Note I'm sorry that these chaps take so long to post but since no one seems to be reading this fic overly I tend to concentrate on the fics I have with a fair amount of readers waiting.
Moonlight Fever
The party was in full swing with the majority of the guests having a good time though it was enough of a political gathering to be a bit stiff and formal for some tastes. It was a masquerade dance so there was a lot of interesting costumes to look at and Noin had fun trying to match the costume with the person it disguised. Watching the dancers with a sigh in her costume Noin wondered if Relena would mind terribly if she were to head out sooner rather then later since Noin didn't think it was hunger pains she was feeling. Maybe Darius was right and she did need to dose herself with medication and get herself to bed for some serious shut eye. But she wasn't tired at the moment, just feeling worn and a tad queasy, likely from all the finger food she'd eaten to hold her till supper. Hearing someone come up behind her Noin turned her head to see her husband come up behind her in his prince costume Relena had gotten for him. "So you got away from Senator Willer I see."
"I swear that man was absent the day God handed out common sense." Milliardo said with a dark look then seeing that she looked pale again broke one of his usual rules about shows of affection in public and gently pulled her against him, wrapping an arm around her waist to keep her there. "You're feeling sick again aren't you? I told you that you should stay home tonight, Noin."
"I was fine before, I just feel a little queasy now but I do think I'll head home after dinner." Noin said with a content smile, surprised and pleased by his show of concern not to mention the fact that he was actually letting other people see him being affectionate towards her in public. "I'll miss your speech but I'm sure it will be great."
"I'll have Heero give it and go home with you." Milliardo said with a shake of his head having made the decision that the only way she was going to get better was if he made sure she took the necessary steps to get better and back on her feet. "Relena will make him do it."
"That's mean and unnecessary." Noin said in surprise as she turned to look at her husband in shock.
"It's mean and entirely necessary." Milliardo countered in a tone that bore no argument. "Now lets find you a seat and I'll get you some ginger ale."
)
Quatre was so bored out of his mind he thought it amazing that his brain hadn't just melted in self defense and come leaking out of his ears. He'd been there for three hours and he was about ready to run into the kitchens and throw himself into one of the stoves currently out of use now that supper was over. It wasn't the lying politicians trying to pass bills that benefited them more then the people, it wasn't even the fact that so many of them thought he was stupid enough not to know a line when he heard one. What it was, was all the blasted politician's wives with marriageable daughters who were flocking around him every time he got away from the last grasping mother. He damn well knew that they had daughters and had been seeing at them at parties and get-togethers for years so why the hell did they keep having to remind him? Of course it was even worse when they dragged their daughters along with them, then it was just plain hell. Usually if the daughter let herself be dragged she was either too shy or just plain desperate, neither of which made the embarrassing situation any better. What he'd like to do is wear a sign saying not interested but he had a feeling all he'd get would be weird looks and mothers coming anyway since even if he was nuts he was still rich. She would never let herself be auctioned like a mare at a rodeo though, Quatre thought as his thoughts drifted towards a girl with hair pale as moonlight and eyes that glowed like a cat's at night. No she would likely stay in the shadows and sneer at everyone and their foolishness. Grinning at the image Quatre sighed then turned back to the discussion going on around him. The useless chatter going on for several more minutes when Senator Kass joined the group looking a tad pale with Senator Jutzi at his side looking like he was about to roll around on the ground laughing at any moment.
)
"Something wrong, Charles? You're looking a tad pale?" Senator Commerce said with a raised eyebrow as he tilted his head to the side curiously. "Something that Marcus obviously finds funny."
"Oh you should have been there. Now there's a girl with some spirit in her. If I weren't happily married to my Mary then damn if I wouldn't try bagging that filly. " Senator Marcus Jutzi said with a chuckle as he slapped his knee. "This young whipper snapper got himself shot down good. Didn't you boy."
"A simple no would have been the proper response." Was Senator Charles Kass tight and very British response. "I can't image who invited her."
"Well I would imagine a pretty girl like that could get just about any man here to invite her if she set her mind to it." Was Marcus's quick response before he explained. "There's a rather stunning young lady over by the punch table dressed as the night I would think and when poor Charles tried to ask her to dance she made several rather interesting observations about young Charles's politics and said she'd rather hold her head in the punch bowl till she drowned then be seen talking with him much less dancing."
"Sounds like quite a lady." Quatre said with a smirk thinking it sounded like something Noin would do or Hilde. Or Night for that matter though she'd be likely to follow it up with a knife to her victim's gut or some such threat. Wait a minute..the woman was dressed as it be?... "Excuse me gentlemen but now my curiosity is caught. If you'll excuse me." Quatre said as he untangled himself from the group and weaved his way through the crowd towards the punch bowl, vaguely hearing bets being laid from behind him as to whether he'd succeed or not. Managing to make his way after a great deal of effort put into the task Quatre caught sight of the mysterious woman and knew instantly that it was her. Her costume was a simple black strapless dress that ended at her knees with a black, see through layer of material over the dress which lad golden stars on it. Her face was hidden by a black mask that featured a quarter moon on the left side. But he knew it was her and so he walked right up to her and gave a bow with a great deal of flourish before grinning at her. "I think you bruised Senator Krass's ego."
