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It All Came Down to Trust
As the other pilots conversed with Paris about what he'd been up to and about other parts of his past Milliardo sat silent in his seat, his mind a million miles away. Paris's explanation made sense and Milliardo supposed that he could see things from their point of view. Ever since Quatre's secretary had put her two cents in about his attitude towards Noin Milliardo had been thinking about what she'd said and came to a startling conclusion. He'd handed Noin the ultimate blackmail card and she hadn't used it. Revealing him for Milliardo Peacecraft would have been something she could have threatened him with, used against him to help her with her plans. Yet she'd never revealed it or asked for anything using the knowledge of his past as leverage. Plus he'd practically gift wrapped Relena for Noin yet Noin had protected his sister with her life as opposed to using his sister for her own agenda. He'd given her quite a few opportunities to use him and his position and yet he didn't think she had or at least not in a big way. Why hadn't she used him to the full extent? The answer was either that she feared him enough not to risk it or that she cared about him enough to let the opportunity go. His head said the first while his heart said the second. Both the heart and the mind were fickle creatures though and so Milliardo preferred to depend on his gut which was of the belief that his instincts concerning Noin had not been incorrect all these years and that she was his friend whether she thought so or not. In the bar though she'd seen concerned about his welfare and hadn't known about the cameras listening in therefore logic dictated that she'd spoken the truth. Of course the only one who could confirm whether he was right or not appeared to be content to stay out of his life, possibly forever if he let her. He had no intention of doing so.
"I'd say penny for your thoughts but I have a feeling they're a lot more important then that." Paris said quietly and Milliardo pushed back his thoughts to look the other man in the eye, realizing with a jolt that everyone else had left leaving him alone with the pilot. How could they be siblings Milliardo wondered for the billionth time since he'd found out. There were no real physical similarities and yet they were similar in ways that he'd only recently begun to see.
"You could say that." Milliardo responded in answer to Paris's question. Paris, now that was an interesting name for the man in front of him. Who would have ever thought that the feared Heero Yuy's real name was the name of the city of love. Oh the irony.
"Well I obviously cleared them all out so that we could talk Peacecraft and that's exactly what we're going to do. First off do you know why Rome quit Preventers?" Paris demanded and got his answer in the look of surprise that crossed Milliardo's face before it reverted back to its usual cool state. "Obviously not. Her excuse for me is that she got sick of living a lie and that she thought it was time for her to live her life as herself. I think that's a bunch of bull. Since you've treated her badly in the past I can't really see that as being a reason and yet it's a possibility so did you two have a major blow up or something that I'm not aware of?"
"No, everything was fine when I left." Milliardo said as his eyes narrowed. "You think something made her quit?"
"I think that it's a distinct possibility. Both Rome and I have a lot of enemies but they're either after Heero and Noin or after Paris and Rome, not both. It's possible that someone discovered our secret besides you guys but then why wouldn't she tell me about it or take the person out. We both know her well enough to know that it would take a lot to get her to bow down to pressure or follow orders she doesn't want to obey. My guess is someone is putting a lot of pressure her way and that's why she left. Plus it has to be big and threatening a lot for her not to tell me or ask for help." Paris said grimly as he watched Milliardo's eyes darken ever so slightly. Despite the fact that Paris really didn't care for Milliardo on a personal level he respected him on a professional one and he could practically see the wheels turning in the other man's head.
"So you think someone's after her and she went out of sight to protect us?" Milliardo said softly, becoming more and more sure by the moment that he was correct. If she'd told him about her past he might have been slight upset and hurt that she hadn't told him sooner but he wouldn't have broken off with her if she'd been the reincarnation of Trieze himself. To find out another way had hurt a hell of a lot more then if she'd told him but what if she'd withheld the information because she felt telling him would put him in danger? If she'd come to him with her past and that someone was threatening her no force in heaven or hell would have been able to keep him from protecting her with his life. She knew that and would do the same for him, was that the answer to his question of why?
"That's my guess but so far I've turned up nothing to suggest what's going on. Perhaps you have some contacts who might be of some help in that area." Paris said dryly and permitted himself a small smile when the older man nodded his agreement. "I have to get some other things done today but I'll be in contact in case you find anything I've missed. Any questions before I hit the road?"
"Just one. Does she love me?" Milliardo asked softly, cursing himself inwardly for even asking. Asking this man in particular was a prime example of just how badly he'd fallen.
