‘Chapter 1: A Normal Day At the Beach’

 

The next morning at 6:00 am, Relena and Duo wake to the annoying sound of a clock/radio alarm clock playing U2. As both groan Relena and Duo grab for the offensive alarm clock. Relena finds it first and yanks the cord from the wall tossing it at Duo. Duo catches the annoying substance and throws it in the barrel, hard enough that it cracks the back and lets out a slight hiss. As both open their eyes, they simultaneously think, ‘And I was just getting to the good part… I hate that band even more now’ followed by a slight grimace.

As Relena sits up and swings her legs over the edge of her bed she thinks ‘I think Duo’s gonna have to come to the beach with us’ she looks up at Duo and blushes a bit.

As Duo looks up at Relena looking at him and notices her blushing his cheeks darken a bit in remembrance of his dream, ‘I wonder if she looks that good in a bikini’ Just at that thought he starts to wish that damn alarm clock never went off.

‘Oh, oh, good idea… Okay after breakfast I’ll call Hilde and see if she wants to go to the beach, then I’ll ask if we should bring Duo, and then if she agrees to that then I’ll invite him, telling him to bring a friend. We all go together and we can split up at one point to admire the ‘Views’ Hey! Didn’t Trowa come back last night? Maybe Duo will bring him. If I remember correctly he’s not only single but looks just as hot as Duo without out a shirt. Damn Relena your more of a dog than I thought’ With that last thought and her plan set she let a giggle slip as she walked towards the door tossing a glance over her shoulder she said “Hey Duo, I’m gonna go make breakfast kay.”

“I thought you had cooks for that.”

“I don’t need a cook to make me a bowl of cereal, or French toast. What would you like?” Relena let out. She stopped at the door looking at Duo, but having to look away towards the suddenly interesting wall. ‘Mmm I wouldn’t mind seeing Duo without those boxers either.’ Mentally smacking herself out of her thought of where her dream left off, and back to reality she looked up as Duo gave his answer.

“French Toast and a bowl of Pops, with a tall glass of orange juice, and a bagel if you got any.”

Wide eyed at his list, although she should be used to it by now, she said, “Is that all sir or is that just the appetizer and you need more time?” she teased.

“Just the appetizer” he replied with a small smile.

“Huh?!”

“Just kidding, that’s all… Um it’s your turn to close your mouth” He laughed at that. Happy, now that he was able to make that comment, like she did last night.

Relena quickly shut her mouth, nodded and left her room to head towards the kitchen. After making Duo’s food first and finishing hers she picked up the vid-phone she had brought down with her. Tapping a few keys she waited two seconds while it connected to the desired person. As Hilde’s face appeared and Relena sat up, “Hi Hilde!”

“Um Relena you do know it, like, 7:00 am right?” Hilde noted sleepily.

“Well, yeah, but I just got a great idea last night and I wanted to know if you would join me.” Relena said quickly

“Okay, okay, well what’s the idea?” Hilde said, a bit annoyed that her best friend couldn’t wait till later.

“We go to the beach today and find some hot guys along the way,” she paused a second as a thought occurred to her that could ruin her plans, “your still single… right?”

“Yeah. Rub it in. Caleb didn’t work out.” As she said his name her eyes seemed to darken, and that bothered Relena.

“What happened, who’s Caleb?” Relena queried, concerned a bit at her friends reaction to the name.

“Caleb’s just this guy I met at this event thing I had to go to. On our first date the bastard went after some slut with puffy platinum hair and earrings that made her ear lobes touch the ground. I guess it was for the best eh?”

“Ooh, bitter, I like it. This will definitely be fun. So are you in?”

“Yeah, I’ll come. I could use some dogging.”

“Oh, and Hilde one more thing. Should we ask Duo and a friend to go? I happened to notice his build last night and I almost drooled all over my pillow. He could be some fun. Hey, ya never know, maybe you’ll end up with his friend, unless it’s Trowa of course.”

“Why what’s wrong with Trowa, if I remember correctly he’s most definitely worth drooling over.”

“He is, but do you want to have Catherine breathing down your neck about breaking his heart ‘n such?” She reminded her friend of Catherine’s protectiveness.

“Oh yeah, never mind.” Hilde responded with a giggle. “So… you think Duo’s hot huh?”

“Huh? Well, yeah. But, I couldn’t date him; he’s my body guard. Anyway do you think he’ll go?”

“He’ll have to, he’s your body guard” She reminded quickly.

“Oh yeah” Relena answered stupidly. “So, Hilde, I’ll pick you up at noon or earlier, and then we can go on our little… hunt” she said with a little emphasis on the last word. Hilde nodded and then giggled looking behind Relena then cut the transmission. “What was she laughing about?” she asked no one in particular.

“Hmm, I dunno” Duo had been standing behind her at the end of the conversation. “So,” he started with that grin that had T-R-O-U-B-L-E written on it. She silently gulped, “you think I’m hot huh?”

Letting out a sigh of relief she pushed his food forward. “Why of course Mr. Maxwell, what could have possibly made you think other wise?” She leaned forward a bit showing off the top of her cleavage, and put her weight on her elbows. ‘Hey, a little flirting never hurt anybody, and neither one of us is in a relation ship, and I gotta ask him about the beach too’ “So Duo, is Trowa around? I wasn’t sure if he was back yet” Duo finally looked up from where he was sitting, eating, or rather swallowing whole, his food. As he did this he noticed her stance, and almost chocked. She was extremely beautiful. ‘Damn that sports bra, and damn these boxers’ Duo hoped to whatever god there was that Relena didn’t look over the island/counter top. “Duo, DUO!” He snapped back to reality with Relena’s voice and her hand waving in front of his face. “Good now close your jaw, and answer the question.” She tried to stay stern but he just looked too silly. “Is Trowa back yet?”

