It's My Life
Okay, as promised, here's Lena's side of 'For Rel' and 'Get Rel'.
Yeah, I know this chapter took a long time coming. The next update will be May 28th, unless something comes up, like I'm in an accident or something. But count on May 28th for the next update.
"How did it go?" Lynn inquired first once Relena had joined the group.
"Not bad, I'm glad it was Trowa who approached me rather than Heero," Relena answered honestly. "I'm not certain how I would have handled him by myself."
Sage came up to Relena and draped an arm about her shoulders. "Well, if he had approached you and given you trouble then either Adam or I, or even both of us, would have came to your aid."
"Damn right!" concurred Adam, draping his arm over Relena's other shoulder so that she was sandwiched between the two men. "That's right, we're always right beside you girl when you need us to get you out of a fix."
"Thanks guys," Relena smiled.
Draca decided to speak up at that time, her mouth had opened on several occasions to say something but nothing had ever came out. "Hey guys, I was talking with our host before and he requested that we play at least one more song. So, I figured we could just play "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" since it's a simple song and all."
The other members of the band exchanged glances then shrugged. No one really minded having to play, in fact they loved the opportunity to have an encore.
"Should I make the announcement then while you guys get set up again?" Draca asked, waiting for an actual 'yes' or 'no' answer.
Lynn answered for the group, "Yeah. Go tell them and we'll set up."
"Okay than," nodded Draca, heading over to the microphone while the group dispersed to their instruments.
"Ladies and Dear Gentlemen, it has come to our attention that we have received quite a few compliments about our talent as performers, so as to say "Thank you" we will sing one last song to keep the spirits of this crowd up," announced Draca, capturing everyone attention in the entire room.
Picking up her cords, Relena connected the keyboard and amp, and plugged in the pedal before beginning her search for her microphone. Why wasn't there a microphone by the keyboards?
Normally this song was sang by Draca but Relena sang the chorus line with Draca and Adam. So, once again, where was her microphone? Ready to go "borrow" Lynn's microphone, Relena found Lynn not to be by her guitar or amp.
Where's Lynn she wondered, glancing about.
"Our last song for the entire evening," sighed Draca, dramatically, as she crossed over to where Relena stood.
Draca held out her microphone to Relena in a gesture that said that Relena was to be the leader singer of the song.
Hesitantly, Relena took the microphone then threw a glare at Lynn, who had sat down at the keyboards for the second time that evening. This was unfair! Her friends had apparently set her up to be the lead singer of the song, but why! Shifting her gaze, Relena looked towards Adam, but all he did was nod as he fixed his microphone stand. It was confirmed, she was singing the song with Adam instead of Draca.
Don't complain about things you can't fix, Relena reminded herself with a sigh. She really didn't want to sing, but as Draca wasn't going to sing she had no choice but to take up the role. Just torture Draca about it later.
Bass, keyboards, and the light drums began the song before Adam started the vocals.
"Listen baby, ain't no mountain high! Ain't no valley low! Ain't no river wide enough baby…"
Relena joined in, "If you need me, call me. No matter where you are; no matter how far."
Adam sang in the background, "Don't worry baby--"
Relena continued, "Just call my name, I'll be there in a hurry. You don't have to worry, because…"
Standing front and center of the band, Relena watched as Draca pranced around the crowd carrying a tambourine, which she didn't beat on until the chorus, and grabbed a few of the representative's grandsons to get them to start dancing. It was a typical Draca moment and it just made Relena smile, and it kept her eyes and mind away from Heero and the others.
"Baby, there ain't no mountain high enough! Ain't no valley low enough! Ain't no river wide enough baby, to keep me from getting to you-!" both band members sang, creating a great blend.
"Baby, remember the day, I set you free. I told you could always count on me darling. And from that day on, I made a vow, I'll be there when you want me someway, somehow," sung Adam as Relena came up right beside him with her microphone, most likely off, and just stood leaning against him.
It was no accident that in most of the songs that Relena sang, without playing keyboards, she would be around Adam. Adam was like a great big security blanket to Relena, almost like the big brother she never had but desperately wanted.
"Cause baby, there ain't no mountain high enough! Ain't no valley low enough! Ain't no river wide enough baby, to keep me from getting to you-!" both sang into Adam's microphone.
"No, no darling," Adam added, grabbing the microphone and tilting it so that he was singing right at Relena instead of toward the crowd.
Grinning, Relena leaned forward to have better access to the microphone. "No wind, no rain-! Or a winter's cold can stop me baby. Because you are my love-!" she responded, poking a joking finger into her partner's chest.
"If you're ever in trouble, I'll be there on the double. Just send for me oh baby-!" Adam told her.
Relena moved away, turning on her own microphone to sing into.
