Chapter 8

"And the ball is planned?"

Lucrezia Noin grinned at her husband. "Without a flaw, sir."

However, Zechs wasn't in the mood for joking. "Are you absolutely sure?"

"Why are you so worried about it?"

Zechs shuffled anxiously before saying, "Well, I kind of lied to my sister…and Heero."

Lucrezia grinned. "I bet that took some courage. What'd you say?"

"I…I told Relena that Heero had asked her to be his date for the ball, and vice versa."

"You didn't!"

Zechs winced. "I did."

Much to his surprise, his wife burst out laughing. "Ha! I've got either the bravest or stupidest husband in the entire earth and Colonies! I just hope nothing goes wrong that night…or else you'll have Heero to answer to, and that won't be pretty."

Zechs grimaced. "Don't bring it up."

"Where are they now?"

"Relena's in her room, and I just saw Duo enter Heero's."

"Well, they're old friends. They've probably got some talking to do. Heero hasn't made contact with anyone for seven years."

Zechs was silent for a while, then said quietly, "Honey, I've been thinking."

"Go on."

"There was no way the people who kidnapped Re could have known that she was at the Colony unless someone told them."

"So?"

Zech's eyebrows knit together as he thought hard. "I'm willing to say that we've got a leak somewhere."

Lucrezia's eyes widened. "You're serious?"

He nodded. "Dead serious. I can't begin to tell you who I think it is, though; it could be anyone. I mean, they knew Relena went up in space, and they knew that the pilots went with her. Also, they knew that Heero and Relena were, well, I don't know how to say it… - "

"I know what you mean. Go on."

"And they knew that Relena was on L1, and they knew where Heero was staying – when no one else, not even me, knew. Not to mention that they knew when Heero would be at my house."

"What? What do you mean?"

Zechs averted his eyes. "I didn't want to worry you, but…"

"What?"

"Heero's ship, the one he came on, had a bomb implanted on it just a few minutes before he left. Luckily, someone heard the ticking and dismantled it."

Lucrezia gasped. "Who dismantled it?"

Zechs grinned. "Don't even think about it. Gideon…you know, Gideon Brizati. I trust him with my life."

"Well, you have to have a suspect."

Zechs sighed. "Of course I do."

"And who is it?"

Zechs eyed her, and said, "Well, personally I think its Tony."

"Anderson? Why in the world would you suspect the lobbyist?"

"Simple. He has access to all the information."

Lucrezia nodded thoughtfully. "True, true…What do you propose we do about it?"

Zechs was quiet for a second, then said, "Do a background check on him, please. I guess there's not much we can do except watch; we don't have any evidence."

Lucrezia grimaced. "I hate that."

"I know," Zechs replied with a grin. "But you'll have to live with it. You know, you're an old housewife now."

Lucrezia laughed. "And one of the best soldiers in your army, Commander."

"And a mother," Zechs added, smiling.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The morning sun dawned, and with it came still more rain. Heero, already awake and fully dressed, stood at the balcony again, watching it pour down in buckets yet again.

A sharp knock sounded at his door, and with a grin, Heero crossed the room to let Duo in. Last night, as they sat up talking, something inside him had clicked. He smiled often, now; he had done it this morning when he saw that it was raining.

Duo leaned against the doorframe, dressed in jeans and a long-sleeved shirt, eyeing his friend. Heero had dressed casually, also in jeans, but he wore a t-shirt and a jacket. "You know, I still like your dress style."

Heero rolled his eyes and said, "You going to let me out of my room?"

Duo stepped aside and gestured out into the hall. "Look, I've been ready to go, buddy. I was waiting for you."

Heero walked into the hall, turned, and closed and locked his door behind him, saying, "I've been up since before dawn."

Moaning, Duo replied, "How in the world do you do it? We stayed up till twelve thirty last night. I could barely drag myself out of bed."

Heero grinned, making Duo smile also. "I've done it for a long time. Besides, I got a lot of sleep while you were talking about Hilde for a full hour."

