"Duo, GET OUT OF MY ROOM!"
"But BABE..."
"Out!"
"Hilde, calm down before you hurt yourself, AGAIN."
"Relena's right babe, why don't you take a few deep breaths and-"
"OUT!!" Hilde repeated, glaring at Duo. The violet-eyed youth backed up with defensively raised hands.
She took the offense and gripped Duo's arm, pulling him to the door. She nearly shoved the pilot through it and locked it behind her, a little irate at Duo herself.
Leaning against the wood, Duo briefly pounding and shouting pleads on the other side, she met Hilde's eyes. "Better?"
Both arms crossed as Hilde mildly sulked, glaring at her bed. "When he LEAVES I will be." She muttered. For an entire week, making it three since she was bedridden in Sanc, Duo was ten times as protective and worrisome about her condition than he was when she was in the hospital LAST time.
The pounding stopped not even a minute later, Duo taking the hint once again. She mildly wondered why Duo hadn't gotten a clue DAYS ago. This was almost routine anymore and she was getting a little tired of his treatment toward Hilde. The poor girl looked ready to STRANGLE him, if she could just get out of bed.
Although Hilde could move her upper body and limbs to a point, her comatose state atrophied her muscles. Any great, lengthy movements caused a great deal of pain. She needed to get them built back up with physical therapy first before trying anything like killing Duo yet.
With a smirk, she walked back to Hilde's bed and stopped at the edge. "Shall I proceed again?" She asked, eyeing her friend.
"You can NOW." Hilde wryly answered, leaning back on the many stacked pillows. "I love him to death, but he was REALLY getting on my nerves. I'd hug you, but I kinda can't." Hilde smiled and let her continue.
With a chuckle, she continued her small pace and restarted the speech, wanting to hear the entire thing. She managed to get twice as far, almost able to finish, when Duo started knocking on the door again, begging to be let in. Both girls looked mildly annoyed, but Hilde gave her the okay to let him inside.
As soon as the door was open enough for him to get through, Duo went straight to Hilde's bed and propped annoyed hands on his hips. "What was THAT for??" He innocently demanded, giving her the puppy-dog look.
Hilde sighed and instantly looked at the ceiling to ignore that adorable look. "You were annoying me."
"How so?"
Hilde quickly glared, finding a genuine clueless look. "I'm not a BABY Duo. I may be INJURED, but I wasn't hungry or thirsty, and I didn't need to be propped up any more. I was quite comfortable where I was at and you were excessively fidgeting with EVERYTHING around me and interrupting Relena!"
Duo didn't answer back, but quietly jutted his lip out in a small pout. Violet downcast, as did his shoulders. Hilde knew that she went a little too far reprimanding him. Closing her eyes, Hilde extended both arms.
"Come here..." She sighed. Duo slowly walked to the bed and sat down within arm's reach, being mindful of Hilde's legs. One hand clasped his, bringing their hands to her mouth. She lightly kissed his knuckles. "I'm sorry I yelled Duo, but you need to COOL it a little." Hilde seriously looked into violet.
"Please? Do it for me. If you keep coddling me, I'm not going to heal any faster. I need to exert SOME pressure on my body to let my muscles get used to getting exercised again. If not, you're going to end up doing what you do longer than normal and make things WORSE." Hilde gave a tender smile and squeezed his hand. "Promise me, please? Just let up a LITTLE. I can do some things without your help, but I'll let you know when I DO need you. Alright?"
"Alright..." Duo regrettably agreed. "I promise." Hilde tugged at his hand and kissed him. Duo met her lips and the entire squabble became almost non-existent.
She watched the two and marveled at how they could be shouting one minute and lovey-dovey the next. They were such a rainbow of emotions and showed almost every one at least once a day. Sheepishly diverting her eyes, she started for the door when they didn't look to be stopping anytime soon.
The door quietly shut behind her, but she doubted they even knew she left. Having a few hours until she needed to leave for the speech she was giving, she decided to kill it outside in the same place she wandered near the past few days.
The mechanics she initially talked to last week invited her back again to talk to and show her if she wanted. There was also a sense of peace she gained whenever she was around. She didn't know HOW to put that to why she was there, but she felt like everything in her life was okay. It was all too confusing really.
Upon reaching the open door, she looked around and found the place empty. Brow furrowing, she called for the friendly people she spoke with. No one entered the open area, much to her confusion.
Seeing she had free reign of the place, she decided to snoop. With a childish smile, she quietly stepped onto the concrete floor and spied a clock on the far wall. It was only noon, everyone was most likely at lunch. 'Plenty of time to look around.'