“Uh. Er. Um… Trowa, back? Oh yeah Trowa. No he’s staying a couple more days. He won’t be back for another three days.” He finally got out after a few seconds of stuttering.

Pleased with his reaction to her stance Relena stood up, pulled out a chair and sat down. ‘Perfect, at least I won’t have any trouble attracting some guys. Oh, I can’t wait, can’t wait, can’t wait…’ she chanted over and over in her head. The thought of moving on and letting go of a certain someone excited her, for whatever reason. “Well, anyway, Duo would you like to come with me and Hilde to the beach. I know of a beach that no one will know me and if they do then they won’t care.” She stopped momentarily, “and if you do go try to bring a friend, that way no one gets left out of conversation, and I want to have Hilde get with some one, from what her last date sounded like, she could probably use a revival. Someone to get her faith back in man kind, ya know?” By the time she had finished she was talking as seriously as she would at a peace talk or meeting. She didn’t like knowing about this Caleb guy. ‘Hilde deserves better’ she concluded as an after thought.

“Sure I’ll go, I am your guard after all. And as for a friend I think I got an idea.”

Going around the table Relena gave Duo a quick hug while giving an enthusiastic ‘Perfect!’ then went off to get dressed, carrying her food and drink.

One her way up the stairs to her room Relena wondered who Duo was going bring to the beach. As she entered her room she set down her food and glass. ‘Well before I take my shower I better pick out what I’m gonna wear. Relena strode over to her vanity and opened a draw. She took out four bathing suits. The first was a black and white one piece, ‘to sheltering’ she put it back. The second was a yellow bikini with a thong like bottom… she didn’t even see the rest ‘way to revealing’ she threw that out her balcony doors and over her railing ‘I won’t be needing that ‘thing’’. She picked up the next one and looked it over. The bottom was normal enough. It was a black normal bikini bottom with red spots on it. The top covered what was needed, but left the top of her breast uncovered, a perfect combo. The top also had red spots on it, and there were strings attached to the cups that tied around the neck. They looked like an army bathing suit in black and red. ‘Now this I like.’ She put the bathing suit labeled ‘maybe’ on her bed while she looked over her last option. It was sports-bra-like top with a pair of black swishy shorts that had white and red stripes down the side, white drawstrings and red thread from where the pockets were sewn in, as well as the waist trim and the two leg trims. The sports bra was a bunch of colors forming a fire like illusion. ‘Hmm, I don’t like the top with the shorts, but’ she pondered. She placed the shorts over the other bathing suit’s bottoms and stepped back to see how they looked together. ‘Perfect. I can walk around with the shorts, and on the beach and in the water I can take them off. Perfect.’ Happy with her decision she got her robe from its resting place in the closet across from the bathroom and sat on her bed to finish her breakfast while using the remote on her bed-side table to turn on the radio.

***

After Duo finished his breakfast he made his way to his room next to Relena’s. ‘I never knew that girl could cook, never mind that good. She sure is full of surprises, and is quite amazing when you really get to know the Vice-Foreign Minister of the world and colonies.’ Duo thought to himself, using Relena’s political title. As he entered his room he passed the door that led to the one in Relena’s closet. He could hear music starting, but it was too muffled for him to know who it was. He went to the door and opened it. It became clear to him then, “3 Doors Down eh? Good choice” A few seconds after he mentally noted the song, ‘Down poison, her favorite song on the CD.’ As he said that the start of the song could be heard. He opened the door in her closet so he could hear the song as better, and definitely louder. Duo walked over to his own shelves, which were next to Trowa’s shelves. As he pulled out a pair of short as he sang along with the song, “Welcome to my world she said, do you feel alive she said. It’s all a bad dream spinning in your lonely world. Welcome to my world she said, separated world she stayed separated. Down poison, down pioson” As he finished the verse he thought of how much it related to Relena. Sure, she had Quatre to help her out, but she did more work by far. He was more into the organizing of meeting and events. She did all the paper work, wrote her own speeches, went to every meeting and events, as Quatre only went to some, and had to deal with reporters constantly. She was overwhelmed at first but she got it later on, yet she still did feel lonely at times. ‘Yes that song does suit her well, that’s to bad.’ He frowned as he pulled out a pair of all black swishy shorts and a black loose tank.  After he did so he heard Relena restart the song. Duo smiled at Relena’s predictability. She always did that when the song was on. He grabbed a robe and towel from their place on their hangers and head to the bathroom listening to the song “Body withered, body died, time to take this life…” He sighed, ‘At least she can let out her stress through music and not actually kill herself. With that he got in the shower awaiting him.

***

Relena got out of the shower and changed her CD to Linkin Park. She walks over to her bed, while moving her head to the music of the first track [paper cut] “The sun goes down, I feel the light betray me, the sun, goes down I feel the light betray me” she continues on with the song while putting on her bottoms to her bikini. As the song end she starts to put on her top, the starts to sing a part of the next song [one step closer] “All the words they make no sense, I found bliss in ignorance, the less I hear the less you say, you’ll find that out anyway, just like before, every thing you say to me brings me one step closer to the edge, and I’m about to break…” As Relena finished putting on the shorts to finish he attire she heard a knock on her door. “Come in”

“I need a little room to break, and I’m about to… BREAK” Duo ended the song as he came in. “Hey Lena. I’m gonna call my friend Jacob now kay, can I do it in here?”

