Chapter 2

"Okay. spill," Dorothy pestered as she followed Relena into the dorm.

"I wish you would just leave me alone." Relena could barely breathe. All of the pain… the confusion… of the past and the present mixed and coursed through her being all at once. She didn't know if she should shout out in anger... or sob uncontrollably...

"No." Dotothy persisted. "A sexy stranger kisses you and you smack him and storm off! There has to be a story here."

"I don't want to talk about it." Couldn't, would be the more appropriate term. Her throat was tight and burned with unexpressed grief.

"Well, tough shit." Dorothy walked around and forced her to look at her. "You're going to tell me why you ran away from Mr. Sexy Repairman back there or I will keep bugging you until you do." Relena groaned in irritated defeat.

"Fine. His name is Heero Yuy… and he was my first love…"

"You clumsy brat!" Her father's hand hit her so hard she fell to the floor. "That will teach you to spill my coffee!"

"I-I'm sorry father!"

"If it weren't for your mother…" She got to her feet and ran. "Relena! Get back here!"

She ran and ran. The night was cold; the dew on the grass soaking through her shoes and the chill of the air easily penetrating the thin fabric of her satin pink dress. Tears streamed down her face as she tried to forget her father's harsh words. She wasn't watching where she was going and had no idea how long she had been running but somehow she ended up at the playground… their playground. She hid under the jungle gym, knees pulled to her chest as she sobbed. It wasn't the first time her father had yelled at her but it was the first time he had actually hit her.

"Relena?" She looked up and saw him, deep blue eyes staring into hers.

"H-Heero?" He nodded. "What are… are you doing here…?" She tried not to sob. She hated crying in front of anyone ever since her brother told her that strong people never cry.

"I could ask you the same question." He answered and crawled under to sit next to her. "Girls shouldn't be out at night by themselves." In spite of herself, she crossed her arms over her chest and huffed.

"I can take care of myself just fine!" She didn't look at him. Her cheek still throbbed from her father's hand…

"I know." His response surprised her. She looked at him, her tears forgotten.

"You do?" He nodded.

"You stood in front of Duo and dared him to shoot you. That took guts." She felt her cheeks heat.

"B-but… You shielded me! You're braver than I am." He shook his head.

"Not really." He smirked, eyes shining in the dim light from the moon. "You were willing to let him soak you. For me…" She looked down at her knees, feeling embarrassed.

"I… I guess I was." She smiled and he looked at her, his brows suddenly knit in concern…

"Your cheek…" He reached out. She pulled away, turning her cheek from him.

"It's nothing…"

"Who hit you?"

"N-no one!" She felt the tears coming again, fought them as hard as she could...

"Relena…" He shifted toward her. "Is… is that why you're out here… so late…?" Defeated, the tears fell as she lowered her head to hide her face and cry. He reached over and placed his hands on her shoulders to get her attention. She raised her head and looked at him.

"I don't know what happened…" He wiped the tears from her cheeks… "but from now on, I'll protect you. So you don't have to cry anymore."

"Heero…" She smiled and slid closer to him. It was unclear how long they sat like that, but she had fallen asleep, her head on his shoulder... It was when she heard her brother call her name; worried and fast that she stirred. Heero looked down at her and she blushed, realizing she'd been with him all this time.

"I have to go." She pulled away and he watched her, eyes unreadable… Before he could move or she could think about it twice, she leaned in and placed a quick kiss on his cheek. "Thank you, Heero…" She ran to the worried arms of her brother… her heart racing and lips tingling…

"Even back then, I knew I loved him..." She sat down on her bed, her heart sinking as her mind went forcefully down memory lane. "He was my protector… my best friend… and eventually so much more…"

"But why the slap? I would think you'd be ecstatic to see him again!" Dorothy pressed, sitting in one of the desk chairs. "What happened to your fairytale romance?"

"My father didn't approve of him. He tried to bribe Heero, to convince him to leave me, but he wouldn't… or so I thought…" She wrapped her arms around herself.

"It was always about the money. He never wanted you."

"You don't know anything about him!"

"I know he took the money I offered him to leave town!"

"No… he… he wouldn't…"

"I offered him a million dollars to skip town and never contact you again… Apparently, he had no problem with that."

"No…"

"I'm so sorry, Relena…" Her father walked closer; tried to wrap his arm around her shoulders. She stepped away and broke into a run. She ran until she reached their spot… their jungle gym… She curled up at the base, pulled her legs up to her chest as the tears began to fall...

'Heero…'

"He proved how wrong I was when he disappeared from my life..." She stood and walked to the dorm window. Part of her hoped to see him out there, the other part dreaded it.

"He may have had a good reason… This could be your chance to find out…"

"The money he took from my father was reason enough, I'm sure!" She declared and turned to her friend. "And I buried my feelings for him… the memories, long ago! I moved on! I'm sure he has too!"

"His kiss would suggest otherwise." Relena groaned as the memory of his lips on hers caused a deep blush… His hot, sweaty, toned chest pressed against her… strong arms around her...