"My love is alive, deep down in my heart, though we are miles apart." Relena extended her free hand to imitate being apart from someone.
"If you ever need a helping hand, I'll be there on the double, just as fast as I can," assured Adam.
"Don't ya know that there ain't no mountain high enough! Ain't no valley low enough! Ain't no river wide enough baby!"
"To keep me from getting to you," included Relena, pointing generally at the crowd.
"Don't ya know that there ain't no mountain high enough! Ain't no valley low enough! Ain't no river wide enough! There ain't no mountain high enough! Ain't no valley low enough-!"
The music faded, much to Relena's relief, and the audience burst into cheers and whistles. Although, Relena suspected that some of the cheers came from Draca jingling the tambourine as she raced up to the rest of the band. Draca motioned everyone to come forward.
The band members all did so, took each others' hands, and bowed to their crowd.
Rising from their bow, the band members went to their instruments to start putting everything away, for certain this time. In record time, and with some extra help from the orchestra members, 'For Rel' was out of the building in record time.
With everything packed into the SUVs and everyone present, the band members climbed into the vehicles. Except this time, Relena was riding with Adam and Lynn, upon Lynn's request.
Sitting in the back, Relena laid across the seat and stared up at the ceiling with her hands clasped under her head. She was tired, she really was but she wasn't about to fall asleep in the SUV on the way to the airport, as it was only a twenty minute drive.
"Lena," Lynn spoke up, turning her body around so that she faced her backseat friend.
"Mmh?"
"Did you know that Quatre wants to see you?" Relena gave Lynn an exasperated look but nodded nonetheless. "I know, everyone wants to see you, but I'm talking about seeing you and then letting you go. No Preventers, no promises; nothing."
Sitting up, Relena raised an eyebrow, she was intrigued by this. Despite all her planning, Relena hadn't exactly planned a course of action if she found out that any of her friends would be willing to see her only to have to let her go. It just wasn't something she expected from any of them.
"What gave you that idea?" Relena questioned, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Quatre told me while he was interrogating me," replied Lynn. "He really does want to see you again or at the very least talk to you."
Biting her lower lip, Relena was caught between believing Lynn's word or ignoring it all together. She hadn't been kept hidden by making constant contact with the Preventers or old friends.
"How do you know that it wouldn't be some sort of trap?" she challenged.
"Maybe because I get the feeling that he genuinely cares about you and your happiness. Can't you just give him a call at the airport and see how he's doing? I mean, come on, give the poor guy a chance," Lynn implored, surprising Relena.
Lynn never implored unless it was something she desperately wanted, and it was something she felt to be important. Was there something that Lynn knew that Relena didn't, about Quatre? Was there some sort of secret Quatre had shared with her?
"Fine," Relena agreed, "I'll give him a call at the airport, but that's it!"
The smile on Lynn's face was wide, bright, and grateful. "Thank you so much Lena! I just know you won't regret it!"
Turning her gaze to the window, Relena watched the lights, cars, and stores pass by. "I highly doubt that…"
What am I doing? I must be insane to be doing this! Relena decided as she dialed the number to the hotel Quatre normally used in New York.
Someone answered at the front desk. "Hello, can I please have the room number for Representative Quatre Winner?" she inquired and, as to be expected, the clerk said that the information was classified except to a few persons, and Relena knew who those persons were. "This is his secretary, Ms. Jennings, I have an important message for Mr. Winner and it can't wait."
The clerk sighed, "Didn't he leave you with his room number?"
"He had but he left it somewhere on my desk and I can't find it at this time, so can you be a little darling and give me the room number please?" she requested sweetly.
"1187," reported the clerk.
"Thank you." Hanging up the phone, Relena redialed the hotel phone number, but included Quatre's room number this time.
What am I going to say? she wondered, starting to panic. Do I just act natural? Do I say the traditional 'hello'? How am I supposed to behave toward him? How am I supposed to greet him?
One ring. Two rings.
Maybe he's not in and I won't have to talk with him, Relena thought, hopefully yet disappointedly as she picked up a nearby "Universal Magazine" with a picture of Quatre on the front. What if he thinks I'm someone calling to threaten him and he won't pick up? I mean there's no answering machine or anything of the like there.
Three rings. Four rings.
What if Lynn's wrong and he doesn't want to talk with me…?
"He…hello?" came Quatre's hesitant greeting, surprising Relena.
"Hey," she returned, in a voice that unbelievably calm and carefree, "long time no hear."
"Re…Relena…" she heard him stammer before the loud THUD sound of the phone being dropped was heard.
Putting a hand up to her mouth, Relena tried hard to not laugh or smile so broadly. She had never expected such a reaction to her voice.