"At first it was just to get ahead, you had the kind of contacts that made it easier to get to our targets. In a way she was your friend during the war but she wasn't in love with you then. After you supposedly died everyone was sure of it but her, she said she just had a feeling in her gut that you were still alive. When you came back and she flew off with you it was because while you were gone I think she realized how much she valued your company and friendship. It was on Mars that it developed into the kind of love she'd always pretended to feel for you and that you feel for her though you've never had the brains to say it. It's said that a relationship can never survive if it was based on a lie, I would say that yours was based on a few well-placed half-truths. Rome is Noin in every way that really counts, if you're smarter then I think you are you'll realize that."
"I realize that. I'll start making calls and see what I can turn up." Milliardo said as he stood up in his chair, his eyes never leaving Paris's. "I think that together we can solve this particular puzzle."
"Sounds good to me." Paris agreed with a nod. "Now if you'll excuse me I have places to go and people to see."
Paris wondered how long it would take Milliardo to realize that Relena would be one of the people Paris would want to see before he returned home. It would probably be at least an hour or two before the man realized that Paris had yet to speak to Relena about her involvement in his unmasking. Not to mention the man was so busy thinking about Rome Paris doubted Relena would come to mind any time soon, which suited him just fine. Pulling the car over to the curb Paris got out of it and locking things up walked to the curb to look up at the large walls that surrounding Relena's current residence. Apparently rooms were being redecorated in Relena's usual residence so she was staying here at the home of one of her political supporters which was more then fine by him. The security at Relena's mansion was as close to impenetrable as humanly possible and even though he'd designed it himself he questioned whether even he could successfully penetrate the perimeter without being caught. Luckily for him but unlucky for Relena the house she was staying at had good security but nothing he couldn't handle on an off day. Rolling his shoulders a bit to loosen them up Paris's eyes swept the area around him and wondered if after he got in and completed his business he should inform the owner of the house of just how easy it would be to breach the security. Probably not Paris decided with a grin. After he left it would be painfully obvious how inferior the defences were.
"So let's get this show on the road." Paris said softly as he strolled down the sidewalk, his hands in his pockets as he whistled a cheery tune under his breath as he smiled at the people he passed as though he were simply on an after noon stroll. He'd planned to intercept Relena at her office but she hadn't been there but it hadn't taken much to find out why. Apparently Relena had had several late night meetings the night before and several daunting ones this evening so she'd gone home to catch up on some sleep and relax before show time which suited Paris's purposes. This way he could really teach her a lesson, show her exactly what kind of tiger she'd grabbed by the tail. Finally reaching the gate to a side entrance to the house Paris shook his head in disgust at the overall set-up. No guards and not a single camera in sight, pathetic. Of course he knew there was two but that was a given and he'd easily found that out along with the blueprints for the house. Pulling a small gadget out of his pocket Paris hit a button that would cause the camera to show the last five minutes all over again leaving no trace of his presence. Walking over to the rails he accessed the side panel and hitting in the code watched the doors swing open with a bored look on his face. Walking through he turned to watch the doors close behind then with a flick of the button had the security cameras once again working at top efficiency. Pleased Paris continued to play with the video cameras as he made his way to the house, getting their with an ease that made him want to blow something up just to make a point. Intending to call one of the guys about the pathetic security as soon as he was done Paris slipped into the house and seeing no one stealthily made his way through the first level and up to the second then third where he knew he'd find the target.
Stopping at the top of the stairs of the third floor Paris looked behind him and seeing only a few servants wandering about their business made a mental note to really let Peacecraft have it for letting Relena stay in such a place. God only knows what kind of unsavory characters could get in. Characters like him for instance. Smirking at the thought Paris looked down one hallway and then over to the right, feeling his eyes begin to boil when he saw Relena's bodyguard reading a newspaper, muttering under his breath about something. He was supposed to be watching Relena, not reading the God damn newspaper! Well he obviously needed a lesson in the art of bodyguarding and Paris was just the guy to teach him. Walking forward then to the right without making a sound Paris walked towards him, never taking his eyes off the man who continued to read the paper, completely unaware of the predator coming towards him. Paris was nearly in front of him before the man's instincts kicked in but by then it was to late and he only had time to gasp before Paris's fist connected with the man's face. The bodyguard hit the floor with a thud and squatting down Paris looked at the unconscious man with a great deal of disgust. Holding in the itch to hit the son of a bitch again Paris stood up and walked over to the door beside Relena's. Opening it without a problem Paris grabbed a hold of the unconscious man and dragged him inside, using the drape ties to bind and gag the man. Figuring that that would hold him for a while Paris headed out the door and with a lock picking tool effectively locked the man in. Placing the tool back in his pocket Paris's eyes slid over to Relena's door and with a smirk stood in front of the door. Lifting a hand he placed it on the doorknob and twisted, the door opening without a sound. With a pleased look Paris slipped into the room and closed it carefully behind him.
