The Bounty

Part 2: Relena Darlian - Financial Criminal

A\N: I had intended for this to be a two parter, but that's not gonna happen. It's already too long. So I think I've got it figured out from here on out. Sorry it took so long!

Also, I have added some ways to follow me outside of , including twitter and my blog. Check it out if you are so inclined. I am hoping to be able to communicate with fans through twitter, so that if I'm slacking, I can tell you why. :-)

-/-\-

Relena woke up to an empty bed. She wasn't surprised. Heero had some misplaced chivalry he was clinging to, something Relena found slightly annoying. Relena sighed, feeling post-coiltal contentment for the first time in her life. She stretched, bending her body like a cat. She rose from the bed and found her cell phone, which was still tucked away in her purse. As she scrolled through her contacts while she crossed the room to her laptop and sat down. She pressed the dial button on her old friend and stock broker, Dorothy Catalonia.

"Dove, it's been a while," the velvety voice said on the other end.

"Hello Raven," Relena said. "I need a favor."

"I don't have any tips right now."

"Not that."

"And I'm not killing anyone again. Last time was too close," Dorothy said.

"Not that either. I need you to look into someone for me."

"Ah. Name?"

"Heero Yuy." There was silence on the line as Dorothy searched for 'Heero Yuy.'

"He's twenty-six. Born and raised in New York City. Spent some time in college, then attended a police academy. His current job shows as a 'contractor.'"

"Who's he a contractor for?" Relena asked, turning on her own laptop and leaning back in her chair.

"Uh... the New York Police Department," Dorothy replied after a moment.

"That's weird," Relena commented.

"He's been a 'contractor' for them ever since he graduated from the police academy."

"Are there any addresses?"

"An apartment- nothing special. His work is listed as a small room in an out of the way office building, the kind of place where you pay cheap rent for a five-hundred square foot room with a door."

"Nothing about Winner Mining?"

"Nope."

"Well he lied about that then," Relena commented. She connected her laptop to her cell phone wireless access point and logged into her email.

"Why are you so interested in him?" Dorothy asked.

"Well, I just slept with him," Relena replied.

"Nice work."

"I was feeling icky after only having John," Relena said.

"Naturally. I'm surprised you didn't move on sooner."

"Well, thanks for the help. Call me when you've got something good."

"I always do," Dorothy said. "And just remember, no more killings."

"I'll remember." Relena hung up her phone and tossed it on her small desk. There were several emails from her website, more people interested in "research." The people who signed up for the website always got something they weren't expecting, but Relena didn't expect that they were too upset. A bunch of old businessmen looking for a one up on their competition? No, they would find something much more interesting. It was something Relena learned from John, after she hacked his computer and found his rather dirty internet browsing history. It wasn't like it was illegal, but it kept away the lawsuits for underage kids getting onto the site. The credit card and the boring introduction helped steer those kids clear of her site. But the old men? Oh, they were willing to pay nearly any amount for a chance to watch.

Sometimes Relena questioned her own morality when she updated that website. Was it right to exploit her own gender in such a way? They were always willing, of course, for the paycheck. Besides, a part of Relena didn't care. After she found out what John had been during their 'intimate relations,' she's grown to detest most humans. And there would always be that invisible scar on Relena, the one that always knew that out there on the internet, were videos of her having relations with her seventy year old husband, under the pseudonym, "Lovely Dove." It made her sick to think about.

Relena ignored the new requests for access to the site and closed her laptop. She always felt like she needed a drink after her thoughts made a dark turn to the past.

She dressed in the clothes she'd been wearing earlier and went above deck. Across the docks, Charles from the Knot Big Enuff was on his deck, grilling. His wife Arlene was setting out dishes on the little table.

"Miss Relena!" Charles called, waving his spatula. "Come on over and have a bite!" Relena smiled and stepped up on his yacht. Arlene greeted her with a kiss on the cheek. Charles popped the cap off a bottle of beer and passed it to her, and Relena took a seat on one of the cushioned chairs.

"Who was that handsome man that left the Dove?" Arlene asked, leaning close to her ear.

"Heero Yuy. I met him up at Richard's." Arlene grinned.

"He's very good looking." she said.

"Yes he is," Relena sighed wistfully, then took a sip of her beer.

"He looked a little flushed when he left," Arlene said, taking a seat beside Relena, who glanced at the older woman. "I've been around long enough, honey. I know love when I see it."

