Disclaimer: By this point you should know that I do not own Gundam Wing or any other anime/stuff that is referenced in this story.
Ch.8
The roads seemed to stretch forever in front of Relena's eyes. Mentally drained from the past 48 hours, she leaned her head against Heero's back and sighed. For a moment she felt Heero's muscles tense up, but he soon relaxed.
"How far 'til lunch?" Relena called over the engine roar.
"Just up around the next bend."
She smiled in relief. "Good. I'm starved."
"Hn." Heero smirked, glad that Relena was unable to see the blush that lingered on his cheeks due to her close proximity.
For all her years of elite schooling, Relena couldn't speak Italian to save her life.
"Shit. Trowa, how do you say Chicken Caesar Salad?"
Trowa laughed in response. Turning to the waiter he finished ordering for her. The waitress smiled and went to put the order in. "Really, Relena, you'd think the former queen of the world would be able to speak at least one language proficiently."
"Hn. Baka." Relena a bit out. She was too frustrated to think of a witty retort.
"Obviously she can speak more than two proficiently," Heero responded on her behalf. "She has spoken three languages quite well in my presence."
Midii smiled at the rebuttal, but had no time to provoke further comments as the waitress had returned with their drinks.
"If you will excuse us, gentlemen, we women must take leave of you for a moment," Midii said after the main course had been finished. Heero glared and Trowa snickered.
"Don't worry, Heero. It's just one of their 'female bonding' things."
"Hn."
The women excused themselves.
"Are you alright, Relena?" Midii asked seriously when the two entered the bathroom.
"Just exhausted. I don't understand it – I never have. Why do people want me dead? I – I –"
Midii gave her a friendly hug. "People don't make sense. Ever. I don't know why anyone would want to hurt you, but I'm here to help. I know it's hard, but try not to worry so much. I promise those to boys," (at which she rolled her eyes) "and I will protect you."
Back on the bike. Relena was getting tired of holding on to Heero for dear life. Not that I mind holding on to him. Her lips curled up in a smile.
"Shit."
"The soft curse from Heero brought Relena out of her reverie. Lifting her eyes, Relena saw what had disturbed her companion: a traffic backup as far as the eye could see.
As Heero stopped, Trowa pulled up beside him. "We've got to keep moving."
"Off road?" suggested Midii from her seat behind Trowa.
"Hai." Heero responded.
The bikes weaved their way to the shoulder of the road and into the surrounding trees. Relena could barely hear Heero's mumbling over the sound of the leaves crunching under the tires and the loud engine rumble.
"Stupid... should have predicted... traffic... danger."
So he was just as worried as she was. Relena wasn't sure whether to be comforted or worried by the fact that she wasn't the only one freaking out. She clung tighter to Heero.
"Don't worry," he said, but Relena could read through the façade.
Ahead, she could see Midii on the cell phone, trying to get in contact with Preventer Une.
The trees gave way to a small clearing and both the motorcycles came to a stop.
"Bark calling Rose." Relena could hear Midii talking into the cell phone. "...Preventor Midii here...Yes, Ma'am...Traffic jam. Unsure of its origins, so we went off-road...Understood...Will do...Over and out." She motioned for the others to gather closer.
"We are ordered to hold our position for the night. In the morning we will change course and head for Vienna, where we will meet our contact, Preventor Wind."
Trowa laughed. "Do you think you can be civil, Heero?"
His only response was a groan, at which the two women joined Trowa in his laughter.
"Really, Heero, you and my brother could be such good friends if you'd sit down and talk with each other! He's not so bad, you know."
"So that's why Une was stifling a laugh when she told me the plan."
"Yes, Midii. Heero and Zechs have a rivalry that goes back to the earliest moments of the war. I believe Zechs was the first person to greet Heero when he came to Earth," Trowa snickered.
Heero growled at the mention of his first clash with Relena's brother. Not to mention that his most recent encounter with the Lightning Baron was still fresh in his mind. Damn Zechs.
"Enough teasing for now," Midii smiled. "We need to gather some firewood and food before it gets dark."
"Right. Midii and I will get the food. Heero, you and Relena get the firewood," said Trowa as he and Midii set off into the woods surrounding the clearing.
"Let's go then," Heero said as he headed the opposite direction of the other two.
"Hai." Relena followed behind, wondering how she was ever going to get out of this mess.
A.N. – Yes, it has been a while. Yes, it is another short chapter, and a transition as well. Yes, serious lack of romance still. But just think of the possibilities that have been set up: two couples alone in the woods with next to no supplies. Yes... (insert evil laugh here). As always, reviews are greatly appreciated (and all suggestions are considered). And flames are the best fuel to my writing fire, so go ahead and toss them my way!