertainment system and computer. The sophistication and quality was without a doubt Heero's contribution.
If the bedroom was fit for a king, the bathroom was the Queen's. Gabriel smiled faintly or the Princess's. A sunken tub big enough for three people dominated the room, plush rugs were scattered through out, plants over flowed from a bay window adding to the effect encouraging one to linger, to forget and soak one's cares away while appreciating natures beauty beyond.
Gabriel collapsed on the bed, covering his eyes with his arm, he willed himself to sleep hell he never slept well, snatches at a time at most. But then no one had been sleeping well not since the attack on Relena.. For some reason tonight he was especially tense Heero was away on business. Duo had elected to stay behind for guard duty; no surprise there they didn't trust him alone with Relena. Gabriel dropped his arm to the bed, his lips thinning with irritation who was he kidding he knew what was eating him. He had found a kind of strange peace staying here, until he came down the hall earlier tonight and caught a glimpse of Duo and Relena through the crack in the door. He had froze.
She sat there in a t-shirt, lost within the sybaritic splendor of Duo and Heero's huge bed brushing Duo's hair. From the expression on Duo's face, he looked like he was in heaven. The muscles in Gabriel's stomach knotted painfully, staying here facing the reality of the three of them had been a bad idea. He just realized at the moment, he wasn't handling what he was seeing very well at all. There was a wistful look on her face as she ran the brush through his hair; god knows he didn't know how long he stood there, watching the casual intimacy between the two before he realized he was holding his breath.
Gabriel watched her blink, like a sleeper waking from a long nap she placed the brush on the nightstand. Relena slid her fingers through Duo's hair in a final caress, and then rising up on her knees she draped her arms around his neck and hugged him. Gabriel felt every muscle tighten, in a small corner of his mind, he could hear himself screaming no as she kissed Duo's cheek.
O god, how he wanted to close his eyes. He ordered himself to turn away, his jaw ached where the muscles bunched and contracted in rhythm to his pounding heart. And then, the pounding stopped and his muscles relaxed one by one, as she slid from the bed and bid him goodnight. Duo took her hand and kissed it, and then closing his eyes he leaned his cheek against her hand. Gabriel stood there a few minutes longer willing her to leave. When she finally turned and moved toward the door, he silently continued down the hall without anyone knowing he was there which was pretty much the commentary of his life.
So here he lay hours later, his senses turned outward, wound tighter than a spring. When something changed so subtly he wasn't sure that it wasn't in part his imagination. Gabriel lifted his head; sliding his hand underneath the pillow, he grabbed his gun and killed the light, before he rolled to his feet all in one smooth movement. Gabriel glided toward the door, pulling it open he gave his eyes a moment to adjust to the dark before he moved silently down the hall. He made a circuit of the house and grounds and found nothing so why was he so dissatisfied? Maybe, because he was tired of keeping his distance when all he wanted to do was wrap himself in her and lock out the world. Gabriel blinked, he didn't quite trust what he was seeing, he found himself in front of her bedroom door without even realizing it. He smiled ruefully, he wasn't exactly dressed for a royal visit but he'd be in and out there without her ever knowing it. He just needed to make sure she was safe.
Gabriel tilted his head toward the door listening for sounds within then silently opened it and slipped through. He searched the room with curious eyes, deliberately keeping his gaze from the bed, drawing out the anticipation as long as he could. Here, were more watercolors on the walls it pleased him to know he had guessed correctly. Slowly moving deeper into the room, his fingers trailed along the smooth surface of the furniture, fingertips lightly thrummed the bristles of her brush, setting off a tingle in his fingertips that ended with a shiver coursing up his spine.
He stopped. Staring wide-eyed at his hazy image within the mirror, the room was silent except for her slow and steady breathing, it made him feel oddly at peace being here seeing a side of her few seldom got the chance to. He lifted a delicate glass container and removed the stopper. It was the light floral scent, he had come to associate with Relena returning the stopper he tilted it trying to see a name but there was none. That meant exclusivity and big money. He returned it gently, reluctantly almost, then turned, delaying the moment as long as he could, some how knowing nothing would quite ever be the same again.
