I do not own Gundam Wing. This fan fiction has no commercial value and I am not making any kind of profit or income off of this. 

 

Chapter 6

When it had appeared that all the guests had arrived, Milliardo got up and made a toast. “To Relena and Jacob,” he said, inwardly wanting to wash his mouth out with soap. He had been watching the boy all night, looking for signs of his alleged womanizing, but not only had he not hit on any other girl, he was showing interest in Relena. Reserved interest, he noted.

“Here here,” the guests echoed.

The small band began playing a song, and taking the hint, Jacob offered his hand to his bride-to-be. She smiled and allowed him to lead her to the dance floor. “It’s what they expect,” she said to herself.

The two danced well together. Ambassador Quincy smiled genuinely at Milliardo. “I think they will make a fine couple,” he said proudly.

Relena looked up at Jacob. “He’s still staring at me. I wonder what he is thinking? I can’t read anything in his eyes. They look so cold,” she thought. Suddenly, she realized he had spoken.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t hear what you said.”

“I said you look like you’re miles away.”

“I guess I sort of am,” she said softly.

“I understand,” he said simply.

“You do?”

“I’m sure this is at least as hard on you as it is on me. Probably more so.”

“Why would it be more difficult for me?”

“Because women always think, always hope, anyway, to marry someone they love. Men are a little more accepting than that, in general.”

“Interesting theory. But if I am to understand you correctly, you are about as happy about this as I am.”

“No, I would say I’m not quite as unhappy as you appear to be. Of course, there is no one else that has a claim on my heart,” he said with a meaningful look.

“Who said someone else had a claim on my heart?” she asked in a surprised voice.

“Let me rephrase,” he said flatly. “I don’t think it would be too inaccurate to say there is someone else that you love.”

“Perhaps,” she said wistfully. “But it doesn’t matter.”

“It matters,” he said solemnly.

“No, it doesn’t. I haven’t seen him in over four years. He doesn’t want me,” she said trying to blink back the tears that irritatingly managed to form every time she thought of him.

She looked up at her dancing partner, and saw something in his eyes for the first time all night. Just as quickly, it faded away.

Suddenly, she felt him touch her face; he was wiping away a single tear that had escaped down her cheek. His touch was so gentle, she felt herself blush at the intimate gesture, and she had to look away.

*             *             *             *             *             *             *             *           The song ended, and Quatre got up and made his way across the dance floor to Relena. He bowed and asked her to dance. She smiled at the kind-hearted man that had become her friend and confidant over the last few years. As the song began playing, he looked down at her, concern showing in his warm blue eyes. “Are you all right?” He asked with genuine concern.  

“Yes,” she frowned slightly, “why do you ask?”

He smiled sadly, “You were crying. What did he say to you?”

“Nothing. I was just thinking…”

“Of Heero?” he finished for her.

“Yes.” She said softly. Then Relena leaned in closer to Quatre, and rested her head on his chest.

Piercing green eyes filled with anger watched the couple from the table where he was sitting. “Why am I feeling like this?” Jacob asked himself. He suddenly felt claustrophobic in his tuxedo and made his way to the open balcony for some air.

*             *             *             *             *             *             *             *             She found her fiancé quite a while later, looking like he was keeping watch on the balcony. She had brought him a sandwich and a soda. “Jacob?” she asked softly. He turned around, and she handed him the plate and cup. “I thought you might be hungry.”

“Thanks,” he said flatly, and turned back to his original position.

“You’re welcome,” she replied and walked back towards the party.

He turned and watched her go.

*             *             *             *             *             *             *             *            Unable to sleep, “Yet again,” she reminded herself, Relena finally gave up, pulled on a robe and left her room. The guards stationed at her door were surprised - it was 2 am. She was even more surprised to see them there. “Something is up,” Relena thought to herself. “And they’re keeping it from me. Again.” She sighed and made her way to the balcony down the hallway. She hadn’t been there long when a voice said behind her, “You shouldn’t be out here. It’s not safe.”

Turning, she saw Jacob standing there in the slacks and partially unbuttoned dress shirt that remained of his tuxedo. “So, they even told you, but they still try to hide it from me.”

“The guards are just there to protect you, in case some zealot tries to stop the wedding. There’s too much at stake…”

Her eyes narrowed, she hated lies, “Then why aren’t there guards at your door as well? If it was a general threat, they should be guarding both of us.”

“Caught,” he scolded himself. Aloud, he said, “I’m sorry for trying to deceive you. Your brother,” he said flatly, “insisted that he had his reasons for keeping the situation from you.”

“The situation? Am I to be assassinated or kidnapped this time?” she asked dryly.

“I don’t know. You’ll have to ask your brother.”

“Don’t worry, I will.”