Author's Notes: a dream sequence follows… the italics are what's in the dream, and the none-italics are the thoughts made by Relena's subconsciousness.

Disclaimer: *sigh* must we go through all this again? Don't own anything… xP `cept my own OC`s. (*sniffle* so sad, I know)

Now and Then

-Chapter One: Puppy Love-

                  Dreams invaded the young female that night…

"Christian! ARGH! How could you do that to me?" an enraged 11-year old by the name of Relena Darlian cried out.

Memories her heart could still recall…

"Do what to you?" Christian asked, innocently.

First crush, after all, could never be forgotten…

Relena glared. "Don't give me that innocent look! You know perfectly well what you did!"

No matter what tragedies occurred in a young person's life.

Christian didn't answer her question, instead he said, "Look, I'm sorry, Lena!! But I was only trying to help you out!"

                                     

Relena groaned, hearing his words. "Do you realize that this affects me more so than you? You best clean up this lie of yours, Christian!"

"I will…" Christian promised his long-time friend.

"Good, because until you do, our friendship will, from this point on, will be on hold!" With that said, Relena turned and retreated from the hazel-eyed boy.

~*~

The next day after, Relena tried her best to ignore her one of two of her best guy-friends, the Stupid Idiot otherwise known as Christian.

Christian, of course, tried to talk to her before classes began in the morning, but when she took no notice of him, he backed away a little. But it seemed as if 5th period, the Idiot Boy was getting frustrated.

"Listen Relena, we have to talk," Christian proclaimed.

"So talk," Relena retorted, though in a tone lacking much enthusiasm.

Ah, young love…

"Please?" the young boy pleaded.

"What have you got to say? It better be worth my while…because frankly, I don't like the idea of wasting my lunch period with someone who I'm supposed to be ignoring right now…you have five minutes, like you asked. So I suggest you start talking before your time is up," Relena informed her hazel-eyed friend firmly. She tried to ignore the handsome eyes that stared at her, compellingly.

Striking eyes were her weakness… shoulda poked every man who had such eyes.

Christian took a deep breath before beginning. "OK, well, I know you're upset, Rel…you made it clear yesterday, and today too, with your Silent Treatment thing. And I understand why you are—what I did was wrong. Completely moronic, stupid, inconsiderate, and one of my typical boy, Talking-Before-Thinking-type actions."

"You can say that again…" Relena muttered.

And Christian did. "It was completely moronic, stupid, inconsiderate, and one of my typical boy, Talking-Before-Thinking-type actions."

Relena couldn't help but giggle.

"…And I'm sorry. I'm sorry to the ends of the world—and beyond!" Christian proclaimed. He paused before continuing, almost as if he was unsure about his next comment. "The truth is…I don't want you to be mad at me. I can't live knowing that…I just can't."

Relena smiled slightly at his statement, and she could also feel herself blushing, too.

Corny line… why'd I fall for it?

"I forgive you, Christian…that's really sweet of you to say, all those things. But you needn't have done so—you know I would've forgiven you eventually, anyway. Even if you hadn't cleaned up that mess of yours."

Oh… yeah…

Christian shrugged. "Actually, I wasn't so sure about that…you're so unpredictable, Relena."

Relena seemed shock at that for a moment. And then she giggled, saying, "Yeah…I guess I am."

The boy speaks the truth…

~*~

"So, um, Lena…I was wondering if you were free for tomorrow afternoon…"

"Yeah, sure am…why do you ask?"

Christian scratched rubbed the back of his head, nervously. Then shakily he asked, "Well, I thought it might be nice…me and you…to go out for pizza together…"

Relena halted and turned to stare at Christian. "You mean…like a date date?"

Duh.

"Y-yeah…guess you can put it that way. Of course if you don't want to, I—" stuttered Christian.

"No," Relena said, shaking her head. There was no way she'd ever dream of declining Christian's offer. What was he thinking?!

Christian took her statement the wrong was and his face fell. "Oh, ok, I—"

Oops.

Relena didn't let him finish. She realized he misinterpreted her "no". "I'd love to go out with you…"

Christian was bewildered by her statement. "Really?" he managed to utter out.

Relena nodded. "Yeah…that is, if you still want to."

"Of course!" Christian exclaimed, happily. "Of course…" he murmured to her again, this time smiling like an idiot.

Of course.

                  The newly young couple continued to walk, slowly, as if stalling some time so they could to be alone together for a little more.

Neither said anything to the other, and the two youths purposely tried to avoid each other's gaze…although, they did stole glances at each other every few seconds.

Then, after some time, Christian moved closer to Relena and gently took her hand.

Startled, Relena looked at their joined and hands and then looked up to stare at Christian.

He smiled at her, uncertain and yet contently at the same time. Slowly, Relena returned his smile and she too moved closer, squeezing his hand tenderly, back.

When they reached their destination, friends gawked at them for a while, before someone exclaimed, "It's about time!!"  And the group burst with light fits of laughter, as the new couple, blushed and held hands, never wanting to let go.

Letting go…

~*~

                  First heartbreak could never be forgotten…

"Christian… I'm sorry for your lost."

"Yeah, so am I..."

The pain of a loved one's death could never be comforted…

"I—"

"I'm leaving, Relena."

"Wha—why?"

"Father… and I can't stay here any longer. There are too many memories of Mother in the house. It seems so empty without her, now."

Relena nodded. "I understand…" And then she cried. She cried for him. She cried for his loss. And for his Father's…

And for his leave.

"I love you…" she murmured.

"I love you, too…" he whispered, with one last goodbye.

But he did not return her love for much longer…

September 21, AC 191

                  Dear Relena,

                         I'm sorry. I've met someone… Her name is—

No, I don't want to know her name.

Anna. I'm sorry, but I've—

Fallen for her. Away for a few months, already forgetting me…

The love we once had, Rel, it's gone…

Has it? I didn't know until now.

I'm sorry.

Sorry… you've already said that. …But I am too.

I love you, still, Lena… As a friend. Forevermore.

Forevermore… No, it will nevermore be the same…

~ Christian

                  But friends we stayed, even after that. Or at least, we were friends.

~*~

"Rerena!" a little 6-year old boy with hazel eyes exclaimed. "You promise we'll be friends forever?"

The honey-blonde grinned at her long-time friend (who she first met by accidentally throwing a pail of sand onto his head in the sandbox). "Sure, Christian! Pinky promise," she said, holding out her tiny pinky.

And he did the same.

So pure of a child custom… Such a shame it could wasn't kept.