Disclaimer: Characters do not belong to me. Period, end of sentence.
Author's Notes: Everyone asked for it, and here's it is;) Thanks so much for taking an interest in my story. I hope you keep liking it. Hehe.
****
Your Wildest Dreams
by Kristen Elizabeth
****
The fourth day dawned just the same as the ones before it, with a brilliant display of colors in the sky, and complete silence from Heero. Relena barely tasted her breakfast of peanuts and tomato juice; she wondered how long a person could survive on such a limited diet. The juices took care of a lot of vitamins and the peanuts were nothing but protein, but wouldn't they need other things like dairy and carbohydrates pretty soon? Had Heero given that any thought, or was he only concerned about keeping wild animals away?
She didn't even want to think about what she must smell like or what state her hair was in. Fortunately, with the supplies in her bag, they'd been able to at least rinse their mouths out with toothpaste and water a couple of times. She had makeup and a brush, too, but she was afraid of what Heero might say if she pulled them out and tried to fix herself up. Would she be playing into his low opinion of her if she continued to care about her physical appearance in such an extreme situation?
It was better not to risk it. For all of his faults, Relena still loved him.
"Damn it," she cursed her under her breath.
They started out once again after taking care of their individual morning routines. The mountains seemed to be getting closer, but instead of reassuring her, the fact that they still remained out of reach only made Relena's feet drag a little more every day. She watched Heero as he walked; his back was ram-rod straight, his steps were confident and he never seemed to tire.
Robot. Had to be.
Heero could feel her watching him, but refused to acknowledge her. Every time he looked at Relena, his chest hurt. She was so exhausted and there was nothing he could do about it. How she kept going when she looked as though she might drop any second was just a testimony to how much strength that beautiful body hid.
Throughout the day, he pushed on without letting up, and he knew it was wearing her down. But with every step, they came closer to safety. He would find it for her. He would bring her back to the world in one piece, and then, when it was all over, he could go back to his lonely existence. And she could go on with her life.
Wiping sweat and a thin layer of freshly-applied sunscreen off of his forehead, Heero shook off that unpleasant thought. Part of him wished she'd say something, anything. He'd never spent so much time alone with anyone, even when he'd been locked in prison cells with Duo and Wufei during the war. Duo had chattered non-stop and it had been annoying. Wufei had never said a word and it had been stifling.
Relena alternated between the two. She'd talked a lot in the beginning as they walked, telling Heero all about her brother and his wife who lived in complete isolation on Mars. They were expecting a child in a few months, that was the last news she'd received from them, and Relena was overjoyed at the prospect of being an aunt, even if she'd never get to see the baby.
She told him about her hesitations going into the presidential elections. She wanted the position and felt she could do a good job, but she was worried that her limited private life would effectively vanish, leaving her open and exposed to the public.
And she occasionally mentioned the men she briefly dated, unaware that Heero already knew absolutely everything about each man, having run a full background check on them before Relena even accepted their invitations. They were all chumps, according to her, but he already knew that, too. Did she actually think he'd let her date anyone who was good enough for her? Perhaps that wasn't fair of him, but Heero truly didn't give a damn. She'd find someone on her own eventually; he didn't have to hand her the perfect man on a silver plate.
But her one-sided conversations were becoming rare, and on the fourth day, she barely spoke at all except to ask him for water. He gave it to her, but hesitantly. They were running low.
He looked at the mountains. *Hold on, Relena. We're going to make it.*
****
It was late on the second day of their search when Trowa spotted the yellow rubber raft. They were flying low over Botswana on their way back to their base camp, but rest was put on indefinite hold when he made the discovery.
"Land the plane!" Duo ordered their native pilot.
"It will be difficult," the burly man told him.
"Do it," Wufei told him.
They landed a half-mile away from their destination, and had to hike back. The guide went first with Duo following and the others just behind him. The man seemed to know what precautions to take as they approached the edge of the marsh; he instructed each of them to have their guns within reach, ready to fire.
And when he pushed back the brush and they saw the raft, Duo understood why.
