Author's Notes: Probably the only good chapter of this story… read on, folks.

R/R!!!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything 'cept my own original characters…and the plot…

Now and Then

-Chapter Two: All Grown Up-

                  Relena Darlian awoke at 5:00 a.m., as she always did on weekdays.

The difference was that this morning, her eyes were extremely puffy from the night before and she found the task of keeping her eyes open and getting up from bed a very difficult one.

Reluctantly, however, she did eventually get up by within the next 5 minutes. She returned the photo album to its original place, and blindly stalked to her bathroom wearily, getting ready for another day.

Unfortunately, when the 17-year old studied her reflection after splashing water on her face, she realized she looked like hell. She groaned and began to splash more cool water on her swollen face.

                  By 6:15 a.m., Relena was all ready, dressed in a casual-formal way, her hair brushed and cascaded below her shoulders like a curtain of gold, and her face was no longer as puffy as before. In fact, you couldn't even tell if Miss Relena had been crying or not—unless you had seen or heard her the night before. Of course, Relena had to thank of her light make-up for that.

Yes, the Prime Foreign Minister was no doubt a beauty…

If it weren't for that sad expression she had on, then she would've looked like a true goddess.

Relena glanced at the face staring back at her in the mirror once more, before she double-checked the items in her purse. There were some things she never left her home without.

Palm pilot…check.

2 pens…check.

Memo pad…check.

Portable vid-phone…check.

Papers with necessary information for today's meeting…check.

Make-up bag (consists of powder, concealer, clear lip gloss, extra elastic bands, and mirror)…check.

Mini hairbrush and comb…check.

Floss and breath mints…check.

Tissue…check.

Pad and extra underwear and tampon…check. [A/N hey, she IS a female—you should never leave the house without those two things…I speak from experience]

Box of Tylenol…check.

Novel for free reading…check.

Pepper spray…double check.

As Relena came to the last item, a knock on her bedroom door was heard.

"Relena…are you ready? It's about time to go," a deep monotone voice said form the other side of Relena's door. 

"Yes, Heero, I'll be there in a moment," Relena replied in a similar tone. She couldn't help but glance at her mirror once more to check if she looked sufficiently stable.

She did look steady enough…

Even if she inside, she didn't feel as though she was.

With a deep breath, Relena stood, saying a silent prayer that her poise, both mentally and physically, would stay firm and not break—at least, not until she came back to this very room; then, and only then, would she, Relena Darlian, let her mask break.

~*~

                  "Good morning, Heero," Relena greeted her bodyguard as she stepped out of her bedroom.

"Hn…" was the only reply the Foreign Minister received.

They walked in silence down the hall, ready to leave the Peacecraft Mansion. Most would've felt extremely nervous at the eerie silence form the Perfect Soldier, but Relena was used to it. And anyway, she wasn't really pondering much about it since at the moment she was more focused on her thoughts and negative feelings.

It's probably just PMS… Relena Darlian thought to herself. Perhaps it was—that time of the month was drawing near, and just two days ago she felt those agonizing cramps that came along with premenstrual periods.

Relena hoped it was just that…there were times when she came to hate these feelings she felt once in a while—usually when she had them during the most unfortunate times, like today, when she had a significantly important meeting to attend to.

The real horrid thing was, she had been experiencing the sad, lonely, longing, feelings a lot more than usual. Relena found herself going to her closet and retrieving memories that she had locked away and reflecting on them.

She was crying a lot more nowadays. And everyone who ever shed tears for long periods of time knows it crying can take a lot out of you. 

This was certainly something Relena did not need—nor was it something she wanted in the least.

No wonder desire and regret are considered sinful emotions… Relena thought rather bitterly, as she and Heero exited her home.

~*~

                  "Prime Foreign Minister Darlian, what are your views on this situation?" one of the Earth delegates questioned.

For the past hour, the blue-eyes teenager sat listening and watching the Earth Sphere delegates bicker back and forth like children, and over such a silly thing that really was nothing of importance.

And to think, some people had the nerve to call her a child!! The astringent irony of it all…

Of course, Relena had no choice but to oblige to the delegate's request, or rather demand. All eyes were on her now, and there was not an utter of sound in the whole room.

Relena didn't know whether to laugh or cry. To laugh blissfully for the flattering attention being given to her. Or to cry, for knowing that she surely did not deserve the respect handed to her at that moment.

Finally, she spoke, "I don't think this is any of our concern…"

Obviously shocked, another delegate sputtered out, "Why is that?"

Figure it out yourself; you're the one with nearly 20 years worth of experience in the political field, not me. Relena thought. She was suddenly surprised at the bitterness of her thoughts.

"Think of it this way… Each colony is similar to one child. Every one of your nations put a colony up in space to represent your homeland. However, like children, the colonies have grown, to the extent where they don't really need your support or assistance any longer. The situation at hand, I believe, is something the colonies should decide for themselves," Relena explained.

Instantly, realization and awe colored almost every face in the room. 

Of course, Relena up to the point, had begun to receive yet another endless list of compliments for her statement. Although the young blonde was once again, oblivious to their words, she had heard it all before, and she began to think about other things.

One thought in particular clung to her mind: All children grow…to the extent where they really don't need your support or assistance any longer…

As she was escorted back to her limo, Relena murmured something to herself, "I haven't fully grown, yet…" And once again, that feeling of regret and longing washed over her entire being.

She shivered at the sudden rush of emotions.