Duo laughed and studied his friend as they walked down the hall. Heero had changed incredibly; his true nature was beginning to be revealed, and Duo found himself liking it. In truth, Heero was carefree and easy-going, yet when he needed to be Duo knew his friend could be serious and attentive. Also, he found Heero's smile strangely contagious; when Heero smiled, it lit up his whole face, and urged Duo to be happy, too. However, no matter how hard he tried, Duo couldn't make his friend laugh. And in his heart, the braid-haired pilot knew that the only person who would ever be able to do that would be a certain very beautiful Queen of the World.

They were going to spend their free time today, before the ball, basically just hanging out. For lunch, Duo had suggested a drive to the nearest town, something which Heero had gladly accepted. After all, they were going to have to stick around…there was no way they were going to face Zechs's wrath. Heero strode easily down the hall, talking quietly to his friend about his life on one of the Colonies, and Duo listened attentively. Something had changed, last night; now, more then ever, they were truly friends.

"I know the worst thing that you missed, buddy," Duo said, suddenly solemn.

Heero eyed his usually cheerful friend. "What's that?"

Duo faced him, saying quietly, "You weren't able to be the best man at my wedding."

For the first time in a long, long time, Heero's eyes showed his inner sadness. Duo's heart went out to his friend; Heero was sincerely sorry. "Duo, I am so, so sorry about that. I'd give almost anything to be there, really I would – "

"I know," Duo said, giving his friend a slightly sad smile. "It's okay." Regaining his usual attitude, he elbowed Heero and said cheekily, "After all, maybe I'll be able to be a best man soon, huh?"

Heero shook his head and looked away.

"Gosh darn it!" Duo said, his voice rising slightly. "Heero, would you face facts?"

"What?" Heero asked quizzically.

"Man, when you love a girl as much as you love Relena, you marry her!" Duo said, his eyes flashing.

Heero sighed. "Why is everybody on my case about this?"

"Because you're so blind you can't see happiness when it's standing right in front of you!"

"Is that what she wants, do you think? I never said I loved her to you."

Duo snorted. "Oh, puh-lease. Don't insult my intelligence. So you've admitted it to someone else, big deal. Knowing you, probably to Zero."

"You really think I could?"

Duo stopped, startled. "Whoops, sorry. I keep forgetting they're – "

Suddenly, Heero's hand clamped over Duo's mouth, stopping them both completely in the middle of the hall. "Do you hear that?" Heero said.

Duo listened, and suddenly he heard someone singing in the next room down. He recognized the sweet voice instantly, and laughed. "Haha, Heero, you are totally crazy."

"Why?"

"It's just Relena."

Heero turned to look at the door to his right. "She sings like that?"

Duo grinned. "Yup."

"That doesn't sound like her."

"It is, trust me."

Heero eyed him. "How do you know?"

Duo snickered. "You missed out a lot of get-togethers with the other pilots, me, and Re. You'd be surprised at what I know."

Heero rolled his eyes, but Duo caught the surprise, and slight regret, in those deep blue orbs. A little uneasily, the braid-haired pilot grabbed his friend's arm and said, "C'mon, let's go see her."

Heero instantly planted his feet and gave Duo a firm, "No."

Duo grinned wickedly. "Why not, buddy ol' boy?"

Heero glanced around him, looking for some means of escape. "We agreed we'd hang out today, not go see her."

Duo narrowed his eyes and gave Heero a smile he found he didn't like at all. "I never said we couldn't hang out with her."

Heero glared at him as Duo hung on to Heero's arm. "Let go of me."

"Or you'll kill me?" Duo said, grinning.

"If I have to."

Suddenly, Heero pulled back hard. Duo, unbalanced, flew over Heero's shoulder and crashed into a small table on the opposite side of the hall. However, as he had flown over Heero, he had rammed into his friend, making Heero topple into the other pilot ungracefully. As soon as he blinked and looked around, Duo burst out laughing. Heero grinned and tried to stand up, but Duo was pinning him to the ground and wouldn't get up.

Suddenly, a door across the hall opened and Relena stepped out, dressed in a black tank top and black pants, her long golden hair done back in a ponytail. She took one glance over the scene and opened her mouth, but then she saw something she'd never see in her whole life; Heero was grinning.