The raft had been deflated by several long, jagged gashes on its surface, and had somehow become a temporary sunbathing location for a half-dozen African crocodiles. Duo bit into his cheek. "Oh shit…"
"The plane would have gone under the water," Wufei said.
Trowa's voice was grave. "That's the sort of raft that would have come from the jet. Someone got out, but…"
"Goonya. Nkitegeera," the guide said in reverent Bantu to no one in particular. He took off his sun helmet and placed it over his heart. "I am sorry for the loss of your friends."
Duo closed his eyes, his fists balling up against his thighs. It couldn't be true! How could it be fair that someone survived the crash, only to find a much worse death at the jaws of a wild animal? And to think that person or persons could have been Heero and Relena…
"Shit," he repeated. If they hadn't been so close to them, he might have found something sharp to chuck at the crocodiles' pointed heads. "It's not fair!!"
"Duo…calm down." Quatre put a hand on his shoulder from behind. "I don't believe they're dead."
His eyes shot open, but the violet centers were doubtful. "One of your feelings?"
"There is that," the blond man admitted. "And there's also this." He pointed to the muddy ground upon which they stood.
Tire tracks. Duo blinked several times before kneeling down to get a better look. "They're fresh. Not even a day old, I'd say." He followed the double, zig-zagged pattern some sort of Jeep had left behind. "They lead off into the savanna."
"Shouldn't be too hard to track," Wufei noted.
"But how did they get here?" Trowa wondered out loud. "Even Relena's political clout isn't enough to ensure that a Jeep is standing by, waiting to rescue her from a plane crash."
Duo shook his head. "I don't know. But I have a feeling that if we follow the tracks…" He stood back up. "We'll find someone at the end of them."
****
Relena was positive that she couldn't take another step, and if she somehow managed to, she'd faint before she advanced any further. The days were getting longer and longer. Just as their water supply was getting shorter and shorter. He pushed since morning, only allowing a small break during the very worst heat of the day
"Heero!" she called out, bending over slightly at the waist. In only a few days, she'd lost so much weight that if she put a hand to her side she could clearly feel the bumps of her ribs. "Heero, please. Let's stop for the night."
He looked back at her, his face stony. "You can make it a little bit further."
They say that everyone has a breaking point. Right then, as she looked at his impatient expression, Relena reached hers. "That's it." She let her bag slide off her shoulder; it landed with a soft thump on the brown grass. "I refuse to take another step, Heero Yuy."
The words escaped before he could hold them back. "Don't be a brat."
"A brat?!" Her eyes grew wider than he'd ever seen them. "You think this me being a brat?! Oh, no, no, no, Heero dear. I haven't even begun to show you a brat. You have no idea what I'm capable of. I grew up in palaces and mansions; I had servants wait on me hand and foot. For all of that, I think I've come out pretty well adjusted. But if you really want, I can make your life absolutely miserable! Now, either we stop for the night, or you just go ahead without me, because I will not be walking anymore until the sun comes up!" She picked up her bag, spun on her worn-down heel, and marched several yards to an appropriate tree.
Heero stared at her for a long moment as she tried to get a foothold on a low branch. It was unbelievable. She had snapped. The anger that made her all the more attractive was usually directed towards her political opponents. But this time, it had been aimed straight at him. And he didn't like it at all.
A scowl replaced the bewilderment on his face. With furious, determined strides, he followed her to the tree and grabbed her arm, pulling her back down to the ground just as she had managed to boost herself up. "Don't you think that absolutely everything I'm doing is necessary to save both of our lives?!"
"I know that you wouldn't give a damn about my life if I didn't have a title attached to my name," she shouted back at him. "Let go of me."
But he didn't. In fact, his grip only increased. "Why do you have to make everything so damn difficult for me?"
"What am I making difficult for you, Heero? Finding some village that might not even exist before we run out of water? In that case, I solemnly swear not to drink a drop until we find it. Now, let me…"
Heero cut her off. "You know what I'm talking about."
