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Chapter 9

"Miss, its time."

Relena was jerked away from the memory of that day at the private school; shivering slightly, she turned to face her dressing maid.

The older woman was giving her a strange look. Relena sighed, then said, "Thank you, Emily. You may leave now; I can find my way alone to the stairs."

The maid curtsied and left.

Relena turned back to the mirror and studied herself for the last time. The maids had definitely given her full attention tonight. She was dressed in a beautiful white gown of the softest silk Relena had ever felt, reaching three-quarters of the way down her arms, hugging her abdomen tight and then, at her waist, gently billowing out to rustle softly against her ankles. Her long blonde hair was pulled back loosely, with the loose ends curled into a mass of ringlets, falling down to just between her shoulder blades. A simple, silver filigree chain embedded with pearls rested around her neck. The makeup stylist, Amelia, had done wonderful, too. Altogether, Relena knew she looked incredible.

But she didn't feel it.

Relena pasted a radiant smile on her face, gave herself one last glimpse, and then turned and exited the room.

Heero stood and stretched a little, taking a quick look around the room. People were milling, talking, drinking and eating; no one was dancing yet. Inside, he made a face. Yeah, and they won't until I start it up.

Somebody lightly touched his shoulder; Heero turned slightly to look into Trowa's emerald green eyes. The man said quietly, "It's almost time. The orchestra is getting ready for the first dance."

Heero raised an eyebrow. Out of all the Gundam pilots, he knew Trowa's need for silence most. The other pilot was a man of few, very few words, yet when he spoke they were carefully chosen and meaningful. It was not surprising he had married someone like Rebecca.

Rebecca herself stood slightly behind Trowa, watching Heero curiously. He hadn't seen her before, and studied her without seeming too interested. She was pretty – just Trowa's type, with long red hair and bright green eyes. Heero nodded to her and gave a smile, which she returned. He turned back to Trowa and said, quietly enough so that only the other man heard, "She's perfect for you."

Trowa took a step back, about to walk away. However, before he left, he nodded once and replied, "And so is Relena for you."

With that, Trowa turned and walked away with his wife at his side.

Heero sighed. Everyone seemed to be telling him that lately, but they just didn't understand. With a glance at the orchestra, Heero caught a glimpse of Quatre and Duo beckoning urgently to him. Heero drew in a breath and thought Here goes nothing, then walked over to where they were standing at the base of the stairs.

"Jeez, I'd hate to have to make an entrance like she does every single time a ball happens," Duo muttered.

"Oh shut up," Quatre said with a grin. "You're just mad 'cause I took you away from Hilde."

Duo grinned sheepishly and said, "Yeah, well, you're always mad when you have to leave Dorothy."

"Can you blame me?" Quatre said, looking innocent.

Duo snorted and looked away.

Suddenly, the orchestra began to play a soft melody, growing louder and louder as people began to stop what they were doing and turn to look at the grand staircase. Heero swallowed and stepped to his position at the base of the stairs. Duo grinned at him and gave him two thumbs up, and Heero shook his head, but smiled.

Suddenly, a hush fell over the ballroom and Heero's glance darted to the top of the staircase.

And there she stood, radiant in a beautiful white gown, her long hair falling down her neck in a mass of curls. She stood with a smile on her face, but Heero knew it was fake. She didn't want to be here. However, every thought of that kind flew from his head as she began walking gracefully down the stairs, smiling at everyone. Her sapphire eyes sparkled as her gaze traveled over Duo and Quatre. Then, she saw Heero smiling below her and tripped slightly.

Quatre leaned forward, as if to help her, but Duo stopped him. Walking slowly the rest of the way down, she came to a stop in front of Heero.

His deep blue eyes searched hers as he said quietly, "As much as I don't want to, we have to dance."

She raised an eyebrow. "You don't like dancing?"

Heero winced slightly. "I'm horrible."

Relena couldn't help but smile. "You have to lead, you know."

He sighed, but turned and began to guide her to the dance floor, saying quietly, "Don't remind me."