Relena was frozen, staring at him. His grin lit up his whole face, making those incredible dark blue eyes sparkle. Here he was, shoving Duo off him, more handsome than she could ever imagine. Her heart began pounding like crazy, and she knew, deep inside, that she was falling in love all over again.

Heero couldn't wipe the smile off his face, even when Relena came out. Duo was still laughing like crazy, and Heero had to shove him off roughly so that he could stand up. Still grinning, he stood, and hauled Duo to his feet.

"Duo, would you shut up?" Heero asked, knowing the answer.

Duo doubled over, tears running down his face. "I – ahahahaha – didn't – ahaha – see it – hahahaha – coming!"

Heero raised an eyebrow and said wryly, "I know."

"What in the world are you two doing?"

The turned to look at Relena, who had directed her words to both of them but was staring at Heero, something that made him very nervous.

"Nothing," he replied mildly.

Relena raised a very surprised eyebrow and motioned to the table. "You broke two legs off completely. That's not nothing."

Duo, who had finally calmed down, said, "I didn't break 'em, Heero did."

Heero shoved him roughly. "Only because you brought me down with you, braid boy."

Relena's mouth dropped open slightly, causing Duo to grin. He rested an elbow on Heero's shoulder – Heero promptly shook it off – and said, "See what I can do in three hours? The new, improved Heero Yuy!"

Heero rolled his eyes. "Oh please."

Relena was still speechless. Where in the world had the stoic, silent, glaring young man gone that was here just yesterday? In its place stood a grinning, carefree…incredibly handsome… Relena shook her head furiously.

"What?" Duo asked, curious.

"Nothing," she replied, avoiding Heero's still-piercing gaze. He wasn't smiling anymore, and she found herself wishing he would. Hoping to change the subject, she said hurriedly, "What are you two doing today?"

"Hanging out," the pair said in unison, then grinned at each other.

Relena was totally aghast. This could not be the same Heero. However, she heard herself say, "Where?"

Heero waved a hand around randomly, and Duo said, "Wherever we want to go."

Relena suddenly blushed slightly and said, stammering a little, "T-the ball is tonight, you know."

The grin dropped right off of Heero's face and he shuffled uncomfortably.

Duo caught the movement and elbowed Heero, who promptly elbowed him right back. Relena suddenly noticed something she hadn't before; in their past days, Duo had always been shorter than Heero, but with the several inches Heero gained in seven years, now Duo was shorter than his 'buddy'.

Duo sent Heero an expectant look, but Heero shook his head, a tiny motion that only his friend caught. Duo nodded once and turned to Relena, saying, "Yeah, but not till nine thirty. Plus, girls take longer to get ready than guys. We ain't worried."

"Are not," Relena corrected automatically, making her and Duo grin. It was a long pastime of theirs for Relena to correct Duo's grammar, which was usually atrocious.

"We are not worried," Duo said with a grin.

Heero rolled his eyes. There was a moment of silence, than Heero said calmly, "Where are the other pilots?"

"I beg the differ," came Trowa's mild voice as he and Quatre came striding down the hall, dressed casually – if proper Quatre could ever dress casually – and smiling. Well, at least Quatre was smiling. Duo made a mental note to work on Trowa after he finished with Heero.

Relena smiled at them. "Sorry, guys. Is 'Fei still asleep?"

"No," came a curt voice. "Woman, I have been up for two hours now." Wufei shut the door to his room and locked it, giving her the traditional Chang glare. Relena rolled her eyes, but smiled.

Trowa was eyeing Heero curiously. "Are you all right, Heero?"

Heero glanced at his comrade and said, "Of course I am. Why?"

Trowa shrugged. "You seem different."

"He is," Relena cut in before Heero could reply. "He – " she blushed when she saw all the pilots watching her, then regained her composure and said, "Well, to tell you the truth, he smiles now. I don't know – "

"Me," Duo said firmly. "I did it."

Heero grimaced. "I don't see what the big deal is."

