Ch. 11

"You want us to do what?" Duo asked for clarification.

"I want the three of you to keep an eye on Septum and Tuberov."

"But why? I mean, I know they're not the easiest to get along with, but you don't think those only old men would betray you, do you?"

"No, or at least, not in any way that they would consider it betrayal." Heero grabbed the copy of the marriage agreement out of his desk. Heero proceeded to tell the three what had transpired that morning and what was said. Duo got a wolfish grin on his face.

"So you actually did it?! I'm so proud of you, man!" Heero didn't have time for the braided man's teasing.

"Focus, Duo." Trowa snapped at him. Heero rolled his eyes suddenly then stared down at the parchment.

"After acting as they had this morning, I began thinking. Tuberov and Septum were against the marriage. They put in the two-year clause. Then, when it seemed as though Relena and I were beginning to get closer, there was an attempt on her life."

"You think Tiberov and Septum are trying to have her killed?" Heero nodded.

"The final clue was the baby." Heero looked up at his friends. "If it were truly about an heir to join our lands, then they would not have been so upset to know that I spent the night with her." He didn't pause for modesty. "Their displeasure shows a lack of desire for me to be with her at all."

"I know they were displeased with the arrangement, but would they really take it this far? Why would they?" Quatre asked.

"It's possible that war is what they wanted all along. It could also be that they don't like Heero giving so much authority to Relena. Either way, it would be a motive for hiring assassins."

"I want them investigated as discretely as possible. See if we can find proof of their actions. In addition, the arrow Wufei found is a good lead. If we can find who made it then we might be able to find who bought it and go from there."

"Sure thing, buddy." Duo said.

"Trowa, I want Relena's things moved into my room before tonight and I would like it if Catherine supervised."

"I will tell her your request."

"Have we figured out a guard rotation?"

"We have. And that old servant from Sanc will be arriving as soon as possible to assist." Quatre said and Heero nodded.

"You all know what needs done. I'm counting on you."

"Of course."

"No problem, pally."

"Understood." With the assignments given, they all left the study.

Heero once more began to stare at the parchment. Its contents held the terms that solidified the bond between their two kingdoms. For some reason, he couldn't help but hope that something stronger bonded the two of them. This plot against her life scared him, almost as much as this new phase of their relationship. He had never had a weakness. Never left himself vulnerable to anything or anyone, but one glance from her left him weak. One word from her lips and he was captivated. He'd lived through countless battles and witnessed things that made grown men soil themselves. The thought of losing her; of someone taking her out of his life was by far the scariest thing he had ever known. He hated it and yet, he wouldn't trade it for anything.

"Relena…" he closed his eyes and allowed himself to feel the warmth the mere thought of her brought."I will keep you safe. No matter what."

"An excellent sentiment, my boy." Said a familiar voice from behind him. "I do so like to see how much that young woman has changed you."

"What can you tell me, J?"

"Straight to the point as always, but then, you never were a chatty one." The old man clicked his metal claw. "The arrow came from a master blacksmith three towns to the North. Apparently, his wares are considered some of the best weapons in the land. Very pricy. Unfortunately we could not get any information on those who buy his goods." Heero frowned.

"A dead end."

"Not exactly." The old man leaned on his cane. "There is a well known assassin who uses these very bolts in his crossbow. He goes by the name Falcon. If you can find him, then you most likely can find out who attacked your queen."

"Consider it done." Heero began to walk to the door.

"Still the same single-minded boy I trained all those years ago."

"I will protect her, J. No matter what."

"She really has become quite important to you." Heero paused. She had. It seemed so absurd that in mere months she could become the most important person in his life. But if J could see it, then who else knew? And how would they use that information to hurt him?

"Is that all?" He asked. J chuckled.

"Yes, my boy. That is all." J headed toward the door. "However, I feel I should tell you one last thing."

"What?"

"I'm proud of you Heero. As proud as if you were my own son. I know you will succeed in whatever path you take. Remember that." And with that, the old man hobbled out of the room leaving Heero to plan his next move.

