April 6, A.C. 210

Newport City, Sanc Kingdom

Relena was a hot mess.

At least that's what her friends would call her, if they could see her. After Heero's dramatic exit, she had flung herself onto her bed, sobbing, completely ruining the makeup she had so carefully reapplied. She knew she would have to stop crying and start all over to look presentable for her party, but she just didn't have the heart to put herself back together.

A light knock at the door forced her to pick herself up from her pillows. Relena raised her head and sniffled a timid, "Yes?" She dabbed at her face with a tissue, hoping she didn't look too worse for wear.

The door opened slowly, and Quatre poked his head in. "I'm sorry, Relena, I hate to interrupt when you're getting read- are you all right?" He opened the door fully and stepped in, frowning at her sorry state, quickly shutting the door behind him. He walked gingerly over to her bed and placed a hand on her shoulder, eyes full of concern. "What's wrong? Did something happen?"

Relena nodded, forming a word around the sob that welled up from her throat. "Heero."

"He… oh." Quatre's eyes mirrored his confusion, then slowly changed to understanding. "He was here?"

Relena just nodded again. "I told him about our… engagement."

Quatre's worried look deepened as he kneaded Relena's shoulder in a light massage. "And he didn't take it well," he said simply. Relena shook her head, slowly raising her eyes to her fiancé's face.

"I'm sorry. I know there are people waiting for me, and-"

"It's okay." Quatre pulled her into a hug. "There are only a few guests here, and they're having cocktails and mingling. They probably expect you to make a grand entrance, I'm sure." He pulled back slightly and thumbed at Relena's tears. "Don't worry. Take all the time you need."

Relena tried to smile up at him through her tears. "Thank you for being so sweet."

"Any time." He smiled back reassuringly. "Can I help you with anything?"

"No, I'll be fine," Relena sighed. "Just…" she flushed, turning her face away from her fiancé. She started fingering her duvet nervously, unsure of how to express what she was thinking. Without hurting Quatre's feelings, of course.

"What is it?" Quatre sat down beside her, trying to meet her eyes.

"I… just think maybe we should hold off on making a big announcement tonight. I mean, I'm only having some work colleagues over; maybe we should plan an engagement party for our close friends and families? Maybe for a few weeks from now?" She slowly turned her eyes back to Quatre.

He was frowning, but nodding. "Sure. That makes sense. We can wait." He patted her hand. "Whenever you're ready, Relena."

Relena smiled at him gratefully. "Thank you for understanding."

"Of course." They shared another brief embrace before Quatre broke away. "Well, I'd better let you finish getting ready. If you're feeling up to it?"

"Yes, I am." Relena stood, too, self-consciously straightening the robe she'd secured over her slip. "I'll see you downstairs shortly." She flashed him her most convincing smile.

Heero glared down into his beer mug, wondering how it had gotten so empty so quickly. That seemed to be happening to him a lot lately.

"So who is she?" A husky female voice asked. Heero raised his head to see that it belonged to the dark-haired, well-endowed bartender. She was leaning over the bar, too closely for his liking, and blinking at him expectantly.

"Who?" he answered absentmindedly. Couldn't this woman see that he was in no mood to chat?

"Whoever you're trying to forget." The woman winked at him while leaning forward even more to showcase her ample cleavage. At least the move seemed like it was on purpose. Heero edged his empty mug toward her.

"I'll take another lager."

"Sure thing, sugar." She winked again and took his empty mug, replacing it moments later with one that was frosted, and brimming with dark, foamy beer. Heero grunted a thank you before taking a sip. He expected the bartender to float away to her other customers, but she had an annoying way of lingering. He set the mug down and frowned in her direction.

"What?"

His gruff tone had seemingly no effect on her giggle. "You're cute," she cooed, once again leaning dangerously forward. "Now why don't you tell me all about your little heartache?"

Heero realized he could have lied, easily, and said that he had no heartache, but instead found himself saying, simply, "No," before returning his full attention to his delicious, frosty beverage.

"No?" She placed her hands at her hips, looking at Heero as if he were some alien. "Why not? You know…" She leaned forward again, this time trailing a finger up Heero's arm. "Bet I'd be pretty good at helping you forget…"

"I see." Heero stared back at the woman evenly. "You must have me mistaken for someone who cares to discuss these things."

His words had the effect of whiplash on the woman, who went from leering at him to gasping incredulously before finally snatching his half-empty mug away.

"That was rude." She glared at him while dumping out the contents of his mug in a nearby sink. "What is wrong with you?"

"Hey, I'm a paying customer," Heero pointed out testily. "I'll have another full glass, thank you."

"Oh, no, you won't," the woman laughed. "You're cut off, buddy. Outta my bar."

Heero gaped at her from his stool. It was the second time in as many weeks that a bartender had thrown him out.

"But-" he started.

"Out!" The woman screeched, her face turning an unflattering shade of red. Heero lifted both hands and stepped off the barstool. He was vaguely aware of the disapproving glances other patrons were throwing his way. He threw down a few bills on the bar before staggering outside.

A/N: In honor of Sunday Funday, I couldn't resist posting a short update to this. I'm trying to push my current stories out so I can start sharing what else I've got cooking. It's kind of ridiculous, you guys. I need to be writing paperback romances or something at this point, because my sappy-happy brain is all over the place! Anyway, I hope you are continuing to enjoy this! If so, please leave a comment and let me know! Would you guys have, like, a problem if I start posting some of the other fics I have in the works? Because I have several chapters at the ready... I told you, I have problems. Anyway, let me know if you don't mind the idea of having a few 1xR stories to read at once! Thank you for all your support!

Cheers!

- RFP