“Yeah sure. Is their something wrong with your phone?” Relena asked. She thought the one he had in his room was new.

“No, I figured I’d get your approval of him, any way, you vid-phones cooler than mine” He finished with a small sheepish grin on his face. He walked over to her vid-phone and sat down. Relena just rolled her eyes and stood behind him. Duo typed a bunch of keys and then hit enter key, waiting impatiently for Jacob to answer. After a few seconds of waiting a Blonde haired man appeared on the line. He had small go-t and a barely noticeable mustache. His eyes were a bright blue with a hint of green. They were like Relena’s, except a bit darker, and they made him look so hot that Relena envied Hilde a bit. He smiled brightly when he saw who had called him. ‘Damn, if I wasn’t trying to hook Hilde up, I’d go for him in an instant.’ Relena would have drooled if not for that thought.

“Hey Duo. Isn’t it a bit early for you. I figured you’d be sleeping still.” Just then he noticed Relena standing behind him, “Ah, so the lady woke you eh Duo”

“Actually I would be sleeping, with a good dream too, if not for this lady’s alarm clock” Noticing Jacob’s eyes widen, he became aware of what he just implied, “Oh, no, not like that you hound dog. This is Relena. I’m her body guard, and her best friend… right Lena?”

“Hello Jacob, nice to meat ya. Yes, Duo, you are my best friend” Relena finished in a teasing tone pulling softly on Duo’s braid.

“I see you are quite good friends. If you were anything else less he would’ve tried to kill you for touching his infamous braid” Jacob joked with a laugh. “Pleasure’s all mine ‘Jousan” He stopped for a moment seeing her expression of slight shock, “Duo’s mentioned you before Miss Peacecraft, I do know who you are.” He explained himself quickly. “Nice taste in music you got there, Lena”

“Why thank you Jacob” Relena remarked in mock nobility, and a big grin. Linkin Park was still playing.

“HELLO! Can we please get to the reason I called” Duo had finally cut in, putting much emphasis on the word ‘I’.

“Feeling left out are we Duo? Why did you call then” Jacob had become quite amused at his friends seemingly jealous attitude.

“Actually Duo you are using MY phone, and I’m talking as well, there for I am making the call as well” Relena said matter-of-factly.

“I hate your logic, it always makes you seem right.” Duo complained more playfully now.

“And that’s what makes me such a great politician. Any way, Jacob, the reason WE called was we wanted to know if you’d come to the beach with us and another friend.” Relena explained to Jacob.

“Actually, the main reason we are going is for us to split up at one point to pick up girls for us, and guys for them.” Duo added quickly, with the biggest grin, saying ‘I’m gonna get some, Oh Yeah!’

“Yeah that too” Relena finally said, then laughing after. ‘They both look so cute when they are surprised’ Indeed they were. They were not expecting her to agree to that, actually Duo expected to get a smack off the head for it. “So you in Jacob?”

“Yeah sure when we leaving, and to which beach?”

“We’ll pick you up around noon-ish, and we’ll be going to Summons beach”

“Isn’t that in the U.S.?”

“There’s one there called Sommers beach, but this one’s on the outskirts of the Sanc Kingdom. I’ll explain the name on the way there when we’ve picked everyone up kay?”

“Yep, see you both then.” With that Jacob cut the connection. By now Linkin Park Had ended and now Metallica was playing [unforgiven II].

“Oh, I love this song!” Relena started to mouth the words to the song as she got a towel and extra clothes ready. She was oblivious to the fact that Duo was staring at her, just now noticing her clothes. She looked perfect with him in that bathing suit. ‘Oh shit, I think I’m drooling. Damn, I am’ Duo was in fact ‘rising’ without getting out of his seat at the moment. The worst part was that his swishy shorts were worse at hiding the fact than his boxers. Lucky for him Relena never noticed. “Hey Duo, you should go get some extra clothes. Those shorts and shirt are gonna be soaked by the time we come home. When you’re done you should probably call Jacob and make sure he does the same. I’ll have the towels covered kay?”

“Um, sure, I’ll get to that now.” And with that said, Duo practically ran from the room. ‘That guy gets stranger every day, but I guess only friends would notice that. Wonder why he was running’ Relena just shrugged off the question and went to her closet to get out the four biggest towels she had. ‘Better make that eight just in case…’ With that she grabbed four extra, anticipating her upcoming day.

***

Relena had put her extra clothes in a small bag, and was carrying it over her shoulder all the while hoping not to run into anything as she walked blindly out of her room and into the hallway with eight towels blocking her view. Duo picked the exact moment Relena was passing his door to come out and relieve her of the top four towels so she could see. “Thank you Duo, I was afraid I was gonna walk into something or miss a step when I came in contact with the stair case.”

“Hey no prob Jousan. At least now you can just tuck ‘em under your arm instead of in front of your face.” Duo flashed a big smile to lighten Relena’s still thankful face. “So are we gonna go pick up Hilde now, or get food first? Oh, and which car are we taking? Are you gonna drive or have a driver or are we taking my car?-” Duo was asking one question after another and  Relena was used to a lot of questions at once, but not from one person.

“Duo! Hold on a sec… We’re gonna pick up Hilde and Jacob first, then some food, and ice. I’m gonna take my own car, and I’m driving. By the way, Jacob does live on earth… right? I know Hilde moved to earth since I gave her a building for her business 2 years ago, but what about Jacob?”