~*~*~
He didn't even know she was in the area until her voice rang through the garage. His eyes widened and the breath stopped in his throat. There was no way he could get out from his position without being seen. She was blocking his only exit. That left him with one option, to stay put and hope she didn't look under the car.
He decided to play around some more and continue his quest to learn, not really hungry. He decided to stay inside while the others were at lunch, just in case someone came and needed to something fixed. He knew almost all the machines now; the only ones he hadn't memorized he hadn't worked on yet. His only problem was he let himself become too focused on the task at hand and not keeping an ear open to everything around him. He was getting sloppy.
All the hoping that she'd turn and leave upon finding no one in eyesight was shot down when her feet quietly entered. Eyes squeezed shut through a rapidly racing heart. While his ears remained trained on her constantly moving position, he considered ways to get out from under the servant's car without being seen or heard.
He didn't figure wheeling his way to the other side while she was distracted would work; the wheels were old and scraped across the concrete whenever he was underneath. That option was out. Crawling from the flat board was ALSO out, since he was maybe a foot away from the engine. There wasn't enough room to move around, save for his arms. The car was just too low to the ground to easily get from. That was ALSO out.
He was basically stuck with the wish that she didn't see him. Since the car was so low to the ground, he was unable to wear the newly trademark hat to hide his hair. She'd recognize him in a second.
So, while being 'trapped', he utilized the senses he could use. His hearing still on her, it increased when his eyes closed. He could only see her ankles and that wasn't going to do him any good, so eyes were out.
He decided hearing was his most powerful weapon right now and needed it at its maximum peak. He listened as she picked things up and padded on the concrete, mentally picturing where she was and what she was moving.
After what seemed an eternity and a half, she slowly moved to the exit and stopped. Eyes popped open as his head craned backwards as far as the car would allow and watched her. Her ankles bent forward a little, making him wonder what she was doing. After that, she stepped outside the walls and down the walk.
Carefully waiting with held breath, his eyes strained to see her until he couldn't anymore. After his vision moved to the chasse of the car again, the pent up breath left in a quiet whoosh. His heart started slowing down in the quiet, but some part of him surprisingly felt empty that he was once again the only person in the shop.
He never really felt like this with the others, also remembering this feeling when he left Sanc on his initial stay to go fight. The same feeling made itself known when Relena left with Noin as well. The whole thing was quite odd and he couldn't explain it. Staring at the bottom of the car, he knew that getting back to 'playing around' wouldn't happen until the others came back.
~*~*~
Ever since that day she looked around a once unknown part of her large house, she was unable to peacefully sleep. Seeing Hilde and Duo's constant interaction didn't help keep thoughts of Heero to a minimum either.
She was wondering where he was more and more during day and night. She even spaced out once during a particularly boring meeting and reading papers in her office. She knew what it was and what it was doing to her; the loneliness was starting to build and the solitary life of a politician wasn't helping.
Being by her friends helped decrease the isolated emotion, but she felt like a third wheel half the time. Hilde and Duo had something she feared she'd NEVER have. Love. Those two were so intensely in love she grew jealous from time to time.
Rolling onto her back in the pitch black, both arms flopped on either side of her body with a heavy sigh. Thinking about her life and those around her was not going to let her fall asleep any faster.
Annoyed eyes stared at the top of her four-poster bed. Life wasn't fair sometimes. Sometimes she just wished the world had enough wits to get along with the colonies and leave her ALONE. She sighed. 'These are the times I HATE being a Vice Foreign Minister.'
Turning on her side, she stared at an old radio and leaned over to switch it on; hoping music would help her fall asleep faster. Maybe something to keep her mind off of Heero and her life...
A guitar slowly plucked beginning chords to a slow song, filtering through the large room. Seconds later, a breathy female voice hummed the beginning bars.
I'm thinking of you in my sleepless solitude tonight
If it's wrong to love you then my heart just won't let me be right
Cause I'm drowning you and I won't pull through without you by my side
She stared at the top of the bed again and savagely grit her teeth. 'So much for NOT thinking of Heero...' She mentally berated. His face sprang to mind, though she couldn't change the station or switch the radio off. Something inside her longed to feel this yearning and picture his face, if only to lure the love she felt away for the night.
I'd give my all to have just one more night with you
I'd risk my life to feel your body next to mine
Cause I can't go on living in the memory of our song
I'd give my all for your love tonight
It was true; she WOULD give anything and all just to have him next to her. Nerves in her body started humming with suppressed need for his touch, no matter how subtle it might be. She didn't care if all he did was hold her hand or briefly run his fingers over her face, it would be more than what she had NOW.
Baby can you feel me?