"Dorothy, I-" The door opening interrupted her. Hilde walked in, body posture slumped, muscles tense, guilt in her eyes as she offered an awkward smile.

"Look what followed me home, roomies!" She stepped to the side. Heero stood just behind her, his face expressionless, but his eyes… The amount of raw emotions she saw in his deep blue pools literally made her breath hitch and take a step back…

"Relena…" He spoke her name as before but this time… this time she heard sorrow… and… desperation?

"Heero…"

A moment felt like a small eternity before Dorothy cleared her throat and pushed her way passed to grab Hilde's arm.

"Hilde and I are going to get some frappuccinos…"

"We are..? Oh… yeah…" The two continued on and the door closed behind them, leaving her alone… with him...

"What are you doing here?" Her tone wasn't angry… just confused… and irritated? Heero allowed himself to get a good look at her. She was just as beautiful as he remembered: honey-colored hair, pale skin kissed by the recent increase in sunshine, and aqua eyes as deep and expressive as always. He felt his throat constrict, it suddenly reminded him of how thirsty he was... Or maybe it was nerves…? Why was his head still pounding…?

"I'm a student here."

"I meant what are you doing here," She motioned around the room. "In my dorm."

"We need to talk."

"There is nothing to discuss."

"We both know that's not true."

"You have no right to come up here uninvited-"

"I was invited."

"Not by me."

"No, but that hardly changes the fact that I am here."

"Well, the person who invited you no longer is. I think you should follow her example."

"Really?" He took a step toward her and saw her take a step back.

"I'm sure you need to get back to work anyway."

"Back to work?" He took another step closer but his balance seemed to waver… for a moment, his head swam but he tried to focus…

"Heero? Are you ok?" Concern. She was worried.

"I'm... fine…" He tried to walk and wavered again… He had heat stroke… 'Hell of a time for this…'

"No, you're not…" She reached out a hand and pressed the back of it to his forehead… Her skin was so cool… refreshing… He felt a jolt of electricity shoot through him as his mind forced him to remember that night so many years ago…

"You're burning up!" Her concerned words broke through his fevered memory. She grabbed the desk chair and brought it over. "Sit!" He was in no condition to argue.

She walked over to the mini fridge and pulled out a bottle of water. She poured half on a rag and handed him both. He took a drink… and couldn't stop guzzling.

"Not so fast!" She cried out and grabbed his wrist to stop him. "I know you're thirsty but if you drink that cold water too quickly, you'll get worse!" His head throbbed. Maybe she had a point…

"You should have been more careful! You should have prepared for the weather better."

"It was cool when I started this morning." He pressed the cold rag to his forehead. "I didn't consider the heat index in November…" She seemed to understand as she looked down… An awkward silence settled between them.

"What were you doing up there? Repairing the roof?" She fidgetted with her fingers. She was nervous. Maybe her heart was beating as furiously as his own. He could still feel his lips tingling from the kiss… feel her body against his… It had been so long… so long since he'd seen her… since they'd touched… He felt light-headed again… Probably just the heat sickness...

The rain fell hard and fast in a sudden torrential downpour that rudely interrupted their walk. It had been such a beautiful day: perfect temperature, overcast but not gloomy. They had a picnic lunch of fast food from the local mom and pops and sat together at their play gym. Their relationship was not overly expressive; no grand gestures or public displays of affection. Just the two of them, together, in their own little world.

When the rain came, they ran to the pavilion across the playground, hand in hand as they laughed.

"You're soaked." He stated, and she laughed.

"Thank you for stating the obvious, Sherlock!" She giggled. "So are you!" He saw her shiver.

"At least I had enough sense to bring a jacket." He smirked as an indignant look crossed her features.

"It wasn't supposed to rain!" She shivered again and he took off the jacket, stepped forward and placed it on her shoulders.

"Here." He rubbed her arms to try and expedite the warming process

"But what about you?" He shrugged.

"I'll survive." She frowned. "Besides," he reached one hand out and caressed her cheek. She leaned into his touch. "I said I would always protect you."

"Heero… I..." There was a look in her eyes: a dreamy look, soft… tender… He leaned forward and touched his lips to hers in their first kiss… Lightning coursed through his veins and into his heart. It was a short kiss and a deep blush overtook her fair features. She looked beautiful.

"Relena…?" He stared into her eyes and caressed her cheek as the rain fell violently around the pavilion. Time seemed to stand still for them. He leaned in and kissed her again, gently at first. At some point, his tongue found hers as her hands locked behind his neck; his on her hips. When they pulled apart, gasping for air, he leaned down and forward, resting his forehead on hers…

"I love you, Heero…" She whispered this so softly that he was almost certain he'd imagined it… She looked up into his eyes and he knew. The look in her eyes spoke truth to her words. He tucked a stray strand of wet hair behind her ear.

"I… love you too…" Her lips blossomed into a smile. He leaned forward and claimed them for another kiss, pulling her close as they disappeared deeper into that world all their own…

"I was Weather proofing. It's supposed to get bad."

