Reflections of Beauty
Reflections of Beauty
By Obsolete Love
Chapter 4

Shanah felt a throbbing pain at the base of her spine and her head that almost seemed in rhythm with the beating of her heart…

'What… happened…?' Her heavy eyes slowly opened and for a moment, everything was gray and dim… She blinked a few more times and color came back to her vision… with it, memories.

Her eyes widened and fear gripped her with its cold hands. 'Quatre!'

She tried to sit up but found her back aching so much that she couldn't move… except very slowly… She turned to her side and her gaze fell on expensive Earth Sphere leather shoes… Her eyes traveled upwards and saw Quatre slumped on a chair, his once immaculate black suit now covered with dust, his hair was rumpled and some small cuts on his face had clots of blood upon it… But even with those cuts, he's the handsomest man she'd ever laid eyes on and she's just happy that he's alive…

God! She didn't want to feel that way ever again! Fear that she'd die… fear that Quatre would die… Thank God that he's alright!

As if he knew that she's awake, Quatre's eyes opened… Not for the first time, he saw how her hair framed her face… He was the one who had uncoiled her hair earlier for the doctors to check her, but during that time, it had seemed lifeless… Now, with her eyes open, it looked very much alive- lush brown in flowing waves with highlights of amber that complimented her beautiful eyes… Awake… Very much awake…

The look of relief, then of concern, that he gave her was forever etched in her heart and she could only stare into his eyes…

Quatre couldn't stop himself as he moved to her, gently sat at the edge of her bed and reached out to hold the hand nearest to him. "Are you alright?"

Shanah's heart rate jumped and she felt a shiver go up her spine because of his piercing gaze coupled with his gentle touch. "I… think so. My back is a little sore… I have no idea why…"

Quatre's eyes darkened as he remembered. "You hit the tree pretty hard… I think that's why."

Shanah nodded then suddenly felt the weird weight on her head. Slowly, her other hand went up to touch it. "I… why do I have this?"

Quatre grimaced. "A slight head injury according to the doctors…"

Her eyes went back to his face just to check him. "What about you? Are you okay? You have so many small wounds…"

"I'm fine. I was more afraid about you…" Quatre couldn't stop staring at her… He thought… He thought he'd never see her eyes open ever again… Maybe it was panic and fear that grappled his mind and numbed him to incoherent thoughts but the notion that he would never…

Shanah felt Quatre squeeze her hand lightly and saw an indecipherable emotion in his eyes. "Quatre?"

He couldn't stop himself… He just couldn't… He wanted to be sure that she wasn't hurt… that she was really here with him… He bent toward her…

Shanah's eyes fluttered close as she tilted her face upwards and met his lips with hers…

He kissed her gently, almost as if she was made of fragile glass that would break at his slightest touch… but that gentle kiss spoke of so many things…

She felt care and concern while he felt trust and something more…

Quatre broke the kiss, moving only a few inches away from her face. "I was so worried… I thought…"

"I was worried about you, too…" Shanah whispered, still a little dazed… Was she dreaming? Had he really just kissed her…

He looked as if he was about to say something more, but the sound of the doorknob turning made him draw away from her, though he kept a firm hold on her hand…

Rashid came inside with a stack of papers. "The Council understands… I made sure of that." A look of concern washed over Rashid as he looked at Shanah. "Are you alright? Blasted rebels… I'm happy Heero took them all out."

Shanah gave a tentative smile at Rashid, still aware of Quatre's hold on her hand. "Yes, thank you Rashid."

Rashid shook his head while he walked to the other side of the bed then took hold of Shanah's free hand. "No, Ms. Winter, I should be thanking you. I am forever in your debt for saving Master Quatre's life." Rashid bowed and gave Shanah a kiss on her knuckles.

Quatre saw her eyes bulge at the action before she turned her shocked face to him. He only smiled and nodded.

"I- You're welcome… Rashid." Shanah faltered out… She had this distinct feeling that Rashid would feel offended if she said something other than that. She glanced at Quatre and saw him nod his head once again.

Rashid gave one last look at Shanah then faced Quatre. "The Council decided to have their next meeting two days later."

"Oh! The meeting! What time is it!?" Shanah cried out as she tried to move from her bed and instantly grimaced as pain shot up her back.

Quatre was immediately beside her and gently pushed her back down on the pillows. "The meeting went on, but we didn't go."

Shanah bit her lip and looked down at her blankets. "I'm sorry."

"It wasn't your fault. We were delayed, that's all. Besides, the general secretary was there and she just gave us the copy of the minutes." Quatre started to tuck her in once again.

Rashid walked to the door. "I am going to check up on Ms. Relena and tell her what happened."

"Ms. Relena?" Shanah asked softly and tried to put a face to the name, a feeling of jealousy ran through her. But Quatre didn't hear her as he faced Rashid.