Imagining I'm looking in your eyes
I can see you clearly, heavenly emblazoned in my mind
And yet you're so far like a distant star I'm wishing on tonight
She slowly sat up in the bed and looked at the window. Her eyes widened at the sight, feeling she was in some wonderful dream. Heero stood before her, gun in his hand. He seemed to make eye contact, those normal blue eyes chipped ice.
She stared at him and wondered if he really WOULD shoot with all she was trying to accomplish right now. As if reading her mind, the gun dropped from his hand, but no sound came as it landed on the floor.
I'd give my all to have just one more night with you
I'd risk my life to feel your body next to mine
Cause I can't go on living in the memory of our song
I'd give my all for your love tonight
She continued to watch as he walked to the bed, quiet as a ghost. He stopped almost an arm's length away and stood there with hands at his side. Her body started humming more as she looked at him. She couldn't believe he was HERE.
Blanket-covered knees slowly went to her chest, fists wrapping around them. She wished he'd do something instead of just stand there. The guitar played a small 'intermission' as the female's voice flittered through, no words on the beautiful wave.
Sheepishly looking at her knees, a small smile appeared. She didn't know how or why, but if Heero was here and needed her, she wasn't going to turn him away. She loved him that much.
Her mouth opened to ask him what he wanted as she looked up, but the question died when he seemed to have disappeared. Her eyes almost wildly looked around the room and she peeked over the bed. It was like he vanished.
I'd give my all to have just one more night with you
I'd risk my life to feel your body next to mine
Cause I can't go on living in the memory of our song
I'd give my all for your love tonight
Her lips pressed together when she realized she might have just seen his face so clearly that he appeared in her mind's eye. Knowing that sad fact, she flopped back onto the pillows and stared at the radio before regrettably closing her eyes one last time tonight.
I'd give my all for your love tonight
~*~*~
Through the days that followed his last close call, he kept thinking of the dream with Hilde and every occurrence with Relena. She kept returning to the garage, mostly when others were around, but he still managed to excuse himself without getting into trouble or make it look like he was avoiding her. The whole process was getting kind of tiring actually.
Some part of him reasoned his choices of revealing his whereabouts and staying hidden. If he stayed hidden, this whole process was going to keep going until he was found out. If he went and told someone where he was, he would cut to the chase and end a long, drawn-out process that was quickly getting on his nerves.
He was also losing patience with his boss who kept asking why he never seemed to want to meet Relena. He never said much, just enough to keep incrimination off so he could escape and go work on something. This was the first nosy boss he ever had, and it was REALLY pissing him off.
He thought about it for most of next week. There were good reasons on both sides, which left him at square one and a standstill. So, until then, he kept at his work and thinking until one good basis stood above the others.
Being one of the few who worked on the weekends for something to do, he rested under a car and looked around, looking for anything that needed fixing. Things were mildly slow lately so he purposely went looking for things wrong.
Grabbing the wrench on his chest, he went for a loose bolt when surrounding noise grabbed part of his attention. He ignored most of it until someone almost hurriedly turned a radio on, bringing his full attention from work.
"...no reason why the attacks have been made. Reports from a few days ago say the murders happened from a mob, whose name we are disclosing at this time. There is no real evidence that links the mob to these deaths, but police and crime investigators have examined most of the encountered bodies-"
"Man...can you BELIEVE that?"
"Yea, who'd want to start trouble NOW? Are they ASKING for it or something?"
"I dunno, but let's hope this whole thing happened DURING the war and they're just finding those poor souls now."
"I wonder what mob they're talking about."
"Didn't the announcer say it was from somewhere in China?"
"I think so, I didn't pay too much attention until someone told me about the news's report last night."
Blue glared at the wrench, his attention brought back to his job. Tightly gripping it enough to break his palm, or the wrench, he grasped part of the car and harshly rolled out from underneath. Those previously talking oddly looked at him.
"Did you say China?" He darkly asked, fighting to keep the glare off his face. He didn't want to scare his co-workers if he was going to get answers.
One gave him an odd look. "I THINK so. Though I'm not too sure which PART it's in."
He looked at the three congregated around the radio. "What's going on exactly?"
Another nervously cleared his throat, unnerved by the stare. "Well...I heard this was going on for a few days now, but news just started leaking west. There's talk about this mob that wants to dominate now that things have gotten soft with peace. Someone said Miss Relena was going to try and talk to whoever is doing this, or find a way to go down and figure out what's going on."
His eyes narrowed even more as he silently turned and stalked from the garage, hands balled into fists. He wanted to hit something, HARD. Hadn't the morons on Earth had ENOUGH of war?? Why start it again? Didn't they get a taste of it the FIRST time? Since the beginning of AC, there'd been constant wars with the Alliance and the Federation. Did their ancestors not get involved and they were starting things again because of that??