Relena tried to hold back a smile but failed. Duo was grinning at her in a knowing way as they passed him, and Heero shook his head and smiled.

They reached the dance floor, and slowly Relena put one hand on his shoulder, her other hand clasping his as he slid a hand around her waist. His blue eyes not meeting hers, they began dancing slowly as the orchestra started a slow song.

A young woman walked up to the stage, a microphone in her hand. Relena knew her as Ashley Tobin, a life-long friend and confidante. Ashley's love was singing, and Relena had asked her personally to sing at the ball.

Without warning, Ashley's sweet voice began singing an old yet beautiful country song.

They continued dancing as the music swelled. There were no other couples on the dance floor; the first song always belonged to the Queen of the World and her date.

Heero and Relena dropped hands, changing their position. Heero's hands went to her waist, while Relena's arms encircled his neck. Suddenly, Relena pulled herself closer, nestling her head in his chest. Breathing in quietly, Heero continued dancing, listening to the music, relishing the feeling of her in his arms.

As the last note faded away into the air, Relena and Heero separated, much to Heero's disappointment. The audience clapped loudly, impressed by this young man that had held their Queen so tenderly.

Relena stepped away, walking to the stage. She was due to sing, too. With an inner sigh, Heero stepped off the dancing floor and went to find a seat that had a good view of the stage.

Relena took the microphone from Ashley with a smile, congratulating her on her beautiful singing. Turning to the audience, who had filed onto the dance floor with their partners, she said calmly, "I'd like to thank everyone for coming here tonight, and I want you all to know that I appreciate it. This ball was planned very quickly, and I am impressed and grateful that all of you were able to come.

"I'd like to sing a song for you tonight, one that's been my favorite ever since I was a little girl, and dedicate it to a certain young man sitting out there who thinks he's alone."

Without further ado, she began.

The audience applauded wildly; not only could Relena sing, she could sing incredibly. She sang with so much emotion, so much sincerity, that she was an instant winner.

Relena smiled and gave a 'thank you,' then left the stage and microphone. The orchestra began a stately waltz.

Making a face inwardly – she hated music like this – Relena made her way toward the beverage table, nodded and smiling as she received compliments about everything from her singing to her shoes. Every time someone approached her, Relena groaned inwardly, but was smiling on the outside. It was part of her job, and she took her job very seriously.

Relena smiled at the servant at the beverage table and requested a glass of water. After receiving the glass, she found a seat hidden slightly by a large flowering plant and sipped quietly.

Had he heard? Had he understood? She knew she had taken a risk by singing that song; even more by dedicating it to him. Yet Relena couldn't shake the feeling that it had been the right song to sing. In the past, she wouldn't have believed he would have understood, but after all, Heero had definitely changed…

A hand brushed her shoulder lightly, and Relena turned, expecting to see another noble – or their son. However, she was only slightly surprised to see Heero.

He raised an eyebrow and inquired, "Don't like waltzes?"

Relena wrinkled her nose. "I hate them. How can anyone like those things? All I can think about is one-two-three-one-two-three and to make sure I don't step on anybody's feet."

Heero grinned. "Yeah, that would be good for your image."

Relena smiled, then said calmly, "Did you like my singing?"

Stupid girl, why in the world did you ask him that? How idiotic can you get? You're supposed to be the Queen of the World, for heaven's sake!

The smile dropped from Heero's face, but he replied, "I did. Do I know this young man you dedicated it to?"

Relena's heart jolted – He didn't understand, after all! – until she saw the look on Heero's face. He was laughing at her inside, trying to hold it in and failing miserably.

Shaking her head, she punched him lightly on the arm. "Oh, shut up. You looked like you needed some cheering up after we had to stop dancing."

Heero snorted. "You looked ready to cry."

Relena retorted, "Well, at least I can hide it inside."

Instantly she regretted the words.

Heero looked away, the smile dropping from his face.

