Phew, this one turned out longer than I thought! Sorry for the lack of Duo at this point but he will make more appearances pretty soon. I'm almost getting to the parts in the film that I really wanted to write about! Thank you so very much for the reviews. -Swordy.

Some Kind of Wonderful - Part 6

Optimism eventually died and reality set in – the car was not going to start. No matter how much he pleaded and whined and threatened, Heero could not persuade Duo's wreck of a motor to spring into life to provide him and Relena a ride home. Frustrated and embarrassed, Heero climbed out of the car to see Relena making her way across the car park towards him. Her expression was one of puzzlement when she saw him approaching on foot.

"The er… the car won't start," he said sheepishly.

"What?" Relena said, the surprise in her voice tinged slightly with annoyance.

Before Heero could speak, Relena noticed the expensive white 4x4 pulling out of the car park and promptly gave chase.

"Dorothy wait!" she called out, waving her hands in the air frantically.

To Relena's relief and Heero's disappointment, the brake lights went on and the jeep stopped just inside the main school gates. Brutally aware that he had blown his biggest chance with Relena, Heero turned and threw the useless keys through the open sunroof of Duo's car. When he turned back, Relena was gazing at him apologetically.

"I'm really sorry, Heero but I have to get home," she said climbing into the passenger seat of Dorothy's jeep.

"Oh no," Heero said masking his disappointment well, "I understand. It's fine, really."

He turned to face the Duo's 'heap', making a mental note to kick it hard as soon as Relena was out of view, before he heard someone call his name. He spun around to see Relena inviting him over, offering him a lift home. His heart soared as he did a double take to see her nodding reassuringly.

"Are you sure?" he said as he drew close to the jeep, anxious to check that he hadn't dreamed Relena's beckoning gesture.

From his red sports car parked some distance away, Treize Khushrenada watched as the Japanese boy vaulted into the back of the 4x4 vehicle. He faintly heard the two girls laugh as the boy landed clumsily on the back seat with his feet sticking up into the air before the car pulled out of the car park at speed. He glanced across at his passenger, a large bull-like boy called Anderson who remained expressionless behind his dark glasses, before his eyes narrowed thoughtfully. Revenge, in whatever form, would be unbelievably sweet.

In the back of the jeep Heero sat contently, the wind ruffling his hair gently as the streets and houses whizzed by. He gazed at Relena who sat in the front, seemingly lost in thought, until the sound of Dorothy's voice invaded his daydreams.

"So where are we going?" she asked, glancing at him through the driver's rear view mirror.

"Home," Heero responded absent-mindedly.

"Where's that?"

"Um, East Street."

Seeing Dorothy's expression, Heero was about to give directions when Relena spoke first. "It's round the corner… under the bridge from my house."

Heero couldn't help but notice that Relena seemed slightly embarrassed when she mentioned where she lived. He was aware that they both lived in an undesirable area of the city, but it was all he had ever known and he was comfortable with it. Relena on the other hand, had previously lived a life of luxury funded by the Peacecraft family fortune until her brother Milliardo had lost it all on a range of bad business ventures and fast living. In an attempt to counteract the awkward silence that had descended, Heero said the first thing that came into his head.

"That's a nice necklace."

Startled by the sound of his voice, Relena turned to look at him before she reached up and touched the pendant self-consciously. "Thank you," she said shyly, "but it's not mine. I borrowed it from Dorothy." She smiled, her cheeks colouring slightly. "It's real," she said, indicating several carats worth of diamond in the jewel encrusted pendant.

As she glanced across at Dorothy, her platinum blonde friend took the opportunity to mouth the words 'tell him', before nodding her head in the direction of the boy in the back. When Relena didn't respond, Dorothy took it upon herself to open up the dialogue.

"Relena, isn't there something you wanted to say to uh… I'm sorry, what was your name again?"

"Heero," the Japanese boy said firmly, annoyed that she hadn't made the effort to remember it the first time he had told her.

"Oh yeah… Heero," Dorothy repeated to herself before the silence descended once more.

Heero gazed across at Relena who seemed to be studying her feet uncomfortably. He had a strong suspicion what this was all about. "D'you want to back out on the date?" he said quietly.

"No…" she said quickly before she added: "I mean if you want out I'll understand…"

Heero ignored the slightly hopeful note in her voice.

"I wouldn't have asked you out if I didn't want to go. I don't want out… do you?"

She looked back at him, unable to miss the sincerity in his cobalt blue eyes. Seeing his genuine expression, her heart melted a little and she shook her head.

"No… I don't want out."

She forced a smiled whilst mentally cursing her weakness. Dorothy was right; he was completely smitten or 'deluded' as the wealthy girl had kindly phrased it but to call off the date would probably break his heart. No, she couldn't do it – well, not yet anyway. After what seemed like an age, the jeep pulled up on East Street to allow Heero to disembark.

"Thanks for the lift," he said as he jumped out of the vehicle.

"My pleasure," Dorothy replied, offering Heero a brief smile.

"Well, bye then," Heero said awkwardly as he started to walk across the front lawn.

When he gained no greater response than 'bye' from both girls, he turned and headed into the house, the screen door swinging shut behind him. For a moment Dorothy eyed her friend accusingly as Relena continued to stare at the floor.

"Well that was swift," Dorothy said sarcastically, "I gave you the perfect opportunity to tell him and you went limp!"

"Look, maybe you can do something like that, but I can't," Relena snapped defensively before she softened slightly. "At least not in cold blood."

