Chapter Five

She was relentless. As the weeks passed, she had continued to beg him to postpone the wedding. She never gave him a good reason other than she didn't feel ready. He didn't buy it. There had to be something else that had changed her mind. She hadn't contradicted the wedding plans in the slightest until recently. This is what had confused him. They were nearly there, almost husband and wife when she abruptly decides she can't anymore. He was so close to inheriting her fortune and power over the ESUN that he wouldn't dare back down because she had some kind of misconstrued idea of not being ready.

He wouldn't have it.

As soon as he was old enough to realize that Oz and Romafeller had fallen and that the former Queen had most of the power, he knew that she was the one he had to marry. Was it all for her power and control? Yes. Did he love her at all? No. She was spoiled and whined constantly about how awful her job was. He wanted to yell at her most of the time, demanding that she had her position over to him if she hated it so much. Eventually, he was able to silence her by his enthusiasm for his own work. It was well enough, able to have a say in most of the ESUN decisions. However, whether Relena realized it or not, she was practically the President; she just didn't sign the paperwork. That's what he wanted. He wanted the say in the ESUN. He really wanted to be President, but the old man would have to die before he let Tony take over. He knew he was well liked, but he was only a shadow next to Relena. If they married, he would be able to convince her to step down and let her dotting husband take her place. She would have to stay at home with the children, of course. Work would be too much for her.

That was his plan.

Tony had a luncheon with Relena that day and if she asked him to postpone it again, he would be frank with her. Obviously, he wouldn't reveal his entire plan, but he would tell her that her job was probably causing her this confusion. He would suggest taking some time off of that to really think about the wedding. That's when he would put on the face of her knight and shining armor. He'd go in to start his goal.

However, as he walked in to the restaurant, his plan was disrupted by the presences of another man. He looked familiar, with unruly brown hair and a stone set and stoic face. His uniform was that of the Preventers Relena so graciously supported. They were whispering hastily; Relena's eyes looking around as they seemed to argue. Tony stood back, watching as the man spoke quickly, not revealing any emotion about the subject at hand. Relena looked nervous, keeping her hands in her lap. However, Relena had been nervous looking for weeks now, so this facial expression didn't give Tony anymore answers. He wished he would have been able to sneak by the table unnoticed and listen in, but just as he was about to attempt it, Relena spotted him. She forced a smile and waved to him.

He plastered his charming smile on and waved back, striding over to them. The Preventer looked up, standing up from the table and moving back into the restaurant as Tony approached. The more he stared at the Preventer, the more his features became familiar. He couldn't place him, but he had seen him before. He had seen many Preventers before, all of them having to coexist with the ESUN, but he hadn't seen this man before. They were always hiring new recruits, so he could safely assume he was one. However, the only thing to dispute this thought was that only the best and experienced Preventer agents stand as bodyguards for the Vice Foreign Minister.

"You're looking ravishing," Tony said, sitting down at the table and placing the napkin on his expensive suit. "Have you ordered yet?"

"No, I haven't been here long." She said, resting her elbows on the table and breathing deeply.

"That gentlemen, is he new to Preventers?" Tony inquired pleasantly.

"Not really, he's a returning recruit. He used to be my bodyguard."

"Used to be? I thought that long haired fellow was your body guard here? And you're traveling bodyguard is the one with spiky hair?"

"They are… or were. He had to go away for a few years to sort some things out, but he resumed his position."

"Is that acceptable to you?"

"It isn't really my say, Tony. That decision is up to Commander Une. She's the one that assigns them their positions."

Tony sighed heavily, wanting to scream at her for being so blind to her power. She honestly didn't think she had a say in anything other than Foreign affairs. Her job wouldn't be half as stressful if that was all she did.

"How was your day?" he covered up the heavy sigh, trying to relax.

"Fine, nothing exciting today…so far anyway. How's yours?"

He nodded, "Just fine. I fear I'm feeling rather bored now. I think I need to move up and take on more responsibility."

"Take my job if you feel like that. I'd exchange jobs with you." She said, not realizing how Tony's eyes gleamed. She waited, sipping on the complimentary water that was on the table. "So, I know this conversation gets on your nerves, but I must continue to bring it up. The wedding. Can you please consider postponing it for me? I wouldn't need but a couple months to sort out my doubts."

"Well, I have thought about it quite a bit. I don't understand why would need to think about this. You agreed hastily, but you knew what you were getting into. Why the sudden change of heart? Is there someone else?"

She looked bewildered, leaning back in her seat at his accusation, "No, why would you ask that?"

"It's the only thing I can think of that may confuse you about this wedding."

She cleared her throat, "Perhaps I was too hasty in making that decision and have realized that a life with you may or may not be what I want forever. Is that enough of a reason for you?"

Tony smiled internally, reading right through her. He didn't say another word though, drinking the water until the waiter arrived to take their order.

He paced his office, thinking quickly about the Preventer at lunch. He has seen him before, but couldn't place him. He racked his brain in trying to locate that face. Mentally, he changed his clothes into street clothes and gym wear. Or casual wear he may have worn on the street. Tony saw so many people each day that it was nearly impossible to remember them all.

A knock disrupted his walking and acknowledged it. His secretary entered, handing him an invitation that was much fancier than his own had been for his ball.

That was it.

The Preventer had been at the ball. His own ball. He was the man hiding in the corner, staring at Relena in such an intimidatingly way. He knew he had seen him before. Tony threw the invitation down on the desk, storming out of the office and up to Relena's office a couple floors above him.

The Preventer that was surely conspiring with Relena was standing in the doorway, speaking. His arms were crossed and his spine straight. He was frightening. Tony adjusted his suit jacket and continued on, forcing his charming and award winning smile on his face. The Preventer saw Tony out of the corner of his eye and stepped back, allowing Tony to enter into his fiancé's office. He didn't leave, though, which made Tony even more suspicious.

Relena looked surprised to see him, but smile simply. "What can I do for you, Tony?"

He leaned across her desk, speaking softly and carefully, hoping the bodyguard wouldn't hear him. "I know what you're up to. This wedding will not be canceled because you want my job."

"What?"

Okay, I just want you all to know that my friend's ex-fiancé isn't a bad guy; he was actually a great guy. I just had to make Tony bad for the story.