Seaside Laboratory
"It's a damn invasion!"
Trowa glanced up from reading a magazine, his feet propped up on the table in front of the futon. Heero had just come through the door, angry enough to earn his attention. "Are we supposed to get to our gundams?"
"I wish," muttered Heero.
Duo came in behind Heero rubbing his hands together gleefully. That meant only one thing: Trynity Stryfe was returning after a week's stay at the Cinq Kingdom palace. "Lighten up, Heero. What could be more enjoyable than a Saturday afternoon on a warm beach with half-naked girls?"
"Being in the line of fire of a beam cannon."
Trowa chuckled as he set aside the magazine. "This could be interesting. Who is Miss Stryfe bringing with her?"
"The usual assortment of babes including our two alien visitors."
Apolo, who had been playing a virtual game against Lars Nelson, flipped off the visor. "My sister would not involve herself in such a thing! What is this activity? Did I hear him say they would be half-naked?" The Calabrian was truly outraged.
"Hey, don't bust a pipe, buddy. I wasn't talking about your sister." Duo rolled his eyes. From Trynity's reports they all knew that Imperial Guard Arora was like a wet blanket over the fires Princess Ryana had been starting all over the Cinq Kingdom Palace, particularly with the hapless Colonel Benton. Arora was not likely going to be wearing a swimsuit. A shame, thought Trowa. It might have proved interesting.
Apparently mollified, Apolo slipped the visor back over his eyes. "You cheated!" he accused Lars who had continued to play despite the interruption.
After a week at Seaside, Apolo was beginning to lose his stiff edge. Not a moment since Apolo's arrival was Trowa without his new shadow. His fellow pilots teased him about it, and although Trowa had asked Apolo to cease his self-appointed duty, Apolo steadfastly remained near him at all times. The bathroom was his only sanctuary. At least Apolo was not nearly as distrusting of him as he had been. Being with Trowa day and night had to soften him and make him realize that he might not be lying about his memory loss. And Trowa still couldn't remember anything from what may have been his former life.
Lars tossed aside the game visor. "I quit."
"Because I have defeated you in honorable battle." Apolo also set aside the game.
Duo snorted. "Nelson wouldn't know about honorable battle."
Lars chuckled, then asked, "Do you suppose Trynity will wear that itsy bitsy bikini she bought a couple days ago at the mall?"
Trowa almost laughed at the expression on Duo's face.
"What are you talking about?" squeaked Duo.
"Hilde told me Relena talked her into buying some skimpy bikini."
"What?!" Duo marched over to the phone. "I don't want to see her in some skimpy ….well I don't mind seeing her in it, but I don't want any of you losers to see her in it."
"I heard she's mostly out of it." Lars laughed. "Bunch of strings is all."
Trowa smiled. "I guess a day on the beach is just what I need."
Heero raised a brow. "I suppose the afternoon won't be a complete loss."
"What do you mean they left?!" Duo was almost shouting at the telecom. "Put me through to the car!"
Wufei walked into the recreation room. "I just heard that Princess Pain-in-the-Ass is coming to Seaside for an afternoon on the beach."
Quatre slithered in behind him. "It's a perfect day to plan a party!"
"Relena, put Trynity on!" Duo was sounding frantic.
Wufei raised his brows. "What is his problem?"
"Trynity is going to be wearing some tiny bikini on the beach," Lars informed him.
Wufei smiled. "I wasn't going down to the beach, but I think I will now."
"I saw it when she tried it on in the store," stated Quatre who spent much of his time at the palace with Relena and her female prisoners the last week. They had presumably been planning the party to take place at Dover Base on the eve of their departure to L10 only a week away. Apparently he joined their forays at the mall. "Duo should worry."
"What do you mean I can't speak to her?" Duo slammed down the telecom and stomped towards the door, then turned to look at the group. He didn't need to say anything; his look was enough to tell them to keep their eyes off his girl. Trowa didn't know about anyone else; he planned to look his fill.
