AN: Chapter 8. It's seems like I have been writing this for so much longer than what I really have been. This chapter promises some action! (Finally). I had to work my way up to it in order for the story to develop. Sorry if the previous chapters were not exactly what you had hoped for. But I feel that I did the best I could and that action is not necessary at all times. Anyway I hope you enjoy this chapter. Be sure to pay attention to character dialog and events that take place, as in the previous chapters. Thank you; remember always R&R!
Relena was exhausted. What Quatre had explained to her to be just a small formal dinner party, between a few politicians, had turned out to be practically a small ball. At least a hundred people were present, along with a small band, and a lavish dinner.
Currently, Relena was being hassled by people who were simply complaining of the current issue between the colonies and Earth. She tried to answer as many of their concerned questions as possible, but she found that she was becoming bombarded. They ceased when the music started to play. A young man asked her to dance. She accepted, grateful to get away from her current attackers.
Though she found her dancing partner to be very nice and charming, she found herself drifting from where she was. She glanced about the large room. She caught a glimpse of Quatre who seemed to be enjoying himself with a young redheaded woman. They danced and laughed together, seeming to be in their own little world. Trowa was standing on guard near the staircase. His eyes were scanning the room. Probably looking for any possible assassins, Relena thought to herself.
How she wished she could be away from all of this. Normally, she would be enjoying herself, but right now, she had too much on her mind to be having social engagements at a party. Well this wasn't supposed to really be a party.
That was when she saw him. Admits the twirling and shuffling of feet, the dresses and black tuxedos, she saw Heero standing in the shadows near the doors. He was watching her every move intently. His eyes pierced through her as they always did. Relena found that she could not bring herself to look away from his strong gaze. She no longer paid any attention to her partner; she just let him lead her about the dance floor, as she stared transfixed into a Prussian blue stare.
She was abruptly forced to look away when the music stopped. There was a small applause, which was followed once more by music. Relena thanked her partner politely and started to excuse herself from the dance floor. However, when she turned around, in front of her stood a tall man with raven hair.
"Minister Darlian, you didn't think you would leave without bestowing the honor to dance with you," said Bret Mavica.
Relena stood firm staring at him in disbelief. What was he doing here?
"Representative Mavica, I didn't expect to see you here," she replied.
"Please call me Bret. I was in the area on business so I decided to stop by."
"Why is that not very believable," Relena muttered.
"Well why should you be so concerned. You are not the only person who wishes to discuss matters with the colonies."
Relena did not like the tone in which he had just spoken to her, but she wasn't given much time to think of her next response. The next thing she knew, she and the newly appointed ESUN member were whirling around the dance floor with other couples. Relena simply followed his lead and never looked into his eyes. She felt quite uncomfortable as it was.
Heero watched as Relena switched dancing partners. He decided to take the opportunity to scan the room for anything suspicious. He cursed himself for becoming distracted only a few moments earlier. He had been watching Relena, when she suddenly looked at him. He couldn't look away, so he just stood there watching her sapphire eyes. They never left his own, which had baffled him, somewhat. Only when she looked away did he stop his fixation on her. Anything could have happened in that moment. She could have been seriously hurt because he was not paying attention to his task.
Though he did not wish to, his eyes started to fix themselves on the young woman once more. They seemed to have a will of their own, despite his mind's command. Her new partner was a man with raven hair. He stood tall, towering over Relena. His dark eyes were watching her intently. She however, seemed to fix her gaze on the ground. Heero noted to himself that she looked quite uncomfortable with this man. He looked as if he were quite powerful and capable of many things.
Heero decided to move closer towards the dancers to get a better look. The man seemed to be talking to Relena about something important. Although, whatever it was, Heero could only guess. He shrugged it off. Whatever they were speaking about was none of his concern; he was after all, just a soldier.
"You should talk to her instead of stare at her," said a voice from behind him.
Heero spun around to see Trowa standing at his side. The young man was not looking at Heero however; he was looking straight ahead at the dancers. However, knowing Trowa, he might not have been looking at anything at all.
"Hn," Heero replied.
"Someone once told me to act on their emotions. I hope that he follows his own advice every once in a while."
Heero did not reply this time. He wasn't sure how he should. Instead he just turned to face the dancers again. He watched as Relena spun about the dance floor with her partner. He cursed at himself again. He couldn't understand why she was distracting him so much.
"You know Relena… I may call you Relena?"