“Such a silly question Lena, I’m not THAT dense as to ask someone who doesn’t live on Earth to come with us… Oh yeah, one more question… How is it that the biggest workaholic I know suddenly decides to leave for a day no matter the schedule?” Duo had managed to make her cringe at the remembrance of her job, but she brightened an instant later.

“I have no obligations to up hold today. My schedule includes only the beach. I need to relax. I noticed this last night, and I intend to do so… I only work part time, and I just figured that out”

“You mean last night when you “happened to notice my build last night and almost drooled all over your pillow” Duo had happened to get that out with the biggest, and cheesiest grin on his face, and that made Relena cringe twice. Once for reciting a part of her earlier conversation, ‘So he heard that part too huh?’ and the second for saying it with THAT grin. ‘Oh damn him’

“Um… to be truthful, yes. I noticed that a little fun is in order,” She had become serious now, even as they were walking down the stairs in beach clothing carrying beach type items, “I do not want to wait for something that will not happen. And I believe that’s what I’ve been doing.”

“I understand Relena, I do.” Duo was also being serious, for the first time and possibly NOT the last.

Both Relena and Duo put down their bundles in the trunk of Relena’s car. It was the newest model of an STP. The color was a deep purple. If it was dark out it would look black. With her political position, she immediately gave up the pink limo, and got some real cars, along with a silver, and a standard black limo. Her car was topless showing off it’s black interior and its silver radio system. Each speaker was hidden but it was most definitely there. There was also a Play Station 3X3 in the middle of the two front seats for the back seat occupants to use. Below the system were the games, from Final Fantasy ‘the combined old style’ series [that would the revised versions of the ones we have today, and the upcoming 10 and 11] to Soul Reaver: Kain’s Turn. The screen was 10 inches and stood on the system. This was Relena’s favorite car. As Relena finished putting things in their place she made sure to leave room for the cooler, and her friends’ things. Duo had hopped in front and turned on the radio. As a song by Static X finished and a new tune made it’s way to Relena’s ears. ‘Justin…’ she shut the car’s trunk “Hey Lena, isn’t this the band that-“

      “Justin is in” She finished his question, “Yes, it is. It’s called Insurrection.” Relena had now run to the front seat, driver’s side and turned it up. “I love this song”

“Yeah, him and his band sure have talent, I always knew they’d make it” Duo had met Justin a little while before they had become big on his colony. Himself and Relena, along with Hilde, got free tickets to their concerts now. Relena had been quick to give them the money for a new sound system, van, and any extra money needed when she found out about them getting a meeting with a record company. Her old friend, from before previous war times had always had talent. They had grown up together, and managed to live throughout the war. He and his band had finally gotten their wish.