When he had gone, there was a moment of silence before Heero said, "I will bet Miss Stryfe doesn't have the guts to wear it."
"I'll take that bet," offered Lars. "I think she does. I also bet she will piss off Duo." He walked out with a smirk on his face.
"Need I voice the bet that Nelson will end the day unconscious?" asked Wufei.
"No one is going to take that bet," predicted Quatre.
"I don't think I understand what is going on," said Apolo.
Trowa sighed as he stood. "Don't bother to try."
They were on the beach when the girls arrived, Apolo standing behind Trowa with his arms crossed as if guarding him from assault. Trowa suspected he was carrying a sword hidden in his robes just as he knew intuitively that pretty Arora was also carrying her sword. Judging by the look on her face, she was not pleased to be included in Relena's crew. Another unhappy face in the lot was Noin. Wearing dark glasses and a large hat, she quickly set herself up on a lounge chair after some remark to Relena. Trowa imagined it was some warning about her not screwing up her day.
The girls were all wearing swimsuit cover-ups except Trynity who was wearing an over-sized T-shirt and Arora who wore her usual attire. She walked towards Trowa, but when he thought she might speak to him, she barely acknowledged him with a half-smile before she continued past to talk to Apolo. They spoke in their language. Trowa knew they were talking about him. He understood their conversation but he didn't let them know. Was their language so similar to their own? Could anyone else understand? Looking around, he could see that no one else was paying them any attention.
"You have discovered anything new?" she asked Apolo.
"His memory has not returned, although he seems to realize who he is."
"Perhaps it is best his memory does not return," commented Arora before she started away, but her brother reached out to grab her arm.
"Better for who? You?"
"Let go of my arm!" she snapped at him. He drew her closer and Trowa fought the urge to turn and hit Apolo. Their fight was none of his concern, and yet he felt a strong urge to protect. "I am beginning to wonder the true extent of your relationship with Prince Trey."
"Are you accusing me of something?" Her voice was edged with steel.
Apolo answered softly with concern. "I would not want you banished to the Wastelands, Arora, for something that wasn't your fault. If Trey…"
"Only he and I would know," she told him. Trowa felt sick inside. Her tone suggested that not only had Prince Trey betrayed her, he had dishonored her. Dishonor? Where had that thought come from?
"Then you are right," said Apolo. "It is best he not remember because he cannot be trusted. In a heartbeat he would betray you to save himself. Haven't we discovered that he is his father's son."
Trowa wanted to deny it, but he couldn't without revealing that he understood their speech. Besides, they knew him better than he knew himself. Arora and Apolo did not strike him as dishonest.
Taking a deep breath, he turned to look at them. "It's rude to talk behind a guy's back, especially when he doesn't understand the language."
They looked at him silently for a moment before Arora moved past him without a comment. Trowa couldn't help but watch her. She attracted him in a way no other girl had.
"Be careful, my lord prince," said Apolo in a low voice, speaking his own language. "It would be all too easy to see that you never return to Calabria."
The threat gave him a chill, but Trowa moved forward to stand by Heero who was watching Relena conduct the setting up of the volleyball net. Duo was talking to Trynity as she stared at him with her hands on her hips. Hilde and Dorothy had taken off their cover-ups and Hilde was trying desperately to get Lars' attention, but he was having too much fun watching Duo step into a trap. Trowa couldn't help but smile about Lars' clever plan. Nelson was really quite devious, and Duo was no match for him. He had obviously planned the inevitable explosion of wills.
Once the net was up, Relena tossed aside her cover-up and turned toward Heero and Trowa. Nothing of interest there, he thought. "Are you two going to play?"
"I'd rather…" started Heero, but Trowa jabbed him in the ribs.
"Of course!" Trowa dragged Heero toward the game and shoved him on Relena's team. He joined Dorothy's. She played for keeps and he liked to be on the winning team. Was that a character flaw of Prince Trey? The thought made him feel uncomfortable.
