A/N: Really long chapter! Please review!
Relena was anxious throughout the day. She thought he would come to her, but she knew she shouldn't expect much. She wouldn't be surprised if he had already left. Her secretary had scheduled a press conference to discuss the incident at the Conference. She sighed at the thought of it. Any moment Lady Une would walk in to escort her and as she thought this, she heard a knock on the door to her office.
"Come in." She called quietly. Just as expected Lady Une stepped in with her usual demeanor. Relena began to get up and shuffle her papers.
"Miss Relena I want to speak to you about something first." Lady Une gave Relena a stare that meant it was important. Relena looked up quizzically expecting her gaze would be enough for the Lady to finish her statement.
"I want to make sure that you are still capable of handling your responsibilities. I also was going to ask Heero to become a personal guard for you, but I wanted to have your consent first." Relena felt her hands begin to shake at the thought and she tried to shake herself back to reality before Une realized. Une's eyes narrowed apprehensively aware of everything.
"I will respect whatever choice you decide to make. Heero is a friend of mine I just hope it wouldn't hinder his own responsibilities." It was a diplomatic response, something she was used to giving. Une watched her for another moment and then stood aside so Relena could pass.
Relena was apprehensive as always. Wufei and Trowa flanked her as they walked up the steps of the building where she would giver her press conference. All around her reporters shoved microphones into her face.
"Miss Relena, do you suspect…"
"What have the Preventors done…"
"…who is behind…" She blocked out their ceaseless questions. Une paid them no mind and neither did her guard. They were focused on her and her safety and nothing more.
She waited next to the podium to be introduced and finally stepped up. Her peripheral vision drifted over the figures to either side of her. Wufei stood on her right hidden in the shadows and Trowa was on her left hidden as well. She took a deep breath and walked to the podium and the throng of people seemed to swarm around her. There were too many questions and her mind jostled around trying to keep track. Finally Lady Une took a step and called for silence and like schoolchildren they all raised their hands. This was an interesting game. While they raised their hands she would look for some of the more interesting faces and call upon them.
One question swirled in her mind after another and she answered diplomatically. Then she saw a shadow off to the side just as she had before.
Heero.
Her mind jumped and her heart throbbed but then she saw his indistinct figure lift a gun and the loud retort echoed against the walls. Screams issued and many of the more sensible had fallen to the floor with their hands covering her head. She stood entranced and looked to where one man in the middle of the room had fallen. The Preventors flanked her on either side and Lady Une was by her side echoing orders and she watched the other Preventors beside the man. People began to file out unevenly through the doors and she was ushered out of the room and back into her limousine under the cover of her guards. When she got there, the familiar form of Heero was waiting inside. He sat waiting patiently his eyes averted from those who entered.
When Lady Une stepped in and seated herself she seemed unsurprised to see him. Wufei and Trowa were of like mind and merely stared into nothingness.
"I accept your proposal." She merely nodded and his eyes flashed towards Relena, his famous death glare gracing her with its presence. She found some comfort in the familiarity of it or maybe it was the fact she would be seeing him a lot more. That comforted her too.
Heero began his guard duties at night and she felt nervous just as she had when the other gundam pilots had begun their guard duties. She preferred them above anyone else, especially a stranger, but because of their friendship with her it made her a little nervous. She had had nothing to fear from them before. They had been kids, the boys still wiry and growing into their figures, but now they were men and she was a woman. She hadn't seen Heero in years. He had changed, physically to say the least. She was apprehensive of him seeing her when she wasn't at her best, but she struggled with her nerves and tried to pretend as if everything was normal.
She prepared for bed and tried to sleep but when she looked at her clock and it was almost three, she sighed and rolled over in her bed. She was restless. She had to do something to set her at ease. For some reason her thoughts lingered to getting some tea. She was warm and comfortable in her bed but the cool feel of the air on her feet made her feel better.
Wrapping her robe around her, she opened her door. There was no one there and she thought it odd. Usually Trowa was outside waiting for her, staying vigil all night. She had to remind herself it was Heero's watch and she unconsciously hugged her robe closer to her. She walked down the stairs and listened to see if she could hear anything. All she could make out was the soft padding of her feet and the swishing of her clothes. The darkness and emptiness of her house suddenly made her feet all alone and she mechanically hugged her robe even tighter to her.