Hearing the phone being adjusted and Quatre's breathing, Relena attempted to compose herself; it wasn't quite working completely, but at least she wasn't rolling on the floor in fits of laughter.
"Re…Relena?" Quatre repeated.
"Yeah, has it really been that long since you've hear from me?" teased Relena then she wanted to kick herself. Of course it had been that long! Five months! What kind of question was that to ask!
"Five months is a pretty long time for not hearing from a friend," replied Quatre. Apparently he was nervous or he was just trying to think of something, anything, to say.
Not knowing what to say either, Relena echoed, "Five months?" Then she decided to play innocent. "Has it really been that long? It hasn't felt like five months, and you still remember my voice, amazing. I'm impressed Quatre."
She was impressed too, granted she would have been able to recognize any of her friends' voices even if she hadn't heard them in months or years.
"Actually no," Quatre informed her, "I didn't recognize your voice, it was what you said. Anyone else would have just said, "Hello". You know, since they actually call once in a while."
That struck Relena hard and close to home. She had never really thought of the effects her disappearance would have on the others, especially people like Quatre or Hilde or Duo. Relena felt guilty now for having done such a rash thing, such as running away, but hadn't called anyone because she really didn't know that anyone wanted to speak with and not catch her.
She had to give him her reason for not calling. "Now, don't go getting your boxers all in a bunch. I just didn't know you wanted to speak with me," assured Relena.
"Of course, I would want to speak with you. Hell, I bet you anything Hilde, Duo, or even Heero would love to speak with you!" he told her.
Relena felt her chest constrict at the mention of Heero, especially associating him with talking with her. Heero didn't want to talk with her, he wanted to find her, nothing more.
"I doubt Heero would want to just talk with me, more like interrogate and track me," Relena stated, using a tone that hopefully told Quatre that she didn't really want to talk about Heero.
He got the hint but Quatre immediately began to ask the one question Relena refused to ever answer. "Relena, where the he…"
So, she interrupted him and laid down the rules. "Quatre, if we are going to converse on the phone together then I request that you do not ask me where I am, why I ran away, or what I have been doing. Okay?"
It was a lot to ask of Quatre, but Relena really needed him to promise not to question her using the five Ws.
"May I ask just one thing before I agree?" inquired the representative, and Relena stiffened, glancing over at Lynn trying to decide if she should trust Quatre.
"It's not about where you are," he added, probably having sensed her hesitance.
"I suppose," sighed Relena. What harm could a question, not about where she was, do to her?
"Is Heero part of the reason that you ran away?" Quatre asked.
Apparently the said question could do a lot of harm.
How do I answer this? Do I lie and say 'no, not at all'? Or do I tell the truth and say 'part of it'? thought Relena. I mean, he wasn't my ultimate reason for leaving, I had many reasons for leaving. Some of them were selfish, or perhaps all of them in some way, but he was never the prominent reason, just the most immediate reason at that time…
"Relena?"
Oh—she still hadn't answered the question yet.
"I'm still here," she reassured her friend. "I guess in the beginning I would have said "yes, Heero's one of the reasons that I ran away", but then I would be lying. Heero just kind of gave that first shove out the door, like helped encourage me to take that first step out the door. Does that satisfy you for now?"
"Quite," confirmed Quatre, much to Relena's relief.
There was a bit of silence where Quatre didn't say anything more, so Relena decided that she would have to break the ice. "Moving onto some more pleasant topics of discussion. How are you?"
Quatre chuckled a bit, much to Relena's surprise, "Tired, lonely, and I'm possibly on the brink of insanity." Normally when Quatre chuckled it was genuine, not a bitter or jokingly; so to hear him chuckle while saying those negative aspects kind of made Relena concerned, until she realized that he was tired. "In fact," Quatre continued, "just yesterday I found that I had gray hair now!"
Relena burst out laughing hysterically. Quatre finding a gray hair mixed in with his blond strands? Relena highly doubted that it was an actually gray strand, but a blond hair that only appeared to be gray.
"I'm serious," he insisted, "I actually freaked out when I saw that. Am I truly becoming an old man?"
"Nah, you're only 19 years old, not even old enough to legally drink alcohol in the former United States of America," assured Relena between her laughs. "Perhaps you should dye your hair blond so your gray hairs don't show up on your pictures, like this picture on "Universal Magazine"." Flipping through the other photos of Quatre, Relena found each picture to have Quatre wearing a strict, sober expression that was unlike him. "They did a horrible job on capturing your more strict side, if you have one that is."
"Hey!"
"I'm only joking Quatre, jeez," giggled Relena.
"Relena."
"Yeah," she responded, still smiling as she continued to look at the pictures.
"I have a question for you."
"Shoot," Relena shrugged, starting to read the article.