“Yep, me too, one day they are gonna be a legend, along with Metallica and Bon Jovi. I can’t wait till their next concert; it’s going to be in the Sank Kingdom. They’re gonna come to my place to stay, so we’ll be able to seem them all again.” Relena was getting excited. Pretty soon she would see her old friend of 12 years. As the song ended both went back into the house to get the cooler and make sure every thing was in order before their half-hour drive to Hilde’s house started, and the one-hour one to Jacobs. 

~~~

Duo had just hopped in the passenger side of Relena’s car again. The radio was already on and Relena was getting the CD’s out of their resting place from inside the cabinet next to her radio and CD’s. She made sure to get two CD’s of the ones she liked most. As she came down the stairs from her room she glanced toward the kitchen. ‘Hmm, how ‘bout some snacks for the road. I could go for some Cheetos… And I bet Duo wouldn’t care as long as it’s edible. I should grab a drink to… So much for waiting till we pick up Hilde and Jacob to get food..’ Relena giggle as her stomach started to rumble. She grabbed the bag of Cheetos from the cabinet and the six-pack of Pepsi in the ‘Fridge. 

As she walked out the door, Duo saw the food. He saw the Pepsi. He saw the CD’s. His eyes widened as he noticed something, “Hey Lena, everything we will ever need is in your car. Food. Music. Drinks. Video games and transportation. What else could one possibly need” His smile grew as Relena giggled at his comment.

“How true Duo, how true.” She giggled again as she put the sodas in the cooler, and brought two Pepsi’s and their snack up front. “Now try not to make a mess Duo, I don’t want to have the problem I had last time with the little, yet infinitive amount of black crumbs ALL over my car, especially this one… Got it?”

“Yes ma’am” Duo mock saluted and grinned. “Okay, so Lena, it’s 9:00 now. We’ll get to Hilde’s around 9:30 or so…and then from her house it will take around 1hour to get to Jacob’s, that will make it perfect timing. We’ll get there around 10:30, 10:40, and got to the beach after.” As Duo finished his predictions for the next three hours Relena started the car, shut the door.

“Okay, then from Jacob’s house we go to Summons Beach. From Jacob’s, I understand it will take about another hour to get there. That will be perfect, ‘cause we’ll get there around 11:30 or so. Since it’s a private beach in Sank, it won’t resemble anything like crowded until 1:30, 2pm. While we wait we can walk around ‘n stuff.”

“I thought it was private?” Duo didn’t understand how there could be stores and places interesting to walk around if it was privately owned. Relena had to giggle a bit at the way he was acknowledging the whole thing.

“Only the beach is private… not the boardwalk. All the stores and restaurants are owned by their respective companies. Understand?” The last part was said just to tease. It was as if she was talking to a young child. She stifled and other set of giggles.

“Oh, I get it… So are we gonna stick around here all day or what?” then next thing Duo knew, the car was half way down the drive way and making sure there were no cars coming their way. “Waaaaaahoooo!!” Duo yelled as the sped down the street, blasting Bon Jovi’s “Blaze of Glory” Missing the first verse with his yell Relena began to sing along with the second.

“I don’t know where I’m going, only god knows where I’ve been. I’m a devil on the run. A six-gun lover. A candle in the wind.” Relena sang the lines she knew by heart since she was little. She glanced at Duo, almost as if it was a sign for him to continue, which he did.

“YEAH!”  Duo pretended to play drums on the dash board to the short 12 second music solo [part thingy, it consists of drums and guitar I believe]. Then as the lyrics started again, in a softer tone, Duo sang to them in an equal tenor, and in a surprisingly good voice, [okay, maybe not THAT surprising, but still] “When your brought into this world, they say your born with sin. Well at least they gave me something, I didn’t have to steel or have to win” Duo finished his part then glanced at Relena; ‘Your Turn’ was basically what it said.

“Well then tell me that I’m wanted,” The parts that Relena sang were of a higher tone [Kind of like closer to a yell, not as in pitch], in which she did her best to match, “Yeah I’m a wanted (wo) man. I’m a colt in your stable; I’m what Cain was to Abel. Mister catch me if you can…” with that part ended and Relena changing lanes, they both sang the chorus.

“I’m going down in a Blaze of Glory. Take me now, but know the truth. I’m going down in a Blaze of Glory. And lord I never drew first, but I drew first blood. I’m no one’s son. Call me young gun.” after that another really short solo went about. Through that short part both laughed. Relena looked toward Duo as his softer tone started, and he sang very well with it.

“You ask about my conscience, and I offer you my soul. You ask me if I’ll grow to be a wise man, well I ask if I’ll grow old” As the stronger, less sing-like tone came back, Relena took her cue.

“You ask me if I known love, and what it’s like to sing songs in the rain. Well I’ve seen love come, I’ve seen it shot down, I’ve seen it die in vain” Relena didn’t notice how much those lyrics related to her, but Duo did, and as he looked at her as they sang the chorus, his eyes softened, ‘Guess she doesn’t notice. Good thing. Heero really fucked up leaving her like that. I’m just glad she’s finally noticing other guys, not that I want it to be me or anything’ he reasoned with himself, ‘But I’m sick of seeing her be so down, and it being over Heero just the same. Of course, I’d rather it be Heero than someone that I don’t really know, or that is always around. Me and Trowa would have a field day on the guy, not to mention a new punching bag, and practice dummy’ Duo smirked at his own little joke, no matter how serious it was.

“Shot down in a Blaze of Glory. Take me now, but know the truth. ‘Cause I’m going down in a Blaze of Glory. And lord I never drew first, but I drew first blood. I’m the devil’s son. Call me young gun” another Guitar solo took place. And then, just music through that time they talked.

“Hey Lena, why do they call the beach ‘Summons’?” He didn’t want to wait for the others to know the reason. Duo wasn’t that patient. [Duh!]

“It has to do with the way the land was before the ‘After Colony’ years began, and even further than that. The beach, and all land a round it had a phenomenal problem that could not be explained. For the longest time sunlight never reached that area. It was darkness all the time, except for the stars, and when the moon came around. The night never left. It only started to fade back in the 2500’s of A.D. yet it started somewhere in the 1300’s. The whole area was called ‘Born of the Night’ and the beach and boardwalk was ‘Summons’. There was a small saying that was titled ‘Born of the Night’ and stated; “The night summons like and unquenched love, beckoning with the promise of dark desire.” The one’s who founded the ‘tale’ named the beach ‘Summons’ for the fact that they believed that that was the main place of the darkness since it was the place that first had the long time night, and the last as well. Although, to this day, nights there are still abnormally long. Other’s claimed that not only was it always dark, and the key place for unruly desires, back then being love, but people called Summoners… well, they summoned creatures, and people, and even powers. Those who believed that people had powers either didn’t live long, at all. But that part of the tale was folklore, it was never proven, and never even thought of as true. Every thing else [other than the things about Summoners of course] is true, the eternal night, the people who thought love foolish, and the one’s who thought it evil and dark. That is how it got it’s name.”

“Wow, I think I like that beach. How long are the night times exactly?” By this time the lyrics had stated again, but Duo had found something a bit more interesting.

“Got your attention did it?” Relena couldn’t help but laugh, ‘Some time’s he just seems so much like a child’ “The nights are about 11 hours long. Eight pm  to 7 am.”

Duo’s eyes widened with those words. “No way, even in the summer?”

“Yep” After that Relena told Duo how she had acquired such information, and then told him to change the CD. As Duo said Creed, Relena nodded, also adding in an update on their current state, “We’ll be at Hilde’s in 10 minutes Duo. I’ll go in and get her while you open the trunk kay?”

“Sure thing Jousan. What song do you want to listen too?” Relena just shrugged. He took it upon himself to make the decision on his own instead. “Track three then.” When the music started Relena recognized the song immediately.

“She wears a coat of color, loved by some, feared by others. She’s immortalized in a young mans eyes.” She sang along with the lyrics with equal speed, but precise wording. “Kinda relates to me doesn’t it?”

Duo thought about it for a moment before he answered, “Yes, I believe your right Lena.” A few minutes later they arrived at Hilde’s.  