She stepped into her kitchen and put on a small light. She started to warm the water for her tea and felt a sense of relief at it. For some reason she had not wanted to turn on the big lights in case she woke one of the servants. In the time it took the water to heat, she stared into nothingness letting her thoughts cloud over in her mind. Automatically her thoughts went to Heero. There was so much history between them and she was sure she had felt something between them all those years ago but did he feel the same? She wasn't so sure. His feelings were hidden deeply beneath his mask.
"Heero." She whispered.
"You're up late." She jumped at the sound of his voice, her thoughts suddenly interrupted. Heero was standing right in front of her. He was clad in a Preventor uniform but he had taken his jacket off and was just in his shirt and pants. She stared at him fully able to take in his physique. He was still strong and muscular, the evidence of which was evident through the thin shirt. Her mind traced over his form and she felt a longing deep within her. She fought back any sudden thoughts and looked back up to meet his watchful gaze.
He knew she had been studying him. A blush crept up her face and she fought it off. He smirked at her. Memory of what manners were suddenly found her.
"I'm just making some tea." With his arms crossed, he looked stunning in the shadows. They suited him. Maybe it was the mystery that had always drawn her to him but the feeling she thought she had buried long ago arose.
"I see that." He said plainly. She checked the water subtly seeing how ready it was. Suddenly anger began to flood over her. She could risk her life everyday, speak in front of thousands but she could not speak to the only person who had ever mattered. It was a hard fought battle to still that anger, that anxiety for the one person who could unsettle her and calm her all at once.
She remembered so long ago the last words he had said to her.
I don't want to fight anymore. They were the reason she was as she was. She was doing everything in her power to keep him from fighting. Hopefully with nothing to fight for he would come to her.
"Would you like some?" Fighting her thought away, she offered him the tea. The water was hot enough for her liking and she began to pour some into a cup. She had taken out another cup even though he had not given a response to her question. He took the cup when she offered it but he didn't drink it. He just held it.
Millions of questions swarmed through her head. She wanted to know why he had left, what he had been doing, where he had gone. Who, what, when, where, how? She wanted to know everything but it was improper and she knew Heero wouldn't respond anyways, but curiosity got the best of her with at least one question.
"Heero?"
"Hnh?"
"Why did you leave all those years ago?" His gaze looked away from her. She felt her heart beat awaiting an answer. Awaiting an answer she knew would never come.
"You should get some sleep." He didn't move. He wouldn't move until she did. He wouldn't leave her alone, would he?
"Heero?" She wasn't sure if she just missed saying his name or if she was trying to remind herself he was actually there, in her kitchen, right in front of her.
"I never left." He whispered. She felt a shock go through her system. He had always been here. She was sure he meant he had always been near to her. She knew Trowa and Duo had mentioned seeing him. Even Quatre had seen him around. She felt suddenly embarrassed. She was the only one who hadn't seen him. So then why was he avoiding her? Her of all people.
She finished her tea and laid everything down in the sink. She went upstairs without another word and somehow the comfort of his shadow behind her made her feel better. When she was younger she knew he had felt for her and the thought of it had been enlightening. He left her back then too, but only because he was fighting for peace and she knew he would always come back. She wasn't sure if that faith she had in him was still with her or not.
Eventually sleep welcomed her into its embrace and she dreamt silent dreams.
It took a week but she finally managed to wiggle out of all her duties and take a day off to spend with Duo and Hilde. Of all her friends they were the most down to earth and she enjoyed spending time with their children. She hadn't gotten a chance to meet their new baby girl and she was excited. It was almost a reunion of sorts, Trowa and Wufei were going to be with her as always and Quatre had flown in for some political business and had agreed to come by for a visit, even if it was short. Heero was the only one she would have trouble reining in, but it wasn't his shift, yet she wondered if he wanted to come anyways. She decided to leave him to his own decisions.