"Please tell her that I'm extremely sorry for not being there to greet her arrival."

Rashid nodded. "Yes, Master Quatre."

The two watched as the door closed, then Quatre's gaze fell back on Shanah. He could feel worry and… remorse? … and something he couldn't be sure of… but those first two emotions he could be quite sure for the cause…

"Shanah, I do not regret kissing you."

Shanah's gaze instantly went to Quatre… She remembered the kiss and shyly looked down. Her eyes fell on his hand, once again holding hers. She felt a gentle squeeze from him and she bit her lower lip…

'He didn't regret kissing a plain girl like me?'

"Do you?"

His question surprised her and what surprised her more was when she shook her head and said- "No…"

"Then, why are you shutting me out?" Quatre prodded. He could already feel those protective icicles clumping around her. He didn't want that to happen again…

"It's… it wasn't right that we…" Shanah didn't want to say 'kiss' out loud.

"Kissed? Why?" It seemed as if his patience came back to him while he impelled Shanah to answer him.

She bit her lower lip. "Business etiquette-"

"No… forget about business etiquette."

Shanah looked up at the sudden harshness in his words… His eyes met hers once again and she couldn't look away… trapped…

"Do you feel that what we did was wrong?" Quatre felt the answer before she said it. It made his heart feel lighter.

"I…No…" The truth came out even if she had wanted to say a lie… she couldn't lie…

"I didn't feel that what we did was wrong, either." Quatre said gently, trying to make her see a point that he himself wasn't so sure of…

He watched Shanah's eyes squint into his, trying to read what it was he's telling her, then slowly he saw a soft smile light her face.

"Quatre, I am still your Personal Assistant… how should we act?"

Quatre grinned. "We'll act as we should in public if that is what you want… but I will act in accordance to what I feel when we're alone."

Shanah's soft smile turned into a grin. "That is a good plan."

Quatre gently brought the hand he was holding up to his lips and kissed it. Shanah felt another shiver go up her spine…

"You need to go back to sleep… I should leave you right now… even if I don't want to." Quatre let out a sigh of frustration then stood up and loosened his hold on her.

Shanah didn't let go of his hand, tugging him gently to face her. She needed to say something… something she thought she would never have the chance to say when she heard those gunshots…

Quatre met her serious look and inquiringly frowned.

"Quatre, before you go… I want to say I'm sorry… Sorry for all those things I said to you… It was out of line…"

Quatre shook his head… He didn't care about what she had said before… all he cared about was that she's alive… talking to him… "Shanah-"

"Quatre, let me finish please?" The soft request instantly stopped the words that had wanted to come out of him.

Shanah smiled waveringly. "I…" she gulped and tightened her hold on Quatre's hand. She felt his strength. "I want you to know that you're the kindest, smartest, and most deserving man I know."

He could feel that she wasn't telling him a lie with those compliments… that though she didn't want to say it, she's still saying it. It warmed his heart and drove his insecurities away. Truth… She had seen it and made him face it again. "What you said is true though… I am dyslexic."

"And I know that, but so what?"

He saw passion in her eyes… passion that showed she would fight.

"That doesn't mean that you can't make a smart decision… besides, it only comes out when you're stressed… so… I want to help."

That shook Quatre a bit as he stared at Shanah in confusion. "Pardon?"

Shanah showed her sincerity through her eyes. "I want to help, Quatre… Two heads are better than one… You can easily finish your papers due in review if I help… I…" A moments indecision fluttered over her face. "I could read the proposals to you when you're too tired…"

Her suggestion fluttered like fire to a wind…

A feeling of helplessness in his situation coursed through Quatre at first then, he remembered what she had said… and truth be told… he did need help… that she would offer her time to be with him… And never in her tone did she hint on thinking him an idiot…

Quatre smiled softly as he leaned down and kissed her bandaged head lightly. "I suppose that would mean we'll be working late together."

Shanah didn't breathe and just nodded. She didn't want to break the spell that seemed to have woven itself around them, that made them act like two average people…

"Rashid and I will bringing dinner in, later. I'll eat with you." Quatre finally said, willing himself to let go of her hand and to walk away. He opened his door, stopped and then turned around to just get a look at her once again… the most beautiful face to him… "Sleep peacefully with cherished dreams, until I come back, Shanah…"

His whispered words fell like a warm blanket over her and she watched as he closed the door… 'We were not acting professionally at all…'

Shanah closed her eyes and smiled softly… 'But this is better… he kissed plain Shanah… not Felicia…'

~*~

Shanah wrung her hands nervously while Quatre stood by the window of the small living room suite.