'Whatever's going on, they're going to wish they HADN'T started trouble.' He darkly vowed, nearly slamming the door to his small apartment. He started a tight pace around the living room, soldier instincts buzzing with the beginnings of a plan. No way in HELL was he going to let Relena go to China and talk with some mobster! She'd be dead before she entered the door and then things would REALLY go to hell!
He wouldn't let that happen; Relena NEEDED to stay alive if the world was going to keep from fighting. She was the only person with the purest, untainted notion of peace who could pull it off.
With this newest notion, he stopped and blankly stared at the far wall. So, his choice was clear... 'I'm going.' He had to leave, but not without telling someone he was here. He needed resources and the right person who knew how to keep their MOUTH shut. 'But, he wouldn't keep his mouth shut for LONG...'
A small, unnamable emotion hit, almost unbalancing him. He also wanted to say goodbye to Relena before he left. Even though he avoided her whenever possible to keep discrete, her presence was all around him. Leaving it now left an indescribable hole in his heart, something that happened before, but he ignored.
As more details became clear in his head, he started planning. 'But first, I wait until it gets dark.'
~*~*~
Duo was worried about Relena. She was utterly withdrawn and pissed at dinner. Having taken to eating with him and Hilde instead of the actual dining room gave him the first to glimpse her moods after work. In the beginning of the newest problem, she was understandably sad.
As the days followed and more horrors were brought back to her ears, she became disgruntled and quiet. He figured when Relena threw herself into the promise of peace as Vice Foreign Minister, that things would be okay for a long time. It was a tragic surprise to find out he was wrong and all her efforts seemed wasted.
He wondered how long this was going on, if these people were waiting until the war was over so they wouldn't have any resistance. He had never been in China during the war, not even in their region. He doubted the mob involved had been in the war, unless it was to pilfer weapons. There was no way Oz would take them, the Alliance either. Maybe in the beginning; until they tried to take control and were found out in their own stupid way.
Duo eyed her again as she toyed with the dish in front of her. She reminded him of how he acted so few weeks ago. It was such a mockery to see his old attitude thrown back at his face by someone who should NEVER have to go through that.
Duo couldn't help but blame himself for not being there when she needed him, even if he didn't know. And he knew she was blaming herself for not being able to stop this, even though there was nothing she could've done. NONE of them had a clue as to when this started or how to curb it. From what Duo heard from her frustrated babble in the office, there was a single person doing all this damage under orders of a big time boss.
As night fell and she retired to her room early, Duo lay next to Hilde's already slumbering form and stared at a tall rug on the opposite wall. He felt bad for her, he really did. She tried so hard to please everyone and exerted herself to the near breaking point, and people STILL weren't happy.
A small, discernable movement from the huge rug caught Duo's attention. Stilling, violet squinted enough to see through his lashes. Adrenaline ran at their intruder, ready to fight.
In the darkness, something slowly peeked out from under the curtain. Duo knew no one was hiding behind the curtain because he was in Hilde's room for the entire night. A secret passage...
Violet opened a little more from the extremely poor lighting, having closed the curtains keep out the moonlight. Some peeked through the bottom as it always did, allowing a thin, tall figure to be seen. The mystery revealed itself when the figure stopped close to Hilde's bed, that telltale head of hair seen in the darkness.
Not even ten foot from him stood the elusive Heero Yuy. After the surprise died down, it took every ounce of control to not jump off the bed and beat the crap out of his friend for leaving when he did. Relena was worried out of her mind and he apparently was in Sanc by the change of clothes.
Heero Yuy did NOT hold any cash on hand, nor did he have any bank account that Duo knew about. That left the fact that he had a job somewhere in the general vicinity, maybe even on the grounds. The sneaky little bastard!
Revealing the secret passage started revealed something Duo hadn't thought of. If Heero knew about that passage, he had to've explored the place, as he was inclined to do whenever he stayed somewhere for any length of time. Scoping out a location gave the dark-haired youth a sense of satisfaction in case he would be attacked. It also gave him knowledge of the best escape route.
Duo's brow subtly furrowed as his thought process brought him to an almost unimaginable possibility. Giving in to the urge, violet slowly opened and stared at that face in the dark, hoping to look into those deep eyes.
"Was it YOU that pressed the panic switch and woke me up?" Duo whispered. He immensely startled and made for the rug, but Duo quickly and stealthily detangled himself from Hilde and slid off the bed. "Wait, Heero!"
The youth halted with his hand on the rug, part of his body behind it. Duo edged closer, seeing his friend's appearance. "It WAS you, wasn't it? You were HERE that night. You saved Hilde."
