Chapter 2-The Secret

Relena opened the door to face a dark house. Relena dropped the keys into a bowl, put her coat and purse on a coat rack, and flung off her shoes. She was about to turn on the lights when they automatically flipped on.
"Happy Birthday Relena!," shouted the small group.
Relena faced Duo, Hilde, Quatre, and Dorothy with a shocked face.
: My. my birthday? It can't be my birthday already. ," stammered Relena.
It is! It's your eighteenth birthday! So how does it feel to be an adult finally?" questioned Hilde.
"Well no much difference, ", replied a kind-hearted Relena.
"It shouldn't, " said Duo as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "You've been acting like an adult for two years now. You missed out on your youth."
"All of us have, Duo." Replied Quatre. "The war does that to people."
"Quatre's right. I just wish the future generations will have a better chance at their youth." Relena had a sad expression written on her face. " Duo, what are you even doing here? I mean it is great to see you, but you told me the friend I knew is gone."
"I had lots of time to think about that."
"Sure you did Duo! I was beating it into your head all night." ` "Hilde, I bet you never heard of the word torture."
"Duo, when dealing with you, that word doesn't exist in my vocabulary,"
"And that's why I love you so much."
"I know."
Relena laughed. ~Duo and Hilde are still the same. Same old, same old. I missed them so much.~
"And here I thought we wouldn't get a laugh out of you."
"Sorry Dorothy. It has been long though."
"Come on, I want cake!'
"Duo, do you always think of your stomach?'
"Only when it's growling love."
*~*
"Yes Hilde I promise."
"You'll watch the whole thing?"
"Yes."
"Okay, I'm taking your word for this Relena."
"Okay, Okay."
There was a knock on her door.
"Hold on Hilde. Come in please!"
As the door opened, and the man walked in, Relena's smile disappeared.
"I'll call you back later."
Hilde just nodded her head in understanding.
As the vidphone turned off, Relena turned to face her visitor.
"Hello Heero."
Relena looked at him. Although there weren't many physical changes, there was a hint of secrecy. She could tell he had a secret. She didn't doubt it either. They haven't talked in about a year.
"How may I help you?"
"Don't play around. You now why I'm here. Why don't you just start looking at the plans and give its approval?"
Heero held a folder out to her. She accepted it, and scanned through the papers.
"Have Lady Une and Millardo looked at these and approved of them."
"If they hadn't I wouldn't be here."
"Were there any problems in the beginning?"
"I already fixed them.
"So you've looked over this yourself as well?"
"Didn't I just say that."
Relena sighed. She needed an excuse to get away and fast. But she did have work to do. As she began to sign the documents, her vidphone rang. She turned her attention to it.
"Peacecraft. How may I help you?"
"Miss Relena. I'm calling to speak with Heero if he's there."
"Yes one moment Duo."
As Relena put Duo on hold she turned her attention back to Heero. He was looking at the pile of resources on the coffee table.
"Heero."
His head shot up. Her heart stop beating. He looked with curiosity that quickly faded to the hard, stern face he always worn now. ~God if only I could tell him the truth.~
"Duo's on the line for you."
Relena stood, as did Heero. As he made his way to here desk, she made her way to the door.
"I'll just give you a moment."
As the door closed, Heero answered the call.
"Duo."
"Hey Heero!"
"What do you want Duo?"
"My monkey back!"
"Duo you monkey is under your desk."
"He is not! Uh. yes he is. There you are Mr. Monkey Pants! Hey stop mocking me. My pants are better than your."
"Duo! Why did you call? And here for that matter. Couldn't this have waited?"
"Actually, yeah it could but I probably would have forgot. Heero, I want you to be the godfather of my child."
A smile broke across Heero's face.
"Duo, this is too great an honor. Maybe it should be someone else."
"No I chose you. Do you accept or not already?"

"Of course Duo! Like you even have to ask."
"Yeah I did. Didn't you just hear me ask?"
Heero laughed. Just like Duo. As he closed the link with Duo, he realized he would have to go talk to Relena. ~You know it wouldn't have been so bad if Relena would have just accepted help.~
Heero walked out of her office and over to her secretary's desk.
"Hey Chris, where'd Relena go?"
"Out back."
"Thanks."
Heero took the elevator down to the basement floor and got out. As he made his way to the garden he spied Dorothy ahead of him.
"Well hello."
Heero make his way up on a ledge and jumped into a nearby tree. There he sat as he saw Dorothy reach Relena. Relena was sitting by a fountain humming to a bird on her finger.
"Relena?"
The bird flew away. Relena looked at Dorothy in surprise.
"Oh hi."
"Hey what are you doing out Here?"
"Just thinking. Heero came by."
"Heero's here?"
"Yes but just business related."
"You need to tell him"
"No!"
Relena quickly stood which cause the nearby birds to fly away. " I just can't do that."
"Relena, he has a right to know."
Relena glared at Dorothy. "He will not find out. Am I clear?'

"Okay, but your making a mistake."
"It's my decision."
"Very well. But how much longer do you think you can live without them?" Dorothy turned and left the garden.
Relena sat on the ground and looked into the water's reflection. A small tear fell down her face. Relena then quietly sobbed her heart out.
Heero jumped down form the tree in a swift movement. He carefully made his way to Relena. He placed a hand on her shoulder. It caused her to jerk and look at him in complete surprise.
"What are you keeping from me?"