Disclaimer: Don't own. Well I own the DVD's but that's not the same as owning the series. Heh. Okay look, just don't sue me. I have $12.13 in the bank. Please?

AN: WOW! Look at time fly! I didn't realize it had been this long since an update. My apologies for those of you still interested in this. My computer was acting funky so I had to type this in Notepad so all the spelling errors will be corrected as soon as I realize what's wrong with my computer. Hope you enjoy! ^_^ Oh! I know I spelled Hilde's "last" name wrong but blame it on my cold that I had at the time of writing for my lack of caring.

WARNING: Some racial slurs ahead. Read at your own risk!


Within Relena's Shame: Chapter Eight
by Wicked Child

Vice foreign Minister Dorlian has just arrived for the annual ESUN Ball surrounded by tighter security than ever before. A source close to the Vice Foreign Minister tells us her escort for the night is none other than top Preventer agent Wufei Chang. The same source also tells us that these two know each other from the Eve Wars.

This is Vice Foreign Minister's first public outing since her return two weeks ago. Prior to tonight she had been involved in private talks and meetings with various public officials. As I already mentioned, this is Relena Dorlian's first public appearance since returning from a month long sabbatical ordered by her personal physician. Some political analysts feel that tonight's appearance is right on target while others feel that it is far overdue.

The television screen shifted from live footage of Relena to interviews from top political analysts debating the time of her return. What did they know? Apparently nothing. Relena had kept her shameful secret well hidden. Leave it to an aristocrat to keep such a secret just that.

Yet there she was, smiling and waving that beautiful smile of hers. She looked lovely in her satin lavender ball gown. Her hair had been swept up off of her shoulders revealing her rather exquisite neck. How easy it would be to walk up behind her and slit her throat while her gook boyfriends watched helpless. Such a tempting thought but not the right time.

"How are things up here sergeant?"

"Colonel Une," the sergeant saluted. "Everything is secure here in the balcony. No assassins will be able to get through our security." They lied and said the extra security was due to an assassination threat to their darling Relena. Fools. How they managed to win a war that didn't really need winning was beyond comprehension.

"Arrogance leads to mistakes sergeant. We can't afford mistakes or arrogance when it comes to the Vice Foreign Minister," Une said in rebuke.

"Understood Colonel." The sergeant saluted.

As Une began to walk away the sergeant called out to her. "Ma'am. Where is Agent Yuy tonight? Normally he's right beside Dorlian."

Une looked at her subordinate then around the grand ballroom before answering. "He's around. He normally is."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"How are you doing?" Wufei asked concern evident in his voice.

"I forgot just how tiring smiling and waving can be," Relena answered truthfully.

"And is it worth it?" Wufei expertly guided her through the throng of people trying their best to close in on them just for the sake of saying they saw Relena up close and even touched her. Wufei never did understand celebrity in all its forms.

"In the end yes it is."

Her companion nodded. "It's good to know you love your job."

"Why do it otherwise?" Relena smiled and waved to someone Wufei couldn't see. "This way Fei."

Wufei started to protest but Relena had already begun to make her way over to the unknown person. Mentally he cursed himself for not being able to control her better. He also wondered if Heero had the same problem.

"Miss Relena, how very good to see you," a silky smooth voice cut into his musings.

"Dorothy how many times must I tell you to call me Relena?" Relena greeted her old adversary turned friend with a kiss on each cheek.

"The day you cease to be Miss Relena is the day that all forms of nobility have died." Dorothy returned the greeting with equal measure.

"I thought nobility died at the end of the Eve Wars," Wufei remarked as he looked down his nose at the blonde woman.

Dorothy narrowed her eyes. "The only thing noble that died was my cousin. You do remember him don't you Wufei? His name is Treize Khushrenada."

Knowing trouble was brewing on the horizon Relena prevented any scathing rebuttal Wufei could make. A battle, even though only verbal, between Dorothy Catalonia and Wufei Chang would only deepen their own personal hatred for one another and take away the first night Relena had felt at home since the rape.

Clasping his hand in her own, and sufficiently catching him off guard, Relena said, "Fei, I have been to countless balls and danced with countless excuses for men. However I do not recall ever having danced with you." Seeing his hesitation she added, "Don't think I'll take no for an answer. Besides if Duo can handle a waltz or two I'm sure you can as well if not better."

"If you danced with Maxwell, I'm sure you needed new toes afterward, if not a new ear." He smiled at Relena and added, "And know that I am not just some excuse for man but a true man through and through."

Unable to help her flirtatious tongue Relena smile coyly. "Believe me Mr. Chang I know you're a man." Innocent flirtations between the two had become regular. Though, late at night, Relena sometimes wondered if it was proper to flirt with the man in charge of investigating her rape let alone flirting with him so soon afterward.

To Dorothy's disbelieving face, Wufei kindly or as kindly as he could muster said, "If you'll excuse us Miss Catalonia."

Dorothy stood transfixed as she watched the mix matched pair walk toward the dance floor. Never had she expected the two of them to be more than cordial to one another due to past transgressions. Yet there they were dancing, waltzing a though they had always known one another.