They stared at each other for a long time. Finally, Relena shook her head. "You're going to have to find the words, Heero. I can't give them to you."
His chin dropped to his chest and his fingers eased up a bit. "Damn it, Relena. Damn you…"
She felt the onslaught of tears, and had to get away from him before they spilled over. "Please let me go," she whispered. He did; his arm dropped back to his side and he continued to stare at the ground. Relena blinked continuously as she climbed the tree, but by the time she found a large branch to rest on, she couldn't hold them back anymore.
He could hear her softly crying. Heero rubbed the back of his hand across his mouth. His ability to hurt her amazed him. Every sob cut deeper and deeper into his chest until he couldn't take it anymore.
Lifting his head, Heero pulled himself up into the tree. He abandoned the plastic bag that now mostly contained trash on one branch, and made his way to the one she sat on. Keeping his balance with one hand on the branch above them, Heero sat in front of her.
"Relena."
Her eyes were red and wet with anger and hurt, but still so beautiful. "I think everything that ever needs to be said between us has been. There are no more words, Heero."
"No. Just because I can't say them doesn't mean…" Heero trailed off.
"Doesn't mean what?"
He took a breath. "It doesn't mean they're not there."
She wiped at her cheeks. "I don't know that."
"Then…" Heero leaned forward. "I'll show you."
Relena's eyes closed when his lips touched hers. They were awkward, like he'd never done this before. Of course, it was quite likely that he hadn't. She had, but it had never been like this. Never been so warm, so perfect. Relena kissed him back, showing him through action exactly what she wanted. He'd always been a quick learner, and within only moments of their first kiss, he already had her whimpering for more.
Heero pulled back and watched her face as her eyes slowly opened. She smiled at him, a little private look that he instantly swore no other man would ever get to see. *Mine,* he thought, kissing her again, deeper and more insistent. Her arms slid around his neck and he pressed her against the tree, more to be closer to her than to keep them balancing on the branch.
He kissed her until he couldn't see her face anymore. And when night enveloped them, he held onto her, his anchor in the storm of his own emotions.
****
To Be Continued
Author's Notes: Everyone asked for it, and here's it is;) Thanks so much for taking an interest in my story. I hope you keep liking it. Hehe.
****
Your Wildest Dreams
by Kristen Elizabeth
****
The fourth day dawned just the same as the ones before it, with a brilliant display of colors in the sky, and complete silence from Heero. Relena barely tasted her breakfast of peanuts and tomato juice; she wondered how long a person could survive on such a limited diet. The juices took care of a lot of vitamins and the peanuts were nothing but protein, but wouldn't they need other things like dairy and carbohydrates pretty soon? Had Heero given that any thought, or was he only concerned about keeping wild animals away?
She didn't even want to think about what she must smell like or what state her hair was in. Fortunately, with the supplies in her bag, they'd been able to at least rinse their mouths out with toothpaste and water a couple of times. She had makeup and a brush, too, but she was afraid of what Heero might say if she pulled them out and tried to fix herself up. Would she be playing into his low opinion of her if she continued to care about her physical appearance in such an extreme situation?
It was better not to risk it. For all of his faults, Relena still loved him.
"Damn it," she cursed her under her breath.
They started out once again after taking care of their individual morning routines. The mountains seemed to be getting closer, but instead of reassuring her, the fact that they still remained out of reach only made Relena's feet drag a little more every day. She watched Heero as he walked; his back was ram-rod straight, his steps were confident and he never seemed to tire.
Robot. Had to be.
Heero could feel her watching him, but refused to acknowledge her. Every time he looked at Relena, his chest hurt. She was so exhausted and there was nothing he could do about it. How she kept going when she looked as though she might drop any second was just a testimony to how much strength that beautiful body hid.
Throughout the day, he pushed on without letting up, and he knew it was wearing her down. But with every step, they came closer to safety. He would find it for her. He would bring her back to the world in one piece, and then, when it was all over, he could go back to his lonely existence. And she could go on with her life.