"I did." He quietly answered.
Duo's head lowered with a small smile. Duo stopped close and met his eyes in the dark. "Thank you. You saved the woman I love." He blinked, but didn't answer. "Now that the formalities and gratitude is over with, exactly WHAT are you DOING here?" Arms folded in irritation.
"I wanted to get some more information about the recent events."
"I don't mean THAT, though I'll ask LATER...I mean what are you doing in SANC?" His vision dropped to the carpet, but kept quiet. "I'm not as stupid as I LOOK Heero. I figured it out while you were watching me and Hilde sleep. WHAT. Are. You. DOING. Here??"
"I came here after the war was over. Immediately after." He quietly answered, not looking at Duo.
A brow furrowed in suspicion and confusion. "Why? You KNEW Relena was going to be here...why didn't you go somewhere ELSE? You're good enough to start a life on your own and you certainly don't want anyone AROUND you..."
"It was the first place that I've been comfortable in."
Duo's brow shot up at that honest statement and decided not to press it further. If Heero'd been in Sanc since the war ended; that had to've been when he arrived. "So...what's with your need for information?"
His gaze moved. "I want to know EVERYTHING you know about this mob that's in China threatening peace."
"What do you intend to DO?"
"Stop them."
Duo gave a barely visible odd look before resignedly shrugging. "All I know is what I heard from Relena. They're located in Shanghai. From THERE, I'm not too sure. YOU know people like that don't keep a valid address."
He gave a dark nod. "What about the murders?"
Duo's head shook, showing a little of his incredulity. "This mob is supposedly controlled by one big wig with a few advisors. He has a few fighters that accompany ONE person around for backup." Grave violet met serious blue. "Whoever is doing this is GOOD. This person didn't use one weapon on those people except their bare hands."
A hand acquainted itself with Duo's chin, rubbing slowly. "Quite the killing machine if I do say so. I'd go with you to stop these bastards, but I'm not leaving Hilde."
"I'm going alone."
"Why does that not SURPRISE me?" Duo smiled a little, eyeing him. The determination Duo saw was enough to convince him of something. Heero was going to fight without any appointed mission except to protect peace. He was inadvertently protecting Relena by trying to stop these morons on his own.
A touching smile tipped Duo's lips farther. "Well...I wish you good luck Heero. And I'll help you out in any way I can."
"That's just what I wanted to hear..."
~*~*~
She looked over the guest list for tomorrow night. She told Hilde and Duo she was planning a party to celebrate Hilde's recovery and as a just because. She wanted to celebrate the near month of peace, but was unable while Hilde was still comatose.
Now that Hilde was awake, she was going to take advantage of the time before things got bad. She also intended on creating this party to keep people's spirits from lowering anymore than they already had. With the threat from China, people were getting worried. This would prove quite the distraction for a while.
After mailing all the invites from every politician and friend she knew since her arrival at Sanc, she went through her closets for a suitable dress for tonight. She picked out the white dress she wore so long ago during the war, but knew Hilde didn't have anything she could wear.
Although she knew Hilde wouldn't be dancing or any excessive movement due to her deteriorated muscles, she could still be present. Her friend made enough progress to sit up and hold up to five pounds with her arms. It was enough for her to be in a wheelchair and move around until Sally could get her arms back to normal and start with her legs.
After a brief talk with her friend on what she liked for clothes and colors, she left the large estate on a small mission. She shopped a good portion of the day with Duo tagging around for advice. He only left with her on the grounds that Sally or Noin stay with Hilde the entire time and not LEAVE. She knew whoever stayed with Hilde would be more lax than Duo, but wasn't going to tell HIM that.
They finally found a nice enough dress for the frail girl and went back to show her. She and Sally helped her into it later that night while Duo slipped into a better-looking change of clothes. He returned with Hilde fully dressed in a black cocktail dress, something classy but not overdone.
Hilde whistled at his makeshift tux and immediately kissed him when he was close enough to yank over. She left the two and got dressed in her room, meeting Noin in a dark blue dress outside.
People started filtering into the main area. Pagan announced them and led everyone into the ballroom, where she had a full band plus a couple of singers present. She left Hilde's room with a reminder to not keep their guests waiting.
After shutting the door, she gave a mirthful smile and headed for the stairs. She used the word their instead of her to keep Hilde from hiding through the party. She reminded the raven-haired girl that she was throwing this party partly due to her recovery and intended on her being there, wheelchair and all. She heard Duo comment on wishing he could make a quick stop to L-2 for her wheelchair, but shook it off and opened the ballroom doors.
