Again, thanks to all the reviewers! This story's winding down... I might add some future stuff in the epilogue, so stay tuned!

WARNING: This chapter is going to get VERY lime-y at the end! Not lemony, but Hiiro's shirt's going to come off... (yea, I know... mmm... ^.^) Dark Temptress, this just goes to show you that I can indeed write something inanely close to a lemon without being disgusting ^.^ (never bet me! mwahaha! ^.-)

Usual disclaimer... they aren't mine, I can't draw that well! ^.-

Attraction, Distraction "Um, Lena?" he asked her softly. She had pretty quiet since that dinner at Duo's house.
"Yes?"
"Nothing... you okay? You've been kind of... distracted." What was she going to do? Tell him that her heart was broken because he took a bet not to love her?
"Yea, I'm fine!" she said with a forced smile. "Just thinking about some stuff, that's all."
'Sure, thinking about how you're madly in love with him and don't even have a chance,' she told herself.
"Okay," Hiiro said. It was killing him inside. He should have never taken the stupid bet!
'Another reason to murder Duo once these cuffs come off.' And boy, was that close! Only a few more hours... But he didn't think he could just up and leave after acting like that. He didn't know why, he felt like he needed to make it up to himself. To her, even.
"Hey, Lena?" he ventured.
'When did I start calling her that?'
"Yes?" she asked, looking at him voluntarily for the first time that afternoon. He smiled at her.
"Want me to make dinner?" She gave him a small smile in return.
"Sure, if you want to." Inspiration hit him like a train.
"Wait! Nevermind that. Lena, come with me?" She looked bewildered. Was she more confused by his sudden outburst, or the look on his face?
"Where are we going?" He looked at her with laughter behind his eyes.
"Well, nowhere, dressed like this. C'mon, I'm taking us out."
"Out? Where?" she asked as they walked to his room.
"We're going clubbing."

- - -

"I never knew this place was here!" she semi-shouted to him over the loud bass beat.
"Duo dragged all us guys here one night," he said. "I thought it was okay, so I remembered it."
"Cool," she said. They were lounging near the bar and she was sipping sparkling water. She scanned the rather large area in front of her. People were everywhere, but it wasn't overcrowded. The dance floor was almost right in front of them, with spots to sit and cool off around on the other side. She didn't notice the other girl.
"Hey baby," the dark haired girl said, sliding up to Hiiro's side. Relena turned abruptly. The girl had on a very short skirt and a shirt that showed more than an indecent amount of cleavage. Relena's eyes narrowed as the girl continued. "How about this next dance, sweetie? Then maybe, back to my place for something more fun?" As she was speaking, she ran her hand over Hiiro's thigh. Hiiro was shocked and disgusted all at once. He was surprised when one hand was slapped away by another. The girl looked at Relena in surprise.
"Sorry, hon," Relena said sweetly, "but he's my date tonight." The girl gave an evil smirk.
"But I'm so sure he'd rather go with me! Wouldn't you, sweet thing?" she purred, batting her eyes at Hiiro. Relena gave an inaudible growl. She walked in front of Hiiro and placed his hand on her hip. Placing her hands on his chest, she looked over her shoulder at the other girl and smirked.
"I really don't think so. Now then, don't you have some other people to bother? Weak men to sleep with?" Relena said with a smirk. The girl glared at her and, tossing her hair, flounced away. Relena sighed in relief.
"Um, Lena?" Hiiro ventured. She looked up questioningly, only to realize his hand was still resting where she had placed it, dangerously close to her backside. She blushed furiously and slid away from him.
"Sorry," she mumbled. He flushed a little. The lights dimmed on the dance floor and a slow song started playing.
'Go on! Ask her to dance, Yuy!' one side of his brain told him. He waited; the other side was strangely silent. 'Well, here goes then...'
"Lena? Would you... um, I mean..." he began, almost inaudibly. She didn't seem to hear him.
"Hey, Hiiro, want to dance?" she asked. If she couldn't have his love, at least she could dance with him tonight.
"Oh, uh, sure," he replied, feeling like an idiot. 'Nice going, Yuy. Smooooth move.' They moved out onto the dance floor and he pulled her closer to him. They were still a fair distance from each other, making their movements awkward. 'Come on Yuy! Be a man for once!' Taking a deep breath, he pulled her up against him.
'What's he doing?' She was startled at first, then she relaxed into his arms and rested her head on his chest.
He couldn't help it; she felt so at place in his arms. He felt that he was truly holding an angel close to him.
She felt so safe... and so warm and comfortable wrapped up next to him like this. She simply let go and enjoyed the moment.
When the song faded to an end, neither one wanted to stop dancing. Reluctantly she raised her head, only to look into his eyes. She drew in her breath. Someone tapped her on the shoulder.