He sat down at his desk to look over the facts and figures Relena sent his way but he couldn't focus. His mind kept returning her and to their new relationship. He felt the corners of his lips twitch at the memory of how she looked in her sheer robe… The way her lips felt against his… He put down the parchment and returned the quill to the ink. Rising to his feet, he left the office and made his way down the hall to where he hoped she would be. Just as he thought, he found her in the library, her guard standing by the door. She used to sit in the settee by the window, but given the assassination attempt, she was tucked on a pile of pillows in a nook under the spiral stairs that lead to the second floor of the library.

The guard saluted as he entered and Heero waved his dismissal. The guard nodded, saluted again and then left. Heero noticed she seemed oblivious to the room around her. She was so focused on her book that she didn't hear him walk up. He cleared his throat and her eyes shot up to meet his. Her lips spread into a warm smile that was far more tempting than it should be.

"Heero." She put the book down. "I thought you were busy in your office."

"I was." He began and took a step closer. "But I kept getting distracted."

"Oh?" She raised a brow. "Anything I can help with?" There were several things she could help him with; things he wanted with do with her and to her, but the library was not the right place.

"We have a lead regarding the assassin and we think we may know who hired them."

"I see." Her eyes darkened, and her brow pinched. She was worried. She was also trying to hide it from him. He knelt down next to her, locking eyes with her. He needed her to know...

"We will find out who did this." He promised. "I will protect you." Her eyes widened and then she smiled; a true smile that sparkled in her eyes.

"I know you will." He couldn't help it. He leaned over and in, claiming her lips with his. She kissed back, her hands fisting in his tunic. He put his arms on either side of her, pinning her without touching her. She sighed into his lips and he took it as a sign of permission. Using his tongue, he coaxed her mouth open. Their tongues began to duel as her arms snaked around his neck-

"Your majesties." They broke their kiss and he suppressed the urge to curse.

"What?" He nearly growled. Septum and Tuberov smiled with grins that made Heero want to hit them. They both bowed.

"We came to report an uprising has broken out at the border."

"An uprising?" Relena asked, sitting up alert and alarmed.

"Indeed." Tuberov said. "The people are in contention over whose land belongs to whom and how to divide up the food.

"I'll handle it." Heero stood and began to head to the door. Relena walked up behind him.

"I'm going too." Relena insisted. Heero could have sworn he saw looks of irritation on the other two men's faces.

"No."

"Heero-"

"It's too dangerous."

"I came from a kingdom where making peace and keeping it was our way of life. I may be able to stop them."

"And what if you can't?" He squared off with her, her eyes never left his. "You'd be putting yourself out in the open and giving the assassin another chance for nothing."

"Heero," she reached out and took his hand. "I am your queen, which means this kingdom is now my home. Please, let me at least try to help." After a small eternity, that look in her eyes won. He sighed.

"Stay close and stay alert. And if at any time you are told to take cover then you must do so."

"I understand." The look of gratitude in her eyes was accompanied by something else. Joy?

"My king, we must heartily object-"

"That will be all." Heero dismissed them as he and his wife walked through the door and out toward the stables. The thought occurred to him that if Septum and Tuberov wanted her dead then this sort of distraction would give them a time and place to harm her.

'At least if she's with me I can protect her.' He thought. It took hardly any time at all for a group of guards to be gathered. Duo and Trowa would ride along as well to offer insight and another buffer between his wife and the potential danger. As they mounted the horses, he cast her one last look that she returned before they galloped off toward the trouble; guards close by.

The ride to the uprising lasted just over an hour. Thankfully, when they got there, no blood had been spilled. The two sides were squared off and hunkered down between makeshift walls. From what he could tell, they were yelling at each other with the occasional arrow flying. Heero reined his horse to a stop and motioned for Relena to stay back, but she ignored him. She instead rode forward, head held high.

"Good people, my name is Relena. I am your new queen and the former princess of the pacifist kingdom of Sanc." She paused just a moment, most likely to make sure they grand her. "I wish to call a temporary truce so that I may hear your grievances in hopes of coming to a peaceful and acceptable solution." There was a long pause before the people spoke up.

"Why should a noble care about us?"

"Yeah! Why should we trust you?" In answer to their question, she dismounted her horse. Heero felt his heart leap into his chest as she did so.

