Chapter 3
------------------------
The evening of the event was a lively one. Every invited guest arriving at the rich estate on the colony prepared to enjoy a nice night of dancing and conversing with fellow aristocrats of the time. As usual, Relena Peacecraft was one of the many honored guests that would attend, and as such, a select few personal guards were added to list of attendees. One of these young men was already escorting Relena out onto the dance floor and another waited by the door for a certain 'guest' to arrive.
Wufei glanced down at his watch and sighed.
"Relena said that she'd be wearing a red dress and arrive about twenty minutes late."
Looking up, the black-haired man noticed the young woman stepping out of a car.
Duo felt positively strange; his normally braided hair was loose, and of all things, he was wearing a long, red dress. He walked up the steps to the estate, inwardly bracing himself for the plan he was about to put into action- along with muttering curses at how uncomfortable his shoes were.
"I cannot understand how people can walk in these things."
Resisting the urge to laugh at the person before him, Wufei shook his head, "Well, I'll be damned. The late guest is indeed twenty minutes late."
Duo glanced up to the man standing atop the stairs. Sure enough, it was his guard-replacement for the night decked out in formal attire.
"May I escort you to the ballroom, Miss?"
Inwardly wondering if Relena had tipped off the young Chinese man about the situation this evening or not, Duo decided to play it safe and act the part.
Keeping his voice up in a higher, more feminine pitch- he smiled and laughed lightly.
"Oh, yes. That would be nice."
Linking arms with Wufei, the brown-haired young man was led up the stairs and into the ballroom.
Many of the dancers paused, or at least looked up, at the late arrival entering. Whispers began, some wondering who the beautiful young woman in red was- others trying to figure out which rich family she must be from. Duo resisted the urge to roll his eyes and speak up.
"Jeez, I feel like Cinderella. Well, except I didn't arrive in a pumpkin and the not-so tiny fact that I'm a guy."
Leading the mystery woman down the stairs to the dance floor, Wufei caught sight of Relena from the corner of his eye and gave a light nod to her as a signal.
"Oh, I wonder who this is. I'm certainly not familiar with her. Do you recognize her, Heero?" Relena said casually, turning to her dance partner.
Frowning, the young man studied the young woman clad in red.
"Brown hair, wavy- as if it's commonly worn in a braid. Eyes- dark, with an edge of uncertainty and mischief in them. Stature, similar to mine aside from the added enhancements to make the figure appear female. Weight, close to mine- Height, an inch at most taller than me."
"Heero?"
Turning back to the young woman beside him, Heero raised an eyebrow.
"She seems suspicious. You know anything?"
Relena smiled, inwardly knowing that Heero already had seen through their ruse. But, not wanting to ruin Duo's plan- the young Miss Peacecraft shrugged and played along in hopes that Heero would as well.
"No more than you know, Heero. Maybe it would be best if you investigated."
His eyes widened a bit, curious as to what this whole masquerade was about and wondering how Relena and the others had arranged it behind his back. Whatever the reason though, Heero knew- it must be really important if they somehow got Duo in a dress for it.
Across the room, Wufei paused to let the 'young woman' off his arm.
"Have a good evening, Miss."
"Thank you," Duo said in his higher pitched voice.
Wufei began to turn, but then stopped and whispered back to 'her.'
"Good luck, Maxwell."
Blinking as the black-haired man walked back to his post, Duo shook his head. When Relena said everything would be set up to get him alone with Heero, she didn't hold back on tipping Wufei off about it either.
Catching sight of Heero and Relena across the room, Duo boldly walked up and curtsied before them.
"May I have a dance, Sir?"
Heero gave a quick glance to Relena who nodded her consent.
"I'll be all right, Heero. You should try and have some fun at these events anyways."
As she walked towards where Wufei stood, Duo sheepishly smiled.
"I'm sorry for seeming rude, sir. I just find it silly that most girls wait around for the guy to come to them."
Heero smiled at that, "It's all right. I find it interesting that you were brave enough to try and break that tradition."
Extending his hand, the two walked out to the dance floor and began to waltz.
"So what's your name, Miss?"
"Name? Oh," Duo laughed to himself, "Its Camilla Partrese. My father is one of the council members at colony L3. And you?"
Heero shrugged, "Heero Yuy, Miss Peacecraft's personal bodyguard."
"That must be an interesting job."
"It is."
A moment of silence fell between the two as they danced across the ballroom floor. Heero was inwardly smiling at how well thought out this plan was. Camilla was indeed the daughter of a council member at L3; a girl about their age with long brown hair. But, she'd not been seen out in public for over two years- her Father becoming a tad overprotective due to the war, and so no one was quite certain what she looked like currently. It was a perfect alias, Heero noted- slowly waltzing 'Camilla' towards the veranda.
Duo, on the other hand, thought things were running smoothly. Heero seemed to take the name seriously and he'd managed to not yet trip on his dress.
"Now if I could just get him alone…"
Spotting the veranda nearby, Duo stopped a moment and gave Heero a smile.
"Mr. Yuy, would you mind coming out onto the veranda with me? I'd like a bit of fresh air after all this dancing. And I'd feel much safer with you there."
"I wouldn't mind at all," He replied.
The two linked arms and they made their way out onto the starlit veranda. Absently looking at the roses, Duo casually spoke up.
"You're quite the dancer, Mr. Yuy. You must have danced with many beautiful girls."
Taking a seat on the stone bench, Heero repressed a smile at the situation. Gradually, he was beginning to see what this whole scheme was about.
"Not really. Relena's the only one I usually dance with."
"Is that so?" Duo said; trying to remember the dialogue he'd had planned. "I would think someone as attractive as you would have many girls seeking your attention."
Looking off into the city, Heero shrugged.
"They do, I'm just not usually interested."
Duo sat down on the bench, wincing at the way all the layers of the dress bunched up and trying to hastily smooth it out.
"You decided to dance with me. Is there something that made me an exception?"
Heero continued staring off at the skyline, thoughtfully musing to himself.
"You weren't afraid to ask. That was rather daring of you."
"Oh."
Duo frowned a bit, plotting his next move.
"Damn it, I already know Heero likes people who are bold and daring. He's a former Gundam pilot so of course that appeals to him. What should I…"
His thoughts came to a halt as he felt Heero gently taking his hand.
"Mr. Yuy?"
"Heero's fine, Camilla."
"Oh…okay, Heero."
"I have something I'd like to ask you."
Swallowing hard, Duo nodded. "Okay?"
"May I have your permission to kiss you?"
"Wha-what!" Duo slipped in his normal voice, quickly rushing to cover his error, "I mean- well…I barely know you and-and…"
Heero reached out, holding up a finger to silence 'her.'
"I just didn't want you to think I was acting out of line by not asking."
"Must be some stupid high-class thing," Duo's mind remarked before registering exactly what the question was. "Wait minute- did he just ask to kiss me!"
Heart pounding in his chest, Duo took a deep breath and tried to get his jumble of thoughts straightened out.
"Just say yes. Stay calm and say yes."
"O-okay."
Heero tentatively leaned forward, his hand resting against Duo's cheek as he kissed him.
"I'm- I'm sorry," Duo said, pulling away and standing hastily, "I have to go."
Rushing from the veranda, Duo entered the ballroom and seemed to disappear into their masses.
Heero stood moments later, his eyes looking desperately for the red dress amongst the crowds.
"Duo, you've got it all wrong. That kiss wasn't for 'Camilla.' That kiss was for you."
-------------------------------