Discalimer:  I do not own Gundam Wing.
Dedication: To my Grandmother who recently passed away.  To all the
wonderful Mothers out there and, of course, my own wonderful Mother. 
Also, to all 1xR fans! 
Email: Losigirl24@Aol.com or Kurisutaru Hime@Aol.com

Told from Relena's P.O.V. 



There was no escape.

That thought alone was enough to make me shiver.  With
nervous eyes, I peered around the room, hoping by some miracle a
solution could be found.  In the shdaows of the room, I lurked,
hoping to be swallowed up by the darkness and forgotten about.  No
such luck.  Already, my new hiding spot had been found.  Damn!

"Relena Darlian, come here!"  That commanding (but soft, mind you)
voice was enough to have me moving, reluctantly as it was, out from
the shadows.  There, in the light of the dazzingly chandilers above
me, I met the disapproving glare of the one person who I both loved
and feared the most:  My mother.

"Relena, are you going to hide away all night?  Many of the guest
have been asking for you and I can't very well tell them you're
pouting in the shdaows."  Pouting?  I didn't think I was pouting.  It
sounded so childish.  "It's not like I'm asking much of you.  Just
one evening of socializing.  You are always so busy, I hardly ever
get a chance to be with you."  Here comes the guilt trip.  I was wise
to her ways, though.  The pain from the incredibly high-heels she
picked out for me helped to harden my heart.  Bring it on Mother, I'm
ready this time.  "Relena, you look so lovely tonight.  I guess
you're not really my little girl anymore."  She's changing tactics! 
The guilt is unavoidable as it tackles me.  I watch as a slender hand
wipes away a stray tear away from her eyes.  My resolve crumbles and
I realize the victory is all hers. 

"Mother," I begin in my sweet tone, smiling brightly at her, "I will
always be your daughter."

"And I," she says, brushing a stray strand of hair away from my
face, "I will always be your Mother.  Now get out there and dance
with the Blake's son," she said, giving me a slight shove. 

As I head for my next dancing partner, I console myself with thoughts
of another time when I actually wanted to dance with someone.  The
thought brings me both pleasure and pain.  As usual, whenever I think
of Heero Yuy, worry eats at my heart as well as grief for the young
man who can never rest.  Though I haven't seen him since the end of
the last battle, I feel him near sometimes.  It's strange, but
sometimes, I could swear I could feel his pain as well.  He was
always too far away to let me help him though.

The next dance begins and I smile at the handsome young man before
me.  As he steps on my toes for the third time, I think back to how
all this madness began.  Simply one evening of tea with my Mother had
turned into utter chaos!  For me at least.  Before I knew what had
happened, my Mother had begun spouting words like "marriage"
and "grandchildren."  The idea of marriage had never occured to me. 
In truth, I felt I was already married to my job as Vice-Foregin
Minister.  As I gently explained this to my Mother, she gave me a
look that clearly said that was not a suitable excuse.  Then when she
brought up the grandchildren, my mouth litteraly fell open.  Me, a
mother?  When I hardly have time for myself?  Before I knew it, I was
suckered into a ball she was hosting.  The guise she used was that it
was a charity ball to help the oprhans of the war.  Of course she
knew I would gladly attend a charity ball.  The catch was that all
the people she invited were, how did she put it?  Oh yes, "eligable
young men and their families."  Apparently I was an eligable young
woman ripe for the picking.  So, here I was now, dressed to kill in a
slinky  blue dress that "matched my eyes" and enough make up on to
look like a......well, let's not go there. 

Despite what I thought of my appearance, I had gotten quite a few
positive comments on my attire.  And one comment from Duo Maxwell I
dare not repeat.  I suppose the vain side of me realized I did look
good, but I really didn't want to encourage any of these men. 
Thankfully, the song concluded and with that my dance did as well.  I
curtisied to my partner, careful not to bend too far over, and
awaited the next song.  A warm and familiar hand touched my own and I
looked up to see the bright blue eyes of a good friend.