"I've only just met him," Relena countered.

"But you had sex with him," Arlene retorted. Relena looked at her, as though to ask how the hell she knew that. "I've seen that flush many times before," Arlene added, gesturing to her husband.

"Well, like you said, Arlene, he's really good looking." Arlene let out a loud laugh.

"You always win these discussions, Relena," she laughed. "But I wasn't joking. There is more going on here than meets the eye. I have a feeling you shouldn't let this boy go."

"Oh Arlene, you and your feelings," Relena said, gazing off towards the horizon, thinking of Heero and the gentle way he'd made love to her.

-/-\-

Relena woke up the next morning feeling chilled. She wrapped her blankets around her body and got up from her bed. She'd left a window open during the night, and it looked like a storm might be rolling in. Relena used her phone to check the weather report, and sure enough, there was a thunderstorm predicted for the day. The storm clouds were already rolling in over the land, swelling and growing by the minute. Relena dressed quickly and began prepping the Dove for the storm. She saw several of her neighbors outside, doing the same.

When she finished, she wasn't in the mood to ride out the storm on the water, and headed up to land. As she walked, she decided to take a shot in the dark. She was nearing the main drag when the first spatterings of rain began to fall from the sky. Relena picked up the pace and turned in the direction of the hotel that Heero had told her he was staying at. Relena wondered mildly if he'd been lying about that as well, but she didn't think so. It took her a few minutes to get to the hotel, and by the time she arrived, she was already soaked. Relena walked into the lobby of the hotel and approached the front desk. The woman looked at her.

"May I help you?" she asked.

"I'm looking for someone who is staying here. He forgot to tell me his room number," Relena explained, a little white lie.

"Name?"

"Heero Yuy." Relena shivered and rubbed her arms with her hands. She could hear the rain lashing against the building and the low distant rumblings of thunder.

"Room six-fourteen," the woman behind the desk said after a moment. Relena thanked her and walked to the elevators. She took one up to the sixth floor, then wandered, looking for his room. She finally found, and knocked on the door.

When the door opened, Heero was standing on the other side, wearing only a pair of jeans. His hair looked damp.

"Relena!" he said, surprised. His face went instantly red.

"Hi Heero," she said sweetly.

"Can I help you with something?" he asked.

"That storm came in pretty quickly, and I kind of hoped you let me wait it out here with you," she said. Heero shrugged his muscular shoulders.

"Sure," he said, taking a step to the side and letting her in. "You are all wet," he commented, then reached out to touch her arm. "And you're freezing!" He took her hand and pulled her into the room, allowing the door to slam closed behind them.

Relena was surprised at the neatness of his hotel room. She watched him as he opened a drawer and pulled out a pair of flannel pajama pants and a t-shirt.

"Here. Put these on and lay out your clothes to dry," he said. Relena smiled and took the clothes. She disappeared into the bathroom and closed the door. She peeled off her wet jeans and shirt, and pulled on Heero's clothes. They were soft and smelled faintly like him. Despite herself, Relena smiled and hugged herself around the waist, feeling comfortable in his clothes. She tossed her wet clothes over the shower curtain rod and exited the bathroom.

Heero was sitting on the edge of his bed, his laptop balanced on his knees. When she entered into the main area of the room, he looked up at her, closed the lid and set the laptop aside.

"Sorry, they're a little big on you," he said. Relena shrugged her shoulders.

"I don't mind." Relena looked around the room. "This is a pretty nice place," she commented mildly, wandering around. She could feel Heero's eyes on her.

"Did you really just come up here because of the storm?" he asked after a moment. Relena cracked a half smile and turned towards him.

"I don't always go chasing after boys I just met," she said. Heero's face did not show a reaction, but she could see something in his eyes, but the exact nature of what he was thinking eluded her. "Besides, you're up here all by yourself. Aren't you the least bit lonely?" she asked.

"I'm used to it," he said, his voice dripping with honesty. Relena hadn't expected that. She stopped her pacing and stared at him. She could see his profile from her place in the room. He was looking down at the floor, his hair falling over his eyes, still a little damp from a shower or from standing in the rain. His lips were turned down in a frown. For some reason, unbeknownst to her, Relena couldn't stand to see such a sad expression on his face. She stepped to his side and picked up his hand between hers.

