Neri jumped when a knock sounded on her door, startling her out of her reverie. Glancing at a nearby wall clock, she realized that over an hour had gone by. Wow, how time does fly when you look back, she thought. "Come in," she called out.
Relena entered, then shut the door behind her. "I hope I'm not disturbing you," she said.
"Oh, no, I was just remembering back when I first heard about the Gundams."
Relena sat down in the chair across from Neri and leaned forward, curious. "How did you find out about them, and become a Gundam pilot?"
Neri told her the whole story, except for the part about she and Quatre being related.
"Wow. Did you ever talk to that guy again?"
"Yeah. He helped me through the beginning of my training. I haven't talked to him for about a year, though." Neri paused for a moment. "Hey, weren't you going to say something when you first came in here?"
"Oh, I almost forgot. We were going to have a party celebrating the fact that the war's over, but it was postponed because of your accident. It'll take place on Saturday, and we're dressing up and everything. Would you like to come?"
"Of course!" Neri laughed suddenly. "Is Heero up for it?"
"Eh…" Relena chuckled. "Sort of. You know how he is about these things."
"Uh huh. On the other hand, I bet Duo loves the idea."
Her friend laughed. "He certainly does."
The two young women chatted idly for a while about the party, then Relena asked abruptly, "How do you feel about Trowa?"
Neri jerked slightly, caught off guard by this remark. She answered carefully, "Why?"
"I was just wondering. I think he may care about you."
Neri snorted derisively. "Yeah, right. After what I did to him?"
Relena, about to say more, caught Neri's self-deprecating expression and fell silent. After a brief pause, she spoke up once more. "Do you care for him?"
She looked away, out at the stars. "Yes, but nothing will ever come of it." She turned to face her, and said, "Don't say anything of it to anyone else, please."
"Of course. I'll go now." Relena stood up and moved toward the door. However, Neri's voice stopped her for a moment. "Thanks for coming by to see me. It's nice to have a girl-to-girl chat every once in a while."
Relena turned and smiled. "I agree."
* * *
That Saturday morning, Neri took out the only dress she owned. Humming to herself, she hung it up in the middle of her room so it could air out somewhat. A few hours later, right after lunch, she went over to the dining area to help Relena and Sally set up.
"So who all is going to be here?" Neri asked as they put up decorations.
"All the guys, Miss Noin, Hilde, and us," Relena replied.
"So few?"
"Yeah. I thought that would be best, considering all we've been through."
"Yeah…keeping it to the core group that it's been for so long is a good idea. So what exactly are we going to do this evening?"
"It'll be just a time for us to let go, you know, have some fun for once."
"Yeah, I know. It's been so long since I was last at a party."
"I'm glad your father thought of you bringing along a dress—just in case."
Neri nodded. Two hours later the room had been transformed. The three stepped back to admire their handiwork. "Wow—what a difference," Sally commented.
"I'll say. It's amazing to think that this was once an upgraded mess hall," Neri agreed. The tables had been moved out of the way for smaller round tables, each seating two or three. The middle of the floor was open to accommodate dancing, and the back doors opened up onto a patio with a few benches overlooking a rose garden. The streamers draped across the ceiling, accompanied by balloons, gave the room a festive atmosphere.
Later, after Sally had left to help Miss Noin with the food, Neri asked Relena, "So, what do the guys think of all this? I mean, I never thought Heero was the celebrative type."
"He wasn't. He still isn't, really, but I think he's opened up a lot since I first met him. So has Trowa. Now that I think of it, Sally has helped Wufei a bit. Duo and Quatre are just themselves, if you know what I mean."
Neri nodded. "What's Hilde like?"
"She's a good balance for Duo. Where he lacks, she's there to fill in. But she can be silly at times too, just like the rest of us."
The two went their separate ways to get ready for the evening after chatting for a few more minutes.
Neri, after taking a luxuriating bath, carefully did her hair in a way that she had never even tried to do before. A clip pulled her hair up in a twist at the back of her head, and curls escaped at the top, cascading down the sides and bouncing slightly whenever she moved. She looked over her reflection in the small mirror. Enh, I guess it's not too bad…I hope Trowa noti—snap out of it, girl! There's nothing between you two. Get used to it.
Her gaze returned to the mirror. The lavender dress fell down to her ankles. Sleeveless, it was held up by thin straps of the same color. The gown's neckline was low and wide. A small sash, sewn into the dress at the neckline and flowing down into an elegant tail in the back, accented the dress. She slipped on a pair of light gold sandals, low-heeled so they would not add much to her height. A gold necklace with a matching gold heart charm sat around her neck, completing the outfit.
Neri loved the dress because it swished as she walked. However, she cautiously walked out toward the dining room, feeling rather self-conscious all of a sudden. How long has it been since I last wore a dress, or even a skirt? At least two years, I think. She chuckled to herself. I don't think I've dressed up ever since I first heard the word "Gundam." It sure has absorbed my life for the past two years, hasn't it?