Wiping sweat and a thin layer of freshly-applied sunscreen off of his forehead, Heero shook off that unpleasant thought. Part of him wished she'd say something, anything. He'd never spent so much time alone with anyone, even when he'd been locked in prison cells with Duo and Wufei during the war. Duo had chattered non-stop and it had been annoying. Wufei had never said a word and it had been stifling.
Relena alternated between the two. She'd talked a lot in the beginning as they walked, telling Heero all about her brother and his wife who lived in complete isolation on Mars. They were expecting a child in a few months, that was the last news she'd received from them, and Relena was overjoyed at the prospect of being an aunt, even if she'd never get to see the baby.
She told him about her hesitations going into the presidential elections. She wanted the position and felt she could do a good job, but she was worried that her limited private life would effectively vanish, leaving her open and exposed to the public.
And she occasionally mentioned the men she briefly dated, unaware that Heero already knew absolutely everything about each man, having run a full background check on them before Relena even accepted their invitations. They were all chumps, according to her, but he already knew that, too. Did she actually think he'd let her date anyone who was good enough for her? Perhaps that wasn't fair of him, but Heero truly didn't give a damn. She'd find someone on her own eventually; he didn't have to hand her the perfect man on a silver plate.
But her one-sided conversations were becoming rare, and on the fourth day, she barely spoke at all except to ask him for water. He gave it to her, but hesitantly. They were running low.
He looked at the mountains. *Hold on, Relena. We're going to make it.*
****
It was late on the second day of their search when Trowa spotted the yellow rubber raft. They were flying low over Botswana on their way back to their base camp, but rest was put on indefinite hold when he made the discovery.
"Land the plane!" Duo ordered their native pilot.
"It will be difficult," the burly man told him.
"Do it," Wufei told him.
They landed a half-mile away from their destination, and had to hike back. The guide went first with Duo following and the others just behind him. The man seemed to know what precautions to take as they approached the edge of the marsh; he instructed each of them to have their guns within reach, ready to fire.
And when he pushed back the brush and they saw the raft, Duo understood why.
The raft had been deflated by several long, jagged gashes on its surface, and had somehow become a temporary sunbathing location for a half-dozen African crocodiles. Duo bit into his cheek. "Oh shit…"
"The plane would have gone under the water," Wufei said.
Trowa's voice was grave. "That's the sort of raft that would have come from the jet. Someone got out, but…"
"Goonya. Nkitegeera," the guide said in reverent Bantu to no one in particular. He took off his sun helmet and placed it over his heart. "I am sorry for the loss of your friends."
Duo closed his eyes, his fists balling up against his thighs. It couldn't be true! How could it be fair that someone survived the crash, only to find a much worse death at the jaws of a wild animal? And to think that person or persons could have been Heero and Relena…
"Shit," he repeated. If they hadn't been so close to them, he might have found something sharp to chuck at the crocodiles' pointed heads. "It's not fair!!"
"Duo…calm down." Quatre put a hand on his shoulder from behind. "I don't believe they're dead."
His eyes shot open, but the violet centers were doubtful. "One of your feelings?"
"There is that," the blond man admitted. "And there's also this." He pointed to the muddy ground upon which they stood.
Tire tracks. Duo blinked several times before kneeling down to get a better look. "They're fresh. Not even a day old, I'd say." He followed the double, zig-zagged pattern some sort of Jeep had left behind. "They lead off into the savanna."
"Shouldn't be too hard to track," Wufei noted.
"But how did they get here?" Trowa wondered out loud. "Even Relena's political clout isn't enough to ensure that a Jeep is standing by, waiting to rescue her from a plane crash."
Duo shook his head. "I don't know. But I have a feeling that if we follow the tracks…" He stood back up. "We'll find someone at the end of them."
****
Relena was positive that she couldn't take another step, and if she somehow managed to, she'd faint before she advanced any further. The days were getting longer and longer. Just as their water supply was getting shorter and shorter. He pushed since morning, only allowing a small break during the very worst heat of the day
"Heero!" she called out, bending over slightly at the waist. In only a few days, she'd lost so much weight that if she put a hand to her side she could clearly feel the bumps of her ribs. "Heero, please. Let's stop for the night."