She had enjoyed having him as a guard and giving Trowa a break. She found herself purposefully staying awake just to spend time with him. She found herself purposefully taking a stroll out in her gardens and letting herself be cold or reading a book into the late hours. It didn't matter, he was there with her. He didn't speak much but his eyes followed her wherever she went. She knew his eyes watched her and when she met his gaze he didn't look away embarrassed. His gaze remained unwavering and she felt herself flattered at his attention. But whether it was attention to safety or if it was just her, she couldn't tell, but she desperately hoped it was the latter.
She let herself be walked to her car so she could drive to Duo's and Hilde's. Excitement was rolling off of her when she got there and Quatre had already arrived. It had been so long since she had seen him.
"Relena!" Hilde ran out to meet her and embraced Relena warmly.
"Oh Hilde, how are you? Where's the baby?" Relena looked around pass Hilde to see if she could see if anyone else was there.
"She's with her father and the twins are running around here somewhere. Poor Quatre has had his hands full for the past few minutes." Hilde gave a giggle and Relena walked past her and her friend became infatuated with Trowa and Wufei. She came in and saw Duo sitting on his couch with his baby nuzzled in his arms with a bottle in his hand. It was such an odd feeling to see the man who had fought for so long who was battle experienced holding a baby and a girl at that. Relena sat beside him suddenly fascinated with the tiny child.
"Relena!" She stood up as Quatre came in from outside with two miniature Duos hanging on his legs.
"Quatre!" She jumped up to embrace him and patted the little trouble makers on the head.
"Duo I would never have believed it until I saw it, but your kids are exactly like you." Duo grinned back at them.
"Don't tell Hilde, but I think they got all their good looks from me." He grinned some more.
"What was that, Duo?" Hilde walked in followed by Trowa and Wufei.
"Nothing Hilde darling."
"Oh I think I hear another car, maybe that's Sally. Oh Quatre, is Dorothy coming?" Quatre looked up at Hilde surprised at the sudden change in subject.
"No she was too busy to make it and sends her regrets." Relena frowned.
"Oh I was hoping to see her." Relena gave a bit of a pout but when the baby gurgled she turned her attention back to the baby.
"Hey Heero, could you help me get the plates out." When the door rang Duo was up and opened the door for Sally. Sally walked in, but Relena hadn't registered her yet. She looked up looking around hurriedly for Heero. She couldn't imagine how she had missed him. He must have gotten to the house before she did. It almost unsettled her, but she saw he was paying her no mind. In fact, he had been standing quietly almost as if he was annoyed at the whole scene but everyone knew he really wasn't. Unlike before, his eyes had not been on Relena instead they were bored and tracing the children around like they were rates. It almost unsettled her. She had gotten so used to his attention that for it to be anywhere else was just odd. Searching her mind she knew she had to change the subject before her obsession became complete.
"So will you all be able to make it to my dinner party next week?" She looked to Quatre first and he grinned.
"I managed to change my plans so I could save the night for your dinner, Miss Relena." She gave him a sweet smile. He always insisted on calling her Miss Relena. It had not been merely so prominent until he started to date Dorothy and then the name just sort of stuck. She turned her gaze on her Preventor friends.
"Don't worry little miss, the Preventors will be double duty that night and we'll be looking pretty sharp too in our tuxedos. Une thinks it will look more professional." Duo offered as he turned his gaze from somewhere other than a drooling baby. She gave a nice smile to Duo and looked over to Hilde and Sally.
"Oh Relena I'm sorry, I wish I could go, but I wasn't able to find a babysitter that night so I'm on mommy duty." Hilde smiled at her as she grabbed one of her boys and wiped their face. It seemed she was always wiping some mess of the boys.
"Sorry Relena I think it's just you and the boys, I'm working double shift in the medical wing that night." Sally was straight forward as she headed over to sit beside Wufei. He grunted and Relena felt privileged to recognize the look of affection that passed between them momentarily. Her guard was left with a slight smile on his usually somber face.
"Well if it pleases you to know Relena, Dorothy will be flying in that morning so expect to see her there." Quatre offered seeing her disappointment at the lack of many of her close friends being unable to come. At the thought of seeing Dorothy again she brightened.
"That is if I can tear her away from your side!" She laughed with everyone else. Heero came to stand within her line of sight and saw a slight smirk on his face.