"Quatre!"

"Miss Relena, would you care to dance," he asked, smiling warmly at
me.

"Of course."  How could anyone ever refuse him anything?  The man was
the sweetest person I had ever met and one of the most determined. 
He and I were alike in so many ways it was no wonder we had become
such good friends.  "I'm glad you could attend Quatre."

"So am I.  You look very lovely tonight, Miss Relena," he said,
careful to not his gaze travel to far down.  I blushed slightly
despite myself.  I noticed his gaze kept wandering to the balcony
doors behind me.

"Quatre, is there something on your mind?"

"Not something but someone.  I'm not sure if I should tell you......"
He trailed off and immediately my senses were alerted.  It was on the
tip of my tongue to demand for him to tell me what was going on but I
forced myself to remain calm.

"Tell me what Quatre?" 

"Heero is outside."  That certainly wasn't what I was expecting.  Why
was Heero outside?  Did he wish to speak to me?  I certainly wanted
to talk to him.  Obviously seeing my dumbfounded expression, Quatre
helped me out.  "I think you should go see him, Relena."

"Yes, I think I will."  I immediatley broke away from Quatre,
ignoring the small commotion that caused, and began walking towards
the balcony doors.  A voice stopped me cold though.

"Relena, where are you going?  It was very rude of you to leave Mr.
Winner on the dance floor."

"Mother, I was just...."  Just what?  Going to see some boy that
tried to kill me a couple of times?  That certainly would not be a
good response.  "Just going out for some fresh air."  That was a
plausable excuse.

"Not by yourself.  Anyways, it's not that hot so come away from
there." 

Damn!  What now?  I followed her, away from my previous destination,
my head bowed slightly in defeat and a frown marring my features.  My
thoughts raced as I tried to think of an alternate plan.

"Relena, stop mopping."  I wasn't mopping! Still frowning, I walked
to the edge of the dance floor, looking for Quatre.  He obviously
disappeared somewhere.  Glancing around, my eyes fell upon a lone
figure in the back of the room.  A mischevious grin lit up my face as
a new thought entered my head .  Like a cat stalking a mouse, I made
my way around the room to my target.  The devious smirk on my face
stopped all men from bothering me for the moment.  With slanted eyes,
I scanned the room, making sure no one would interfere.  Especially a
certain Mother who was speaking with the Gauley's, thankfully
distracted for the time being.  Finally I reached my target, but, to
my annoyance, he took no notice of me.  I knew he had seen me, it was
just a little game he liked to play.  Normally, I would play along
but I was short on time and getting very anxious to be outside.

"Wufei, I need your help."  The black haired man turned his dark eyes
on me in a look that clearly said he was in no mood for helping. 

"Ask someone else, I'm on duty."  Always in Preventer mode! His tone
almost made me want to stick my tongue out at him.  Sighing, I
decided to plead my case with him.

"Wufei, please.  I need to go outside so I need you to-"

"Accompany you?  Very well.  It was wise of you to ask me, you
shouldn't go out alone-

"No, not go with me.  I need you to-

"You can't go out alone.  It's not safe, especaially dressed as you
are.  As a Preventer, it is my duty-"

"Shut up!"  Finally, I couldn't take anymore.  Don't get me wrong,
Wufei and I are actually good friends, but the man can be so damn
stubborn! 

"That was uncalled for."  He actually looked a little hurt.  I smiled
at him and apologized.

"I'm sorry Wufei, but I'm kinda in a rush.  I need you to go distract
my Mother."  I was met with silence.  "You see, Heero is outside and
I want to go speak with him.  But my Mother will not let me out of
her sight." 

"So you want me to go distract your Mother so you can go see Heero?"

"Yes!"  Finally, we're making some progress!

"No." 

"Why not," I asked, getting angry.