Relena looked at Bret Mavica and nodded her head yes. She really didn't care what he called her right now. She just wanted to find out why he was here. He continued,
"From the information I have received, the colonies do not wish to cooperate at this point. It seems almost a waste of time, your presence here I mean…"
"Excuse me Bret, but I once again most inquire about your presence here. I am quite surprised that you were able to travel to the colonies without very many problems. Let alone attend this very party," Relena stated.
Mavica smiled somewhat menacingly. She was indeed much smarter than she looked.
"Well, Relena as you may see, I am not the only ESUN member here who is from earth. You yourself, are present."
"I believe that you are avoiding the question," the young woman retorted.
"Perhaps I am."
This statement caused Relena to snap her head in alarm. She did not like the tone he was using with her at all. Mavica quickly decided to change the subject,
"Might I inquire where you are staying?"
"Not that it is any of your concern, but for the time being, Mr. Winner has provided accommodations for me."
"Yes, yes, he is accompanying you on your tour."
Suddenly the dance ended. Relena was about to pull away when Mavica stopped her.
"Please step outside with me for a moment."
His voice was strong and powerful. Relena knew she didn't have a choice. It was more of a command rather than a request. Besides, she would rather speak to him in private than cause a scene at the party. She simply nodded her head and let the man lead her out to the balcony.
She passed Heero and Trowa on the way out. The look she passed to the two bodyguards was one of warning. Heero looked at Trowa who simply nodded and left to go find Quatre. Heero silently followed Relena and the man outside onto the balcony. He positioned himself in the shadows where no one would see him. It was here that he could also hear every bit of their conversation.
"You know Relena, your presence here on the colonies is most unwelcome," said the man.
"Only by some," she replied.
"Not by some, by many."
"What are you afraid of? Do you think that the colonies shall corrupt me to their ideas? They want peace just as much as anyone does. They are not behind all of this"
"What makes you so sure? Just because you are Vice Foreign Minister doesn't make you God."
Relena had had enough. She was livid at the man's words. He was up to something. She turned to leave but gasped as she felt him grab her wrist tightly.
"Let me go this instant," she commanded him.
"Not until you hear me out, Relena," he said coldly.
"Release me at once!" she said as he tightened his grip on her wrist.
Suddenly she was jerked back from his grip. A dark form stood between her and Mavica.
"Heero," gasped Relena.
Mavica smirked at the young man who had broken them apart.
"Excuse me, but this is none of young concern," said Mavica to the young man.
"Relena's safety is always my concern," replied a cold voice.
Realization dawned on the ESUN member. This young man was her bodyguard. He glanced around the rest of the balcony. In the doorway that connected back to the party stood another young man. Behind him was another young man with blonde hair, whom Mavica thought to be Quatre Winner. What had Relena just said anyhow? Heero? Of course Heero Yuy, the Gundam pilot. Also known as the Perfect Soldier. This was indeed rare and unexpected.
"Well then if you'll excuse me, I have other matters I must attend to," said Mavica as he brushed past Heero and Relena.
Heero watched the man as he went inside the party once more. The man stopped to speak to another man next to him. Their discussion was quick, for soon Mavica pulled away from him and departed from Heero's sight all together. Heero then shifted his focus down to the young woman standing next to him.
"Thank you Heero."
"Did he hurt you?"
Relena looked up into Heero's Prussian eyes. Again she thought she saw an emotion burn in them. Also, again, it was wiped away quickly by the bitter cold storm that lurked inside his soul.
"No, I'm fine," said Relena as she looked away.
"Relena, what happened?" asked a concerned Quatre as he and Trowa drew closer to the two of them.
"Nothing serious. I'm fine Quatre, really."
"All right. Perhaps we better take our leave," replied the blonde hair man.
"I agree," said Relena.
Later that evening back at the Winner Estate…
Quatre and Trowa were in the security room. They watched as a soft green light blinked on the computer screen.
"Well, Relena is in her room. I suppose that we can relax for the night," said Quatre quietly.
He paused as if he were in deep thought. He then looked over to Trowa who was silently watching the computer monitors.
"Trowa, do you think that Heero has feelings towards Miss Relena?"
The Heavy arms pilot did not answer. Quatre merely shrugged and stood up. Trowa was always quiet. Quatre had just come to accept this over time from his friend. He spoke when it was needed.
"Heero is confused with his emotions right now," said Trowa suddenly.
Quatre smiled. He thought he would talk eventually.