Suddenly, the waltz came to a stop and the violinist stood up, grabbing the microphone.

"Now, ladies and gentlemen, if you have some singing talent you are welcome to come to the stage and sing. Of course, it'd help if we knew the song so that we could accompany you. We are open for suggestions for instrumentals, also."

Relena opened her mouth to apologize to Heero, but to her surprise, he was striding briskly toward the stage.

Heero, singing? she thought. Relena noticed Duo standing a few feet away from her with Quatre and Wufei and immediately walked over to them.

"Heero can sing?" she demanded abruptly.

Duo looked up with surprise, cut off mid-sentence. "What?"

Quatre regarded her mildly. "You mean you've never heard Heero sing?"

Relena shook her head. "Is he good?"

Duo whistled. "Oh, boy. Re, I suggest you listen."

She didn't have long to wait. Heero, already up on the stage, held a whispered conversation with the orchestra, who soon wore smiles on their faces. Then, he turned and grabbed the microphone.

"I'd like to tell you all that I haven't done this in a long time," he began, and the audience fell quiet. "However, it's something that I've always loved to do, and this is one of my favorite songs. I think you'll like it. In the style of Miss Peacecraft, I'd also like to dedicate this to someone sitting out there alone, and she knows who she is. If the orchestra would begin?"

Slowly, the violinist drew his bow across the string, beginning the song. Within a few short moments, Heero began.

As Heero put down the microphone and the audience burst into applause, Relena was completely aghast. Speechless, she stared at him as he got off the stage. His singing was incredible; he had an amazing voice, a deep tenor that filled the hall, hitting every note perfectly.

Even the other pilots were surprised. Duo was standing with his mouth hanging open, his eyes wide, and even Trowa and Wufei couldn't help the surprised expressions creeping onto their usual stony faces. Quatre was the only one smiling; he knew exactly what Heero was doing.

Heero was striding through the crowd as the orchestra began playing again, straight toward the spot where Relena, Duo, Wufei, and Quatre were standing. However, a few feet in front of Relena, Heero was attacked.

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

His only intention, the only mission in his mind was to get to Relena; anything that stopped him from accomplishing his goal would be eliminated immediately.

But this distraction couldn't be eliminated, for more than one reason.

A slender hand grabbed his arm just a few feet in front of Relena, stopping him in his tracks. Angry, but not showing it, Heero turned to face his assailant.

Beautiful dreamy brown eyes met his. Inwardly, Heero cringed.

Cyndi smiled sweetly and said, "Why, Mr. Adams, that was just incredible! You really should go professional, you certainly have the voice for it."

Heero gave her a cool smile, one that didn't reach his eyes. She didn't notice. He was not surprised. "Thank you, ma'am, but I'm fairly busy as it is. I don't intend to sing professionally."

She smiled again. Heero was beginning to hate those smiles. "Of course, Mr. Adams. Now, you haven't introduced me to your date. Who is she?"

Heero shot a quick glance at Relena. She was standing with a very puzzled look on her face, and – could it be? He thought he even saw some…was that pain?

The slender hand tugged at him slightly, and Heero was forced to reply, "Oh, she left a bit early."

The full red lips pouted slightly, then Cyndi said, "I'm so sorry. Did you want her to stay?"

Heero knew what she was getting at, but what did it matter if he didn't lie to her? "No, actually I didn't. It was a political affair, that's all."

A triumphant smile spread across her perfect face. Heero, again, cringed inwardly. He did not like this woman. "Might I be permitted to ask another question?" She didn't give him time to reply the cross retort he had in mind. "Why ever were you dancing with Miss Peacecraft earlier this night? You must be a very lucky man, Mr. Adams."

Heero was quiet for a minute, then replied, "Yes, I suppose I am."

Cyndi eyed him. "Do you love her?" she asked abruptly, her tone curt.

Heero bristled, but she didn't notice. He wanted to yell at her, tell her the truth, but in the world of politics, his only right choice was to lie. "No, of course not."