"It's so large a little deflation will keep his head from exploding." Was her response, her voice giving away nothing even though she was surprised that he knew it was her. And she knew that he knew. "But I doubt you came all the way over here to scold me."
"Not at all. Had you agreed to dance with him and I'd seen you I'd have had to cut in and that would have created quite a stir. More then either of us would want." Quatre said with a boyish grin that went well with his costume. The head of the Winner family empire and a leading man in the political circles had come dressed as Peter Pan, the boy who'd decided never to grow up and spent his days playing games and fighting pirates. Quatre would have gladly become a Lost Boy any day.
"And why would you have cut in? He doesn't strike me as the type to have the balls to sneak a feel." Was her response, a hint of a grin on her unpainted lips.
"Because I wouldn't like the sight of any man with his hands on you of course." Quatre said with a candied grin, pleased when he watched her mouth open and close as though she had something to say but couldn't quite get it out. "That surprises you?"
"Nothing you do surprises me anymore. You stopped making sense a long time ago." Was her final response though there was some weariness in her voice, as though she suspected he was up to something which of course he was. "So tell me, Pan. What can I do for you?"
"Maybe I'm just looking for the second star on the right." Quatre said with as close to a rakish grin as he could ever pull off as he stared pointedly at the stars on her dress, particularly around her bust. "I think I need a closer look to find it though since you've shrunk them."
)
Eve could only stare at him then broke out in delighted laughter, her arms coming around her waist as she nearly doubled over with it. Pleased Quatre grinned and waited till she had gotten a hold of herself before he posed his question. "So will you come flying with me across the dance floor, Ms. Night?"
"Well since you asked so nicely." Came her amused grin and taking the hand he offered Eve blinked when he stopped in his tracks. "Something wrong, Pan? Captain Hook perhaps?"
"Hold on a minute. I'll be right back." Quatre said with a grin before disappearing into the crowd, Eve just managing to keep her eyes on him enough to see him make his way to the band playing and have a chat with one of the men resting his lungs for a moment. Raising her eyebrow Eve watched them chat then shake hands before Quatre made his way back to her with a pleased look on his face that had her watching him wearily. "The next song's ours." Quatre told her with a grin as the music from the last song died off and to her shock a Latin beat began to play as the music began to speed up and several of the older people attending looked around in shock. "Up to it?" Quatre asked as he took her hand to pull her against him with a gleam in his eyes.
"You have no idea." Eve said with a grin as she automatically shifted her body to fit against his, moving with him without a pause as they moved to the hot beat along with some of the other, younger people at the party including Duo and Relena who thought it was a great idea and wondering who had pulled it off that the band would risk the wrath of the older matrons. Someone big must have asked for the change in music and gave out one hell of a tip. Well aware of this Eve lost herself in the music, surprised to see that Quatre could keep up with her and that he could do more then a demure waltz across the room. She should have known. Cuddling even closer as the song slowly began to die Eve sighed into his ear as his arms moved to hold her closer. "Looking for the route to your Neverland, Pan?"
"Oh I think I found it."
"Too bad I'm not Wendy then." Eve said as she pulled away and out of manners Quatre let her go. "Later, Pan." Eve added as she moved to slip away and Quatre would have stopped her but just as he opened his mouth to call her back his path was blocked by a senator who wanted to talk to him about yet another stupid bill. Damn it.
)
Half an hour later Quatre wandered outside and onto the gardens in a last effort to get away from people and possibly find one in particular. He'd looked all over the ballroom for Night but he couldn't find her anywhere and all he'd found were people he didn't want to see much less talk to. Sighing Quatre froze as he felt the tip of the gun dig into the back of his head with a sickening feeling of dread. Damn, he thought as he struggled to come up with a n escape plan, cursing the fact that he hadn't been paying enough attention. Damn but the woman was really more trouble then she was worth.
"Hello, Mr. Winner. Lovely night for a stroll." The man said from behind him with a short and dead sounding laugh that had Quatre wincing. Nothing worse then facing up against someone who didn't care overly whether he lived or not. "I hope you understand it's nothing personal but I'm afraid the party is over for you.."
"Yea right." Quatre said slowly as he scanned the area for something, anything that he could use to his advantage. Like a nice statue or a forgotten rake but there was nothing on hand, damn it. He'd have to distract the man till something clicked. "You do realize that if you kill me you'll be sealing your own death warrant, sir. My friends and family will hunt you down to the ends of the earth and the colonies for this. And if you know who I am then you know just how much power those close to me will have at their disposal."
"Bang."