"I must agree with you. After all the training he went through, it's hard to believe that he would be capable of such feelings."
"Heero is human, just as you and I."
"Of course he is. Deep down, I believe that he does care for her. I know that Miss Relena cares for him deeply," Quatre stated quietly.
Trowa simply nodded his head. Once again he focused his attention on the computer screens. They were images from the surveillance cameras posted about the Winner estate. The soft green light from Relena's tracking device was still glowing softly in her room. All looked well.
Just then, Heero walked into the room. He had been making his daily report to Zechs and Lady Une.
"How is everything?" he asked.
"Looking good," replied Quatre.
"Hn."
"Heero, did you tell Lady Une about what happened tonight?" inquired Quatre.
"Yes, she said that she would have Zechs and Noin look into this 'Bret Mavica' once more. I believe that there is more to him than meets the eye, just as Relena."
"Indeed," replied Quatre.
Heero looked at the monitors. He noticed the green light. He also noticed something else.
"Trowa, check the motion detectors outside of Relena's room."
Trowa did so without a word. The monitors switched as images of the hallways surrounding Relena's room popped on to the screen. Heero frowned. Nothing strange was there.
"Now check all motion detectors that lead around the gardens and her balcony."
Images from the balcony and gardens popped onto the screen. Once again nothing seemed out of the normal. Heero however, peered closely at the pictures of her balcony. A shadow passed by the doors.
"There!" he exclaimed.
"Heero it could be anything!" cried Quatre.
"No someone is there. Come on."
Suddenly they heard a muffled scream coming from upstairs.
Relena had been pacing around her room for the past fifteen minutes. Her encounter with Mavica tonight, had raised further questions in her head. She was frustrated and sure that the man had something to do with the troubles between the colonies and earth. Yet he had just taken up his position in the ESUN.
Relena looked into her vanity mirror and sighed. The young woman staring back at her seemed much older than what she really was. Her eyes had lost most of the light they had once carried, and dark bags hung underneath of them. But she was still beautiful, beautiful in many ways, only sick and tired in her heart.
Relena began to take down her hair. She had swept it up for the evening. She pulled out the pin and let it flow down her back. She reached for her hairbrush and began to comb out the silky tresses. Without looking Relena tried to put her hairbrush back onto the vanity. However, it fell to the floor with a soft thump. Frustrated at this, Relena sighed and bent down on the floor to pick it up. Relena gently set the brush back onto the side of the vanity again. She turned once more to look at her reflection.
The moment she did so, a large dark figure stood behind her, his image reflected in the mirror. Relena screamed but a large hand soon muffled her cry over her mouth. The man pulled her toward the balcony doors.
Relena began to struggle. She had to get away. She kicked and squirmed, but the man was at least a foot and a half taller than she, and also had the grip of a vice. Relena then bit down hard onto the hand that covered her mouth. As she tasted blood the man cried out and released her, throwing her small body onto the bed.
Relena was dazed. The force in which the man had thrown her had made her dizzy. She tired to push herself off the bed, her mind telling her to run away from this room. Then she felt a strong hand grip her waist and spin her so that she was lying on her back. Relena screamed again as the large man struggled with her trying to grab her so that he may take her away from safety.
Relena could feel herself begin to weaken. She knew that she wouldn't be able to win this battle. She cried out loud for someone to come save her.
"Help! Somebody help me!" she practically sobbed.
The man slapped her across the face so that she would become silent. He had already underestimated her strength, for he had planned to be away with her by now.
Suddenly a gunshot was heard at the bed room door. It burst open revealing three young men armed and ready.
"Get the hell away from her!" said a tall youth with dark hair and eyes that shot daggers at Relena's assailant.
The man smirked and stood up from the bed pulling the young woman up with him. He placed her in front of him and held a large knife to her throat.
"Put down your weapons or you will find that you have made a terrible mistake," said the man.
Heero lowered his gun and motioned for the others to do the same. They placed them out on the floor in front of them so that the man could see they were unarmed. Heero looked at Relena. She stood dignified even with the dagger at her throat. The look in her eyes was one full of fear, yet resourcefulness. At that moment Heero knew that she trusted him completely.
Heero glared at the attacker. He then nodded to Quatre. Quatre somehow understood this gesture. He took one cautious step forward and began to speak to the man.
"If you know what is best. You will release this woman at once, before any harm can come to you."
The man sneered at looked only at the blonde young man who stood before him.