His eyes traveled slowly upward, the bed like Heero's was huge but unlike theirs tall, slender, bedposts soared upward into some kind of canopy draped with yards of sheer filmy material. The material covering the bed was smooth and cool to the touch, he trailed his fingers along a comforter that was whisper soft, begging a person to linger within it's satiny folds. All in all, it was a bed fitting a princess. His heart started a tempo that rivaled a marching band as his eyes continued up the bed. Gabriel didn't remember consciously moving, but at some point he drew closer to the bed. Moonlight filtered through the curtains, throwing the room into gloom relieved only by the splashes of silver, that was Relena's skin and hair. Hair that spilled off the pillows, and down the sides of the bed in artless abandon, coaxing those fortunate enough to see it, to draw closer and linger within it's silken tresses.
She seemed so small and defenseless lying there barely noticeable among the mounds of covers and pillows. As once before, he found himself reaching for a strand of her hair before he could talk himself out of it, rubbing the silky softness between his fingers, savoring the feel before he opened his fingers to release them. Silver strands clung lovingly to his fingers, as if having a will of their own, seemingly as reluctant to go, as he was to let them go. But let them he did, he slipped his hand away, fingers trailing reluctantly through the silky strands of her hair until, once again, they no longer touched. Letting out a carefully hushed breath, he slid his gun into the small of his back before he let himself see her sleeping countenance.
Gabriel swallowed heavily, wanting to be away, anywhere but here. She looked; like she did while she was still in the capsule. Gone. Completely devoid of anything that was intrinsically definably Relena. And he hated it; his expression darkened as his thoughts did. His first instinct was to wake her. O, how he wanted her to open her eyes, it was so intense he shook with it, clenching his fists he forced himself to take a step back. In the middle of taking another step back, she opened her eyes and locked her gaze on his, as if the sheer intensity of his thoughts, his feelings had alone woke her.
Relena leaned up on her elbow and blinked sleepily. "Gabriel?"
O God, that's the last thing he wanted. Her shirt shifted, sliding off her shoulder. She looked so sexy, so damn huggable, he wanted nothing more than to pull back the bedclothes and join her. He swallowed trying to get moisture to a throat that suddenly seemed entirely too dry. " Shh, it's all right I heard a noise and I was just checking to make sure you were all right."
Her eyes seemed to sharpen and clear as she focused on his face, rising up on her arm she stretched a hand toward him. "What's wrong?" she whispered
Gabriel exhaled making a conscious effort to relax. He shook his head, "nothing. Go back to sleep."
Relena shifted, pulling the covers higher she winced a bit as stitches pulled taut then sat up on the bed studying him. "When are you and Heero going to tell me what this is all about?"
He shrugged dismissingly. "There's nothing to tell."
She smiled just a faint curve of her lips and then it was gone as quickly as it appeared. "Everyone, so determined to protect me. Do I really seem that fragile?" She looked down hiding her expression in a fall of hair.
He moved closer sitting on the edge of the bed. "No, not fragile, to good to be true. It causes people to not want to take the risk in finding out what could happen." He lifted her chin with his knuckle. "It make's those that care determined to keep you safe. Is that so terrible?"
She searched his eyes before shaking her head. "No, but keeping secrets doesn't protect, in the long run it always seems to cause more pain."
"Not this time princess," he replied cryptically.
She nodded, "and when this is all over then what?"
He took her hand clasping it between his stilling its restless movement. "Then your life returns too normal and mine." He shrugged leaving it unsaid.
"You'll return home?" She sought his eyes searchingly.
"Ah what's home?" His lips curved gently, "if your safe I'll have accomplished everything I needed to."
"What about family?" He shook his head.
Relena bit her lip, "I'm sorry. You.. You could stay we could become." He shook his head before she could finish. "I'll never see you again will I?"
He cupped her face, "will you miss me angel?"
"Yes. Yes I will .. I feel at times like I know you, have always known you. Why did I feel so close to you so quickly?"