Quatre scurried to Relena's team.
"Why do I always have to have Quatre on my team?" demanded Relena with annoyance.
"Because I don't want him on mine!" replied Dorothy.
Quatre giggled.
"Lars, you are on my team!" proclaimed Relena smugly. Why not? The giant could easily reach over the net. Trowa might have trouble with him, and he would enjoy the challenge. Just once Relena wanted to beat Dorothy Catalonia!
"You can't have Lars! You have Duo and Hilde on your team, so I get Lars and Trynity."
Relena gasped in outrage. "This is unfair!"
"Can I play?" asked Ryana sweetly.
Relena was burning with fury. "I suppose I get her!"
Dorothy smiled at her. "Of course!"
"And the others?" Relena jerked her thumb in the direction of Arora and Apolo. She didn't even want to look at them. They were not dressed for a day at the beach although Relena had gone to the trouble of getting Arora a swimsuit. Arora and Apolo would be even more useless than Quatre, Duo and Hilde. Heero was standing sullenly staring at the sand at his feet. Relena wanted to kick the sand in his face. He had not once played to his full potential on her team.
Dorothy laughed. "You can have them, too!"
Quatre hurried to Arora and Apolo to explain the rules of the game, and Relena turned to look at Duo and Trynity. They were arguing about something. Trynity was trying to take off her shirt, and Duo grabbed a handful to stop her.
"Let go!"
"No! Leave it on!"
"It's hot!"
"Leave it on!"
Relena noticed that everyone was watching their little squabble, which was rising in pitch and intensity. They were struggling with the shirt until Trynity made one last attempt to escape Duo and the shirt ripped in his hands. She had been wearing a rather prim halter-top under her shirt although Relena had purchased her a swimsuit. Trynity had rolled into a ball and tossed back at her in the limo on the way there. Unfortunately, Duo had gotten a fistful of her halter-top and Trynity suddenly found herself bare to the waist. For a moment the world seemed to stand still as everyone stared at her display. But as the whistles started and Duo lunged at Trynity to cover her up, he was met with a fist in his face, which dropped him flat in the sand. Trynity marched away with as much dignity as she could muster, not bothering to cover herself. Great, thought Relena. Duo had been her only hope of any scoring, slim though it was. Well, at least Trynity would not be helping Dorothy, and Lars bounded after her like a stag after a doe. The last she saw of them before they disappeared behind a dune was Lars graciously offering Trynity his shirt.
Relena looked at her team. Hilde stared at the spot where Lars had disappeared with Trynity, her eyes blazing. Heero was still gazing morosely at anything but her, and Ryana was playing with her hair as she openly admired Wufei and Trowa. Apolo and Arora stood on their side of the net, but it looked as if they only intended to decorate the play area. Quatre shrugged apologetically. Turning to look at the opposing team, Relena almost laughed. Dorothy, Trowa and Wufei were standing in a huddle discussing their strategy. As usual, Relena was facing a humiliating loss.
Sighing, she marched to Heero. "Listen here, Yuy, if you don't play this time, I swear you will regret it."
He didn't bother to look at her. Disgusted, she spun to walk away, but she heard him say, "Mission accepted."
That gave her some encouragement, so Relena smiled and looked at Dorothy. "I believe we get to serve first since we have Quatre on our team."
"Be our guest," said Wufei smugly.
At first the game progressed as anyone would predict. Relena served, Dorothy passed it to Wufei who set it to Trowa who spiked Quatre. After the third such spike, he had to leave the game with a bloody nose, which he took to Noin to care for. Nurse Noin also reluctantly managed to get Duo on his feet in time to see Trynity return to the beach wearing the bikini that had him fuming. Fortunately for Relena, Trynity distracted her male teammates, motivating Duo who tried to give them black eyes. The score seesawed back and forth. Arora and Apolo stood back on the edges of the play but when it came their time to serve, both managed to get the ball over the net. They clearly showed their disgust at having been forced to participate especially on a team opposite the prince they were supposed to protect. Ryana hit herself in the face with the ball when she served which meant a trip to Nurse Noin.