"Listen boy, I think that I know what is best. If you take one step closer to me, I can assure you that the Vice Foreign Minister will be in bad shape and unable to fulfill her duties."
Quatre nodded to the man and spoke once more,
"I am quite sure that you mean what you say, so I shall no longer step towards you. But, again I must ask that you release your hostage. Do not harm her anymore. She has done nothing wrong towards you and…"
"Silence boy! I will tell you when to speak!" screamed the man his gaze still fixed on the blonde hair pilot. The attacker then dropped his knife and whipped pout a handgun that had been concealed in his jacket. Relena stiffened. She saw her attacker begin to caulk the trigger at Quatre.
But Quatre stood firm and only stepped closer to the man who held Relena.
"Get back now!" screamed the man.
At that moment the gun was kicked from his hand. The attacker, who was dumbfounded, felt a strong blow come down on his jaw. The force of the blow sent him to the ground, taking his hostage with him.
Relena landed on the ground with a small cry. The man did not even release her when Heero had nearly broken his jaw. Suddenly, she felt herself being gently pulled up by another pair of arms, releasing her from the attacker's vice grip. The man still was sprawled on the floor trying to recuperate from the blow he had just taken.
Relena struggled to stand on her feet. She looked up to see Quatre trying to pull her safely across the room away from the dangerous man.
In the mean time Heero and Trowa had grabbed their guns. They aimed them at the attacker who was beginning to stir. The man stood up and faced the two Gundam pilots. He over-towered them both by at least seven inches. But Heero and Trowa stood firm.
"Are you going to kill me?" he asked the two young men.
Trowa surprisingly spoke up first,
"You shall be taken in for questioning at Preventers. They shall decide what to do with your life, not us."
"Big mistake," sneered the man.
He lunged at the two pilots, but they were ready for him. They simply sidestepped and sent the man sprawling across the room.
Frustrated the man stood up once more. He looked around the room. The Vice Foreign Minister was with the blonde hair youth on the other side of the room. The other two young men were watching his every move. The dark hair one glared at him menacingly. His eyes were cold and hateful, the true emotions buried beneath the surface were unreadable. The man most certainly did not like it when people gave him threatening looks like that.
He lunged for Heero knocking Trowa aside with brutal force. Heero was thrown to the ground with the large man on top of him.
Relena across the room tried to run forward but Quatre held her back.
"Heero!"
Trowa jump back onto his feet. He ran over to the two grappling men. He dove down and used all his strength to pull the attacker off of Heero. The man simply swung his arm up knocking Trowa to the ground.
Heero however, took this opportunity to take action. He punched his assailant in the ribs. The man cried out in pain as he felt a jolt run up and down his chest. Heero rolled out from underneath the man and stood on his feet. The man tried to do the same, but before he could react in time, Heero kicked his head with such a force that the man's world darkened and blackness surrounded him.
Heero helped Trowa to his feet, breathing hard. They looked at the man for a moment making sure that he was indeed unconscious.
"Tie him up Trowa."
The silent pilot nodded and set to his task.
Heero turned to look at Quatre and Relena who had been watching the whole ordeal from the other side of the room. He walked over toward the two of them.
"Quatre, get a shuttle ready. We are leaving here tonight. They know where Relena is, it is no longer safe for her here."
"Right," said Quatre as he left the room to do so.
"Heero, where will we go?" Relena asked softly.
Heero looked at her. She was still shaking. Her hair was slightly disheveled and Heero could see the tears starting to form in her eyes. He knew that she was trying to hide her emotions from him. He looked at her left cheek. It was red. The man must have hit her. The thought made Heero uneasy. He reached out and touched her cheek gently, examining her.
Relena flinched at this sudden gesture. He had never down such a thing before. His hands were warm and surprisingly gentle. She was so startled however, that she looked down and slightly backed away, causing him to drop his hand.
"I'm fine Heero. He just hit me because I was struggling, that's all. I'm really all right."
Heero nodded and then motioned for her to follow him out of the room.
"Heero, where are we going?"
"Preventers," was his only reply.
AN: Well that's it for chapter 8! Exciting right? Well I hope that you think so. The story picks up a lot form here so pay attention. Please send me some feedback! I would really like to know what you guys are thinking. Next up chapter 9. Pay attention because you are going to learn more about the conspiracy that is unveiling. Heero and Relena shall continue to interact with each other. More action to come in the next chapters too. Always R&R!