That smile came back, and Heero wanted to punch her. "Then, will you tell me the woman that you dedicated that wonderful song to?"

That one hit something deep inside him, and Heero's expression turned from polite to hard. "Pardon me, ma'am, but Mr. Wilson has asked to me to speak with him. I must go."

She pouted again. Now Heero really wanted to punch her. "Are you absolutely sure?"

"Yes, I am," Heero replied firmly.

She sighed in what Heero supposed was her idea of a flirtatious manner. "All right then. But do save a dance for me tonight, later on?"

"I'm sorry, ma'am, but I'm leaving soon."

With another pout, she stalked off. Heero couldn't believe how glad he was to see her leave.

He went immediately to his group of friends. They were staring at him strangely, all silent. Around them, the music wafted softly to the high ceiling, and people danced gracefully on the floor.

"What?" Heero asked nervously.

Relena was giving him a very strange look. She didn't reply, but Duo did, in his normal cheerful manner, "So who was the babe, Heero?"

Heero flinched as he recognized the expression on Relena's face, and his heart began to hurt; she was gazing at him with pain and anguish and total unbelief. She believed that he had dedicated his song to that Thomson woman. Heero couldn't believe it. He wanted to shake her, shake her hard, but then he wanted to hold her, hold her forever in his arms and never let go.

"Cyndi Thomson," he replied curtly to Duo, donning his stony gaze again.

Quatre gaped at him. "What – the commander in the army? That was Cyndi Thomson?"

"Attracted to her, are you, Winner?" Wufei asked curtly, but he didn't take his eyes off Heero's face.

Quatre snorted and said, "You wish, Wufei. Then you could gloat all you want without having to make fun of women."

Wufei glared at him and said, "At least I'm not married to a weakling."

Heero said very quietly, "What's the matter?"

Duo, of course, was the one to say it.

"Why were you talking to her, man?"

Heero raised an eyebrow. "What?"

Trowa was scrutinizing him carefully. "Why were you talking to her, Heero? She seemed quite interested in you."

Heero wasn't following the conversation. "Have you met that woman? It's not like you have a choice, you know." He rubbed his arm and winced at the memory. "She's got a grip like a vice."

Duo raised his eyebrows, but for once he didn't make a cheeky remark. "What do you mean?" he asked instead.

"I couldn't get away," Heero replied shortly.

At that, the braided pilot couldn't help but make a comment. "It's a first for the Perfect Soldier, huh? Not being able to get away, I mean."

Heero met Relena's eyes and said quietly, "Nope, not the first time."

She looked down immediately, and suddenly Heero understood. "Wha – you don't think that I – "

Before he could continue, a very handsome young man came up behind Relena and said, "Miss Peacecraft?"

Relena turned and gasped. "Jacob? Jacob Paxington?"

The young man grinned. "One and the same. Hello again, Relena."

The Gundam pilots looked on in surprised silence.

Relena laughed. "Oh, Jake, I haven't seen you for so long! How have you been?"

Jacob Paxington shrugged. "Okay. I – well, I've missed you, Re."

Heero stiffened, and the other pilots exchanged glances.

Relena smiled and looked down, a little shyly. "I've missed you too, Jake. How's work at the Pentagon?"

The handsome young man winked. "As boring as ever. You sound like you've been busy, though. Out and about on your own secret missions, huh? What was this one about? People say you were going to find someone. Who was it?"

Relena was quiet for a moment before she replied, "No one. You got your information wrong, Jake. I didn't go to find anyone. Just a joyride."

Jake laughed. "Yet you managed to get kidnapped – oh, and saved. Who were your knights in shining armor, hmm?"

Relena turned around and said, "Jake, meet my saviors: Kyle Adams, Tyler Wilson, Carter Dulcet, Andrew Brodeur, and Christopher Capperman." She did not meet the pilots' stares as she introduced them, using their aliases.