Lights shone down, food aromas wafted everywhere, and music floated into her ears. She gave a serene smile, feeling the weight of the world slide from her mind for a while. If she could feel a small happiness from a single party, then the notion did its job. If people could forget the worries of the world for one night, then they would be a little less stressful tomorrow morning. That was the POINT of this whole thing.
A little later, she stood on the spacious balcony, feeling more than a little isolated. Politicians brought their spouses, friends had friends with them, and she was basically alone.
Hilde and Duo arrived a few minutes after her and hadn't left each other since. She gave another sigh and looked into the starry night. It wasn't fair sometimes. Another song started up, a catchy tempo starting as one of the female voices floated through the open glass doors.
Wish I had somebody, wish I was somebody's baby
Somebody's somebody...somebody's somebody
Her lips pursed as a finger drew a nonsense pattern on the sill. It was true and it wasn't fair.
Watching lovers walking, hand in hand they pass me by
Wish I was one of them, wish I had somebody waking up beside me
Looking into my eyes at night
I want a love to call my own
I want someone that I can hold
Want someone wanting me
I wanna feel how it feels to be
The vision of Heero so many nights ago sprang into her head, reminding her of the loneliness she felt that night. It increased as she watched people mill around the estate, inside and out. Many took refuse of the quiet spot alone and held hands or shared a tender kiss. And what did she have to show for the night? A grand party...with no escort next to her.
Somebody's somebody...someone's someone
Some sweet lover's lover
I wanna be, I wanna be the one
Someone faithful, to someone faithful
Someone kind to someone kind to me
Somebody to somebody who loves me
Who loves me
She knew that sulking and pouting about this whole predicament with Heero's absence and no knowledge of where he was, was dampening her good time. Up till the song, she was mildly enjoying herself, save for the emotion that kept plaguing her.
Duo spied Relena outside, along with her hunched over figure. He evilly smiled and looked around the room. He leaned on the back of Hilde's wheelchair, having a perfect view of the balcony. Duo watched Pagan slowly walk past the couples, knowing she went outside due to the fact that she missed Heero. He could tell; it showed. With a small sigh, he looked at the top of Hilde's head and kissed it.
Spending all of my time, spending all my time on me
Where is that someone who I can give my time to
Searching for that lover
With the love that will change my life
I want two arms to hold me close
I want the thing I most; somebody needing me
So I can feel how it feels to be, to be
"Miss Relena?"
She startled slightly and stood, smoothing her face of previous emotions. They weren't any business but her own and this was supposed to be a happy time. "Yes Pagan?" She asked, giving a small smile.
"I bring a message for you."
Her brow creased. "Message? From whom?"
"Duo. He said there's someone here who would like to meet you."
Her eyes slowly closed, not up to having company now. "Is it a necessary meeting? There is a PARTY going on..."
Pagan smiled. "Well...he said that there was someone very dear to you waiting in the mechanic's shop. Someone you miss and haven't seen for a while."
Somebody's somebody...someone's someone
Some sweet lover's lover
I wanna be, I wanna be the one
Someone faithful, to someone faithful
Someone kind to someone kind to me
Somebody to somebody who loves me
Who loves me
Her brow furrowed as she gave Pagan an utterly blank stare. Missed and hadn't seen for a while?? Besides Trowa and Quatre, both who had NO clue about the party, the only other one as dear to her as Pagan was suggesting was...
Her eyes shot open. No WAY! It was NOT possible! But...she had never known Pagan to lie, and Duo certainly didn't lie! Then, how was it POSSIBLE?!
Her mind shot back to the time when she spoke with the boss in that area. He mentioned a bright young mechanic who took to everything and never complained. He wanted her to meet him, but had never been able to find the young man. If it WAS Heero, it all made sense. He held a gift for machines, he never complained about anything, and would avoid her to keep his location secret.
Without another thought, she shot past Pagan and walked as fast as she could out of the ballroom, eyes locked on the door.
What I'm looking for is someone to love me more
Than I've been love before with love so right
What I need to find is someone to hold me tight
What I mean is I want to be
The music was still heard as she headed down the hall. It almost seemed to taunt her opposite mood by showing how she felt only minutes ago. Before, she was mildly depressed about being alone and wondering where the only man she'd ever loved was. Now...her heart was racing with anticipation and excitement.
Heero was HERE...details didn't matter as long as he was HERE. She wondered if the vision she had of him actually WAS real and he just disappeared. With his speed, it was possible... But, why the gun then? Taking a set of stairs as quickly as she could in heels, she attributed the vision to emotions and left it at that.