Noin was complaining about her spoiled day on the beach. Relena wished Miliardo hadn't forced her to accompany them, but he had thought the afternoon away from the palace might do her good. Relena knew Noin wasn't seeing it that way now. Relena was going to hear about it when they got back.
Duo managed to tie the score when he whacked Lars in the face with a blistering serve. The gorgeous lummox didn't have a chance to save himself since he was ogling Trynity at the time. Duo took high-fives from his teammates, Hilde included, until Dorothy snapped at him to serve the game point as Noin helped the groggy Lars off the court. Relena got ready to play. Heero even seemed interested, having played with more than his usual lack of enthusiasm. He was wearing a baggy pair of swim trunks that rode low on his hips, now without a shirt since he had tossed it aside earlier when the sun had reached its apex in the sky. Relena couldn't help being distracted by his muscular chest. He hadn't looked like that when she had first met him. Then again, Heero Yuy must have also grown four inches in the last three years. He wasn't a boy any more.
"Okay, you guys, are you ready to lose?" Duo tossed up the ball.
Relena watched it sail over the net to Dorothy who set it to Trynity who set it to Trowa who was already airborne to spike it. The ball came shooting downward between Relena and Heero. She somehow managed to hit it as she fell on the sand, and Heero whacked it over the net just before he came crashing down on top of her. What happened next to the ball, she had no idea, nor did she care as Heero landed square over her and they were face to face. Relena didn't know if his weight or the sensation of his skin on hers caused her lack of breath. Maybe she just didn't remember how to breathe anymore as she looked at his face. He looked like a deer caught in headlights; at least what she imagined a deer caught in headlights looked like since she had actually never seen one. Then his eyes closed and she was sure she was hallucinating when his face came closer to hers.
His lips touched hers, and she was sure she had been knocked unconscious. Heero had never kissed her! She had kissed him plenty of times and never had it returned. Now suddenly he was doing what she had only dreamed of. The kiss was hesitant at first, then became intense. She was sure she was going to die with feelings she had never dared to hope to experience with Heero Yuy. His hands were in her hair, his skin was hot every where it touched her.
"Incoming!" shouted Duo.
The ball smacked Heero in the back of the head, and he fell back away from Relena. In a daze she saw Duo make a spectacular save to set the ball to Hilde who tipped it just over Trynity's block to land behind her for the winning point.
"We won!" shouted Duo with triumph as he jerked Heero to his feet. He high-fived his groggy friend and did a little dance with Hilde before he came to hug Relena.
Relena saw that Heero was shaking his head, already regretting what he had done. She couldn't help but be hurt by the disgusted look on his face when his kiss meant the world to her. So she marched over to him. She hurt her hand when she slapped his face hard, but at least the pain kept her from crying. Spinning on her heel, she marched straight to Noin where she shook out a blanket and spread it out to sit on as the others talked about the game, pretending they hadn't seen what happened.
Noin lifted her hat to peek at her over her sunglasses. "Nice job, Relena."
Relena looked at her, but Noin was blurry in her teary vision. Her brother's wife smiled and reached out to pat her hands.
"Don't give up, Relena. I am living testament that the mighty can fall."
She was shaking, but Noin's touch was comforting. "I…I wasn't expecting that!"
Noin laughed. "I've seen quite a bit today that I wasn't expecting."
"You had better not be talking about me," said Trynity as she sat on the blanket by Relena.
Noin smiled. "At least I can see that you aren't armed. You aren't hiding anything in that thing."
Trynity blushed.
Duo came to the blanket. "Hey, Trynity, come take a walk with me."
She raised a brow. "Not likely, Mr. Maxwell."
He hung his head. "I'm sorry."