~~~

Relena opened her door and got out. She looked up at Hilde’s house. It had an odd Victorian look to it. It clashed colors of white, gray, and black. Duo hopped over the car door. Relena took off towards the stairs, some how managing to skip steps and look graceful at the same time. ‘I guess politics pays off sometimes’ Relena shook off the thoughts of her job and concentrated more on all the hot guys with out shirts she would see that day, Duo and Jacob among them. ‘Hurry it up Peacecraft, all those guys are waiting’ And with that Relena knocked hard, loud, and fast on the door, “Hey Hilde, you ready, we’re here!” Relena said, voiced raised slightly below a shout.”

“C’mon in Relena!” Hilde shouted back, “Duo! My bag’s in the hallway kay!”

“What does every one think I am, some kinda bellhop or something?” Duo mumbled in a whisper.

“There’s snacks on the counter, as well as some cold cuts for your labor. You will get paid, bellhop!” Apparently Hilde was on the balcony above them and saw him mumble, but all she needed to see was the word ‘bellhop’ come over his lips to know what it was about, and also how to respond.

Duo’s eyes glittered with the promise of food. “Hey Hilde, what can you do read minds?”

“Nope, read lips” A smirk was clearly visible on Hilde’s lips as she turned to go meet Relena, who had already entered her house. They met at the bottom of the steps. “Hey Relena, I need your opinion on what I should wear for a bathing suit. By the way, I love yours.”

“Why thank you Hilde” Relena turned so Hilde could so the back as well. “Okay, so lets go see what you got.” With that they turned and went back up stairs to Hilde’s room, both giggling in anticipation for the day to come, along with the hot guys included.

~~~

Duo entered the house and saw Hilde’s bag. “I’ll grab it on the way out.” He passed the bag and went straight to the kitchen. On the counter were three bags of chips and the cold cuts. He grabbed all of them and turned back towards the hallway. He stuffed all the cold cuts under one arm, and grabbed the ends of the bags in the other. Having a free hand he picked up Hilde’s bag and headed out to the car. He all but threw her bag on top of his and Relena’s, and then put the cold cuts in the cooler. He shut the trunk and walked beside the car to the side placing the three bags of chip on the front seat. He then turned and went back into the house to go get Hilde and Relena.

~~~

Hilde and Relena stood at the end of Hilde’s green covered bed staring at the two out of five bathing suits they had picked out. One was a one piece that had a low cut in the front, and down to the tops of the hips in the back. There was an opening on the stomach that would show off her navel, too her sides above the hips. The color was a velvet purple with a black rim. Dark but still beautiful. The other was a bathing suit similar to Relena’s. The only difference being the way the top was shaped. It was a sports bra like shape that had thin straps to connect in the back. The color was a navy blue. They just couldn’t figure out which one they liked more.

“Hey Hilde, I think I know which one I like better, can you try on the one piece one more time so I can be sure?” Relena had stopped contemplating, finally coming close to a decision.

“Sure thing Lena, one second kay?” Hilde grabbed the suit and headed off to her walk-in closet. A few minutes later she came back out with the bathing suit on. “So is this it, or is it the other one?” Hilde turned once more and stopped next to the mirror. Relena came up behind her and nodded.

“Yup, that’s definitely the one.” Just then a voice came in that shocked them both.

“Wow! Yep, I like that one the best Hilde babe.” Both whipped their heads around to see a grinning Duo in the doorway. As both regained composer from the sudden intrusion Duo turned and went down stairs, leaving a blushing Hilde behind, and a giggling Relena in tow.

“Hilde I also suggest you put on a pair of shorts for walking around okay. I think your maroon swishy ones are your best ones with that suit kay.” Relena waited for Hilde to nod before she shut the door behind her.

