Thanks to RedLion2, Aeris-Eithne, and Alaskantiger for reviewing! It means a lot!

Chapter Two:

The next morning, Relena found she didn't have the energy to get out of bed. She went through the guard duty list in her head and remembered that Duo was her bodyguard today. She sat up a little and saw that he was sitting on the loveseat in her sitting room. "Duo…"

Hearing his name, he turned and stood up. He frowned slightly at how pale she looked and walked towards her. He sat on the edge of her bed and held her hands. "Are you feeling okay, Princess?"

At his nickname for her, another flood of tears erupted. He hugged her tightly until her tears subsided. "I'm calling Zechs & telling him you're not going to work. You're not up to it. And don't argue with me either little missy."

She smiled up at him. "Okay."

"You stay in bed and I'll be right back after I call your brother." He smiled and walked into the hallway outside her room.

Pulling out his cell phone, he dialed Zechs and braced himself.

"What is it Maxwell?"

"Just thought I'd let you know that Relena's staying in bed today."

There was a long pause before Zechs said "Why in the world would she be doing that? You haven't tried anything with my little sister have you?"

"She's emotionally drained. Hey…wait a second…what do you mean by tried anything! Jeez Zechs! I'm not that kinda guy!"

Zechs chuckled. "I'm just making sure Maxwell. She can stay in bed today. Actually she needs a rest so keep her out of the office for the next two days. That should be plenty of time. And keep your hands to yourself." With another chuckle, he hung up.

Duo shut his phone & stood in the hall slightly dazed. 'Wow! He actually gave Relena some time off. But how dare he imply I made a move on Relena! Oh well.' He thought and headed back to Relena's room.

She looked up as he entered. "So what did my brother say? Let me guess-I'm to report at the office right?" She sighed and moved to get out of bed.

Duo stopped her. "No actually. He said you're to stay home for the next two days. So we have two whole days to relax and have fun."

Relena didn't know whether to cry or laugh or shout for joy. Since she couldn't decide, she simply hugged Duo.

"So Princess, what would you like to do today?"

She let go of Duo and looked up at him. "You know what I haven't done in a while?"

"What?"

"Let's go shopping!"

"Oh man!" Duo groaned and fell on the bed. "I guess the guard must follow his princess's request."

Relena giggled. "Don't worry Duo. You won't be the only one that will have to carry all my shopping bags."

"Huh?"

"I'm going to drag Trowa along too! You know what they say: misery loves company!"

Duo grinned. "Okay then. Should I call Trowa and inform him that he's been recruited to help me, um, guard you?" Duo chuckled.

"Sure. While you do that I'll get ready!" Relena hopped out of bed, suddenly reenergized, and headed into her bathroom.

Duo dialed Trowa as soon as she shut the door.

"What is it Duo?"

"What no hello?"

"You never call unless you need something."

Duo pouted. "That's not true!"

"Try and name one time in the last two years that you've called just to chat."

"…uh…um"

"My point exactly. So what do you need?" Trowa smiled to himself. 'Trowa: one, Duo: zero.' He thought.

"Some friend you are…anyway…Relena wants you to come and hangout with us today."

"…"

"Come on dude! She's gonna make me carry her shopping bags! I need some backup!"

"I knew there was a catch."

"Please Trowa! I'll do anything!"

"…Alright, but you owe me one."

"Yes! Thanks man! I'll tell Relena you'll be here in an hour."

"I'll be there in five minutes." Then Trowa hung up.

'Good thing Relena doesn't take forever to get ready like some girls do.' Duo thought to himself.

"So what did he say?" Relena was fully dressed and ready to go.

Just then the doorbell rang.

"Actually that should be Trowa at the door."

"Then let's go!" Relena headed down stairs and slid down the railing…straight into Trowa's arms. "Hey Trowa!"

"Hello Relena."

"Hi ya buddy!" Duo yelled as he ran down the stairs after Relena.

"Hello Duo."

"Come on guys! Let's go already!"

"Sure Relena." Trowa stood Relena on the ground and they headed to the closest mall.

Six hours later:

"Are we done yet?" Duo asked. He had four bags in each hand and was carrying a box under each arm.

"Please Relena!" Trowa had five bags in each hand and skillfully balanced three boxes in his arms.

"Oh alright, I guess you guys have been good enough to be done shopping today." Relena only carried two bags and her purse.

"She's a shop-oholic!" Duo whispered to Trowa.

"That's an understatement. She's a shopping maniac."

Duo just nodded.

Back at the mansion:

"Now you get to tell me what you think of all my outfits!"

"Huh?" Both pilots asked.

"I'm going to try them all on for you and decide how much I like each outfit depending on you reactions!" Relena burst into giggles and disappeared into her huge walk-in closet to change into the first outfit.

"Oh man!"

"Duo, you owe me big time for this!"

"Yeah I know it! But like she said: misery loves company!"

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Read and Review please! Sorry if this chapter seems a bit boring but I had a major case of writer's block! I'm trying to take RedLion2's advice and make my stories longer and more developed. Let me know how I'm doing! Thanks again to RedLion2, Aeris-Eithne, and Alaskantiger for reviewing the day I posted the first chapter!