Relena looked into the bathroom mirror and tried to figure out what was responsible for the chill that had just run down her spine. In nothing more then a bathrobe after her quick shower Relena tried to convince herself that it was simply her body reacting to leaving the warm shower but her mind said different. Looking away from the mirror Relena's hand instinctively tightened around the brush she held in her hand as she looked towards the door that lead from the bathroom to her sleeping quarters. It was likely nothing but she could shake the feeling that something was wrong. As much as she appreciated the fact that her new bodyguard let her have more freedom of movement she couldn't help but think that he wouldn't be much protection if he wasn't with her. Rather then stay in the bathroom and wonder Relena tightened her grip on the brush then walked towards the door, barely making a sound on the tiled floor. Reaching the door she reached out a hand and turning the doorknob looked out into her room. Not seeing anything out of the ordinary Relena walked forward then sensing rather then seeing spun around to stare at her bed where Paris was lounging against her bed post casually, his hands in his pockets with his leather jacket lying on her bed. "Heero." Relena breathed and watched as Heero remained as he was, not even acknowledging her presence.
"Hello Relena, long time no see." Paris said softly, deliberately not looking at her. He'd changed his mind about this being a better confrontational place; the office would have been better. Relena didn't walk around in bathrobes in her office with a bed nearby. Of course she could be in one of her usual nun suits and he'd still feel this way but he would have been less aware of it in a business setting.
"How did you get in here?" Relena asked then realized what a stupid question that was. There was nowhere Heero couldn't go if he wanted to get there. The question was what had he done to get in here without being stopped.
"I didn't kill anyone if that's what your wondering." Paris said with a smirk as he lifted his head to look her directly in the eye. "The security and your bodyguard were pathetically easy though, you just can't find good help these days I suppose. You know why I'm here don't you?"
"You're here to punish me for giving you that necklace with the bug in it." Relena said softly, her heart beating wildly in her chest so that she wondered that it didn't break free. "I never meant to betray you but I did and for that I'm sorry. There's nothing I can say or do that could even begin to show you how much I wish I could take it all back-but I can't. You're a good person and I betrayed the trust you had for me- I accept whatever punishment you see fit in the hopes that you'll realize how much I value what we had."
"You would, wouldn't you?" Paris said softly as he moved from the bed to stand in front of her, a foot between them at most. "You would trust me to dole out any punishment I deemed suitable, let me break you and destroy your innocence and goodness. You'd stand there and take it and take it until you broke and you still wouldn't hate me would you Relena-despite it you'd still hold on to your belief that I'm as good person."
"I'd stand here and take it because I trust you, Paris." Relena said as she lifted up a hand and placed it on his cheek, the warmth of his skin a comfort. Perhaps he'd only come here for revenge and she'd let him exalt it because it was him and to deny him anything was beyond her. In her heart she knew that he would never harm her no matter what he threatened or how many times he'd told her that he'd kill her. This was her hero and his name, clothing or the person he presented himself to be didn't matter, it was her knight in tarnished armor she saw in his eyes and he had her faith and trust whether he wished it or not.
"Damn you to Hell but you mean that don't you." Paris stated rather then asked as he stared into her blue eyes which could hide nothing from his prying eyes. There was fear in those eyes but that was to be expected, he would have been surprised as hell if there hadn't been. But their was also trust, pain and sorrow in those eyes, telling him without words that she'd meant ever word that had fallen from her lips. She stood there in front of him knowing the things he'd done in the past, what he was capable of doing to her and yet she stood there with her hand upon his cheek as she looked at him, at his mercy. "I had it all planned out you know." Paris continued when she said nothing. "I had it all planned out how I was going to make you pay for what you'd done. Do you have any idea how much it hurt to realize that you'd been a part of it, that you'd helped them set me up? Can you even begin to imagine what it was like to know that you'd do such a thing?"
"I would think it hurt as much as when I realized what I'd done and that I might never see you again." Relena replied softly and Paris watched a solitary tear roll down her cheek.
"Why-why the hell did you have to go and say that." Paris said harshly as he grabbed her arms, his fingers digging in like vises as his eyes drilled into hers. How he longed to yell at her, shake her, tell her off but he could do none of those things because it was Relena and hurting her was beyond him, something he couldn't do even if it were life and death. Loosening his hold Paris stared at her then letting go of her right arm moved the hand to lay on top of the one she'd placed upon his cheek. Staring into each others eyes Paris and Relena moved together, Relena lifting her head and Paris bending his own as they moved as one, lips meeting for the first time. His other hand leaving her arm it rose like the first only this one moved to wrap around the back of her neck, pulling her head closer as they're lips moved hesitantly over the others. Both of them had dreamed of this moment for so long that it was like a dream only for once they weren't waking up any time soon. Of course both of them had been kissed before and kissed others but it was as if it were their first time as Relena's left hand hesitantly caressed his face with her right still trapped under his. It was as if he'd been dwelling in hell all his life and suddenly been given a chance to enter heaven Paris thought as he kissed her, savoring her mouth as he recorded ever taste and texture in his mind. There'd always been something between them and now he felt and knew what happened when that connection was acknowledged. Pure and simple heaven on earth. They'd been waiting to reach this place for so many years that both damned the consequences, both too busy expressing the feelings they'd kept bottled up for so long.
