Disclaimer: I do not own GW.

Ch. 2 - Strangers

"Yes the interview is set up," The tall, broad shouldered man now known as Matthew stood in the corner, speaking to his boss on his cellular phone.

"I'm not so sure about this guy, Relena." Hilde whispered in her ear, never taking her eyes off the man.

"Why? He seems very professional." –I need good press, Hilde. –

"There's just something about him." Her eyes narrowed, watching the way he moved, he talked. He seemed too suave, perhaps it was just the press in him. They were all slick like that, but there was something . . . different about him. –You are too trusting, Relena. –

"Yes sir, I will do that sir," He sounded eerily cheery. –I have Relena Peacecraft Yuy right where I want her-

"Mrs. Yuy, everything is set up. We'll do the interview tomorrow morning, and tomorrow night is the big event . . . am I correct?"

"Yes." Relena answered politely, hoping he would go away soon so she and Hilde could finish the preparations.

"Well, I'll leave you to your work, but I will be at the mansion to greet you and your new husband at nine o'clock sharp." He grinned too much. It wasn't like Duo's grin, the kind that's so funny you want to laugh, or the kind like Quatra's that made you melt into their sweetness, no, his was different. His was almost phony, like he was hiding something very important.

"Thank you Mr. Souter, I look forward to seeing you in the morning." So he turned his back and went in the opposite direction of the two girls.

"Phase one is completed." He talked into the phone, now using it as a walkie-talkie.

"Good," the voice on the other end of the phone seemed to beam. "Mrs. Yuy will be just DYING to see me, I'm sure."

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"He's been gone an awful long time," Duo mused, glancing at his watch for the third or fourth time and noticing almost half an hour had passed.

"I thought I told you to leave!" Heero boomed, stomping back into the living room.

"Oh, you were serious?" Duo's eyes were playfully wide. He held no fear of the ex-pilot who could crush his skull in one blow, he only wanted to toy with his mind. "I thought you went to get some pictures of the princess in her undies."

"Duo!" Heero grabbed him from behind and lifted him off the couch in a headlock. He had no where to go and no way to get out, he could only pray for mercy.

"Hey! Hey! Cool is man! You know I was just playing!"

"NEVER degrade her the way you have attempted to today! Never! Do you hear me?" Duo coughed out a 'yes' and tried to nod. "Good! NOW GET OUT!"

"Yes sir!" Duo stood up and saluted Heero, then waltzed out the door.

Heero waited a moment to make sure he was gone, then he sunk back down into the newly proclaimed 'his' chair. The two weeks at the mansion had been to say the least, easy. He and Relena had been happy enough but something seemed wrong. He had taken his job back as her body guard and followed her every move, making sure that she was completely protected at all times, but there was something about her demeanor that just didn't fit Relena. He couldn't put his finger on it.

"We're home!" Hilde chimed, bustling through the door with bag after bag of goodies.

"Duo all ready left." Heero answered, not taking his eyes of the TV. Hilde was appalled by his response.

"Excuse me! You can't even get up and say 'Hi Hilde' or 'You husband is a jerk and I kicked him out'?" Relena eyed Hilde strangely.

"Did you say 'husband'?"

Hilde blushed. "It's not official yet, but I'm pretty sure Duo's going to propose this week."

"That's wonderful news!" Relena hugged her, dropping all of her bags on the floor. "I only hope you two are happier than Heero and I are." She mumbled.

"What?"

"I just said I hope you're as happy as Heero and I are." Her smile was so bright, but behind it, there was obviously someone who was hurting. Hilde hadn't figured out why yet, Relena had finally gotten what she wanted, but she just looked so sad.

"Well, I'll leave you two to your privacy." Hilde winked, and Relena nudged her, shaking her head 'no.' "Bye lovebirds!"

Relena collected all the bags and took them up the stairs to her, no their, it was no their bedroom. The thought of not having her own bedroom, all to herself, was still strange to Relena. Twenty years all alone, then suddenly, having a permanent room mate.

She took each thing out of the bag and sorted it by what it would have to do with the party, then put each category in a different bag. Relena liked being meticulously organized, it kept her sane. Then, she went back downstairs to find Heero. She found him . . . he was sitting on the couch, just as he had been. He hadn't offered to move yet, so she sat down next to him. No response. She turned her head to gaze at him. No response. She laid her hand on his own. No response. She leaned over to kiss him, and this time, there was a response. He pulled away.

"What?" She demanded, obviously hurt by his action.

"Not now."

"Not now? All I want is to kiss you! You are MY HUSBAND. Can't I kiss you?" She was more than hurt by him. She didn't know why she had thought it would be any different if they were married. They were still strangers, perhaps loving strangers, but strangers living in the same home, no, not even a home any longer, just a house.

"Fine. I'll leave you to your television." Relena stood and walked back upstairs. Once safely inside her room, she began to cry. Two weeks before she had been here, crying over him, but when he had asked for her back, she thought she'd never have to cry over him again. "Why do you want to hurt me, Heero?" She might never understand.

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An: Ok, so, how am I doing? I know it's slow coming, but it is coming!

Thanks to:

Naitheas – thanks for your continuing support.

Raizard333 – you're right on the money. Thanks for your continuing support.

Hououza – Thanks for sticking with me through more stories.

Crystal-gundam – This should answer one of your questions a little. Thanks for the review!

Clarobell – Maybe, and No. The great Heero Yuy cannot be cracked by the god of death.

Raine189 – thanks for everything you do! You're such a great help in everything!