"Heero, will you be attending?" In a moment of weakness she had to ask him. His eyes met hers.
"I'll be on duty that night." He said in his monotone voice. She felt a sudden relief and she hoped no one else noticed. She turned her attention back to the baby and offered to hold the tiny infant in her arms.
The rest of the night was exhilarating and she felt relieved to drink regular alcohol than the usually exquisite wine often served. It was a relief to be among friends rather than politicians. The dryness of the political world was often so boring it made it hard for Relena to remember why she was even there. But among friends, she could be herself and for once have fun.
The night was relaxing but eventually when Wufei and Sally left with Trowa in tow and Quatre had to leave as well she found the silence uncomfortable. She wobbled a little towards Due and Hilde and they looked at Heero. She had not slept much and was tired. Heero looked at her absently and offered to drive her home.
She felt her weariness coarse in and out of her during the long ride. Somehow she had ended up in the backseat of her car. It wasn't until Heero lifted her up from the car cradling her, she felt suddenly weak and nauseous. As she drifted in and out, her thoughts circled on the only thing she thought of these days.
"Heero." She murmured. After a few moments, her murmurs became unintelligible. Heero carried her swiftly hoping to get her to bed before she passed out.
"Heero." She murmured again.
"Hnh?" He replied. Her murmuring increased but nothing else made sense. He laid her down on her bed. When he touched a hand to her head, her skin felt hot and moist. She was beginning to sweat as fever began to sweep in. Gently and with such ease, he took her shoes off and put her under the covers of her bed. He left her alone for a few minutes before returning with a glass of water to help her keep hydrated.
Reaching for the phone next to her bed, he watched as she started to twist uncomfortably in her bed. He dialed Sally Po's number and had to talk his way through an outrageous Wufei upset at having his sleep disturbed. Finally, he got Sally on the line and she promised to be at the house soon to check on Relena. Heero realized visibly, though he would never have admitted to it, he was nervous.
He wiped the sweat from her brow and his nerves threatened him every time she called his name. She reached out her arms strangely and in no particular direction and he took her hands into his. She seemed to calm instantly and he felt better himself.
Sally was true to her word and she was there within minutes. Heero stayed back and watched Sally anxiously. After a few minutes Sally had finished her examinations.
"She has a fever and is a bit delirious, but it should lift in a few days. Make sure she stays hydrated and I'll leave some medicine to give to her." Heero nodded and took the bottle into his hands.
"I'll come in to look in on her tomorrow." Heero nodded and let her walk herself out. Sally would leave to return home and go to bed. Without another thought the older woman would sleep peacefully but it was not so for Relena.
Relena tossed and turn, she felt hot and cold all at one. Dreams, good and bad circled her memory, plucking from them and confusing them. She felt guns constantly being pointed at her, against her and only one person was standing in the way of them.
Heero.
He was in her dreams too.
She wasn't sure how often she was woken. She heard voices around her. Some of them she recognized others she didn't.
"Lena…she…sleep…" It was Duo's nickname for her. Somehow in the depths of her blurry mind she recognized that. Warm arms carefully wrapped around her. She called out names into the night, but no one came. When she would wake enough to see, there were shadows all around her, terrifying ones. One of them stuffed some nasty liquid down her throat but when she closed her eyes again she slept some more. She wasn't sure how long this lasted but she finally awoke.
Her mind turned and the room spun only for a moment. Her eyes had to focus around the dark room. She felt sore and her stomach rumbled with hunger. She tried to sit up and looked over at her clock. It was early morning and she felt relief it had only been one night. She looked around and saw some bread on a tray beside the bed. She tried to sit up and felt weak and exhausted. Luckily, the bread was just within reach and she nibbled on the hard crust for a while uncertain of what else to do. Everything else had been such a blur she wasn't quite sure what had happened.
The hunk of bread made her feel suddenly better and she looked around some more wondering where everyone was. As if on cue, Wufei walked in and saw she was awake.
"So you finally woke up huh?" Relena looked at the clock again suddenly confused.