"You had better be. Now why don't you take a nice cool dip with your friend, Mr. Yuy? I'm not interested in taking a walk with you. We have a party to plan."
Duo dragged his feet as he walked away, splashing noisily as he entered the water.
Hilde and Dorothy joined them on the blanket and Noin passed out some cold soft drinks to them from a cooler. Ryana was trying to flirt with Wufei who watched her with ill-concealed disgust, his arms crossed, his brows raised. Arora stood alone at the edge of the water, having removed her shoes while her brother threw off his robes and followed Trowa into the water.
All the girls watched the well-built, handsome alien visitor in silence before Dorothy remarked, "I'd like to visit that planet."
Relena was watching Heero swim further out and hoped he wasn't caught in a riptide. That was probably his intention.
"Nice moves on Heero Yuy, Miss Relena," said Dorothy.
Relena looked at her. "I don't recall asking your opinion."
Quatre sat down cross-legged amongst them and handed his sun lotion to Dorothy. She tossed it back. "You don't really expect me to do that for you."
"It may be to your benefit later, Dorothy Catalonia," said Quatre with a wicked smile.
Dorothy raised a brow. "Sounds interesting." She took the lotion and began to apply it to his back."
Relena looked away from them. "Okay, I believe we have not yet come to a consensus on the theme."
"How about "Knights of the Round Table"?" suggested Noin.
They looked at her. Relena hadn't expected her to participate in the discussion.
Noin shrugged. "Makes sense to me. They are the knights of the kingdom, and it will give you girls an opportunity to dress in pretty gowns…"
"That is such a great idea!" cried Hilde with excitement. "Can we have a tournament before the dance?"
"Mock battles and armor!" Quatre clapped his hands with excitement.
"Great! I can't wait to take them down!" Trynity was rubbing her hands together.
Relena tisked. "Miss Stryfe, you can't participate in the tournament! For once, put on a gown and act like a lady."
"What!" Trynity was aghast.
"I can see Miss Stryfe in one of those cone hats…" began Hilde.
"The one with two cones poking out of her head," added Dorothy.
Trynity Stryfe was rendered speechless for a moment before she suddenly had a dreamy look in her eyes. "Duo can wear my scarf for his favor in the battle."
All the girls sighed as they daydreamed about their boyfriends donning all manner of silky scarves around their arms as they fought in mock battles.
Relena doubted Heero would wear her favor. She looked at Noin. "What's in it for you?"
"Oh, I was planning on paying back Miliardo for that harem costume fiasco." There was a wicked light in her eyes. "I fancy seeing him in a pair of tights."
All the girls and Quatre giggled.
"There is no way we are going to get them in tights," predicted Trynity, nodding the group of guys now wrestling in the water.
Dorothy smiled at Trynity. "I'm sure you can think of a way to get Duo Maxwell in tights."
"Lars will go for it," commented Hilde. "He'd do anything to show himself off."
"Apolo can be fooled into thinking its natural. Besides, if he can wear his sword, he will be happy," said Relena. "And if Prince Trowa can put on that clown outfit, he'll wear anything." They all laughed.
"What about Heero Yuy?" Trynity looked at Relena.
Relena stared back at her. "I think you are more likely to get him to cooperate."
Trynity shrugged. "All right. I'll work on him, but I can't make any promises."
"Really, Miss Trynity," began Dorothy, "just smile at the boys, especially wearing that thing, and I think they might do just about anything you ask."
In the water, far from the discussion, Heero broke the surface and found Duo waiting for him, treading water. "What are you doing, Heero? Trying to drown yourself?"
"I couldn't if I tried, my luck is that bad," muttered Heero. He dunked his head and pushed back his wet hair.
"Hey, none of your troubles are caused by bad luck," laughed Duo. "What the hell were you doing with Relena Peacecraft in the sand back there?"
