Sadly, Gundam Wing doesn't belong to us

Princess,

Hope these bring a smile to your face, and let ya know there's somebody who cares.

GoD

P.S. Meet me tonight on the Hope Bridge at nine o' clock. I got a surprise for you.

With an irritated sigh, Relena crumbled up the note that had been amid the bouquet of pink roses delivered to her just moments ago.

"Damn it Duo. Just when I build up my resolve you pull a stunt like this. Why can't you just leave me alone?" You better ask yourself why you keep going to him. Relena snarled at her inner voice to go away as she plopped down in her overly luxurious office chair. She stared mindlessly at the small pile of paperwork that sat to the right of her, knowing that there was no way she could concentrate enough to get any of it done. She pushed up with her hands and rose out of her chair, picking up from under the desk her purse before heading out of her office.

After having walked a few blocks down the street, she stopped and entered her favorite place when she was in need of comfort food. A small coffee house that she swore had the best cheesecake. Sitting down in a small booth, she placed her order and waited patiently for the person she had called a few minutes before to arrive. Ten minutes and two slices of cheesecake later, Hildie strolled through the front doors to take a place across from Relena. She sighed and shook her head watching as Relena began on her third piece of cheesecake.

"Do you realize how much longer you'll have to be on the step machine if you finish that?"

Relena stopped in mid-bite, placing her fork down and sliding the remaining piece of cake over to Hildie. "You finish it. It's a crime to waste good cheesecake. Besides, you are eating for two."

Taking off where Relena left, the dark haired girl began to devour the dessert, halting only momentarily to ask what was wrong.

"What do you think? Or maybe I should say who."

Swallowing the final bite, Hildie wiped her mouth with a napkin before replying.

"Why is it so hard for you to accept the fact he's crazy about you?"

"Because I don't want him to be. You know I love him, Hil, and that he makes me feel wonderful and when a guy starts making me feel good I have a tendency to start losing myself in them. And after Heero broke my heart I swore never again."

"Duo isn't Heero. His emotions are anything but aloof. He's a nice guy."

Relena blew her bangs out of her eyes with a huff. "Obviously, Heero left me for him. And eventually Duo will leave too, just like all the other men in my life, family or otherwise. I can't let myself be hurt again. I refuse."

Hildie knew not what to say. She really could not identify with Relena on the matter. Her family had never had money, but they had always had love. She had been the apple of her father's eye and even as an adult now, she had found a good, trusting man, settled down and was raising a family. Her heart broke for Relena. Even though the girl grew up with the world at her feet, it had kept her running on it as if she were a hamster in a wheel. Not to mention the relationships she had with the men in her life was less then desirable. Relationships filled with empty promises, lies and abandonment.

"I know. I shouldn't be like this. It's not like I was severely abused or mistreated growing up. Hell any kid would have given their right arm to have what I had."

"Material things, can't buy you emotional security or love."

Relena smirked her sarcastic humor coming through. "But they can buy the latest Prada shoes and Gucci handbags. Want to go shopping?"

Hildie checked her watch. "Listen, Relena, I can't stay long, I have to pick up Jonathan from school, but I will tell you this. "For as long as I've known Duo, he's an honest guy. Sure he likes to joke and goof around, but when it comes to serious things, like matters of the heart, he's for real."

"I don't know. He wants me to meet him tonight on the Hope Bridge. Says he has a surprise for me. Maybe I'll get lucky and he'll push me off of it."

Bringing her hand down and slamming the tabletop, Hildie's face was ablaze with anger. "Don't you EVER joke like that!"

Relena felt like telling her who's joking, but decided on wiser words. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. This whole conversation has been a waste of your time."

Her expression back to its old serene, caring self, Hildie placed her hand on top of Relena's. "It's okay, you vented, and if it's made you feel better then you didn't waste my time."

Relena nodded and noticed her fidgeting. "I'll be fine, honestly. Go get your son. I don't want to make you late."

The petite woman rose from her seat and bent over quickly to peck a kiss on top of her friend's head.  "Now sweetie, please take care yourself."

"Drive safe, Hil, see you later."

As the sun was just descending below the horizon, Relena Dorlian pulled her car right up behind Duo's that was parked on the far right side of the bridge; he was standing there, his lower body leaning against the guardrails. He turned to look at her as she got out of her car and she noticed his eyes were unpredictable and wide. Oh God, he is going to kill me. These three years have been a deranged game of revenge as payback for Heero's death…as I thought, too good to be true.

Her smile was somewhat stiff as she tried her best to play casual, approaching him slowly.

"What's wrong, 'jousen? You act like a boogie man's gonna come out from the dark and get ya."

No, just a lunatic ex-gundam pilot out for my blood…well at least I'll be out of my misery. "No, it's just a bit chilly."

He smiled a little too much as he wrapped one of his arms around her shoulders and drew her to the edge of the guardrails. "Ya think it's cold here? Just imagine what those waters must feel like."

Relena swallowed hard and closed her eyes. "Just stop it Duo. If you want to throw me over, just do it already. But just stop mocking me."

"What? Why would you think…? Oh jousen." He took her shoulders in his hands and turned her to him, making sure she was looking into his eyes. "I could never kill you. I love you. Now myself on the other hand, I could easily dispose of, after all, Heero's gone, you can't stand me, so who would give a damn." His words proved true as he released her immediately and jumped up on the wide guardrail.

Her eyes, like saucers now blinked back tears as she steadied herself so as not to startle Duo into falling. "What the hell, Duo! Get down now! Don't do this! I've been lying! I do love you! I honestly do! Please! No! Duo!" She threw herself forward in an attempt to catch him, but it was too late as he leaned back, just missing her hand.

TBC…