"Because out here there is no throne and no crown. Out here, I am just as human as you are and I wish to speak with you as just that. Please. Let me help you." Time seemed to stand still before finally the two sides agreed to do as she asked. Somehow, his queen-his wife- was able to calm the feud and get the two sides to discuss what had been a large misunderstanding. Terms of a truce were drawn up and signed by the de facto leaders of both sides with her signature binding the agreement. Heero finally breathed a sigh of relief as all who were present bowed to her in a sign of respect.

"In all my years, no one of the nobility has ever put themselves at risk for us in such a way. We will keep our word, my queen," said one of the leaders.

"He is right. You have shown us today proof of the promised change we had heard about. We too shall stand by our word."

"I shall hold you to it, good sirs. For our part, we shall send someone here on the regular to ensure that you and yours have the resources you need."

"Our thanks, your majesty." She nodded to them. They even assisted her in getting back on her horse. With a smile, she turned to him.

"Shall we go, my king?" In spite of it all, he felt a peace in his own heart from her smile and a pride that couldn't be matched.

"Yes." He motioned for the guards to fall into formation as their group rode back to the castle. He knew Relena was a remarkable woman but now that he had seen her at work, he knew now more than ever that his decision to make her his queen had been the right one for everyone.

They returned to the castle rather late in the evening. Heero still felt full of pride from how well his queen handled the situation with the feud. Somehow, his hand found hers, or perhaps hers found his? But even the simple contact was enough to set him aflame. How could one woman change him so much? Affect him so thoroughly. In spite of himself, the corners of his lips curved up into a small smile. He never really smiled before he met her. Now, the expression found a home on his face more and more, but only for her. Only with her. He could tell she was tired. She had been working non-stop, pulling long hours to try and fulfill her promise to improve the kingdom. She seemed to almost be drawing strength from him. He squeezed her hand gently.

Tuberov and Septum met them on the way in. Both men seemed a bit put off but why, he couldn't say. They bowed and Heero nodded to them.

"We see you have returned." Tuberov began.

"Were you successful in stopping the rabble from revolting?"

"It wasn't a revolt. It was a land feud between territories."

"Oh? It seems we were misinformed." Septum said.

"At least you were able to solve the problem, my king." Tuberov added.

"It was your queen who settled it." Their eyes widened, and then narrowed briefly, before they both offered small, tight smiles.

"Excellent job, your majesty." They bowed to her although there was a darkness to their eyes he did not miss. There was little doubt now. These men hated Relena. The why of it all did not matter. He needed to keep her away from them, no matter what.

"My wife and I are heading to our room. I will meet with you tomorrow to discuss exactly what occurred on the border. Have dinner sent up within the hour, after which, we do not wish to be disturbed."

"Of… course."

"Very good, my king." He put his arm around the small of her back and they walked together past the dumbfounded men and through the hall. When the door closed behind them, Heero watched her shoulders relax. He walked up behind her, pulled her to him and buried his face in her neck.

"Is there… something you want to tell me?" She asked.

"Hn." She turned to face him, arms winding around his waist. "It's not good news."

"What is it?"

"You are right about Tuberov and Septum. We can't trust them."

"You mean, you think they'll betray you?" He shook his head.

"They would not see killing you as a betrayal. No matter what the cost may be." She looked down, sighing.

"I see."

"I don't want you to be alone with them at any time. Don't trust them. No matter what they say." She looked up at him and nodded.

"Alright." He leaned down and kissed her but a knock came at the door.

"That's probably supper." He answered the door. Anna and Abby brought the tray of food and the two of them ate their meal in relative silence. She was disturbed. He didn't blame her. Knowing two of his advisers could possibly want her dead would be a lot to take in. As he finished his meal, he stood and walked over to her.

"Relena." He took her hand in his. "I know you have a lot on your mind. I don't know what to do… to make it easier." She smiled, stood up and looked deep in his eyes.

"Just you being here is enough." She rose up on the tips of her toes and kissed him. He kissed back, pulling her closer to pick her up and carry her to their bed where nothing else needed to be said. Afterwards, as he lay holding her and the haze of sleep began to settle in, he kissed her shoulder and pulled her closer.

"Whatever happens, I will protect you." He whispered.

"I know." She craned her neck and he kissed her over her shoulder before they settled in for the night. He fell asleep to the steady rhythm of her breathing.