"Did Lynn tell you that I wanted to speak with you?" asked Quatre.
Dropping the magazine, Relena glanced over at her friend. So, Lynn had told Quatre she would talk with her (Relena) about speaking with Quatre. Now, it made sense.
"Yeah," nodded Relena, thinking of a quick yet believable lie. "I've been trying to call her home number all night, but I didn't get an answer from her, so I tried her cell phone. I actually didn't get to speak with her until a few moments ago. She told me that you and she had a nice conversation about me. Why I didn't know you care, and well, she told me of your desire to talk with me. So, I decided to call you."
Still looking at her friends, Relena decided to address the issue of the split interrogations at the fundraiser. "Though Draca, Sage, and Salimar have also told me that Trowa, Heero, and Ms. Noventa were asking questions about me as well. Why?"
"Heero's still looking for you, and he feels that your friends are the key to finding you," replied Quatre and Relena could have blessed him aloud for being so open with her. "We only helped out because we were there. I take it, that you now know that Sylvia is Heero's girlfriend."
May as well let him know that I have known. "Actually, I've known that Heero had a girlfriend," Relena nodded, her voice starting to choke despite her attempts to sound indifferent. "Actually, I think I was the first one to find out, except for maybe Hilde and Duo, they probably knew long before I did."
Wiping at her eyes a bit, Relena felt tears welling up. She didn't want to cry, not because of Heero and his girlfriend.
"Are you okay with this?" Quatre cautiously inquired.
"Course," she lied, "after all, he should be happy with someone just like everyone else, even if that girl isn't me, as I know you were probably thinking, right?" She didn't wait for an answer for she already knew it. "It's not Ms. Noventa's and Mr. Yuy's relationship that bothers me," she stated.
Great, I can't even address him as Heero out loud. I'm so pathetic sometimes.
Continuing with her rant to Quatre, Relena was unaware that she was about to divulge into her emotions. "What bothers me is the fact that he didn't even mention this relationship to me. I mean I thought he and I were friends at least, and that he would tell me such things, like friends would. Instead he kept it secret from me and…"
"Made you his second priority?" offered Quatre.
"Couldn't trust me with the truth," corrected the former Vice Foreign Minister somberly. "You weren't there Quatre, but what would happen was he would take off on the weekends, at night, to go on a date with Ms. Noventa, leaving Duo as my bodyguard; not that I'm complaining. Still, he could have told me instead of keeping it from me!"
Gradually, Relena's voice had been rising and it had attracted the band members' attention. Adam was making his way over to her even as she ranted.
She heard Quatre's soothing voice in her ear and it calmed Relena a bit.
"It's alright Relena, calm down," urged Quatre in a soothing voice.
Relena began breathing in slowly and breathing out even slower, as Adam coached her and rubbed her back. She was calm now and could speak without her emotions getting the best of her, again.
Adam gestured to the tickets in his hand then to his watch. It was time to go.
"I need to be going Quatre, I shall call you tomorrow perhaps," claimed Relena in a quiet voice.
"Understood, but Relena, could we possibly meet sometime? Face to face; in person?" questioned Quatre.
He sounded rather hopeful and Relena couldn't bear to disappoint him, nor did she want to fall easily into any trap.
"Maybe in the future Quatre, if you don't tell anyone about these phone calls," she told him. "But for now, I want to just keep it as phone call conversations. Okay?"
"That is fine by me Relena. I won't tell anyone," promised Quatre.
"Bye Quatre," smiled Relena.
"Good night Relena," Quatre told her.
Hearing the dial tone, Relena hung up the phone and turned to Adam, who watched her with worried eyes.
"Don't worry about me, I'm fine now," she told him.
Adam pulled Relena into a comforting embrace that she returned as silent tears rolled from her eyes. "You don't always have to be strong Relena, we're here for you when you need us. Don't you ever be ashamed to cry on our shoulders, girl. We all love you, and we're in this together. Okay?"
Relena nodded, letting Adam wipe the tears from her cheeks and the corners of her eyes.
"Good, now let's fly home and have some hot iced tea with lemon drops. Then we can sit in my room all night watching comedy movies, unless you feel the urge to watch sappy romances that are overly dramatized."
Laughing, Relena allowed Adam to lead her back to the other band members. She was happy here, with her friends, people who knew her best and knew exactly what to say or do to make her smile. This was where she belonged, for now.
Thank you to: Liz, BlackAngelBlood, Ulitheal, DogDemonK9, Morrighan of Crimson and Sable, and Lynn-Minmay. Special thanks to Liz, Ulitheal, DogDemonK9, Morrighan of Crimson and Sable, and Lynn-Minmay for being such loyal readers. It's great to know that you guys still enjoy reading my work.