- - -

"Hey, hot stuff! I get this dance! C'mere!" the large, burly man said, turning Relena around to face him and grabbing her free wrist. She was lurched forward by his sheer bulk and force.
"Hold it." Hiiro.
"Huh? And who the hell're you?" the man asked, angry at being interrupted. Hiiro smirked.
"Who does it look like? Who says you can just cut in like that and drag my partner away from me?" The man snarled.
"I do! I get my pick at this club and this is the hottest stuff here at the moment." He turned to Relena and bared a mouth full of sickening yellow teeth. "Come on hunny bun, let's go to my truck." He leaned toward her mouth.
In a split second he was flat on the floor and Relena found herself pressed against Hiiro once again, this time in a protective manner.
"You better think before screwing with her boyfriend again," Hiiro snarled at the man. Shakily, the guy got up, holding his nose, which was bleeding, and rubbing the side of his face.
"Ah shit! Forget it, the little slut isn't worth getting killed over." Hiiro advanced on him in an instant, grabbing his shirt.
"Call her a slut again and I'll give you reason never to look at another woman for the rest of your lifetime," Hiiro growled in a low voice. "Now get the hell outta here." Released, the man ran away like a scolded puppy. Relena couldn't help but giggle.
'Did he call himself my... boyfriend?'
"You okay?" Hiiro asked.
"Yea, thanks to you!" she answered. "You got him pretty good."
"Nah..." Hiiro said, grinning. "It was my left hook!" She laughed, suddenly feeling bold.
"Thank you," she said, and rising up on her tiptoes, she kissed his cheek lightly. His eyes widened.
'She just... well, it was only on the cheek but...' The half of his brain that he didn't like was drowned completely out. He turned her and looked into her eyes.
"Dance?" he said simply. She nodded slightly, captivated by the look in his eyes. He escorted her to the middle of the dance floor, where a fast song with a good beat had just begun to play. They began to dance. First slightly apart, her arms as much above her head as she could while being chained to him, then closer and closer. He gave in finally and pulled her against him again, with her back to his chest. Completely lost in her feelings, she leaned back against him. He growled in the back of his throat, linking his arm around her tiny waist.

Sweet temptation rush all over me
And I think about it all the time
Passion desire so intense I can't take anymore

He couldn't handle it. His brain had completely shut off; he wasn't thinking. He flipped her around so that he was facing her and looked straight into her eyes. She returned his gaze, not flinching, barely blinking.

I feel the magic building all around you
It's bringing me to my knees
Like a wannabe
I've gotta be chained to you

They had practically stopped moving, but she was still swaying enough to drive him absolutely crazy.
"Re... Relena..." he managed in a low voice, his eyes dark.
"Yes?" she asked in a voice barely above a whisper. She could feel it.
His lips descended over hers and she met his unspoken challenge.

- - -

She was completely unaware of anything around them.All she remembered is his saying that they were leaving; now they were in his room and his tongue was fighting hers for control. Their chained wrists were up near their heads as his hands buried themselves in her hair.
"Hiiro," she managed to get out when they broke for air.
"Mmm?"
"Let's..." she was cut off as he kissed her again. She forgot about finishing audibly and began to lead him backward, toward the bed.
He was oblivious of everything but what he was doing. All he cared about was doing what he had wanted to do for so long... He continued to fight for control of her mouth. He didn't realize that they were up against the bed until she leaned backward, taking both of them tumbling onto his sheets and pillows.
"Mn, Lena," he said softly, breaking away from those temping lips. She was urging the hem of his shirt up his stomach. He knew he should stop, but couldn't find the will to.
"Hiiro," she murmured again, still kissing him for all her worth while she coaxed his shirt off. She managed to get if off of his free arm and ran her hands up and down his well muscled arm and shoulder. He groaned.
"Relena... Lena, I-"
*BEEP BEEP, CLICK*
The cuffs fell off.
'Oh, my God,' Relena thought, suddenly realizing what she was doing.

'It was only lust...'

'He can leave you now... nothing's stopping him from shoving you out that door.'

'He doesn't love you like you love him.'

Hiiro crawled to the edge of the bed and stood up. She felt tears prick the backs of her eyes.
"It's a damn shame," he said quietly, looking straight at her. She held her tears in. She thought about what she must look like, lying with disheveled hair on his bed.
"W... what is?" she asked in a whisper. He shook his head.

"I never thought I'd owe Duo money."

She stared at him in disbelief as he shrugged his shirt the rest of the way off and climbed onto the bed, kneeling beside her.
"But... but that means that-"
"It means I love you, Relena," he said, gazing into her eyes. "I've loved you for so long..." A single crystalline tear slid down her cheek at these words.
"Oh, Hiiro... I love you too!" she said, smiling through her tears. His heart beat faster.
"And because I love you, I want to make absolutely sure you know exactly what's going on before we go and do something stupid," he said, visibly restraining himself. She smiled again, wiping away her tears. Propping herself up on her elbows, she kissed him gently and invitingly.
"I know," she said, looking him straight in the eyes. "This is what I want. I love you, Hiiro Yuy." He met her kiss.
"Lena... one more thing," he said. She looked at him questioningly, their faces inches apart. She saw such a care behind his eyes... his beautiful eyes. "I know I don't have a ring or anything... but, I want you to be my wife," he said, looking slightly embarrased. She couldn't believe it. Everything she had ever wanted was coming true, all at once.
"Oh Hiiro... of course!! Yes!" she said, kissing him again. When her tongue slipped into his mouth, his eyes darkened.
"Lena," he growled slightly. She giggled and pulled him back down onto the sheets.

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How was that? Predictable enough for you all? ^.^ Stay tuned for the epilogue!!