"I'll go speak to him for you."  Yeah, that's a good idea!  Not! 
Rolling my eyes, I decided to go straight to the point.

"Do you love him Wufei?"

"Love Heero?  No," he nearly shouted. 

I smirked at him.  "Then you see, I must be the one to speak to him,
cause I-."  I abruptly stopped, slightly startled at what I was about
to say.

"Do you love him?"

I lowered my head, and thought carefully about this question.  Did I
love him?  No, I didn't know what true love was.  What I do know is
that I care for him very much.  I also know there is a special bond
between us that could blossom into something more.  "Wufei, I don't
know.  But I'd like the chance to find out."

I heard his sigh and knew I had won him over.  "Very well.  I shall
distract your Mother for a few moments."

"Thank you!"  I gave the Preventer a brief hug, ignoring his
surprised expression, and trotted off towards my destination once
again.  Glancing over my shoulder, I saw him walk up to my Mother and
begin speaking.  Finally, I made it out the balcony doors, hoping
Heero was still there.

Walking down the stairs to the garden, I glanced around anxiously,
fearing I was too late.  The sky was clear and allowed the full moon
to shine brightly down onto the world below it.  A slight breeze
ruffled my hair that was piled on top of my head, sending stray hairs
across my face.   I tucked them back behind my ear, glancing around
still for Heero.  Just as I was about to call out his name, he
appeared before me.  From underneath a tree, he stepped out of the
shadows that clung to him.  I wasn't really prepared for his
appearance, but I suppose two years could change a person.  He had
grown taller, filled out a little more and his hair was still wild as
ever.  As I walked closer to him, it occured to me that his eyes were
what had changed the most.  No longer did a coldness fill their deep,
blue gaze but instead a palpable sadness that touched my heart in
such a wrenching away, I feared that I would start crying right
then.  He wouldn't like that though.  So, instead I just looked at
him, a small but sad smile on my lips, and said his name.  "Heero."

The smile slipped off my face as his arms wrapped around my waist and
he pulled me to him.  The surprising gesture caught me off guard but
I quickly responded by wrapping my own arms around him.  I felt his
breath tickle my ear as he laid his head on my shoulder, in the crook
of my neck.  My arms raised to go around his neck, my fingers rubbing
a steady beat on his tense muscles.  I felt him pull me tighter and
could swear I felt tears on my neck.  We stayed that way for some
time, no words between us, just excepting what we had. Eventually,
Heero pulled away, my arms reluctant to let him go.  My hands reached
up to cup his face, seeing no signs of the tears I had thought I
felt.  The silence got to me and I finally had to say what my heart
felt.  "Heero, I'm glad to see you."

"Relena, I've missed you."  Again, he surprised me, this time with
his words.  His hands reached up to grab my own, where they still
held his face, to pull them down.  He didn't let go. 

"I've missed you too, Heero.  I worry about you...."

"You shouldn't worry about me Relena."  His voice hadn't changed that
much, still the same montone that he had always spoken with.  Instead
of being laced with an uncaring, cold undertone though, it was now
laced with a barely detectable sadness. 

"I can't help it.  I care about you very much, Heero."  My words must
have caused him pain, for he tore away from me, walking a few feet
away.  I watched as he stuffed his hands into his jean pockets and
lowered his head.

"Relena, I'm not worth your affection."

"That's not true!  Heero, you must stop blaming yourself for a
childhood you had no control over.  The past is over,  it's time for
you to live for the future."

"It's not that easy."  Of course not, nothing was ever easy for him.

"I know.  But I could make it easier, if you would just let me."  He
slowly turned around, his eyes once again locking with my own.

"I have no right to burden you with my life."

"You're not a burden.  You're my friend."

"Friend?"  He looked a little stunned at this and I realize no one
has probably ever called him 'friend' before.

"Yes, Heero.  I consider you a dear friend."

"You don't even know me."