“Oh!” Hilde gave an angry, short yell, “That Duo! I’ll get him for that.” She suddenly got a mischievous grin as a plan started to form.

~~~

After a few minutes Hilde came down stairs and got in the car. She noted the music that was playing. By now the CD had gotten to the tenth track. “She came calling, one early morning. She showed her crown of thorns. She whispered softly. To tell her story, About how she had been wronged. As she lay lifeless, he stole her innocence. And this is how she carried on.” [those are the lyrics, no one’s singing along with them]

“Um guys? Can we change the music tone? Today’s supposed to be happy, not depressing.” Hilde quirked an eyebrow as she asked the question.

Relena opened her door and say in the diver’s seat and threw back the CD case. “Sure. What do ya wanna listen too. I got all my best CD’s in there, so pick what you want.”

As Relena said that Hilde handed her the CD she wanted, having already known what it was, all she had to do was find it. Duo took the CD and looked at it. “3 Doors Down eh? Good choice.” The next sound heard, after the music to the first track started, was the opening of a bag of chips. “Mmm, I love Barbeque.” Both Relena and Hilde giggle as they grabbed for a chip. “Nuh uh, mine! If you want one, you gotta pay the tole” At that both girls wanted to laugh straight out. He sounded so serious.

Relena pulled out of the space she was parked in. She was enjoying this day so much, and it had barely begun. “Okay, then what’s the tole?”

“Oh, I know, I know!” Hilde shouted from the back. Duo gave her a questioning glance. Relena got nervous at her declaration. ‘Uh oh, I don’t like that twinkle in her eye, and Duo doesn’t notice either.’ She could see Hilde clearly through the rear view mirror, but what she saw, she didn’t like. “The tole is a peck on the cheek. ‘Well that doesn’t sound so bad. Thank god! I thought one of us was in trouble’

“Yeah, I think that’ll do. Place’er hear Hilde” Duo leaned back in between the seats as Hilde gave him a light kiss on the cheek and took a few chips out of the bag. “How about you Relena.”

“Yeah I want one too” she said in a pretend wining tone, “But lemme get on the highway first. It’ll be faster to get to Jacob’s that way.” A minute or two past and they were on the highway, which wasn’t very occupied since most took public transportation for switching cities. This highway wasn’t used that often anymore due to the Trans Train. “Alright. Your gonna have to lean over though.”

“Kay” Duo did as told and leaned over. He had his eyes facing the front windshield and cheek to Relena. Relena leaned over about to give him his ‘tole’.

“Hey Duo!” Hilde called him, and he turned. The next thing either of them knew Duo had turned into Relena’s lips and they were kissing. Hilde was definitely satisfied. The kiss lasted for about 10 seconds. Both forgot who it was and what they were doing. Relena was the first one to, reluctantly, pull apart. ‘Wait one minute. THAT is Duo, and I’M driving’ She faced the road, then looked at Hilde through the mirror again. She saw the smirk, and the innocent look she tried to put on. ‘I knew I was in trouble’

Duo had snapped back to reality and looked at Hilde. He too noticed the smirk. “You planned that didn’t you?” Hilde just looked at him innocently like she had no idea what he was talking about. He turned forward, with what Hilde could have sworn was a smirk on his face. After a few seconds of both the ‘victims’ thinking over what had happened, Duo spoke up. “Hey Lena,” Relena looked over at him a bit nervously, biting the corner of her bottom lip lightly. “Since you exceeded the tole,’ Duo pointedly looked at Hilde, then at Relena’s lips, “You get to have as much of the Barbeque chips you want!” As Hilde scowled, Relena smiled widely with a low giggle. Those were her favorite type of chips as well, but whenever she got them Duo would eat them all, ‘I guess that wasn’t such a bad thing after all’ From that moment on the kiss vanished, as if it didn’t happen, except when ever Relena wanted a chip, Duo wouldn’t be a pest about it.

“So Hilde, tell me about this Caleb guy.” There was about another thirty-five minutes left to get to Jacob’s, and Duo wanted to know what had happened with the him, or with ‘That Ass’ as Relena had dubbed him before they left the house when he had asked her about him.

“He was just some ass that I met at an event I had to attend, dated once, and lost to some horny slut chick on the same night. I think that about sums it up, don’t you?” Hilde turned to Relena, whom she had told the whole full-length story to while looking at the bathing suits. Relena nodded glancing at Hilde with sympathizing eyes through the mirror.

“I don’t think I want-a know anymore, I might end up killing that ass” From there on Caleb would now be known as ‘The ass, That ass, or Some ass’. All pretty much dubbing him as a donkey.  Duo leaned back in his chair and put his hands behind his head.

“Oh, oh Relena! Turn this song up! Turn it up!” Hilde practically yelled. Duo quirked an eyebrow and leaned forward to turn it up. “Welcome to my world she said, do you feel alive she said, its all a bad dream spinning in your lonely head.” She sang.

As the song registered in Duo and Relena’s heads Relena said, “Hey Hilde.. I thought you said you didn’t wanna listen to depressing music?”

Hilde smiled a bit sheepishly, “Well this is an exception…any way isn’t this YOUR favorite song on the CD?”

Relena nodded and said ‘yes’. All through this Duo just moved his head to the beat and ate his chips, ahem, their chips. “Oh Relena, aren’t you gonna tell Hilde about the reason for Summons Beach’s name?”

“Yeah, I will… When Jacob we pick up Jacob I’ll tell them.” Duo nodded, but Hilde was confused.

“Where’s Summons Beach?”

“It’s in the Sank Kingdom. When you go there you don’t really notice the street that leads to it. It’s a private beach, but there’s a boardwalk too. It’s not that well known so its not gonna be as crowded as normal beaches like the one in Hampton, US. BUT none the less, there are still a lot of hot guys.”

Duo grinned saying, “Me among them”

Hilde just rolled her eyes and said, “Oh, lucky us” Relena snickered while the two bickered back and forth. ‘Like brother and sister’ She giggled again as Hilde said something about Duo whining too much. Things went on like that for most of the ride. The only time the two seemed to agree on something was when they decided to change the music.

~~~

As Relena’s STP pulled up in front of Jacob’s house, Relena burst into laughter. Both Hilde and Duo stopped arguing and looked at Relena like she was nuts. “What are you laughing at!?” Duo and Hilde asked at the exact same time.

“Look at you two. Do you even know what you’re arguing about anymore?” She was still laughing, but she managed to get it out when she stopped to breath.

Hilde and Duo looked at each other and they also started to laugh, well Hilde giggled while Duo chuckled. “Your right as usual Lena. I’ll go get Jacob.” Duo jumped over the car door and went up the stairs that led to the door.

As the girls watched Duo ring the bell and knock loudly calling Jacob Hilde leaned forward, “He Lena? Have you met Jacob?”

“Yeah” Relena already knew what was coming but decided to just let it ride out with the questions.

Hilde practically jumped at her word, “So is he hot? Nice? Rude? What? Give me the scoop before he comes out!” Duo had grown too impatient by now [oh, wow, like 40secs!] and opened the dark brown door to the house to enter.

Relena giggled again and answered the questions, taking in a deep breath, “Yes, very. Yep. Nope, sarcastic sometimes. He has eyes like mine, but darker. Blonde hair. Kinda tall. Seems sweet, and I believe you’ll get along quite well.” She let out the rest of her breath and breathed in deeply.