He could feel the waves of nervousness from her and he finally gave up, walked to her and held her hands to stop them. He smiled encouragingly. "Shanah, don't worry… It's just the Vice Foreign Minister…"

"Exactly. Oh God… I look too stupid to be your secretary… I have this big old bandage on my head and my hair is a mess. I can't put it up and… I'm a nervous wreck!!!" She's going to meet Ms. Relena Dorlian, for goodness' sake!!! How should one act in front of royalty, power and fame?!

Quatre laughed softy as he touched her long hair, some soft tendrils fell over her shoulders… "Your hair looks lovely… I think I rather like it down," he saw her eyes widen and felt the start of negative thoughts. He quickly spoke before she could. "But if you don't, then that's fine with me too… As for Relena. She will never think that you're stupid… And about your bandaged head, once I say one name, I'm sure she'll understand."

Shanah skeptically looked at Quatre then sighed… He's probably right… A tremulous smile lighted her face as she tried to lighten the mood. "Just one name, huh? That person must have quite a reputation."

Quatre rolled his eyes. "You don't know the half of it."

Shanah grinned. "That bad?"

Before Quatre could answer, they heard the door click open and the two unwillingly separated.

Shanah saw, for the first time, Ms. Relena Peacecraft, in person walk into the room in the calmest mood and a grace equivalent to a queen while shots of cameras snapped in the background… Then, a Chinese looking man slammed the door shut behind them and turned his scowling face at them… She instantly felt the need to hide behind Quatre but she didn't.

And then she saw the change. The moment the door was closed, Shanah saw the calm, placid face of the woman who had accomplished so much, turn into a wide smile that Shanah had never seen in her usual speeches.

"Quatre!" she walked to him just as Quatre walked to her.

"Relena! I see that they're still following you around." Quatre reached out to give Relena a hug that she accepted gratefully.

"As if some don't come after you at all, dear friend."

Shanah's wide eyes tried to comprehend what's happening in front of her.

"P5 this is PG1, GET THOSE REPORTERS OFF OUR TAIL!!!"

The shout jarred Shanah as the man shouted to his collar, nodded then faced Quatre and Relena who had disengaged in their embrace.

Relena's eyes traveled to Shanah and she instantly felt like kicking herself for choosing such dowdy attire…

"Hello."

"G-good morning, Ms. Peacecraft." She's stuttering!!!

Quatre turned to face her and grinned as he gently pushed Relena forward. "Relena, this is my personal assistant, Shanah."

Shanah reached out for a handshake and her cold, nervous hands was instantly covered by comforting warm ones.

"Laddi retired?" Relena asked inquiringly.

Quatre nodded.

"I didn't know…" Relena and Shanah let go of each other. "I could have given her something."

"It's alright, Relena… She knows that you care." Quatre patted her shoulders.

Relena nodded sadly. "Still… I mean, I know how she is… She's almost like Pagan…"

Quatre's cheerful face turned sad. "Relena, just think that Pagan's in a wonderful place now."

Shanah saw Relena smile and nod slightly then to her surprise, Relena faced her.

"Shanah, as usual Quatre didn't tell me his PA's last name, so I couldn't ask for your permission to use your first name."

Quatre grinned mischievously.

"Uhm… that's alright." Shanah whispered out.

"Please call me Relena." Relena gave her friendliest smile to the woman and Shanah instantly felt her nervousness evaporate into nothing.

"Thank you, Relena."

"P5, THOSE BAKAS ARE STILL OUT THERE! PULL THEM OUT OR I'LL PERSONALLY MAKE SURE THAT THE WAY IS CLEAR!"

Shanah's eyes bulged at the outcry. Relena's face was a cross between a grimace and a smile while Quatre's body rocked with laughter.

Walking to Wufei, Quatre patted his back. "Wufei, how I missed your yells."

Wufei only snorted while the blonde Arabian led him to a seat, leaving Shanah to offer Relena one.

"What happened to your head? I mean, if you don't mind me asking." Relena asked as she sat down and Shanah took the seat in front of her.

Shanah grinned. "Well, Quatre said that he'll only say one name and you'll understand."

The women's gaze fell on Quatre who just smiled and shrugged. "Heero."

From the corner of her eyes, Shanah saw Relena give a start at the name… saw Relena willing herself not to react too much and then tilt her head as if the name did mean something but not much.

"Oh."

"YUY WAS HERE?! I KNEW IT!!!"

Quatre smiled knowingly… He observed Relena's every action and saw what he wanted to see... He gave Wufei a silencing look and Relena's bodyguard turned to face the window, grumbling while Quatre sat beside Relena.

"He wanted me to tell you 'Hi'."

Shanah saw a pained look cross over Relena's face.

"Nice try, Quatre… But Heero would never say that, even if you had seen him… He's not the kind of person who would leave a message."

Quatre reached out and touched her shoulder. He could see the painful sadness in her eyes… 'Heero… you better show up soon or I'll be the one who'll hunt you down.'