Wufei stared at Heero. "Smile."

"What?"

"Smile, Yuy."

Heero rolled his eyes. "I'm not going to smile on command. You guys are crazy. This is one of the most absurd conversations I've had in a long time. Duo, come on. Let's go."

Heero turned around sharply and began to walk away, Duo at his heels. However, he had only gone a few steps when Relena grabbed Heero's arm. Heero stopped abruptly, more because he was startled than because of her grip.

Her eyes studied his, searching for something she knew Heero was hiding deep inside. "Heero," she said quietly. "Do it again."

Swallowing, Heero shook her off and said coolly, "I didn't smile for Wufei, you know. Why would you be any different?"

Startled, and more than a little hurt, Relena dropped her hand.

Heero turned and walked away, his face in a grim expression.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Heero and Duo decided to drive to the nearby town after all, to grab a bite for breakfast. After their food arrived, Heero chewed steadily while Duo chattered on about anything and everything; Hilde, the baby they would soon have, names for the kid, how Duo was going to teach it about the Gundams and mechanics – basically everything that had ever entered Duo's mind.

After fifteen minutes of this torture, Heero said firmly, "Duo, either shut up or get a bullet between the eyes."

Duo grinned cheekily. "You wouldn't shoot me, not with you about to become godfather to my kid."

Heero rolled his eyes. "You're making me wish I'd never agreed to that."

Duo laughed and punched his friend on the arm. "Liar."

Heero shook his head, but couldn't help a grin spreading across his face.

Duo watched him thoughtfully. "I can't believe you didn't do that your whole life. It belongs on you, you know."

His friend shrugged, but Duo could see the smile in his dark blue eyes. "Yeah, and you smile way, way too much."

They ate in companionable silence for a few more minutes, then Duo said, "Why did you say that to Relena?"

Heero sighed and sat back. "I knew you'd bring that up sometime."

"I want to know. Plus, I'm naturally curious."

"Trust me, I know."

"Come on, you've got to tell me. You don't do things without a reason, Heero, even though the reasons aren't always right."

"We've been through this before, Duo."

Duo snorted. "Oh, the whole thing about she deserves better than you? Heero, I've told you sixty gazillion times, it's not what she deserves, it's what she wants. Would you rather have her be married to some rich reserved guy that she hates or to be married to a hawds pilot that she loves? Would you rather have her be happy or unhappy? Loved or unloved?"

Quietly, Heero replied, "I want her to live her life in the fullest."

"That means for her to be happy."

Heero looked away. "Does she really want me, though?"

The braid-haired pilot toyed with his fork, smashing his pancakes flat. There was silence for a while, then Heero said wryly, "What'd that pancake ever do to you?"

Duo gave him a twisted kind of grin and said, "Come on, let's get back to the house."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Relena, back in her own room, stared out the window at the rain. Stubborn, she thought, slightly cross at the weather. She had been hoping to go horseback riding later on today, but the rain had completely stopped her. So, she had changed out from jeans and a t-shirt to her current outfit. Decided to test the temperature, she stepped outside onto the balcony.

A wave of cold hit her. Shivering, Relena dashed back inside and slammed the doors shut, then grabbed a leather jacket from inside her closet. Hesitantly, she stepped outside again.

Chilly, but the jacket stopped most of the wind and cold getting inside. Relena shook her head, a little sadly; summer had gone by so fast…and now winter was here, cold and harsh. As it always was.

There was a quiet knocking at her door, and with a smile, Relena opened the door to admit Quatre.

The blonde-haired pilot smiled at her, but did not enter the room. Instead, he remarked quietly, "You're all in black."

Relena glanced at her outfit, then said, "Yeah…don't ask me why."

Quatre raised an eyebrow. "Part of the new, improved Rei Dausten?"

Sighing, Relena looked at the floor. "I don't know, Quatre. I don't know anything anymore."

"Yes, you do," Quatre said, in a surprisingly stern voice.

Relena made a face. He was so logical, all the time. "What do I know for sure, then?"

Quatre gave her a gentle smile and said softly, "That he loves you, and you love him."