"Don't look so sad," she said quietly. Heero turned to look at her, his eyes boring into hers. Relena lifted his hand to her cheek and placed his palm against it, leaning into his hand at the same time. "Smile. You look much better when you smile." A smile flashed across his lips for a moment.

"Have you eaten breakfast yet?" he asked. Relena shook her head. Heero took his hand away from her and stood up, walking towards the room phone. He dialed down to order room service, and Relena listened while he ordered a variety of foods. Finally, he set the phone back down and turned to her. "It'll be up in a few minutes." Relena nodded with a smile. She began to wander the room again, feeling restless. She could still feel him following her with her eyes. She made a mental note to herself not to make any sudden movements. Who knew what that police academy training taught him?

"So..." she said, running her hands over the dresser.

"So," Heero repeated. He took several long strides across the room and stopped in front of her. He captured her in his arms and looked down at her face. "Did you know that you are too beautiful for your own good?" he asked, his eyes blazing. One hand moved to her waist and slid up the loose shirt she wore, to rest on her lower back. Relena stared back at him, meeting the challenge posed by his eyes.

"Some have told me that," she said with a grin. Heero looked like he was going to kiss her, but he abruptly released her. Relena stared after him as he sat back down on the bed, leaning up against the headboard and picking up a book from the nightstand. Relena planted her hands against her hips. A loud crack of thunder rattled the room, causing her to lose her composure for a moment. Heero looked up at her when she shrieked. With a huff, Relena replaced her hands on her hips.

"You can't just say something like that and walk away, Heero Yuy," she said. Heero didn't look up from his book. "What are you so afraid of?" Heero lay his book down across his legs and looked at her. "It's not like I'm some innocent who doesn't know what she's doing! I've known what I've been doing since I was seventeen!" she said, feeling her voice rise with frustration.

"What have you been doing since you were seventeen?" came the question. His face remained impassive. Relena swallowed hard and dropped her hands to her sides.

"Things," she replied haughtily. "But I'm not seventeen anymore. And besides, you already had-"

"You asked to have me. You didn't ask to keep me," Heero commented. Relena pursed her lips together.

"You are insufferable," she declared. To her surprise, Heero let out a small chuckle. At that moment, there came a knock at the door. Heero rose and brushed past her to opened the door. A cart was rolled into the room, then the busboy disappeared.

"And you anger too easily, Miss Darlian," Heero said. He gestured to the spread. "Eat."

Soon, the food was gone and the storm had passed. Heero and Relena sat out on the balcony, watching the clouds roll away into the distance, and the tourists begin to emerge from their hotels. The sun shone down through the last of the rain, creating a humid haze over the island. Relena twisted her hair around and piled it up on her head, holding it in place with her hand. Her hair had begun to dry after the storm soaking, but with the humid, it was turning into a frizzy mess. She fanned the back of her neck with her other hand. She glanced at Heero out of the corner of her eyes, but he was staring off into the distance. Relena tilted her head and observed his profile in the sun. She thought he really was quite attractive. As she stared, Heero turned and looked at her.

"Yes?" Relena turned her head away.

"Nothing." A cell phone began to ring. Heero pulled the device from his pocket and answered the phone, rising at the same time to step into the hotel room. He closed the door behind him. Relena watched him through the glass. The person he was talking to was making him smirk. Relena turned away and looked back over the island. The wind from the storm had ripped a few branches off trees and scattered them around, but the groundskeepers were already walking around, picking them up and throwing them into wheelbarrows. As she watched them, her own cell phone rang. She answered.

"Raven."

"Hello Dove. How are you?"

"I'm fine. I'm at Heero's hotel room," Relena said, standing up from the chair to pace.

"Did you sleep with him again?" Dorothy asked.

"No," Relena said. "He hasn't made a move."

"Then make one," Dorothy replied.

"I don't know. He doesn't seem into it," Relena said. Dorothy sighed.

"Well as much as I love hearing about your love problems, that's not why I called. A tip came in," Dorothy said, her tone of voice switching to business.

"Is it a good one?" Relena asked.

"I'd say it is. Some minor software company is about to be gobbled up by a giant, but they haven't made that information, ya know, public yet. If you authorize me to buy the stock of this software company, then you could make five digits once the acquisition happens. They're going to buy out all the shares of issued stock," Dorothy explained. Relena pressed a finger to her chin and thought about it for a moment.