Relena couldn't believe that he was here, in her arms after all she'd done and all that had stood in their way. He would leave after this, possibly to never come back ever again but she didn't care, all she cared about was the moment, the present not the future. Oh to be kissed and held by Heero went beyond anything she'd ever dreamed and to know that this was real and that he wanted her was the most precious gift anyone could have ever given her. At the feel of his lips upon her neck Relena groaned and turned her neck to give him better access, swaying towards him as her legs went limp. Sensing this Heero drew his arms away, wrapping them around her waist as he continued to trail wet kisses down her neck. Her right hand free now Relena moved it to his lower back then slide her hand under his shirt to meet the warm flesh underneath. Groaning slight at the feel of her fingers caressing his back Paris turned his attention back to her mouth and began to consume it, using his tongue to show her exactly what he wanted to do to her body. Seconds ticked by then Relena was right there with him, stroke for stroke as their tongues danced and their eyes locked together, neither capable of looking away. Both hands on his back now Relena's fingernails dug hard into Paris's back as his hands found their way to her skin under her robe. Moaning her agreement Relena arched against Paris as his hands slipped around either side of her stomach to her back where his hands began to explore. Not to be outdone Relena's hands moved out from under his shirt and moved to the front where they began to undo buttons from the bottom up, her fingers explore every inch of skin revealed. The feel of her tongue and her hands was enough to make him forget everything Paris thought in a daze as his fingers slide up and down her back before edging towards the front where he brushed the side of her left breast with his hand, causing her to halt with the shirt and to bring her hands up to clutch his shoulders, leaning against him as though she were incapable of remaining standing. And if that were the case she'd better lay down Paris thought with a wicked smile as he ended the kiss to stare down at the girl who looked back at him with glazed eyes, her lips red and swollen from his kisses. This is how he'd always wanted her and there was a bed in easy reach but at what price? He could have her now but that wouldn't solve anything and as much as he wanted her he didn't just want it to be about sex either. He loved Relena and he knew that she cared deeply for him but he couldn't take her body if he couldn't have her heart and soul as well.
Keeping eye contact Paris swept her off her feet and cradling her in his arms walked over to the bed, gently setting her down upon it. Looking down at her Paris imprinted everything in his mind as he bent over to place a warm butterfly kiss on her lips before drawing back, regret and intense longing in his beautiful blue eyes. "I have to go Relena."
Relena stared up at him then turned her head so that she wasn't looking at him but at a picture frame across the room. Oh how she wanted to throw herself back into his arms, beg him to stay but she could do neither because she knew him to well. She'd seen the regret in his eyes and knew that he must be feeling at least something of what she was feeling right now. To ask him to stay would be wrong because she new in her heart that it was possible he might stay and something was obviously telling him it wasn't the way to go. Perhaps her body hummed for his touch but her heart would only accept him coming to her without reservation. "Will you be back?" Relena asked softly as she turned her gaze back to his, a questioning look on her face as she rose to her knees on the bed, not carrying that her robe was practically hanging open as Paris had loosened it quite a bit while his hands hand been exploring.
Mouth dry Paris forced himself to look her in the eyes and felt his heart pick up at the look in her eyes. He knew those eyes as well as his own and they know spoke of understanding, of a caring and trust that made him think that maybe after this was all over and he'd figured things out they might have a future that included the other. But until everything was sorted out and he knew how everything stood he'd keep his distance and see what happened. If she waited for him-they would see where this road led them. Reaching down Paris copied Relena's early action and placed a hand on her cheek, his eyes going softer as he looked deep into her eyes giving Relena a jolt as she saw emotions there that made her think that maybe there was hope however small. "I really like that jacket, I'll be back for it." Paris said as he motioned with his head towards the leather jacket near her side. Leaning over he slowly kissed her until they drew apart from lack of air, each breathing heavily and with a sense that it wouldn't be there last. "Good bye, Relena."
"Good bye, Paris." Relena echoed as she watched him move away then make his way to her door, never looking back as he opened it and then shut it carefully behind him. Falling down on her side Relena stared at the door before rolling over to her other side, grabbing the jacket then pulling it tightly against her chest. He would be back, even if his excuse was that it was for the jacket.