Heero closed his eyes. He could still see her violet eyes all soft and confused as she looked at him, and his stomach did another flip. He had no idea why he started kissing her, but once it started, he couldn't stop himself. That kiss was far different from all the clumsy lip-locks he had suffered through from her. Who knew what would have happened if Trowa hadn't spiked him – admittedly on purpose. His friend had taken pity on him.
When he opened his eyes, he found Duo grinning at him. "Don't say a word," he warned him.
"What would I say?" he teased, and Heero suspected he could humiliate him many ways.
"That I made an ass of myself," stated Heero. "That Relena has her claws in me. That…"
Duo laughed. "I wouldn't say those things."
Heero peered the distance towards the beach where the girls sat together on a blanket near Noin. Even Noin was talking to them. "I don't know what happened."
"Just like with Trynity," said Duo sympathetically. "One minute I'm a normal guy, the next I got this girl at my feet that I just can't stop thinking about. She got under my skin."
"Like a parasite."
"Hey, I wouldn't call Trynity a parasite. She feels the same about me, you know. Why don't you just give in, Heero."
"You wouldn't understand." No, Duo would never understand his black past. It was filled with soulless killing. He didn't deserve a girl like Relena Peacecraft. She hadn't seen the darker side of life, despite all that she had gone through these last few years. He felt as if his soul had been blackened by his experiences and he didn't think it fair to share that with her.
Wufei suddenly joined them, breaking the surface near Duo. "I thought Relena Peacecraft was bad! We should do the people of Calabria a favor and dispose of Ryana of Bayman. She has no integrity."
"And no shame," added Duo. "If she could swim she would follow you out here."
"Don't look now, but here comes Quatre Raberba Weenie," said Heero.
They turned to see Quatre swimming towards them with perfect, even strokes and textbook rotary breathing. "What does he want? I thought he was planning a party," said Wufei.
"Hi, guys, I thought I'd just let you know that the party is all planned."
"Good," growled Heero. "Are they leaving now?"
Quatre giggled. "Certainly not! Dr. Stryfe invited them to supper. Noin agreed and the king will be dropping by. So we have company this evening."
"Maybe by the end of the night Trynity will forgive me," mumbled Duo.
"If Trynity Stryfe has any sense she won't," remarked Heero.
"Isn't it obvious she has no sense?" Wufei raised a brow as he deliberated turned his head toward the group of girls who were now talking animatedly, Trynity in the thick of the discussion.
They turned to look at Quatre. "What's going on over there?" demanded Heero.
Quatre giggled and swam away. They looked at each other then gave chase.
Arora watched the young men in the water overcome Quatre and wondered if anyone would go to his rescue. She certainly had no intention of doing so. He was every bit as annoying as Ryana of Bayman. In fact, Arora was surprised the two hadn't become bosom pals. Quatre had tried to flirt with her, but Arora let him know in no uncertain terms that she found him nauseating, and Princess Ryana didn't even seem to notice him. Apolo was wrestling Lars Nelson, proving to Arora that he was as vain as the Earthman, but then she already knew that of her brother. What they were trying to prove with that exhibition of stupidity, she didn't know. Somehow she had lost track of Trowa. Since Apolo wasn't watching out for Prince Trey, the responsibility had become hers. Arora looked over the young men dunking Quatre. Trowa was not among them. He was not with the girls, nor did she see him along the shore.
Her heart began to pound frantically as she realized he must have gone further into the water. Squinting against the glare on the water, she saw him far out, floating. Fearing the worst, Arora threw off her robe, tossed aside her sword and plunged into the water, glad that she was wearing the swimsuit Princess Relena had given her. Arora was not used to swimming, but she managed to stay above water at least until she reached Trowa whose eyes were closed.
"Prince Trey!" Arora was terrified he was dead. Imagining his death at the hands of pirates was bad enough, but she could live with knowing his death was her fault for not protecting him now.
His lashes fluttered open and he stopped floating to tread water. "What are you doing out here?"
That he was not in danger was obvious, and Arora felt ridiculous for her fears. "I…I thought…"
Her head slipped under the water until she felt his strong hands around her waist to lift her out. Arora felt light-headed.