"I would if you gave me a chance!"  I lowered my tone as well as my
eyes, trying to put to words what I wanted to say next.  "Heero, I do
know you.  More than you think."  It was true.  If asked how I knew,
I wouldn't be able to explain it.  That link that had been with us
since our first meeting was the only answer I had. 

"Hn."  He gave me a look that clearly said he did not understand.  I
decided to change the subject.  Heero was obviously not ready to
explore that 'connection' between us.  He only wanted to accept it
right now for what it was.  Perhaps I did to.

"I must say, you caught me off guard tonight.  Why did you choose
tonight to come see me?"

"No reason."

"Well, I personally am very happy to get out of there for a few
minutes!  Once again, you have rescued me from certain death."  I
smiled at my own inside joke.  Becoming more comfortable, I shifted
my weight to one foot and placed my hand on my hip.  I'd be a liar if
I said I was merely trying to get into a more comfortable position. 
I almost wished I had my hair down, so I could toss it over my
shoulder.  The only good thing about Heero being raised like a robot
was that he was completely unaware of the power a woman had when
flirting.  My Mother bought me this slinky dress in hopes of catching
a man's eye tonight.  If Heero wouldn't respond emotionally, maybe I
could get another part of him to respond. 

"Death?" 

"Yes, you see, my Mother wishes for me to get married and have
children.  That sorta thing," I said, nodding my head as if I were
talking about the weather.

"So you're getting married?"  Heero actually looked alarmed.  He
stood up a little straighter and walked towards me, closing the gap
between us.  I kept my same pose, despite the pain in my neck. 

"No, I hadn't planned on it.  My Mother is just getting older and
fears she will never have any grandchildren to spoil."

"So you don't want to get married?"

"I didn't say that.  I would if the right man came along."  My words
seemed to upset him.  Running a hand through his hair, he frowned at
me.  I was confused, which really didn't surprise me.  This man
always confused me.  "Heero, what's wrong?"

"I don't want you to get married."  Finally I straightened out of
my 'seductive' pose and raised one eyebrow at him. 

"You don't want me to get married?  Why not?"  It was a long shot,
but maybe I could get some kind of confession out of him. 

"I don't want any other man touching you."  His honesty was
surprising but welcomed.  And most definetly warming to my soul.  My
hope raised in me as I asked my next bold question. 

"Except you, perhaps?" 

I watched him closely, as his eyes went from hard to soft, and a
small smirk appeared on his handsome features.  In a movement to
quick for my eyes to follow, his arms snaked out and grabbed me
around the waist.  I felt myself pressed up against his hard frame a
moment before I felt his lips on my own.  The kiss was the same warm,
tingling feeling as before.  This time though, it was more intense. 
There was no hesitancy, only a feeling of heated passion that showed
this boy was definately a man now.  My arms wrapped around his neck,
pulling him closer to me.  His grip around my waist tightned and it
occured to me that my feet were off the ground.  As his tongue
devoured my mouth, it also occured to me that the kiss was quickly
heading out of control.  Finally, the need for breath drove us
apart.  I slowly slid down his body till my feet were back on the
ground.  Catching our breath, we stood silent, looking into each
other's eyes.  This time, it was Heero who broke the silence,
answering my previous question.  "Only me."

I smiled, brushing the hair out of his face to get a closer look at
those prussian blue eyes of his.  What I saw there, pleased me beyond
words.  Instead of that haunted look of sadness, there was only
warmth.  Perhaps, for the first time in his life, Heero felt good to
be alive.  "Only you, Heero."

"Relena, I-"  The balcony doors opened, interrupting whatever he was
going to say.  In annoyance, I glanced over my shoulder to see Wufei
standing on the balcony.  His pressence was a signal that my time was
up.  Looking back at Heero, I noticed the warmth was gone.  He nodded
at Wufei, a slight movement of his head, and looked back at me.  With
something of a smile, he stepped away from me.  "It's time for you to
go back inside, Relena."

"Come with me."

"I can't.  Not yet." 