"You've been out for over a day. We weren't sure when the fever would lift. Give me a second and I'll go phone Sally." He was gone for only a few minutes and in that time she wondered where Heero was. Heero's vision or voice did not strike a bell in the muddled memories she was still trying to sort through. When she looked at the clock she realized it was his shift and he was not here. Had he really been that disgusted with her that he did not even show up for her shift. Her cheeks became warm and red at the thought as anger began to build up. Wufei was there for her and Heero hadn't been. She felt sick to her stomach just then. Her hunger was overwhelming. Before she could say anything else, Wufei was back with some hot soup.
"Sally will be here soon." He left her alone to eat in peace. Her thoughts circled back to the insensitivity of Heero. She couldn't believe he had left her with everyone else while she was sick. He had always been there for her when she needed him, even if she didn't know she needed him. Why was he not there while she was sick? Was it possible he didn't care for her after all this time?
Sally was there after she had finished her soup and checked up on her. Unfortunately, she decreed she could go back to work in a few days. Relena shook her head and piled out of her bed towards her study room. The piles of paper were staggering and she hadn't started on any. She worked all that day until she felt she could work no more and made sure to get up early the next day.
There were still a lot of preparations to make for her birthday party and everything kept her up well into the early hours of the morning. What was more, she still had to do her political duties as well and they were frustrating. Although Peygan pestered her fiercely to keep eating to regain her strength she still found it hard. She became more disheartening when Heero wasn't her guard for the nights that followed. It had set in her mind then that he no longer cared for her. She wanted to cry and tear up the teddy bear he had given her in pure fury but every time she took it in her arms she felt a sense of calm settle on her. She had loved that bear all these years, it had given her companionship when no one else could. So she stuffed it in a box buried under other boxes in her closet. She didn't want to see it, it only reminded her of pain.
The days passed slowly and terribly. The day of her birthday, she settled into her room and prepared herself. Out of her wardrobe she chose a beautiful dark blue dress, not unlike the one she had wanted to wear to her birthday party all those years ago. Memories of that dance with Heero clouded her. His touch, his voice. So close and near. It didn't matter what he said because in his tone was the inexplicable meaning she desperately wanted to hear now. She had only been in her school uniform but she had felt the most beautiful woman in the room, because he looked at her and no one else. Taking a deep breath, Relena fought back that time.
The anger of his rejection was more than she could handle. She realized all these years, all those suitors she had rejected had all been in earnest. She had been waiting on Heero. For some reason she believed he would be willing to settle down and marry her and be with her for the rest of their lives. What a fool.
He wasn't like that. He was a soldier, the Perfect Soldier. He was too wild and untamed to be turned into a normal person. He would never be normal and she was foolish to have ever expected that of him. It was what had attracted her to him in the first place. Then and there, she was resolved to get over him. He wasn't worth waiting her whole life for, was he?
Her clock wrung the hour and she knew her guests would be arriving soon. She went outside her room and saw Duo, Trowa, and Wufei all dashing in their tuxedos. Smiling at them she walked on to welcome her guests.
Peygan had already let a few guests in and she welcomed them heartily. Before she knew it her house was full of politicians and noblemen. She welcomed them all with a glass of champagne held aloft in hand. She took a few sips every now and then but made sure she didn't let the evening overcome her. Fear of her returning illness and fever warned her not to.
But during one greeting she looked over to the corner of the ballroom and her eyes caught.
"Miss Relena, may I inquire into who you are staring at?" Relena turned to come eye to eye with Dorothy. She hugged her friend warmly and looked back to where she was staring. The young man was still there. He was tall with well groomed blonde hair and a gentle face with delicious brown eyes. He was tall and in the prime of his youth. She felt compelled to him.
"Do you know who that is Dorothy?" Dorothy looked at him too and she saw a twinkle of recognition in her eyes. Leaning in closer, her ever so knowledgeable friend hoped to inform her.
"Yes he is a prominent politician among the colonies. I believe he is an associate of your brother Milliardo. His representative if I'm not mistaken. He's young but he has a voice the people want to listen to. Much like you." Dorothy gave her a knowing look and left her to her own thoughts. Normally Relena would have waited for the man to come to her. But she had never been interested in any man, other than that… Well it didn't matter, she was going to be adventurous for once and went up to talk to him as he finished a conversation with another politician.