"Have you given up on Heero Yuy or have you merely decided that one man isn't enough Miss Relena?"

"Talking to yourself again?" A man asked before placing a kiss on her neck.

"Quatre. I was just observing Miss Relena and your comrade. They seem rather cozy don't you think?"

Quatre wrapped his arms around his fiancée's waist before turning his attention to the couple in question. They were gliding across the floor, smiling and laughing; something the Winner heir had rarely seen the Chinese man do. Relena looked regal, as ever, reminiscent of her ability to get an entire room full of old noble's to willingly accept pacifism. Wufei looked just as regal dressed in a modern version of Chinese formal wear. If one were fashion conscious he would believe the two had purposely matched their evenings attire.

"They do seem closer than before but not enough to start making romantic connections. Wufei is the lead investigator of this latest threat."

"True. But have you ever seen her smile when in Heero's arms?" Dorothy prompted.

"Dorothy, romance gossip is beneath you. Relena always has and always will love Heero. And no matter what or who comes along Heero will remain by her side."

His fiancée turned around to face him, the gentle man she had finally allowed to claim her heart. "My dear Quatre, always so optimistic and finding the good within. Tell me, my love, who's beside Relena's side now?"

Quatre remained silent. Over Dorothy's shoulder he watched as Wufei led Relena off the dance floor toward a group of delegates clamoring for her attention. As far as he could tell, Heero was nowhere in sight.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

The sergeant looked down on the throng of people, eyes never leaving a lavender clad woman. She really did have a thing for slanty-eyed men. It was sickening really. Leave the gooks to the gooks. Perfection should remain together, not sullied by the hands of some yellow skinned, almond-eyed rice eater. She would see the error of her ways soon enough. But hopefully, in the present, the whore would like the gift that was rigged earlier.

"Ames! Hey Ames!"

The sergeant looked over. "What is it Schbeiker?"

Hilde grit her teeth at the name. "It's Maxwell now."

Ames smirked. "The it's Sergeant Ames to you Agent Maxwell."

"Whatever. Look do you think you could watch things by yourself a bit? I have to check in with the other Agent Maxwell and see how things are on his end."

Ames waved a hand in dismissal. "Don't take too long. And don't get caught like you did last time. I hate covering your ass."

Hilde bristled. "I'm a damn good Preventer and I take my job seriously so don't you dare make it seem as though I'm not and I don't."

Ames regarded he for a moment before responding. "I know you're good. One of the best in all honesty. I apologize for my offensive comments. Maybe I'm jealous that even though your honeymoon ended a year ago, you're still on it." Ames smiled. "Go. Go to your husband."

Hilde squeezed her partner's shoulder with affection. "Thanks Ames. You're a doll."

Ames smiled. Knowing the Maxwell's, Hilde would be gone for some time. Long enough to ensure that Relena's present would be successfully given.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Everything was going fine. He didn't expect the rapist to show his damned face at an event so high profile and high class. But Heero didn't want to be too careful and Une had readily agreed, staffing the best Preventer agents throughout the building. They also triple checked any regular staff members no matter how many times they'd been check in previous years at previous balls.

So far the night was going well. Relena was scheduled to make a short speech in a few moments, then he and Wufei had agreed to let her mingle for no more than an hour before heading home.

Wufei. Home. Those two words in the same sentence with Relena didn't sit well with Heero. He understood why Wufei was to accompany Relena that night but he didn't like it and nothing anyone could say or do would make him. The two of them together made Heero cringe. It was wrong. The man beside Relena was not supposed to be Chang. But for this mission, for this night, Heero had to step back and allow the other man to do his job.

Relena, accompanied by Wufei, headed for the stage. Heero cast another analytical glance around the vast ballroom, locating each Preventer before focusing all his attention on Relena. Summarily he blocked out her escort, for moral reasons.

He heard her beautiful voice ring throughout the building as though she were a songbird, singing her praise for the glory of the morning. Relena's voice echoed in his head and reverberated all around him. Heero found himself lost in her blue eyes, drowning in that voice. One day, one day soon, he would tell her. Damn the consequences, he would tell her how he truly felt.

"Relena. I love you Relena."

Then the spell was broken as quickly as it had been created. The thunderous applause jerked Heero out of his trance and made him realize his error. He lost focus. He had missed every word she said. Heero cursed himself then.

Relena stood back from the microphone rather pleased. This was her element, where she belonged and where she was the ruler. Nothing could touch her. Nothing at all.

That was when she noticed a white rose floating from the ceiling. It was followed by another, and another. Soon the entire ballroom was sprinkled with white roses and red confetti. Its significance was not lost on Relena or three other's that night.

Immediately Wufei reached out and grabbed one of the fully bloomed roses, crushing it in his hand. "We're leaving. Now."

"No Wufei. I will not let him win." She turned to look at him, head held high. "I will not run home, head lowered in shame. Let the bastard come. I'll be waiting and this time he'll regret ever setting his sights on me."