Dorothy shrugged, clearly not understanding why Relena was sparing this loser's feelings. "Well I guess you've got yourself a new boyfriend," she said dryly before gunning the engine and pulling out into the traffic.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Not a million miles away from Heero's house, a junkyard reject of a car was painfully limping its way across town. In the driving seat, the braided boy known as Duo Maxwell smoked a cigarette disinterestedly as his Hawaiian shirted companion continued to provide the forward momentum to the vehicle whilst complaining loudly and breathlessly.

"How far are you going?" he asked for not the first time since Duo had convinced him to push the car from where Heero had abandoned it in the school car park.

"To the nearest gas station," Duo replied, irritated.

"Oh, how far away is that?" Howard moaned wearily, "Russia?"

"Don't worry about it, you're young."

"Not any more. Look, you better give me your phone number after this."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Despite no longer having to attend morning detention, Heero had taken to arriving at school at least an hour before classes started to get some work in on 'his masterpiece'. His painting of Relena wasn't far from being finished and with each brush stroke, his anticipation grew at what she would say when she eventually saw it. Nobody had seen it yet, but he didn't doubt that the time and love he had devoted to it would ensure that everyone who saw it would be captivated, both by Relena's beauty and his artistic talents. Maybe even his father would realise how serious he was about art…

The sound of approaching footfalls caused the Japanese boy to tense as he stood in front of the canvas. He wasn't precious about anyone seeing the painting before it was finished but he was worried that some of the teachers may not approve of his early morning sessions, particularly since he hadn't asked anyone if it was okay. The fact that he was expecting a teacher made it even more of a shock when Treize Khushrenada's head poked around the doorframe. As casually as he could, Heero dropped the cover over his artwork, anxious that his rival should not see it.

"How you doing?" Treize said in apparent friendliness before he noticed Heero's tense expression. "You nervous about something?"

"No."

"You look nervous. Are you okay?" the football captain repeated although his voice was devoid of concern.

"No, I'm fine."

Without invitation Treize strode into the room and hopped onto one of the tables before he gave Heero a shark-like smile, which Heero presumed was supposed to look friendly.

"Do you always come to school so early?"

"No. Do you?" Heero said suspiciously as he moved away from his painting.

"Never," was the response.

"So why today?" Heero said, determined to seem confident in front of the other.

Treize's grin intensified as he sensed both Heero's suspicion and anxiety. "Because I wanted to talk to you."

"About?" Heero said, glancing around the room.

Treize laughed. "Not about art. Look," he said, his expression turning serious. "I'm totally cool with the situation. The truth is, I was looking for a way out of the thing with Relena and… you saved me a tough talk."

It was Heero's turn to laugh. "I'm supposed to believe this, right?"

"It's true," Treize said, spreading his hands in a gesture of innocence. "I don't want Relena hating me. I don't want anyone hating me. So… I'd appreciate it if you'd do me a favour."

Heero raised an eyebrow curiously. He couldn't see what favour he could possibly do for Treize but he was interested enough to hear the other boy out. Frankly he was surprised that his head was still attached to his shoulders considering that he had practically 'stolen' Relena from Treize.

"I don't know what you have planned for Saturday but if you could, I'd like you to swing by my place. I'm having a party because my parents are in Europe," he added casually.

"You're… you're inviting me to your house?" Heero said, unable to keep the disbelief from his voice.

"Yeah," Treize said as if it was the most normal thing in the world. "I invited a lot of people. Something wrong?"

"Er... well, I don't know," Heero stuttered by way of reply, "You tell me."

"There's nothing wrong with my end" Treize said, sounding a little put out. "Have you got an inferiority complex or something?"

His question was met by a stony stare.

"Look," he continued, keen to make amends, "I've known Relena a long time and I'd like to keep it that way. If it's too much for you to bring her to a party then I'm sorry I asked."

Heero studied the football captain's handsome features for signs of deception but found none. Suddenly he felt the need to justify his less than hospitable attitude.

"Yeah, well put yourself in my position. It doesn't sound too good does it?"

"Well put yourself in my position," Treize countered quickly. "I'm big enough to invite a former girlfriend and the guy who stole her from me to a party. You think this makes me look good? I've taken a lot of shit over this."

"That's why I'm a little cautious about your motives," Heero said quietly.

Treize considered that for a moment before he nodded his head. "I'll buy that, but come on! It's a party, it's not the end of the world!"

Despite Treize's smile and seemingly sportsman-like approach to the whole Relena situation, Heero was having difficulty believing what he was hearing.

"Are you being straight with me?" he persisted nervously.

"Do you see any reason at this point why I should play games?"

"Well… I'll talk to Relena about it but…" Heero said as he pushed a hand through his hair, trying to appear relaxed.

"No need," Treize said, cutting Heero off, "I already did and she's fine with it."

"You talked to her?" Heero said, surprised.

Treize nodded, his expression serious.

"Well… we'll er… we'll drop by then," the Japanese boy said dubiously.

"Good," Treize said, looking genuinely pleased. "You know what? It wouldn't be the weirdest thing in the world if you and I actually turned out to be friends."

Heero was unable to prevent a humourless smile crossing his lips. "Yes it would," he replied with some certainty.

Treize continued to smile, seemingly oblivious to Heero's sarcasm. Having done what he came to do, the blonde jumped down from the table he had been perching on and headed for the door.

"Well see ya," he said as he disappeared into the corridor beyond before his head poked back around the doorframe. "Have you got a coat and tie?"

Heero shook his head.

Treize looked as if he was about to say something before he changed his mind and shrugged.

"Well… see you Saturday," was all he said as he left the art room, leaving Heero to ponder this most bizarre encounter.

TBC…