He exhaled raggedly, "your killing me slowly here." He cupped her face, "once your safe you will have your whole life ahead of you. You'll forget me."
She shook her head. "I don't think so," she whispered. Relena lifted her hand, her fingers gently trailing through his long hair, "you feel it too don't you?"
He pulled slowly away, looking down at the hand he still held to hide his expression. "I don't run well with a crowd Relena it would never work out." He told her mocking himself for his cowardice. 'Why couldn't he just tell her he was jealous of her closeness with Heero and Duo and didn't want to share?'
"It won't work," he head jerked up. "What?" He said warily.
Relena smiled gently. "Duo, does the same thing. The more important it is to him, the more sarcastic he becomes to throw everyone off."
He smiled wryly lifting her hand he placed it over his heart. "You think you've got me all figured don't you angel?"
"No, not really, but give me time and the chance." She bit her lip nervously; "I haven't felt this way in a long time."
He leaned his forehead gently against hers. "I can't stay," he said hoarsely. 'God, how I want to though.'
"I promised myself, I would never again beg someone not to leave me. But for whatever time I have left in this world I don't want to have regrets about not doing something about the way I feel right now."
He leaned in moving his mouth to hers, speaking against her moist parted lips. "What am I going to do with you?" 'How do I fight myself and you?'
"Be with me," she whispered against his lips. "Just for a little while, whether it lasts for a day or a year. She pulled back taking his hands, pulling on them gently. Just for a little while, there is no tomorrow, you're not leaving, and we have all the time in the world."
Gabriel followed her down onto the bed; leaning over her he captured her lips in a tender kiss that quickly deepened into something hungrier. "God help me, I may be killed for this tomorrow but tonight I can't deny either one of us." His dark blue eyes narrowed to heavy-lidded slits that glittered intensely. "I love you," he murmured, his hoarse voice unrecognizable. He whispered against her ear. "I've always, loved you."
He dropped his mouth to the side of her neck, audibly suckling the skin there before he trailed hot kisses, alternated with languid licks of his tongue along the curve of her jaw. "Relena," his voice was a throaty, uncertain whisper. "I'll be careful of your wound." With a shivery sigh, her eyes fluttered open and met his own with a look of trust and acceptance.
Then she smiled a smile, which seemed to illuminate them both in the wonder and beauty of the moment. His nagging voice of reason grew still under the weight of her certainty, he fought it no longer, without taking his eyes from her he pulled his gun out and laid it on her nightstand. As he slid out of his jeans, his last coherent thought as he lost himself in the sultriness of her gaze was if her brother didn't kill him first he would have to stand in line behind Heero and Duo for the pleasure.
Gabriel came awake in a rush, eyes narrowed searching the silent room at a glance before his body subtly relaxed. He turned his head toward the silken body curled against him, almost afraid he had been dreaming again, his breathing stuttered then returned to normal. The gradual lightening of the sky, filtered through the curtains, hiding nothing of the body beside him. The tender thoughts he had been thinking upon waking immediately swung toward desire. Desire, he didn't have time to explore. Pulling his arm reluctantly from under her head, he had one foot on the floor and was trying to slip away without waking her, when eyes that reminded him of the sea at night fluttered and opened. Blinking drowsily she smiled as he placed a finger against her lips.
He slowly drew back from her embrace. "It's almost morning; I should go before the rest of the house wakes." Relena studied him intently, and then she nodded, leaning up on her elbow she made to raise.
He shook his head. "No, stay. I want to remember you today, just like this since I can't have what I really want." He claimed her lips in a kiss, which was both poignantly sweet and achingly painful, almost as if he was bidding her a final goodbye.
Relena shivered at the thought, cold dread seemed to shake off the last of the almost dreamlike quality that seemed to cocoon the lovers in a world of their own. Once again, reality intruded. She watched him with a troubled look, as he pulled his pants on and grabbed his gun shoving it into his pants at the small of his back. Gabriel raked his hands through his hair and looked around the room once more. Muttering under his breath, he swung around and headed toward the door. He halted, leaning his head against the wood. She watched his silent struggle worriedly as the muscles across his back bunched and flexed. When he turned back to her, she let out her breath with a sigh, not realizing she had held it until that moment.