Someone tapped her right shoulder. Neri turned around gracefully to see Quatre in a suit, bowing. "May I escort you in?" he asked, offering his arm as he stood up.
She giggled. "Yes, thank you, kind sir." They shared a laugh as they walked in, arm in arm.
Trowa was talking to Duo as they came in. His eyes narrowed for a brief moment when he saw them walking together in that manner. Immediately he tried to ignore the feeling that rose up in him at the sight as he continued his conversation.
Duo caught the fleeting expression, however. What was that about? Oh, well…
Once they had all arrived, Relena announced that each guest's name was on a placard at one of the tables—arranged in a semi-circle—at their seat for the evening. The first table consisted of Duo and Hilde; the second Sally and Wufei; the third Relena, Heero, and Miss Noin; and the fourth Neri, Quatre, and Trowa.
The meal was excellent. First a course of French bread, then soup, then the main course—a type of meat dish, then dessert. Relena must have ordered a group of caterers here for this, Neri thought as she ate.
After the meal there was a short time of dancing. Quatre asked Neri as the music started, "May I have this dance?"
"Certainly," she replied. The two moved off. Trowa asked Miss Noin later, feeling rather alone after his tablemates had left. Then Neri danced with Duo, who proved to be a rather good dancer.
"You look nice this evening, Neri," he complimented her.
"Why, thank you, Duo." She grinned at him. "Tell me you'll look at me more kindly than you did when you first met me."
He gasped in mock horror. "Neri! Surely you know me better than that by now!"
"Oh, do I?"
"Well…I've known you a little while…I don't do that kind of thing now," he sniffed.
She laughed. "So how do you feel to be done with all this?"
"Kind of weird. I mean, it seems like this war has been my whole life, you know?"
"Yeah. It's only been three years for me, but it seems like forever."
"What are you going to do with yourself now?"
"I guess I'll go back to school in the colonies and be with my father. Doesn't sound like much compared to the life I've been living lately."
"I'll probably just go back to my junkyard business. I'm not sure where to start up again, though."
"Why don't you come up to the colonies with me? It would be nice to go home and know people my age there."
"I know what you mean. I think Hilde's coming with me to help out. She…kind of keeps my head on my shoulders as far as my business is concerned," Duo said with a sheepish grin. "Which colony are you going to, anyway?"
She told him. His eyes widened. "Really? I think that was one of the places Hilde had in mind."
"Great! Oh, I feel so much better now."
"Will you be needing any junk?" he asked, a twinkle in his eye.
She laughed. "Yeah, right. I'll probably be one of the people selling it to you."
His face fell. "Selling?"
"Well, since we are friends, I might give you a reduced price."
"Might?"
"Oh, fine. If I really had no use for it, I might just up and give it to you. Since my father is…well, was…in the mobile suit business, I'm sure he has junk to spare."
"Sugoi! We'll have a place to start from!"
"Er, well, I'll have to find out if there really is junk to be had…but I will try to get it to you if at all possible, if we do have some."
"Sounds good." Shortly afterward the song number ended and the pairs had a chance to sit down again.
Later on, to Neri's surprise—part delight, part apprehension—Trowa asked her to a dance.
"What will you do with yourself, now, Trowa?" she asked, her self- conscious feeling returning at their closeness. Wow, he's a good dancer. He moves so well—must be due to his circus training.
"I think I'll go find a place in a circus somewhere." A pang tore at his heart at the thought of working at a circus without his sister, but he forcefully pushed it away as he gazed at his dancing partner. She looks really good tonight. Much better than she did a few days ago.
They chatted idly, both feeling a little uncomfortable, and soon the dance ended. Since it was a warm evening, the group moved outside to the patio, where a full moon shone. Neri and Quatre moved over to one of the benches and sat down, oblivious to the fact that Trowa was watching them.
"Is something bothering you?" Quatre asked quietly, for Neri's ears only.
Neri looked at him with brimming eyes. "You know what it is."
"I—I don't know what to say. I'm sorry."
"Oh, that's okay, Quatre. I know you always do your best to be uplifting. Thanks," she said, giving him a sad smile.
He squeezed her hand. "I'm so glad we're cousins. Do you have any idea why your parents and mine had a spat?"
She shook her head. "No. I've been wondering that ever since I found out that you existed. I think my dad was wondering that too. But the secret died with my mom, so we never did find out."
"Does your father know that you know that we're cousins?"
"I don't think so. I doubt it." She sighed. "I've been asking everyone this question all evening, so now it's your turn: What are you going to do now that the war is over?"
"I don't know. Probably figure out everything my father left me, as heir to the Winner family. What about you?"
"I'll probably just go back home, back to school, back to my old life."