"I heard…" Her voice was faltering... "This hot weather is a freak accident."

"Like seeing me again?" She froze, eyes wide.

"I didn't say that."

"You didn't have to."

"Well-"

"Relena, we have to talk about what happened-"

"As I said, there is nothing to talk about." She was dodging the issue, but he couldn't let her.

"Yes there is."

"I don't think so." She was on the defensive; she crossed her arms. "Not now. Not after five years!"

"Relena-"

"No!" He was getting frustrated now. He had to get her to hear him out. She had to know… He had to get her to understand… He stood up, his head swam again, but he didn't care.

"Relena! Please. Listen-"

"No, Heero!" He couldn't take it any longer.

"I didn't abandon you!" Her eyes widened as they shot to meet his.

"What?"

"I didn't abandon you…" He stepped toward her, slowly, reaching for her hand, afraid to spook her. "I know that's what you thought... What you still think. But I didn't... I couldn't…" His fingers nearly touched her cheek when she pulled away and shook her head.

"It doesn't matter." She turned her back to him, arms crossed over her chest. The despair in her voice gripped his heart like a vice. He reached for her again, gently resting his hands on her shoulders.

"Yes it does!" He turned her, slowly, to face him. "It matters…. You matter… to me…"

"I know I mattered to you. I was worth about a million dollars to you if I remember correctly?"

"What?"

"I know he paid you off Heero." His head was still swimming, but this time with frustration. "Did you disappear the same day or did you wait around to count it?"

"The only thing your father paid for was putting me in the hospital!" He yelled back at her. Her eyes widened, brows knitting.

"What?"

"I was on my way..."

The sounds of drunken snoring roared through the house as Heero quietly left through the front door. His father had passed out on the couch again. 'Good riddance,' He didn't have time to think about what his father would say when he woke up to find his meal ticket and the main source of income was gone. He had to get to the bus stop. His backpack was all he had from that life… And no one would miss him. His future was on his uncle's farm… with her…

He made his way down the walk as fast as he could. It was raining ,but that wouldn't be a problem. He smiled, hoping she had the good sense to wear a jacket for once… He knew a shortcut that would lead right to the bus and to her. As he rounded the corner, however, he found five men in all black waiting for him. He probably could have taken most of them in an honest fight, but he was in a hurry and he was outnumbered. He turned around to head the other way. five more men waited behind him, also in black.

"You Heero Yuy?"

"Who wants to know?"

"Mr. Darlian sends his regards."

That's when the first punch flew. He dodged one just to receive another. He caught one of the men's arms and heard a satisfying twist as he jumped out of the way of another attack. There were too many. For every one hit he blocked three more landed true. One fist took out the vision in his right eye, another hit him in the back of his skull so hard he saw spots…

'Relena…'

He kept fighting. Every bone in his body hurt. Every muscle cried out. But he kept fighting. He knew he took down at least three or four before a fist to his kidney sent him to his knees. The punishment didn't stop. They kicked him; picked him up and held him still to continue their brutal onslaught.

"Enough. I wanted to send a message, not kill him!"

"I was jumped… left for dead."

"Oh… Oh my… my god! How-how could he…?"

"When I woke up three weeks later, you were gone!"

"Did… did you look for me?"

"I tried. Your father-"

"Step father."

"What?"

"He's my step father. He married my mother when my real father died in a car wreck. He legally adopted my brother and I… changed our names… but I changed it back. I'm Relena Peacecraft again." He could hear the regret in her voice but what exactly for he couldn't tell.

"That's why I couldn't find you…"

"Part of it, probably, but I'll wager he didn't make it easy on you either."

"It was nearly impossible. He said I could never deserve you…" He looked down, fists clenched.

"How" kick. "many" kick. "times." Kick. "do I have" kick. "to tell you?!"

A final, solid kick landed in his gut. Pain surged through his body. He could barely think. He tried to get to his feet, but everything hurt... How many of them had jumped him?

"You will never be good enough for her. Never." Her father's voice was cold and cruel as he stared down at him...eyes cold as steel… it was the last thing he saw before his world went black...

"I joined the military to pay for college. When I got out, I heard you had gotten married!"

"Married?" Her eyes widened in shock and he nodded.

"So I gave up. I enrolled in college to make something of myself… and now I've found you… and… you're not...?"

"No. I'm not married." She sighed. "Disinherited and working on my degree, but… not married." Heero sighed, relieved, and felt the vice that gripped his heart long ago loosen a little.

"But… he told me you left…" Heero walked closer, trying to use his eyes to convey his thoughts. "And said he offered you a deal and you took it… I should have known… you never… never would have abandoned me…"

"Relena" He closed the final distance between them and pulled her to him, arms wrapping around her waist. She snuggled into him, burying her face into his naked chest...

"All this time…" she whispered. "We've lost so much time... because of him."

"Then let's not lose any more…" He pulled back and, with a tender finger. Lifted her chin to look in her eyes. He caressed her cheek and leaned down and in, claiming her lips with his own...