"Sounds fine. Go ahead," Relena said. "Keep me updated on that."

"Always do. And my usual cut?"

"Of course, Raven," Relena said with a smile.

"Perfect. Talk to you soon." The connection was cut. Relena replaced her phone in the pockets of Heero's pajama pants and sat back down. Heero slid the door open and stepped out onto the balcony. He smiled at her, and she narrowed her eyes, suspicious.

"Do you have plans for tonight?" he asked. Relena shrugged her shoulders, her lips sliding into a half grin.

"Depends, what are you proposing?"

"An old college buddy is on the island with his wife. They wondered if we wanted to meet up with them later," Heero said.

"They know about me?" Relena asked, not knowing whether to feel flattered or weirded out.

"Well, he was going to invite just me, but I said I had company," Heero said.

"Sure, sounds fun," she said. Heero grinned and nodded. "I'll need to go get some clean clothes though," she said. Heero nodded, understanding, but a slight grin still graced his lips.

"You don't want to go out like that?" he asked. Relena stuck her tongue out at him.

"No thank you."

Relena managed to squeeze into her still-wet jeans and pulled her shirt back on. Together, they walked back to the marina so Relena could change into dry clothes once again. Heero waited above deck, and Relena saw, before going below deck, Arlene walk up to Heero and start to chat him up. Relena shook her head and headed back down to change.

When she came back up, Heero was still walking to Arlene. He hadn't noticed that she'd come out of the boat, so she stood and watched as Heero tried in vain to answer every question that the woman posed to him. Relena couldn't help the smile that passed over her lips as she watched. Relena had an involuntary thought about her and Heero sailing the seas, stopping at different ports and exploring as many coastal towns as they could.

She suddenly felt disgusted with herself. She shook the thought away, but it continued to nag at her mind. FInally, she decided to rescue Heero from Arlene and try to get her mind off a future she knew would never happen.

"Stop torturing the poor boy," Relena called, stepping onto the dock from the Dove. Arlene grinned mischievously at Relena, then held her hand out to Heero.

"It was a pleasure, Mr. Yuy," she said. Heero shook her hand and smiled, an adorably cute expression of confusion on his face. Relena mentally slapped herself. Stop thinking like that, she scolded herself. She stepped up beside Heero and slipped her hand through his arm and rested it on the crook of his elbow. He looked down at her and gave her a small smile.

"Ready?" Heero asked. Relena nodded, and the two set off.

-/-\-

Relena never had a problem holding her vodka, but rum was another story. And tequila. The two together in various drinks that were handed to her were making her mind fuzzy and her coordination and speech falter. Heero stayed close to her throughout the afternoon and evening, casually sipping on a beer. Relena could have sworn that he had been drinking the same beer all night.

She thought that Heero's friends, Duo and Hilde, were hilarious. They were fun loving people, that was clear, and they accepted her into their little group easily. Hilde seemed to have taken an instant liking to Relena, and they chatted for a long time, before Relena's alcohol tolerance was breached. Duo teased Relena about how her hair was almost as long as his, and that they should have a braid competition. The others laughed, but Relena was struggling to follow the conversation.

They'd found a beach party somewhere, Relena lost track, and they had spent the better part of the evening there. Heero wasn't the only one giving her drinks either. The bartender continually called her over and presented her with a free drink from some admirer in the crowd. In the beginning, Relena hoped it might elicit some form of jealousy from Heero, but she was disappointed. He remained slightly impassive, only amused by the antics of his friends and not be those around them.

Sometime after the sun had long sunk down behind the hills of the island, Relena found herself sitting in the sand, leaning up against Heero's arm. He was staring off into the darkness of the ocean. She'd apparently been sleeping.

"What's going on?" Relena asked through her slurred speech. Heero glanced down at her and gave her a small smile.

"You were falling asleep on your feet, so I brought you out here to sit and sleep off the alcohol a little bit," Heero said.

"It didn't work," Relena moaned, resting her head in her hands. Heero lifted a hand and rubbed her back a little.

"Do you want to go back to your yacht?" Heero asked. Relena nodded her head. Heero rose and swept Relena up into his arms. Relena tried to tell him that she was too heavy for her to carry, but she must have not even said it, because Heero remained silent as he carried her back towards the boat.

-/-\-

-Scarlet Eve