Quatre froze as he heard the sound of a gun going off but the bullet he expected to enter his head never did. Strangely he didn't feel the bullet shoot into his head, in fact all he felt was the muzzle being pulled away from his head in slow motion like in the movies. Spinning around Quatre watched his would be killer sink to the ground with a thud, blood pouring out from the middle of his forehead, his head being the receiver of a bullet to the head instead. Standing behind the now dead man Quatre slowly looked up to stare at a familiar figure bathed in light from the house that stood glowing behind her. Her back was facing the balcony so she looked almost illuminated giving her an almost unnatural look. Or more appropriately an unworldly look. "Night." Quatre breathed.
"Next time stay inside where you belong, Blue Eyes." Eve said as she gave him a mocking salute before turning her back to walk away into the shadows. Otherwise she'd go over and either strangle the guy for being stupid or throw her arms around him in relief that he was safe.
"Hold it right there, lady. I've got something to say to you and you're going to stay here until I say it." Quatre said moving with enough speed to grab her arm before she could successful disappear as she always seemed to be doing on him. Pulling her arm with a great deal of force Quatre sent her spinning into his arms then used his other arm to lock her into a tight hold that held her against him like a band of steel. "Understand, Green Eyes?"
"Oh I understand that I should've let the moron kill you." Eve said with her eyes flashing, surprised that he could move so fast and that she hadn't seen this coming. "And my eyes aren't green any more so ha. That's what I understand." Eve said too shocked and mad to think about struggling at the moment. Who the Hell did he think he was anyway grabbing her like this? How dare he? Oh she was so going to kick his ass for this. It would not be so fine once she was through with it that was for damn sure. She'd been nice to him earlier and this was her thanks? She knew she should have told him where he could stick that dance request.
)
"Do you know what my problem is with you, Night?" Quatre said with more then a trace of anger as he tightened his hold on her, making it clear he expected her to listen to him. He'd been thinking about this moment since the night on the roof and there was no way in Hell he was going to be rushed now that he had her in his arms alone with nothing to distract them. No one rushing in and no one trying to kill either of them for the moment. She'd reduced him to this and she was going to know it if it killed him damn it. He was a gentleman, considered by most to be a man of integrity, kindness and high moral standards that were more then a little outdated. But now this sassy female had to go and turn him into a raving maniac bent on having her, being with her and reducing him to not even caring about the consequences of taking what he wanted for once. She'd done this to him and she was damn well going to at least listen to him.
"Well so much for being the King of Pacifism." Eve muttered as she tried to move but only caused him to tighten his crushing hold on her that was both a little alarming and at the same time exciting. Obviously she'd pushed him too far so what was Quatre Winner like when he lost control? "So, Quatre, what's your big problem with me besides the fact that I can't stand you?" Eve asked as she deliberately threw gasoline on the fire.
"My problem, Night is that you're driving me insane, possibly just for your own amusement. No matter what I do I can't get you out of my mind and I don't even know if your real name is Eve Tenchi or something else entirely. I don't know what your favorite color is or your favorite food but I know that I want you, that whenever you're with me I forget everything and everyone but you. If it were just for sex I could deal with that, I could pass it off as lust and ignore you because I don't sleep with everyone I'm attracted to. But it's a hell of a lot more then that and I have never, ever felt this way about anyone in my life. I can't stop thinking about you, dreaming about you so that it hurts not to be near you. You're like a god damn drug that I've become addicted to and can't live without having another hit of. I've spent all my time since I met you either wanting to grab you and shake some sense into you pretty little head or...or."
"Or what, Quatre?" Eve said softly staring up into his eyes with the beginnings of unshed tears in her eyes though they didn't fall. No one had ever talked to her like this before and for the life of her she didn't know whether to punch him or kiss him.. Probably the latter.
"Or kiss the daylights out of you, throw you over my shoulder and head for the nearest secluded area of which there are bound to be many in this place." Quatre said fiercely and groaned deep in his throat before lowering his head and proceeding to kiss the daylights out of her. To both their surprises, she let him do it too. Both too overcome with emotion they forgot their duties, opinions and normal moral behavior to passion and need for the other as Eve kissed him back just as hungrily, her arms coming up to wrap around his neck. Instead they were two people who had found someone they couldn't forget or leave behind. Someone who called to them with the haunting Siren's Call.
)
"Quatre, Quatre. You have no idea what you're getting yourself into. I strongly suggest you run while I still have the control to let you." Eve said finally, holding his head inches away from hers as they both struggled to get air into their burning lungs. Leaning over she rubbed her cheek against his and then laid her head on his wildly beating heart in defeat when he simply tightened his hold, letting her know she wasn't going anywhere. For some reason that comforted her and at the same time told her that she was in way over her head.
"Well it's either this or turn you in for breaking and entering." Quatre said with a rakish grin before tilting her head up to look at him. "I'm not going anywhere unless you're with me. Got it?" Quatre stated before pulling her head back to his to plant another steamy kiss on her lips. Muttering an agreement Eve locked her arms around his waist and allowed herself to once again be the girl she'd been before the war. A girl of life with a happy go lucky nature and a mischievous attitude that had made her loved by thousands. Returning his kisses with mind blowing ones of her own the two clung to each other, forgotten in their own world consisting of two hearts beating as one.