"Relena, he may not have said it… but I felt his want to say it."

Relena smiled softly as she patted Quatre's hand. "Thanks."

Something snared at Shanah's mind and she finally understood… Relena's like every other girl… except for the burden of responsibilities on her shoulders… but she's like every other girl who loves and longs to be loved… and for that matter, Shanah felt her heart go to her.

Quatre suddenly looked at Wufei and his eyes sparkled with mischief. 'Maybe we should start another poll in the Box…'

"By the way Wufei, Duo wants to give you a message."

At the name, Wufei turned around and glared at him. "Now what does that braided baka want?"

"Lydia."

For a moment, just for a second, Quatre saw Wufei's shock then anger. Quatre didn't even give him a chance to talk, expecting a full-all out bellow. He almost couldn't control his grin!

Relena, on the other hand, looked away from the two men and Shanah saw an amused smile on her lips.

"Duo wants to talk to Lydia, but he couldn't get a hold of her. So he thought that maybe you could give her a message. Her order is ready to be picked up."

Wufei snorted then turned away from Quatre.

Quatre just smiled then faced the two women in the room. "I only have this day open, and I'm sure it's the same for you, Relena… So how about we have a little fun?"

Relena grinned while Wufei turned around in a frantic frenzy.

"WHAT?! And what am I going to do with those reporters out there?!"

Quatre shrugged and gave Shanah a nod… a signal. She knew the plan.

"Don't worry… er… Wufei. Rashid has a few family members around and he'll make sure that everything will be fine."

"My thanks to Rashid!" Relena enthusiastically said and quickly stood up. She walked to Shanah. "I'm so happy to finally be able to have a little female contact, right now. I usually have to deal with…" She gave a look towards Wufei and Shanah laughed.

Quatre grinned. "Hey, I'm a man, too, you know."

"You're different." The two women said as they smiled at him.

"I hope that's good." Quatre retorted in mock hurt.

~*~

2300 Hours

"Is that all?" Shanah asked, her hands poised over her laptop's keyboard.

"I think that's it. What do you think?" Quatre asked as he went behind Shanah and leaned over her shoulder to watch her face.

Shanah smiled and breathed in his faint cologne… She knew she shouldn't have, but she did… She turned to face him. "I think it's perfect. Now… don't you think it was easier this way?"

Quatre nodded as he stared into her eyes. Then he grinned. "Faster and… nicer…" He leaned to her, took away those mere inches of distance between their lips… He loved the feel of her soft, lush lips, pliant against his firm ones…

He heard that soft intake of breath as they parted for only a few seconds and kissed once again, opening under his lips… God! He knew she'd be as delicious as this when he first saw her… Why he didn't kiss her before, blame it on his sense of gent.

His hand slowly went to her head, his fingers going through her hair and cupping her-

Pain burst through her and Shanah gasped. "Ouch!"

Reality sunk back in Quatre and he quickly took away his hand, concern instantly on his face. "I'm sorry! Are you alright?"

Shanah nodded through her pounding head… because of her wound? Or is it because of Quatre? Somehow she's thankful that her wound broke the kiss, but half of her was a bit angry.

"I'm so sorry… I… forgot…"

Shanah looked up and saw such misgivings on Quatre's face, so much like a little boy, so sad, that she couldn't help herself as she leaned up and kissed him softly on the lips, just to ease away that look.

"I forgot too… I guess that makes two of us." She stood up and Quatre nodded, a smile back on his face.

"Guess its time to say good night." He walked Shanah to the sitting room. "Are your things ready for the flight back?"

Shanah nodded, a slight dread came over her… What if everything changes when they leave and go back to their real world?

As if he read her thoughts, Quatre reached out to hold her hand, and brought it up to his lips while he stared at her with those drowning aquamarine eyes of his.

"Don't worry about it…" he whispered before then opening Shanah's door, though for the life of him, he didn't know why he's letting her go since he just wanted to stare into her eyes all night! In a way, he's thankful that there hadn't been any available room at all!

Shanah smiled. "I won't… Good night Quatre."

He watched her softly close the door behind her… Shanah leaned against the door with a smile then walked to her bed while Quatre forced his feet to walk to the other direction…

'This had been one most interesting week…' Quatre thought, closing his own door behind him… 'Then again… it was the nicest also…' he grinned as he walked to his bathroom.

Mornings, it's hers… Nights, it's his… But right now… all he could smell was her lavender scent… faint from that morning shower… 'Allah… I wonder how…' Quatre stopped himself as his eyes grew wide, images formed in his mind- images of Shanah under the water's spray-

Flustered, Quatre tripped and bumped his head against the wall. Pain sliced through his head and made him forget what he was just thinking of… all for the better…