"I'll come visit you sometime, then."
"Please do! I feel like I've known you guys forever, and to leave now is not a happy thought." She looked out at the scenery, pausing for a moment before speaking again. "I'm really going to miss this place."
Quatre read into what she said, thinking, I think she's saying she's going to miss Trowa, but I'm not sure. There's no way I can tell her about what he did while she was in a coma, but I wish there was some way I could get them together or something. They're both miserable!
"How is he doing?"
"Much better than before."
"Oh." Neri, after a moment's silence, stood up and said, "I'll be back in a little bit. I just want to walk around for a while."
Quatre just nodded. Neri slowly walked away towards the side gardens and was soon out of sight after she had rounded the corner of the building. He sighed, stood up, and walked over to the railing. Looking down, he saw the small rose garden off to his left, and the lake below shining in the moonlight.
"Quatre?" Trowa asked, walking up to join him on the railing.
"Yes, Trowa?"
"You like Neri, don't you?"
Quatre was startled. "Well, yeah, I guess you could say that."
"I won't get in the way." Trowa began walking off when Quatre grabbed his arm, stopping him.
"What do you mean?"
"It's obvious that she likes you, and you like her. Like I said, I won't get in the way."
Quatre chuckled and shook his head.
"What's so funny?"
"It's not like that at all."
"What?"
"You see, she and I are cousins. Well, second cousins through our mothers."
Trowa merely stared at him, disbelief written all over his face.
His friend nodded. "We're related."
Trowa leaned against the rail in shock. "Cousins?"
After a moment's silence, Quatre nudged him in the direction Neri had taken. "Go on."
"What?"
"Go on," he repeated. "Surprise her. Trust me."
Trowa blinked a couple of times, then left. Quatre shook his head and smiled. Well, that wasn't the way I thought it would be, but it worked out pretty well all the same.
Trowa moved slowly along the path, his mind racing. What did Quatre mean by that? She'll reject me, I'm sure. What am I to say? I've never done anything like this before…
Meanwhile, Neri sat on a bench in a small clearing sheathed in soft moonlight, surrounded by lovely rosebushes and assorted deciduous trees, with the buildings of the complex about fifty yards behind her. Her chin rested on her hand as she stared out onto the lake, her mind wandering. How I'll miss this place! It hasn't been home to me for all that long, but, still, I don't know if I'll ever be able to come back. And, I'll never see Trowa again. A lone tear coursed down her cheek.
Another one followed, but was stopped short by a finger—and it was not Neri's. Startled, she stood up and whirled around, seeing only a dark outline of a person against the trees.
"I didn't mean to startle you like that, Neri," an all-too familiar voice told her. "I'm sorry."
"Trowa?"
He responded by moving into the moonlight. He looks so good in a suit, Neri thought. Trowa opened his mouth to say something, but closed it without making a sound.
Neri felt a little embarrassed at the fact that Trowa had caught her crying. He must think I am such a wimp…
Trowa did not know what to say. What now? I'm making a fool of myself just standing here, but I'm at a loss for words.
The silence thickened as the seconds ticked by, both feeling more uncomfortable by the minute. Eventually Neri could not stand it anymore. "I have to go. Goodbye, Trowa," she said, her voice wavering slightly. She turned to leave when he grabbed her arm. She whirled back around, her face ending up inches from his. "Don't go."
Neri looked at him with a mixture of annoyance, regret, and hope on her face as her heart began pounding due to their close proximity to each other.
"Why goodbye?" he asked, his eyes searching hers.
She shook her head. "I need to leave, and now is a good time."
"Without saying goodbye to anyone?"
Neri replied by looking away, and wrenched her arm out of Trowa's grasp.
He took a deep breath, and placed his hands on her shoulders. "I don't know how to say this very well, but…I like you, Neri."
She looked at him, skepticism written all over her face. "After what I did to you? Impossible."
"No, it's not. I wasn't sure at first, but when I saw you like that…well, I knew then as I know now that I truly do care about you." This time he was the one who looked away as his hands dropped to his sides. "Now you know, and you can go if you wish."
"No." He looked back at her, astonished. "I—I care about you, too, Trowa. I have for a long time."
He looked at her for a moment, then a smile slowly spread across his face. "Really?"
She smiled shyly and nodded. His hands slipped around her waist, pulling her closer to him. Neri wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head against his shoulder. Trowa kissed her forehead gently before glancing up at the stars.
The young woman's gaze followed his. "They certainly are beautiful tonight."
He nodded. "Just like you."
Neri sighed happily as she closed her eyes and nestled deeper into Trowa's arms. He gazed down at her moonlight-bathed face and gently caressed her cheek with one finger. He bent his head down closer to hers as she opened her eyes again. "Thank you, Trowa," she said softly.
"No, thank you, Neri," he replied, his voice even softer as he moved to kiss her.