"You can't swim very well," he remarked with a wry smile.
She could think of little beyond his hands on her. "I…I … thought you were in danger."
"So you chose to save me regardless of the risk to your own life." Trowa was frowning at her.
Arora tried to push his hands away, but his grip was tight. "It is my duty."
"So you yet have duties to a man who is dead?" Now he was smiling at her.
Arora wanted to hit him for his mockery. "You are not dead, my lord prince! My sworn duty is to protect you, and now that we have discovered you yet live, I must do so."
"I am not going back to Calabria, Arora," he told her. "I can only conclude that what I have left behind was something I do not wish to return to."
Arora's heart had broken years ago, yet she was surprised to still feel pain. "You left me behind," she blurted without thinking.
Trowa pulled her close to him. Arora had never been so close to Trey in all her life! Despite Apolo's suspicions, Trey had always been honorable with her. Arora realized long ago that she had been foolish to believe Trey felt for her what she had for him, that he had lied when he told her he was going to his father to demand the right to marry his imperial guard. When offered Ryana of Bayman, he had quickly forgotten the words of love he had spoken to her. Trey had not loved her. That he chose for those memories to remain forgotten convinced her.
"You should not be touching me," she told him when one of his hands slid up her body before his palm cupped her cheek and his fingers pushed through her wet hair.
"Why not?" he said in a low voice that made her shiver. He leaned into her until his lips were close to hers. The warmth of his breath and his nearness made her head spin.
"What…what are you doing?" she managed to say.
"I am going to kiss you." Before his lips touched hers, she moved back her head.
"That is silly! We do not do this thing these Earth people call "kiss" on Calabria." Arora frowned at him.
"We should. Now shut up and let me kiss you."
"No!" Arora reached up and shoved his head under water. He was so startled that she was able to swim away although not very quickly. By the time she reached the shore, she was shaking with anger. How could Trey treat her like that? They had never dared to touch each other on Calabria, despite what she had believed was their shared feelings. This Trowa Barton was little better than Dilan and Apolo, using females for his own selfish needs.
She didn't realize Trowa was behind her until she was sloshing out at the shoreline. He grabbed her arm and pulled her around to face him. "Listen, Arora, I am not who you want me to be. No matter who I was before, I am Trowa Barton, from a colony in the L3 quadrant. If I behave in a manner contrary to everything you believe, it is because of your own expectations."
Arora looked down at his hand, and he released her arm. She noticed that Princess Relena was distracting Apolo so he would be of no assistance to her in this situation. She would have to handle Trey on her own.
She looked at his face. Those dark green eyes were not those of her beloved, but of a stranger. "I cannot forget as easily as you, Prince Trey."
"Don't call me that." He seemed angry. His wet hair fell over his face and he didn't bother to swipe it back.
"Why not? It is who you are!" She walked away from him. Trowa followed.
"Why won't you come to know the man I am now?" he demanded to her back.
Why? Because she hadn't fallen in love with that man. "Do you want me to pretend you are dead, Trey?"
"I am dead." He stopped following her.
Swiping her robe from the sand, Arora walked a few more steps and turned to look at him as she jerked it on.
Their eyes met. In the depths of his, she saw pain, and Arora realized that what he had said was true. Something had caused him to forget, and that something was preventing him from remembering. Arora prayed that she had not been the cause. "I…I'm sorry Tr…Tr…Trowa Barton."
He half-smiled at her as he held out his hands to her. "I sense this is difficult for you. Trust me, Arora. Forget the past. Who knows what the future will bring?"
Her heart pounding and knowing that what she would do was wrong, Arora reached out her hands, and they slid into his, their fingers entwining as she moved closer to him. She closed her eyes and let her warmth flow into him, something she had never done before. Arora hoped to feel something from him.
But from his hands came nothing, and she knew this man was no long Trey, crowned prince of Calabria.
He was a stranger.