"Will you come back to see me?"

"Yes."  That was all I was going to get out of him, but it was good
enough.  I smiled at him, trying to hold back the tears.  Yet, there
were none to hold back.

"You better, or some handsome young man might come and marry me," I
said, trying to lighten the mood. 

"Then I would just have to kill him."  My eyes widened in surprise
because he looked so serious.  Then he smirked.  I smiled at his
little joke.  With that, he turned and walked off.  No goodbye or
farewell kiss.  I could only take that as a good sign that things
were not finished between us. 

"You better come back, Heero Yuy," I shouted into the darkness. 
Despite the feeling of loss, I also felt enlightened.  The night had
turned out much better than I hoped.  Wufei called my name and I
reluctantly headed back to the stairs that would lead me inside.  A
silly smile was plastered on my face but no matter what I tried to
do, it wouldn't go away.  That is, until I saw Wufei's face.

"Never ask me to do that again."  I felt the urge to laugh at the
murderous epression on the Preventer's face.  I could imagine the
horrors my Mother put him through.

"I am forever in your debt, Wufei," I said as he opened the door and
let me in. 

"Damn right you are."  At this, I did laugh. 

"I'll make it up to you."  An evil grin lit up my features and I
pointed my finger at him.  "I know, I'll hook you and Sally up!"

"Just because you found true love doesn't mean you need to find it
for the rest of us!"  With that, the sour young man stalked off back
to his previous post.  I continued to laugh until the meaning of his
words truly hit me.   'True love.'  Smiling, I slowly walked towards
the punch bowl, lost in my own little dream world.

"Relena, where have you been?"

Immediately I cringed.  Slowly turning around, I met her fierce gaze,
quickly trying to think of an excuse.  "Um, I was-"

"Oh my!  Relena, you-" she started, but stopped, glancing around. 
Grabbing my arm, she led me into the corner of the room.  "You look
like a woman who has been thourghly kissed!"

My hands flew to my mouth in a hopless gesture.  How did she know? 
Instead of getting upset, she smirked at me, relaxing into an easy
pose.  Alarm bells went off in my head.  Since when did my Mother
smirk? 

"So, he showed up afterall, huh?"

"Who?"

Rolling her eyes, she leveled me with a look that clearly showed she
knew more than I thought.  "That pilot boy of yours."

"How....how'd you know?"

"Oh Relena, when you're a mother," here she paused and glared at
me, "and you WILL be a mother one day, preferably before I die, you
will understand.  I knew someone had a hold on your heart and asked
around.  Duo and Quatre were quite helpful filling me in on the
secretive young man.  I was hoping when news got around that you were
in the marriage market, jealousy would drag him to you.  Apparently
it worked."

My mouth fell open.  She knew?  And Heero was jealous?  That's why he
showed up?  "Then, why wouldn't you let me go out to see him earlier?"

"I wanted to meet him.  And it's really not proper for a young lady
to be out late, alone, with a man."  She kept smiling.  "So, what
happened?  Will I ever get to meet him?"

I smiled at her, nodding my head.  "Yes you will."

Her smile disappeared.  "Good, I have a few questions for him.  Like
why he tried to kill you on your birthday."  Duo had a big mouth! 
Smiling again, she reached out and brushed my hair out of my
face.  "I'm glad you're happy Relena.  Truly I am."

I hugged her, still unable to believe she had organized all this just
so I could be happy.  "Thank you, Mother.  For everything."

She linked arms with me and together we walked out of the
shdaows.  "You're welcome dear.  Now, you should go dance with the
Smith's son.  He's been asking for you."  With that said, she
gracefully walked off, leaving me to my fate again. Unfortuanetly,
the night was still young and I had to keep the pretense up of
being "single and looking."  With a look over my shoulder at the
balcony doors, I smiled and looked forward to the day Heero would
come back.  Silently, I thanked heaven for having such a wonderful
Mother.