"Excuse me, I don't believe we've met. I believe you're an associate of my brother?" Relena cleared her throat giving her hand to the man to welcome. The young man bowed gracefully to her and took her hand into his and kissed it gently. She felt a shock go through her spine.
"Allow me to introduce myself, Miss Peacecraft. My name is Robert Hanson. I am honored to represent Milliardo Peacecraft. He sends his regrets, he had very important matters to attend to that could not be overlooked." His voice was smooth and soft and he was gentle. She smiled to him, completely overlooking the fact her brother made another excuse not to see her. Her mind however fathomed an excuse. Lucrezia was with child and Milliardo obviously did not want to leave her while she was in her delicate condition.
"Don't worry, I am honored to meet you, Mr. Hanson. I have heard you have some interesting political views." She smiled and his eyes twinkled. As he discussed his views she became entranced in his voice. She felt entranced by every word he spoke. It was no wonder the people loved him. A lot of their views were similar and on the ones they differed they spent their time convincing each other with heated discussions. He made her laugh and blush as she hadn't in such a long time. He was perfect.
She let her eyes wander for a moment and cast her eyes on Quatre. He was talking to a man and her eyes became locked. Heero Yuy stepped out of the shadows and her gaze locked with his for a moment. He looked back to Robert whose voice had gotten softer and a bit irritated when he realized she wasn't listening to him. She turned to him her cheeks burning and excused herself.
She went to Quatre's side immediately.
"Relena, I heard you were ill a week ago. You seem to be in fine spirits this evening. So I take it your feeling better?" Quatre was smiling but when he gazed harder at her look and gaze that settled on his conversational partner he paled. Her anger almost seemed to explode when she looked at Heero. But she had to keep her lady-like disguise and buried those feeling deep down, but not deep enough.
"Yes, I believe I had a slight fever, and I'm sure I would have gotten better had my guard that night been more alert to my illness. All I remember was how caring Duo was to me during that time." The bite in her words made Quatre falter, but Heero seemed unconcerned.
"Yes I heard Duo was with you that day, but…" Quatre offered his voice beginning to slightly stutter. If there was anything he did not like it was confrontation. Relena caught her eyes turning slyly to Heero.
"Yes, Duo is a true friend and it is obvious his compassion for me is more than most." Relena cut off her friend hurriedly. Quatre gulped.
"Excuse me Relena, I believe Dorothy is waving me over to her." Quatre managed to slip away as quickly as he dared. She was left all alone with Heero and she gave him the most evil look she could muster.
"Relena…" He tried.
"No Heero. I relieve you from your duties. I never want to see you around me ever again." She turned away from him angrily and left to return to Robert Hanson's side. The young politician was pleased to have her return to his good graces and she made it appoint to seem pleased and infatuated with his attention.
She giggled and laughed all through the night with her handsome escort. At one point, he looked over to Dorothy and motioned towards her. Dorothy stood across the room with the figures of three men around her.
"I saw you talking to that young woman over there. I believe I haven't had the privilege of introductions. Would you?" Relena gazed in the direction of his hand, but when she looked over she saw Heero beside Dorothy. When her gaze darkened for a moment, she saw the other figures of Duo and Quatre and it caused her heart to lighten at for a moment. As they walked over another politician took Robert's attention and she proceeded over to the group without him. On cue, Heero excused himself and walked away. Dorothy saw the way Quatre's face colored and looked to Relena.
"What was that about Miss Relena?" Dorothy eyed her suspiciously. Quatre looked away embarrassed but Relena's anger burned.
"I have released Heero from his position. It seems he has not taken his duties seriously enough for me to keep him on staff." She watched Duo's brows furrow in confusion.
"Lena, what do you mean by that. If you're talking about the last couple of days, he had been assigned to a mission…"
"No I mean his lack of protection during my illness. I don't remember him being near me at all. When I awoke he had left earlier on his shift and left Wufei by himself. I consider that a lack of responsibility." Duo grinned and laughed. Dorothy watched this with amusement and Quatre in complete confusion.
