Chapter 18 - Winter Wonderland
Rei was woken from her slumber by Duo stumbling into her room. Rei sat up raising her hands in wonder at him, wanting to know what the hell he was doing in her room. Looking at her alarm clock she could see only half an hour had passed since she had fallen asleep.
"Heero wants you to get up and get dressed," Duo said running to Rei's closet and picking out the prettiest dress she owned, a red flowing dress, the same one she had been wearing the day they found her.
Rei didn't move and Duo came over to her and took her hand.
"Please, he asked that you please accompany him for a trip up the mountains," Duo told her earnestly and Rei threw back the covers and stepped out of her bed but she wasn't done with her questioning.
Rei mimed walking down the aisle holding flowers and Duo watched her for a few moments not quite understanding what she meant. He was no Heero but after a few goes Duo got it.
"Oh the wedding, never mind, it's taken care of," Duo assured her dismissively and Rei gave up trying to argue with him. Rei pulled on her coat as Duo all but dragged her through the back entrance to find Heero waiting for her.
Without saying a word he helped her into the front seat of the car, spoke quietly with Duo for a few moments before getting in the driver's seat and starting the drive.
Rei had a million questions she was dying to ask but didn't want to distract him while he was driving. They drove for nearly an hour before Heero finally pressed on the brake bringing the car to a grinding halt. Still he said not one word as he rushed around to open Rei's door and stepping out of the car Rei was awed by the sight of the snow covered mountainside.
It was like a winter wonderland. Dropping her coat into the snow Rei ventured further out into the snowfields. Rei tiptoed through the snow, head titled upward as the cool snowflakes fell on her face. She laughed silently spinning around in a circle enjoying the feeling while Heero stood there watching her. Even as he watched she gave a great sigh and fell backwards onto the snow, making a snow angel with her arms and legs, a wide smile on her face. Heero sat down on a rock a few feet away from her and started to speak what was on his mind knowing she would hear him, she always heard him.
"I want you to be protected while I am away, I found some information regarding Milliadros and I am going to look for him and demand retribution for endangering your life. I know I can't be with you all the time, but…I thought long and hard and I have discovered a way that I would keep you protected and no one would question your being here in Quatre's mansion with the other pilot's wives," Heero said his words slowly not wanting to mess up what he was saying. This was the one and only speech he would ever make, and it was most important that he get it right.
Rei stopped her game alarmed by the seriousness of Heero's words and she frolicked over to him and knelt before him looking up at him curiously. Heero regarded her with a soft gaze wondering how this small little thing, this little wisp of a girl could have changed him so much. With her wide purple eyes, long ebony hair, pale thin face, slim waiflike body, who would have thought she could break the Perfect Soldiers' barriers and make him forget everything. Make him forget his duty and make him change his mission objective without saying a word. Yes, he was ready to not be the Perfect Soldier anymore, he was ready to be free.
"Rei if you were my wife, no one would dare harm you..."
Rei shook her head. No, he couldn't do this, she didn't deserve this, she didn't deserve someone as wonderful as him. Rei stood up to back away from the conversation but Heero anticipated her move and grabbed her hands pulling her back down to kneel in front of him and his hands kept hold of her mutilated ones, not caring that they were rough and ugly looking.
"Please just listen, I know that you do not love me," Heero said, his voice turning momentarily harsh as he paused to compose himself.
-That's not true- Rei thought wishing she could express her feelings to him but she stayed silent just watching his mouth as he spoke to her.
"But after all that has been, I had hoped that we are…friends at the very least…I would hope that you would trust in me enough to believe me when I say that this is the best course of action for you, with the protection my name will give you, it will allow you to continue with your task without compromise, I know how much this means to you and I can't stand leaving you without knowing you are protected," Heero continued raising his eyes to watch Rei's reaction, and Rei closed her eyes and opened them slowly.
-What about the others, do they know?- Rei tried as best she could with fluttery hand movements to convey her concern and Heero half smiled, a little embarrassed.
"I told only who I must, Duo I told long ago of my intentions, he was needed in preparing for this day, while I am gone on this mission he will look after you for me, and Minako I gave the task of explaining to everyone that I have taken you for my wife," Heero told her and Rei was amazed that this had been going on and she had known nothing about it.
-And Relena?- Rei performed a curtsy and shrugged her shoulders knowing Heero would understand what she meant.
"Relena I told this morning, she wept bitterly, but wished us the best, Trowa took her back to the Royal Palace."
Rei was silent at this news. Relena, her own dear, sweet daughter. Unintentionally Rei had fallen in love with the man her daughter also loved and Rei had stolen his heart without a single word. Heero pulled out a ring with a simple ruby stone, an engagement ring for her and Rei took the ring in her hand looking at it frowning.
"You need not answer me yet, think about it if you must," Heero said his voice again cold and unfeeling, inside he was dreading what her answer would be, on the outside he wore his mask of cool.
AN: Ooooh How exciting, what will she say to him? Guess you will have to stick around and see!