He walked back to her slowly, almost hypnotically, his eyes never leaving hers as he knelt beside the bed. He was torn, she saw that, and so she waited, letting him make the choice knowing nothing else would satisfy her. Relena had learned over the years, that it took two to make a relationship work. And even then, it didn't always succeed just because there are strong emotions on both sides. There were no guarantees to a happy ending.
Finally, he reached out as if in a dream, and slowly drew her to him, his arms closing about her slender body. He cupped her cheek; his thumb caressed her lips as his eyes softly traced her features, almost like he was memorizing them. Then he kissed her, a light brush of lips, then another, before his mouth settled hungrily on hers. Hot and wet, devouring her with a passion, that coaxed her response as well as demanded it. Relena lifted her arms sliding them underneath his hair, she clasped his neck trying to pull him back to bed. He groaned and shifted away, leaning his forehead against hers as he struggled for control.
He slowly, awkwardly, pulled away and stood, taking a moment to adjusting his pants before he smiled down at her wryly, "I'm going now to take a shower." He backed toward the door. "A cold shower."
Relena smiled mischievously, "I have a shower."
He shook his head, "no we're going to do this right. I don't want you to think I'm after your body." Her arched eyebrow spoke volumes. "Ok --only want your body. I want it all princess heart and soul." He smiled recklessly, "and I'll get it too you already love me just a little or last night would have never happened." He slipped through the door before she could reply. Leaning his head against it he drew a shaky breath. Then straightening he absently glanced both ways, before heading back toward his room.
Gabriel entered the kitchen. At the site of Duo leaning against the counter drinking coffee he hesitated, but continued on to the cabinet and grabbed a mug. He could feel Duo's eyes boring into his back as he poured himself a cup of coffee. "What the hell are you playing at?"
Gabriel turned, mentally he winced, Duo knew. Somehow he knew and he was pissed. "I didn't know I was playing."
Duo's eyes glittered furiously, "Don't fuck with me, unless you have a death wish."
Gabriel sat his cup down slowly, he had killed for her, bled for her, and now he had finally gotten to love her, he would be damned if he'd let her go without a fight. He smiled savagely, "your welcome to try. What I do, what she does, is none of your business we're both adults." Duo came off the counter in a rush, gun drawn. Gabriel dropped back into crouch, with his gun out when a click of a third gun made him freeze.
"I'm now making it my business, and unlike Duo I will shoot if I don't like your answer. So, someone tell me fast what this is all about?" Duo let his arm fall and stalked to the drawer jerking it open he pulled out a manila folder and tossed it on the table. Gabriel slowly let his hands down, and turned. Warily keeping his eyes on the both of them, he let his eyes drop to the table.
"Duo?"
"I haven't liked this from the beginning, to many coincidences, too many unanswered questions, and to many people acting too damn weird. But hey, I can go with the flow I'm flexible. This shit, takes the cake though."
"Duo.."
"No Heero!" He sliced his hand downward. "I bought into his shit on the off chance he'd keep Lena safe but he's been playing games from the start. Games, I don't intend to put up with."
"If I haven't kept her safe what the hell do you call what I've been doing?" He gritted.
Duo leaned into his face and hissed furiously. "Good question asshole, what were you doing coming out of her room this morning half dressed?" Gabriel lunged, grabbing his shirt at the same time Duo locked his arm around Gabriel's head and slammed his fist upward. Gabriel shoved him, drawing back to counter swing, when he felt himself jerked backward. Duo caught him again across he chin he saw stars for a moment then heard Heero's voice as he pulled Duo away.
Gabriel lifted his hand to his jaw and rotated it. "What pisses you off more that it was me or that she's not playing house with you and Yuy?"
"Enough."
"O, no." Duo continued on as if Heero hadn't spoken. "What pisses me off enough to blow you to hell and back is which freak scientist used Heero's DNA to cook you up without his knowledge."
