Chapter 2
Heero and Relena twirled among the dancers. When the song ended, Relena relaxed against him for a moment slightly out of breath from the fast song that they'd been dancing to. She stayed a minute longer than necessary relishing the feel of Heero's strong arms around her. Heero let her. His eyes having unconsciously softened abit. A slower song began and they repositioned themselves maintaining their close proximity. They looked into each other's eyes then. Bright innocent blue eyes met deep cobalt blue. He felt himself becoming enthralled in her sparkling calm depths. Unconsciously, he leaned towards her until he could feel her warm breath tickling his lips. There lips only a bare inch from touching, Relena also gazed into his eyes her eyes searching his . He could feel her gaze as if she was gazing into his very soul. Suddenly self-conscious, Heero's eyes widened in alarm. What am I doing? "No." The whisper wrenched harshly from his lips. A mixture of fear, pain and sorrow flitted across his cobalt eyes before they suddenly closed off again. He pushed her violently away as if burned. Turning from her, he hurried away.
Relena watched him a moment disappointment slowly being replaced by confusion. After all, he had been the one to start their almost kiss. What had caused him to react that way so suddenly, she wondered. She knew something was bothering him, but she hadn't known that it would have caused this sort of reaction. Though visible only for the briefest second, she had never seen such a display of emotion in his eyes before. She couldn't just let him go like that. She hurried after him.
He hurriedly threaded his away through the crowd, intent on escape. He never should have come here. He opened the back doors leading to the railed patio outside. Mentally cursing Duo for taking the keys to the car, he came to a halt at the railing unable to escape any farther. Perphaps she wouldn't follow him and the separation would be easier, apart of him hoped.. For the moment he was alone. The darkness surrounded him like a cloak and the cool breeze caressed him soothing his nerves. He sank further into their embrace as if the mere darkness could hide his sins. Then the door opened flooding the night with light again and Relena stepped out. She walked towards him, hesitating for a moment before joining him at the railing. She stood beside him leaning over the railing gazing at the moon. He peered at her out of the corner of his eye, watching the way the moon rays danced upon her hair giving it an unearthly luminescence. It reminded him of pictures Duo had shown him of those heavenly beings called angels. They were said to give protection to the innocent. Though he could never believe in such things, he agreed that innocence needed protecting. Too many had innocents had suffered in this cruel world. The world he knew was dark and cold and he was determined not to let this truth overshadow her soul as it had his. And yet, he found it hard to resist her angelic beauty. Her warmth and light, so intoxicating and inviting.Gently urging him to enfold himself in her embrace.
As if reading his thoughts, Relena half turned to him then " Heero...Tell me what happened. Tell me what's bothering you so." She tried to look him in the eye as she spoke, but he pointedly looked away deliberately backing further into the shadows.
"Heero, please." She was on the verge of begging. "I want to help you. Whatever it is, I don't care."
He could hear the compassion and sadness in her voice tugging at him. He tried to push it away. Damn his promise. He should never have come. He glanced down clenching his hands, feeling a stronger part of him wishing to be away from here. But another part of him rebelled just as strongly, wishing to stay by her side. He stood torn between his two desires. He knew he would currupt her, mire her with his own truths. He was just such a monster.
She watched the shadows flit across his eyes."Is it the nightmares?" She cautiously pressed at his silence. He looked at her in surprise. "Duo told me about them. He says that you hardly sleep anymore."
So he had told her, he thought angrily. She was not to become involved with his own demons. But she did not know exactly what he dreamt about. Watching her he saw her eyes glisten softly in the moonlight. She was so pure, so innocent and trusting. How could he tell her? How could he tell her of all the horrors that haunted him in his dreams. And yet the truth was- that they were not all dreams. Her trust in him was wholly misplaced. And his confession would shatter it beyond repair. He'd rather see her as she was now than to feel the harsh brush of the disgusted rejection that he knew would come. He could not bear to have the one person whose gentle gaze, that even for an instance, had allowed him to believe, that he was still even remotely human. To see her look at him with such horror filled eyes... He couldn't finish the thought. His silence was the best protection for the both of them.
"I should go." His tone sounded as if he was pronouncing a sentence.
Relena watched him , her worry spiking to knew levels. He was going to leave. His tone hinting that it might even be forever. Her heart pulled at her, she couldn't let him go. Not this time. Not when he so obviously needed someone. A year ago. she had let him go then, thinking that he had needed some space to figure things out for himself. Now, she regretted not seeing him sooner. But duty had interfered, not leaving her the time to seek out the wayward pilot who held the other half of her heart. Even though she knew she would again be called to duty, this time she was determined to find a way to help him no matter how long it took. If he would only allow her...
"Heero..." She began reaching out to touch his arm. He stiffened suddenly his eyes intent and dangerous. She felt an unusual twinge of fear thrill through her at his reaction, until she realized that his attention was no longer on her, but elsewhere.
"Get down!" He snapped bare seconds before she felt the splatter of bright red blood and her world dissolved into a confusing whirl of shadows and brick as she felt herself falling. The quiet night shattered then, filling with the violent sound of gunfire.
TBC...
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