Relena's head jerked up to stare at him, but all Quatre did was say, "You're the only one that can keep him on Earth, Relena. Duo made him smile, but you're going to have to be the one to make him laugh."

With that, the Arabian pilot turned and walked out of the room.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The rest of the day passed quietly for everyone; the pilots, Relena, Zechs and his family, and the inhabitants of the Peacecraft mansion. At promptly seven o'clock, Relena finished talking with Wufei, Trowa, and Quatre and retired to her room to prepare for the ball. An hour later, the pilots did the same.

Duo and Heero had returned to the estate around three; no one knew what they had done all day, and no one was about to ask. However, Heero seemed surprisingly cheerful, and entered his room without complaint. Wufei, though, requested a lot of persuading from the rest of the pilots until he finally began to prepare.

At promptly eight fifty, the pilots exited their rooms and studied each other. Each looked quite good; they all wore black tuxedos and white shirts, though only Quatre had the top button on his shirt fastened – typical for Quatre, however. Though each knew they looked good, they all had to admit that Heero definitely looked the very figure for Relena to dance with, though of course none of them said it out loud.

With sighs of exasperation and a few complaints, they made their way downstairs to the ballroom.

The Peacecraft mansion was world-and-Colony-famous for its huge ballroom; the greatest affairs of state were made there, while dining on luxurious food and dancing to the best music, drinking the finest wine. Tonight was no exception; to celebrate Relena's safe return (and a few political affairs that had recently been figured out and agreed upon) the ballroom had been decorated to its very best. Though the pilots were guests of honor, their true identities were not revealed, and aliases made up to be announced. All the pilots (with the exception of Heero) went off to find their wives, elbowing through the crowd in earnest.

Heero retired to a chair. He didn't have to do anything until Relena made her entrance, and even then it was only to take her arm, lead her to the dance floor, and start the dancing. Even though Quatre (who had done this job in place of a real date) had assured him that it was no big deal, Heero couldn't help but retort that Quatre wasn't in love with the girl. That had brought a smirk to Duo's face, but Heero had wiped it off quickly when he brought up the question of where to find supplies to take back with him to the Colonies.

As much as he hated himself for it, Heero knew he had to return to the Colonies. He couldn't stay here, not so close to Relena. It was tantalizing in the worst possible way; something he wanted badly, but couldn't have. He had to go back, find a new apartment, and start the recluse thing all over again.

A hand tapped him lightly on the shoulder; he looked around to see Hilde, standing in a dark green maternity dress that brought out her eyes. He grinned a greeting at her, and she turned to give Duo an impressed look. Heero shook his head, but couldn't help and say, "Congratulations, Hilde."

She gazed at him for a moment, then said, "Thanks, Heero. I'm so sorry you couldn't be here for our wedding; Duo was nearly heartbroken. 'Course," she continued, wrinkling her nose. "You would have probably downed all the wine after those speeches…oh boy, you should have heard Quatre's. I nearly fainted myself, though Duo enjoyed it." She elbowed her husband, and he retaliated with an elbowing back before he strode off to talk to Trowa.

"I'm sorry too, Hilde," Heero replied quietly.

She smiled gently at him, then said, "That's all right. You know, I haven't told anybody yet, but…" she leaned in close to him and said, "I'm not the only one expecting."

Heero raised an eyebrow, and she winked. "Sally, Rebecca, and Dorothy have been having some very interesting two months together. Of course," she said, shrugging. "They're not far along at all yet, so you can't even really tell. But a woman always knows," she added, grinning.

Heero smiled. "That's great news."

Hilde's expression softened, and she said quietly, "You're the last one, Heero."

"Last one for what?" he asked mildly.

She spread her arms wide, then said, "To get married, start a family. Even Wufei and Sally know you can't be a soldier, a fighter, all your life. You've made some incredible changes, Heero, but if only you'd…"

"I know, I know," Heero said, looking the other way. "Take the happiness that's right in front of me. I've only had five people tell me that, one way or another."