Somebody's somebody...someone's someone
Some sweet lover's lover
I wanna be, I wanna be the one
Someone faithful, to someone faithful
Someone kind to someone kind to me
Somebody to somebody who loves me
Who loves me
Who loves me baby
Dashing down the last hall, she felt a sense of urgency. If Heero was here, why did he want to meet her now? Was he saying goodbye? She hoped not; it would be entirely too cruel if he'd been here for however long and showed himself NOW just to part ways again.
She almost wondered if she should turn around and walk back if that was the case. She had a party she could get lost in and ignore everything but those inside her walls.
On the other hand, she could see Heero for five minutes and speak with him. Something she hadn't been able to do since he left for Libra.
Almost skidding to a stop in front of the closed door, she thickly swallowed and opened it. It revealed a very short hallway, leading to another open door. Seeing pitch black, except a few shafts of moonlight in the area, she timidly walked through, leaving the inner door open.
Somebody's somebody... Somebody's somebody... Somebody's somebody
Wish I was one of them, wish I was somebody's baby
Wish I was one of them baby, wish I was somebody darling
As the notes died, she laid eyes on the one she was seeking. Heero Yuy...dressed up in dark slacks and a white collared shirt. His simple attire took her breath away as she eyed him. "Heero..."
"Hello Relena...I'm glad you got my message..."
~*~*~
He was nervous beyond belief. Seeing her in that all white dress made her seem like an angel. Her wide eyes caught the moonlight, illuminating them. What blond he could see glowed in the bad lighting. Maybe she WAS an angel... His heart skipped a beat.
"What're you DOING here Heero?"
Ah...the hardest question he had yet to answer tonight. "I wanted to talk to you Relena..." He evaded, not wanting to get into details. He didn't have a whole lot of time if he needed to say his peace before he left. He wanted her to know he'd take care of everything and she didn't need to worry. He knew she did enough of it since the whole mess started.
He took a small step toward her, meeting her in the middle of the room. She was nearly within arm's reach, but hands shoved deep into his pockets. He needed to stay focused right now and if he touched her, his mind would get muddled just like it did in the past.
Her brow minutely furrowed. "About what? Does it have to do why you decided to tell me you were here?"
He always KNEW she was astute... "I'm leaving for China soon. I don't want you going over there yourself."
Her eyes shot open, as did her mouth. "HOW? WHY?" She stumbled, taking a step forward. Hands gripped his arms lightly, sending shivers up his spine. He fought the emotions that threatened to take him hostage and focused on her continual wide eyes. "Why leave Heero? You don't NEED to... Stay here with me and help me think up a plan on how to deal with this!"
"Those people won't listen to you. I'm personally going down to put an end to their games. Talking isn't going to help Relena. I know they had to've been waiting for their chance to strike in the world. The war just got in their way. People like that are predictable."
"But...but...how do you intend on getting DOWN there?? There are no weapons in the Sanc Kingdom and I don't know of any way you could get in silently..."
"I have my ways. Weapons are never a problem. I don't intend on going after these people right away. I need to find out more details than what you have. There's more to the stories you're hearing about the murders than what is leaking west. I know there's more, which is why I intend on finding it."
She sighed. "How did Pagan know you were here?"
"Duo."
A blond brow rose. "How did HE know?"
"That's not important." He side-stepped. "I just wanted to tell you what was going on in case word comes back. I don't want you worrying about this more than what I've heard. This is going to get fixed, and I'm the person to do it."
She gave him a soft smile, sending another shiver throughout his body. "I admire your drive Heero, even if I think you're going about it the wrong way." Her head bowed with a soft sigh. "When do you leave?"
"Later tonight."
She looked back with a new emotion in her eyes. He couldn't tell what it was, but he couldn't look away. A tender smile tipped her lips as she stopped dangerously close, close enough that he could get a better smell of her perfume.
"Did you intend on going in this?"
"Better this than what I used to wear."
She smirked and quietly chuckled. "Then...would you like to come upstairs for a while before you leave? I won't ask anymore questions because they're not important. I would just like some of your time before you go."
Her eyes softened with a small pleading tone, something he was finding a hard time resisting. Her close proximity and steady gaze caught him in a trance, something he wasn't really struggling. The unknown came back with a vengeance, the unnamable emotion coursing on high.
His eyes almost softened as he looked at her, not able to resist such a simple thing like that. She didn't want much and he HAD been going out of his way to avoid her since he arrived... She was more understanding than he thought.
He gave a small nod and let she lead the way back. He shut both doors behind them, quietly plodding next to her.
As soon as they hit the ballroom, his eyes immediately scanned everyone out of habit. From the way they dressed, he knew she kept the guess list high standard. The only ones more casually dressed were Hilde and Duo on the sidelines, enjoying the music.
A sudden touch startled him, a hand entwining with his. His eyes jerked to her smiling face, glancing at their hands. She lightly squeezed and he met her eyes again.