It was quiet enough to hear a pin drop. Heero's eyes widened going from Duo to Gabriel. He holstered his gun as he moved toward the table, keeping a steady gaze on Gabriel he opened the folder. The shirt slid into his hand. Gabriel recognized the shirt, his jaw worked continuously as he strove to keep his glance impassive. Heero dropped the shirt, skimming the note before he flipped through the paperwork. He frowned as he read through the findings. Heero looked up, tossing the papers on the table. "I asked you once, if you were an experiment? I asked the wrong question, what are you to me?" His eyes methodically swept over the man before him with an unreadable expression.
"I told you, all I can. I'm to eliminate any and all threats to Relena Darlian you were the ones that insisted I be here to do that."
Duo let a hard laugh slip out. "O right, so now it's our fault you slept with her when you don't intend on staying around," he said brusquely. Heero's mouth tightened angrily, he swung away staring out the kitchen window.
"I would never deliberately hurt her," the words were low and hoarse forced out against every instinct against explaining himself.
Duo fixed him with a cold look. "That remains to be seen, you haven't explained this yet with any satisfaction and I know I for one want an explanation. According to that, Heero is your father."
"Good morning, what's..." Relena strolled through the door and halted, her eyes going from one to the other before settling on the bloody shirt lying on the table. The silence lengthened growing uncomfortable. "Has.. something happened?" She tried to catch Gabriel's eye, but he glanced away without answering. "Duo?" He grimaced. Frowning she glanced at Heero's tense back. "Heero?"
Relena cautiously moved toward the table, studying the three of them perplexed she picked up the papers seeking some explanation for the tension, when her hand was grabbed. Startled she looked up and met with Gabriel's stormy gaze.
"Let her go," Heero said coldly. Gabriel's hand twitched, his eyes begged her silently. For what? She couldn't understand, the click of a safety being released sounded loudly in the room. "I won't tell you again."
Gabriel's eyes went blank as he dropped his hand and stepped back. Relena looked at them bewildered, "what has gotten into you guys?" She glanced down at the papers casually then froze. Her brow furrowed as she read the attached post it note out loud. Her voice started out puzzled, then grew progressively raspier by the time she finished.
"Duo, I dug up the records on Heero from when he was held at the Federation Naval Hospital won't be able to tell you 100% without more extensive tests but I'd say forget clone. As incredible as it seems it's a match Heero is this guy's father. Forget dinner will settle for an explanation instead. Call me. Sally."
The doorbell cut through the house with a welcome reprieve, yet no one moved they continued to stand there like a bunch of voyeurs at the scene of a car accident waiting for the climax. Turning pages were loud within the silence of the kitchen as another then another followed then fluttered wildly to the floor. Gabriel swallowed convulsively, as he forced himself to look at her face. There was a blankness, to her gaze a blindness, as if she saw nothing beyond her shock. When he left her this morning, her skin had taken on a rosy glow that screamed satisfaction and contentment, now she looked like every bit of life had been drained out of her. He flinched, he felt like he had actually taken a hit, far worse than any physical wound he had ever received.
"Well, you gentlemen obviously have things to discuss." She paused for a moment, a look of uncertainty in her face, then finally began again struggling keep her voice steady. "I'll.. leave you to it." The doorbell's peal cut through the house again this time a bit more insistently.
"Lena," Duo began hesitantly.
She lifted her hand for silence, "that's my ride I'll be fi...", drawing a deep breath she turned and silently left the room.
Duo turned. "Heero, go after her. Talk to her."
"No," he said flatly. Heero lifted his gaze, blue eyes glinted dangerously in a face that was unnaturally still. Through the years, not much made Gabriel pause, till now. But calmly meeting the deadly promise in those eyes took everything he had.
"Damn it, Heero!" Duo tossed the remains of his coffee and cup in the sink and stormed out.
Gabriel lost track of how long they stood there, silently waiting for what he didn't think either of them knew, when the front door slammed. The whine of the garage door, followed the angry scream of the motorcycle, as it sped down the driveway into the early morning silence signaling the death knoll, of what had started out as a beautiful day. One, of the few he had ever had.