“OHHHH YAY! I love blondes with blue eyes!” Hilde looked like she just won the lottery. They looked over to the door as it closed and Hilde went breathless, eyes gone wide, and mouth dropped open. Jacob was wearing some green and gray shorts, and a green shirt. His eyes were definitely the most beautiful blue Hilde had ever seen. His skin was tanned slightly, and his hair was a dirty type blonde, the same with his go-t. His shirt did him justice; showing off his muscles in his arms, and leaving Hilde to wonder what was under the shirt. She all but drooled at the thought.

By now Duo had noticed her reaction, as well as Relena. Both looked at each other, big grins spread across their faces. Duo winked to Relena who, in turn, nodded her head. Duo slowed his pace to the car and ended up walking behind Jacob. Normally Jacob would have noticed that something was up, but he was to caught up in Hilde’s midnight eyes that he didn’t notice how close to the car he was, or the curb, or Duo. When he was right in front of the car, and Hilde, who was still in the car, Duo jerked his foot forward and caught his foot. Jacob’s whole body went face first towards Hilde’s. He went right over the side and landed in Hilde’s lap, well that’s where his head landed. The rest of his body landed beside her and on the floor of the car.

“What the-!” Jacob had yelled as he fell and all Hilde managed to get out was “Eep!” [How’s that for a first impression?] As Jacob let out the rest of his sentence into Hilde’s lap, she shivered. Her eyes almost rolled back into her head with the feel of the warm breath coming out of his mouth.

The next thing either of them knew, Duo was almost on the ground laughing his ass off, while Relena tried to stifle her laugh behind her hand. Once Hilde figured out what had happened she glared at Duo, but when she looked at Relena she smiled and mouthed the words ‘thank you’. Again Relena giggled. She was doing a lot of that today. She winked at Hilde and asked Jacob if he was okay. He turned over and nodded stuttering an apology, all the while thinking of all the different ways to kill Duo, drowning him was the most appetizing.

“Um, S-sorry. I didn’t really mean to do that, I tripped.”

Hilde blushed, smiled, and nodded, helping him to his feet and sitting down. When both sat down Duo hopped over the side and sat in his seat next to Relena in the front. As the car started Duo turned around. “Hey Jacob, this my friend, is Hilde. Hilde, this is Jacob.”

When Relena got on the highway she turned to Hilde, “Feel free to play PlayStation. I only have RPG’s, hope you don’t mind.”

Jacob shook his head “No that’s great, I love RPG’s the best. Do you have the new Soul Reaver?” As Relena nodded with a smile, Duo pulled out the game from its case and handed it to him, giving him a ‘have fun’ with a mouth full of chips.

“So Jacob what do you want to listen too. The newest gets to pick.” Hilde passed him the CD case and took the control to the game. He looked through it and finally stopped on Disturbed. He handed the CD case and CD to Hilde. When he was in control of the game everyone started to talk. Hilde and Jacob talked about South Carolina, since that’s where he was originally from, then how both met Duo, then how they met Relena. Every few minutes they would point out something they had in common. ‘Wow! Those eyes are just so beautiful. He doesn’t have a girlfriend either. I guess  I owe Duo for this huh? Well... maybe not… if he doesn’t find out.’ After that thought she thought of another subject to talk about. “Hey Jacob, I HAVE to tell you what I did to Duo and Relena earlier…”

As for Duo and Relena, they talked about how funny their little ‘stunt’ was, and how funny their faces looked. About fifteen minutes away from the beach Duo reminded Relena to tell the two in the back about the reason for its title. As Hilde and Jacob turned to listen Relena re-told the story she had previously told Duo.  

~~~

“Wow, this beach sounds so cool Relena. How did you find out about it?” Hilde asked with so much interest.

“Well it is in my kingdom.”

“True, true. So are we almost there?”

“Yep.” When the guys heard the answer both let out a “YAAAAAAAAHHHHHOOOO!!!”

~~~

When Relena turned her car around the corner, all either of them could see was white sand and bluish purple water. After their initial shock was gone they observed the rest to see; the stores, some people, hot guys included, a park, and places to park. The sky was a deep blue, also having purple in it. “Wow, today’s gonna be a blast!” Duo said in awe.

Relena had spotted a couple of really nice looking shirtless guys and elbowed Hilde as they got out of the car. “Oww! What was th-” Hilde stopped immediately and grinned. “Yep today is gonna be a lot of fun!”

Relena laughed and helped the guys get their stuff out of the car. When all was on the beach, the guys took off their shirts, leaving to go down to the water. The girls took off their shorts and followed, almost drooling.

~~~~

Up on the boardwalk the two guys Relena and Hilde smiled. They looked at one another then to the two beauties that were now in the water splashing and falling. As they turned they started to form a plan in their heads.

“So, Chase, funny that the Peacecraft girl would be hear today, eh.”

“Yeah, same with your Hilde. So Sid, what do you think we should do?”

“Well, ya know brother, I think you already know what I’m thinking.”

“I believe I do brother, I believe I do.”  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Hey, well sorry I stopped it this chapter kinda sucked, and was really boring but it was getting to long, and I’m not really all that close to where I intended to stop. Could you really believe THAT was cutting it short?! Well, I know that was sort of a cliff hanger, but that seemed like the best place to stop. Any way, I hope you at least enjoyed it a little. Please review!!! I love Reviews!!! One more thing, don’t expect the next chapter to be out for another 2 weeks or so. That’s another reason why I cut it short. I’m leaving tomorrow to go to Hampton for two weeks.. OH YEAH! HOT GUYS!!! WAAAHHOOOO! Okay.. um so the next chapter won’t be around till them! Ja ne!]