Jake grinned and said, "Pleased to meet you all. Relena's lucky she had you guys. In the private school she was such a goody-goody, until they caught me and her kissing behind the stables. Didn't get in much trouble though; too good of students. She did get in trouble that one time though, that time they caught her outside the grounds with some guy – I forget who it was. She didn't like him much, though. Called him heartless and cold. Who was it, Re?"

Heero froze, and Duo put a hand on his shoulder. His friend was shaking slightly, ever since the young man had said something about a kiss – Duo hadn't caught it.

Relena replied coolly, "Oh, nobody of any importance at all. Just some mean guy I happened to run into. Not worth the detention, you know."

Jake snorted. "Yeah, you threw stuff around the dorms forever, and nobody could believe Miss-perfect-Relena had gotten a detention. Hey, have you heard about the revelation of the Gundam pilots?"

At this unexpected statement, every single one of the pilots, even Trowa, froze immediately and stared.

Even Relena was surprised. "What? What revelation?"

Jake laughed, not realizing that the five men behind Relena were frozen solid and unmoving. "Oh, they think they found out who they were and where they're living. Having trouble finding one of 'em, though. Said his name was Heero or something."

Quatre managed to rasp out, "Have they – have they found the others?"

Jake shrugged and grinned. "Sure. Names were…let me see…oh yeah – Duo Maxwell, Quatre Winner, Trowa Barton, and Chang Wufei. Oh, and the Heero guy was Yuy. Yup, that's right."

The pilots exchanged glances, and every one of them, except one, showed fear.

Relena said, very, very quietly, "Jake, what were they planning to do? How come I haven't heard of this?"

Jake looked at her oddly. "Don't know why they didn't tell you, Re. Being the Queen and all. Anyway, they said they've got tracking devices on 'em and their families – "

Duo choked.

" – and they're gonna hunt 'em down and execute 'em, most likely. Pity, really," Jake added. "Them being such good soldiers and all. I mean, they must have been good, you know, to pilot Gundams, out of all things – "

"Jake," Relena said in a strangled sort of voice. "Could you excuse us for a moment? My friends and I need to talk."

"Sure, Re," Jake said, grinning cheerfully. "I'll be over at the beverage table. Dance with me later?"

"Sure, whatever," she said, and Jake walked away.

Without another word, Relena grabbed Duo's arm and began pulling him along, the other pilots following. She led them straight outside, and shut the doors firmly behind her.

After checking around to make sure no one was near, Relena hissed quietly, "Did any of you know about this?"

Duo was pale. He croaked, "If we would, we would've told you, you idiot."

Relena ignored the insult and said quietly, "What are we going to do?"

Wufei answered this one. "They've got tracking devices on us, somehow. If we can trust this Jacob man."

"We can," Relena assured him.

"How do you know?"

That was Heero. Relena looked at him, startled, and was more than a little surprised to see him staring at her coldly.

"Heero – I – what?" she stammered, unable to look away from his penetrating eyes.

"How do you know for sure?" he repeated, his voice hard and cold.

A little bit of her Queen-of-the-World self came back, and Relena lifted her chin in defiance. "Because he's one of my dearest friends, and I can trust him."

Heero glared at her, then said quietly, "You trusted me."

Relena replied immediately, "I did."

"Stupid girl."

Her eyes widened in surprise, and Trowa gave Heero a strange look that none of them could decipher.

Quatre whispered, "What are we going to do?"

Suddenly, Trowa said, "Evacuate! Evacuate this whole place!"

Relena stared at him. "Why?"

Heero caught on, and hissed, "It's the perfect opportunity. Your friend – " he spat the word out forcefully. " – says that they're tracking us. If there was ever a chance to attack, it's now."

Relena's complexion suddenly went white. "Oh…my…gosh…" she whispered.

Suddenly, Duo dashed to the doors and threw it open, saying behind his shoulder, "Get everyone out!"

The four other pilots and Relena ran after him, breath coming in ragged gasps, but no sooner were they inside the door than the floor flew up from underneath them, knocking all of them to the ground as a wave of wildly intense heat struck them from behind.