Hilde sighed. "Zechs too, huh. Look, Heero, I'm sorry if I made you feel bad –"

"Hilde, go have fun. Don't worry about me. It's probably the last ball you'll be at for a long time."

She shoved him playfully, but when he didn't retaliate, she went off to find Duo.

A while after she left, Heero became aware of light footsteps to his right. Turning slightly, he found himself surprised inwardly as he saw an astoundingly beautiful woman walking toward him with a bright smile. She wore a long black dress, fitting perfectly around her slim form, and had wide, beautiful brown eyes and full red lips, complete with luxurious movie-star chocolate-colored curls tumbling around her shoulders and falling to mid-back, framing her pretty face.

She – whoever she was – approached Heero and said sweetly, "You must be Mr. Adams. You're the talk of the party, tonight, you know."

She had a soft, lilting voice, but Heero wasn't impressed. He had had too much of this lately. Plus, the mention of his alias had reminded him that he wasn't really here, not in true person.

Politely, he stood and bowed slightly. "I'm afraid I can't take all the credit, miss."

She laughed softly. "Of course you can, Mr. Adams. You were the one to come up with that incredible plan to free Miss Peacecraft." She paused, then said quickly, "Oh, I'm so sorry! I haven't introduced myself." With another of those sweet smiles – they were beginning to make Heero feel sick – she said, "I'm Cyndi Thomson."

Despite himself, Heero's eyes widened. "The commander in the army, the one that taught Relena how to pilot?"

For a moment, Heero thought he saw something strange flash through those perfect brown eyes, but it was gone in an instant. "She told you about that?" laughed Cyndi. "Yes, it was me." Suddenly, her voice became softer, silkier, and she said, "But you could have done so much better."

Instantly, Heero bristled inwardly. How many times had this happened lately? However, on the outside he remained calm and smiling. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but I'm afraid I must leave for a moment. I must find my date…she seems to have disappeared."

It worked, as it usually did. Cyndi pouted a little, but then gave a hasty good-bye and departed.

Sighing, Heero sat down again.

A few minutes later, he had another visitor – this time, Quatre and his wife. Heero, who hadn't seen Dorothy for the same seven years, was astounded at the change. Seven years ago, she had been a snobby, conceited young woman so fixed in her own ways she had nearly killed Quatre, even while loving him at the same time. Heero marveled at Quatre's powers of the heart; he could change anyone, anyone at all, to become a kind, gentle person, and possibly even a pacifist.

Dorothy, now, had that same sweet, happy look that all the wives had, though each one was different. Heero, over the years, had grown exceptionally good at reading people's emotions. Mixed with the sweet, happy look on Hilde's face was a mischievous, cheeky undertone, while Dorothy still had that stern, commanding feature in the way she walked and held her head high.

"Hi, Heero!" Quatre said enthusiastically. Heero smiled at him, but didn't say anything in return.

"We've missed you," Dorothy added. She wore a long, sweeping gown of light lavender, her hair coiled in a neat bun on the nape of her neck.

Heero nodded once, then said, "It's good to see everyone again."

"Liar," Quatre said, and winked.

"I'm serious," Heero said.

"Must be hard living in secrecy for seven years," Dorothy said, and Heero caught a hint of something like disappointment and slight sadness in her tone. Dorothy had never had a strong liking for Heero; she found him cold and heartless, though now, this grinning, cheerful young man was quite different.

"Awaiting the entrance, huh?" Quatre asked, a teasing light in his eyes.

Heero shifted, and the Arabian could tell he was nervous. "What else is there to do?"

Dorothy rolled her eyes. "I'm not even going to start."

Heero grinned at her, and Dorothy caught a bit of Duo cheekiness in those even white teeth.

"It's not that hard," Quatre pressed. "Escort her to the dance floor, dance until you want to stop."

"I said it once, I'll say it again," Heero retorted. "You're not in love with her."

Dorothy smirked. "And you are, hmm?"

Heero turned his gaze to stare at her, and Dorothy's smirk dropped right off her face. His deep blue eyes were filled with so much hurt and pain that she opened her mouth wordlessly.

"Yes, I am."