The song changed to a more upbeat song, the same female humming to the beginning of the chords. "Would you like to dance Heero?" With a small nod, the two walked to the floor, hand in hand.
Hey there boy, did ya happen to know wherever you go
I'll follow, oh baby like a cool breeze on a summer day
When you're near me, I don't know what to do I feel like a fool
Like a school girl; true blue girl
Who wants to know can you come out and play
You make me feel the way a woman is supposed to feel
So let me show you, show you my love's for real
They stopped somewhere near the middle, the crowd parting enough to let them in. His eyes locked on hers and that serene, happy look she still held. He was entranced with it, but kept an ear open to everything around him, including the music. It struck a chord with him, shutting down his defense walls to the girl he held in his arms. Everyone else seemed nonexistent.
I'll be the rain in your summer; the chill in your fall
I'll be what you want anything at all
I've got a love for all seasons; a love for all time
I'll be the fire in your winter; the sun in your spring
I'll do what you want, give you everything
I've got a love for all seasons; a love for all time
He was well aware that people were staring as they danced. He was ALSO aware of how good she felt in his arms, though where the thought came from, or the rationality of it, was lost to him. He held her before, at other dances, but this song never felt like the others.
Every detail in his life was different from the past. The music held him captive, like she was somehow trying to tell him something. That look never left her face. If anything, it intensified.
I'll be there for you, keeping you warm through the storm
I'll guide you, stand by, until the stars fall from the sky
When you call me
I'll never hesitate, making you wait for my love never lie love
It's something that I just can't deny
I'll read your each and every feeling when you need me to
So now I gotta let you know, this love's for you
There weren't words to describe how he was feeling, even if he never COULD find words. He felt totally at peace and, for this dance and song, completely forgot about the threat he was going to meet. The outside world melted away as he twisted her and swung her back, almost trapping her to him. Somehow, having her even an arm's length away was too far. He couldn't understand where this odd, sudden urge was coming from, but he didn't fight it. Odin's phrase sprang to his mind and for once, he obeyed it.
I'll be the rain in your summer; the chill in your fall
I'll be what you want anything at all
I've got a love for all seasons; a love for all time
I'll be the fire in your winter; the sun in your spring
I'll do what you want, give you everything
I've got a love for all seasons; a love for all time
The last time he remembered dancing with her was the last school dance in the beginning of the war. He wasn't allowed to have fun back then, but a part of him loosened just enough the longer he looked into her eyes. The soft kindness of those sky eyes reminded him of the dream that kept plaguing him, mostly how his eyes used to look. His eyes used to be like hers, before he was needed for a higher purpose. Though now, it felt like that innocent boy was trying to break through and enjoy himself for a single, magical song.
You don't have to search no more, baby you don't have to dream
Cause what I've got inside for you is all that you'll ever need
You don't have to search no more, my heart is yours, for real for sure
You don't have to wonder why, I'll never leave; I'll never lie
Her eyes crinkled with a loving smile as he slightly dipped her in time with the beat. They moved in unison, tuned to the other. He almost wondered where these moves were coming from. He was never much on dancing, but couldn't help indulge this one-time, wanton fantasy.
"I'll miss you when you leave Heero." She quietly murmured, back in his arms. He didn't say anything, but a brow minutely twitched.
Her hand slowly rose and touched his cheek, cool against his face. He was a little uncomfortable upon first entering, but as they danced, he forgot all that.
Her eyes closed with a small, humorous chuckle. "It's true. I don't know how long you've been here, but it doesn't matter. I think I've got it all figured out anyway. Though I have one question. Did Duo prompt me to speak with you?"
"Yes." He answered, almost not finding his voice. She figured it ALL out?? Well...at least he didn't have to EXPLAIN himself...
She gave a soft sigh despite her happy exterior. "You be careful when you're there alright? Don't do anything stupid...like getting yourself killed."
He twirled her again, a little shocked at her almost commanding tone. She was worried about his well-being when he was going to be a good thousand miles away?
It was all confusing, but something in his heart thumped. It was that same twang he got whenever she was near in the shop. He instantly signified that she caused that. Before, he always wondered if it was something in his environment.
I'll be the rain in your summer; the chill in your fall
I'll be what you want anything at all
I've got a love for all seasons; a love for all time
I'll be the fire in your winter; the sun in your spring
I'll do what you want, give you everything
I've got a love for all seasons; a love for all time
Even after the song wore down and he left, inconspicuously of course, he could still feel her in his arms, smell her perfume, picture her behind his eyes. Her image stuck with him for the entire flight, the song ringing in his ears until he found Chinese borders.