"Girl, have you got it all wrong. Heero was beside your bed the whole time. He wouldn't sleep or eat. Une sent him away on a wild goose chase o a mission just to make him get some rest." Duo almost seemed to grin at the memory. Her eyes went wide with realization.
"You mean that wasn't you who was with me? But I heard your voice and I…" She choked on her words. Duo was laughing.
"I believe anyone could hear that voice from miles away." Dorothy's curt opinion cut through her and she looked around hurriedly to find Heero and apologize. Before she could she found herself in the arms of Robert once again.
"Miss Relena it really is a beautiful night. Care to take a turn in the gardens with me?" She tried to push him aside and looked over and saw Heero leaving the ballroom to go outside.
"I'm sorry, I'm a little busy…"
"Oh please Miss Relena, I won't take no for an answer. Allow me the pleasure of your company?" He took her in arm before she could stop him and swept her towards the gardens. Sighing to herself, she realized how stupid she had been to throw all of her attention at the man. Now he would assume her complete cooperation. No one else seemed to be about and she kept looking hurriedly around her to find Heero.
"You know, your eyes sparkle like the stars and you look more magnificent than any other Queen of the World before you." He grinned mischievously and put a finger to her chin and lifted it up. He bent in slowly and she turned hurriedly away.
"Please, I must…" His hands grabbed tighter around her waist in a firmer grip. She turned to him surprised at the look he began to give her. His grip tightened as his features turned from happy to forceful and hard.
"Excuse me, I don't appreciate…" She whispered, fear beginning to cloud her judgment. He put his lips forcefully to her and she pushed him away her eyes wide in horror ad disgust.
"Mr. Hanson! Please…" Her voice failed again as his hands fumbled about her form and then the feel of something firm against her stomach made her gasp. She looked down and saw the glint of metal. Her fingers became cold and she stood up straighter clearing her throat.
"I do believe you will listen to me now Miss Peacecraft. You stand in the way of nobility and justice. The colonies should be punished due to their indiscretions against the nobler blood. I thought you of all people should understand that and instead you horrified everyone and took the colonies side. You traitor." His voice beat against her ears and she felt her heart begin to beat faster and more wildly. If it was possible her eyes widened even more. The safety on the gun was unlocked and she gulped and then she saw the man freeze.
"Drop the gun." Another voice chimed in and relief instantly flooded over her. Looking sideways she matched the voice to the man. Heero stood there with his gun already at Robert's temple.
"You realize I could kill her any moment?" Robert offered evilly hoping it would sway the man who now held his life. Relena almost laughed. After all the times Heero had tried to kill her himself he was actually going to stop it.
"Do you really want to find out who is the faster killer?" Heero's voice was smooth, unwavering. There was not an ounce of fear or worry in it. It was enough to made Robert stiffen the slightest bit, but his gun drove closer into her flesh.
"Either way she will die. Are you willing to risk her?" Her captor whispered. She looked to Heero and knew she would never get out of this unless she made a move on her own. Moving her right hand slightly she tried to face the back of it to the other side of the gun. Quicker than she thought possible she backhanded the gun sideways. She heard it retort and gasped. Everything was quiet for a moment and she lifted her head from the floor and looked around. For some reason she had expected a sudden pain to overwhelm her but there was none.
"Heero?" She whispered. He was beside her in a moment and she looked over to where Robert Hanson lay dead in a pool of red blood. By that time the rest of the party had made its way outside and the Preventors were hurriedly ushering the guests out and to their cars. Within minutes everyone had left and Wufei was shouting orders. Heero didn't mind them instead he went over and helped her up from the ground.
"Come on." He took her by the arm rather gently and they traveled upstairs to her bedroom.
"Heero, please I want to apologize. I was wrong to assume you hadn't done anything for me, while I was sick. And I wanted to thank you, again." She looked at him and he was smiling, one of those rare smiles. She smiled back despite herself.
Everything was quiet and they just stared at each other and then he moved in closer to her his head almost touching her and his lips grazed hers. She felt her heart jump and on impulse she pushed herself deeper into his embrace.
He was so warm and loving and they remained like that for a while. His kisses became more urgent and his hands more adventurous. She welcomed him, yearned for him, and felt herself overcome with passion.