He looked back at her, his face stony. "You can make it a little bit further."
They say that everyone has a breaking point. Right then, as she looked at his impatient expression, Relena reached hers. "That's it." She let her bag slide off her shoulder; it landed with a soft thump on the brown grass. "I refuse to take another step, Heero Yuy."
The words escaped before he could hold them back. "Don't be a brat."
"A brat?!" Her eyes grew wider than he'd ever seen them. "You think this me being a brat?! Oh, no, no, no, Heero dear. I haven't even begun to show you a brat. You have no idea what I'm capable of. I grew up in palaces and mansions; I had servants wait on me hand and foot. For all of that, I think I've come out pretty well adjusted. But if you really want, I can make your life absolutely miserable! Now, either we stop for the night, or you just go ahead without me, because I will not be walking anymore until the sun comes up!" She picked up her bag, spun on her worn-down heel, and marched several yards to an appropriate tree.
Heero stared at her for a long moment as she tried to get a foothold on a low branch. It was unbelievable. She had snapped. The anger that made her all the more attractive was usually directed towards her political opponents. But this time, it had been aimed straight at him. And he didn't like it at all.
A scowl replaced the bewilderment on his face. With furious, determined strides, he followed her to the tree and grabbed her arm, pulling her back down to the ground just as she had managed to boost herself up. "Don't you think that absolutely everything I'm doing is necessary to save both of our lives?!"
"I know that you wouldn't give a damn about my life if I didn't have a title attached to my name," she shouted back at him. "Let go of me."
But he didn't. In fact, his grip only increased. "Why do you have to make everything so damn difficult for me?"
"What am I making difficult for you, Heero? Finding some village that might not even exist before we run out of water? In that case, I solemnly swear not to drink a drop until we find it. Now, let me…"
Heero cut her off. "You know what I'm talking about."
They stared at each other for a long time. Finally, Relena shook her head. "You're going to have to find the words, Heero. I can't give them to you."
His chin dropped to his chest and his fingers eased up a bit. "Damn it, Relena. Damn you…"
She felt the onslaught of tears, and had to get away from him before they spilled over. "Please let me go," she whispered. He did; his arm dropped back to his side and he continued to stare at the ground. Relena blinked continuously as she climbed the tree, but by the time she found a large branch to rest on, she couldn't hold them back anymore.
He could hear her softly crying. Heero rubbed the back of his hand across his mouth. His ability to hurt her amazed him. Every sob cut deeper and deeper into his chest until he couldn't take it anymore.
Lifting his head, Heero pulled himself up into the tree. He abandoned the plastic bag that now mostly contained trash on one branch, and made his way to the one she sat on. Keeping his balance with one hand on the branch above them, Heero sat in front of her.
"Relena."
Her eyes were red and wet with anger and hurt, but still so beautiful. "I think everything that ever needs to be said between us has been. There are no more words, Heero."
"No. Just because I can't say them doesn't mean…" Heero trailed off.
"Doesn't mean what?"
He took a breath. "It doesn't mean they're not there."
She wiped at her cheeks. "I don't know that."
"Then…" Heero leaned forward. "I'll show you."
Relena's eyes closed when his lips touched hers. They were awkward, like he'd never done this before. Of course, it was quite likely that he hadn't. She had, but it had never been like this. Never been so warm, so perfect. Relena kissed him back, showing him through action exactly what she wanted. He'd always been a quick learner, and within only moments of their first kiss, he already had her whimpering for more.
Heero pulled back and watched her face as her eyes slowly opened. She smiled at him, a little private look that he instantly swore no other man would ever get to see. *Mine,* he thought, kissing her again, deeper and more insistent. Her arms slid around his neck and he pressed her against the tree, more to be closer to her than to keep them balancing on the branch.
He kissed her until he couldn't see her face anymore. And when night enveloped them, he held onto her, his anchor in the storm of his own emotions.
****
To Be Continued