Standard Disclaimer:  I SADLY OWN NOTHING!  Do we always have to put this?  It is sooo depressing!  **Ahem**  Ok, well the show must go on!  ( <---I heard that somewhere and thought it was cool...lol) 

 

Author's Note:  I think you'll all like this fic.  I think it will be one of my good ones!  lol  Also, I want to know if you like color.  I think it makes the story more interesting.  If you don't like colors, or whatever, just tell me and I will switch it back!  Ok, you can read now, I'll shut-up! ^_^ Enjoy!

 

Summery:  A new threat arrives, and Relena is once again endangered. (big surprise lol)  Heero denies his feelings to a point where the damage couldn't be fixed...Will our couple survive?  (I HOPE SO!)  Warnings: eventually sappy, angst, and hopefully the kind of story you'll love!

 

 

Fire

 

 

Ch.1    Do you mean that...?

 

    What she held in her heart, in her eyes, and in her mind, he couldn't begin to compare with her.  She had that inner beauty that spread outside to everything and everyone.  That strength, that fire that continually flamed with energy would never die down.  Not in her. 

    ' No, she doesn't need me.'  Heero thought, convincing himself.

 

    "Yo!  Heero!  You in there, buddy?"  Duo, Heero's best friend, brought Heero back to reality. 

 

    "Hn?"  Heero sighed, putting his head in his hands.  "What was the last thing you said?"

 

    "Hehe, I said Relena is going to need her bodyguard close by at all times.  Considering the current situation, you'll have to convince her to live with you.  You know what I mean?"  Duo asked sincere, and jokingly.  He smirked; he knew his friend was thinking of her again.  He always did zone out when things like this came up about Relena.

    "Geez Heero.  What's the matter?  I've never seen you so distracted."  Duo joked with him, earning himself a smirk from Heero.  "When are Trowa and Quatra arriving?"  He asked continuing the conversation.

 

    "Wufei said Trowa was coming tonight, and Quatra in two days."  Heero answered, sounding unsure.  It wasn't like Quatra to come later.  It was more like he was already here. 

 

    "At this rate, I doubt we can do anything until we are regrouped.  I bet Quatra gets here tonight with Trowa."  Duo added, and laughed.  Heero got up and left.  He needed to get out.

 

    "Where ya going, Heero?"  Duo asked his friend.

 

    "Wherever my feet take me, I guess.  I just need to get out.  See you at Relena's later."  With that Heero exited the room they were in.

 

~~~Outside~~~

 

    It was cold, snowy, and miserable outside.<--(rainy/drizzle like...just so u know)  "Fits my mood, huh."  Heero said his thoughts aloud.  He hated how everyone could be so happy.  How come he couldn't go on with his life like Duo, or Quatra had?  Even Wufei was dating.  Him and Sally were perfect together.  They both worked too much.

    He kept walking.  He didn't know where he was going.  10 minutes later, he found himself outside Relena's door.  Bowing his head, watching the rain drip off his head, he questioned himself. 

    "What am I doing here?"  He spoke his thoughts.

 

    "I don't know.  Why are you here?"  A feminine voice answered from behind. 

Heero swung around, and gazed at the figure in front of him.  She had an umbrella and a blue raincoat that fit snugly around her now developed curves.

 

    "Well, come inside before you catch a cold, Heero.  You're soaking."  The woman smiled. 

   

    "Relena, what are you doing out here alone?"  He asked.  She ignored the question and walked in front of him to unlock the door.  ' At least she does that.'  Heero thought, smugly.

 

Once inside, Relena started asking questions.

    "What're you doing here, Heero?  Is there another war I need to know about?  You do only show up when I'm in some sort of danger."  Relena chuckled.  "Coffee?" 

 

    "Sure."  He said nonchalantly.

 

    "Heero, how have you been?"

 

    "Fine."  He said simply.

 

    "Where have you been?"  Relena asked slightly brisk. ' Why does he always have to give one or two word answers!?'  She thought.

 

    ***DING  DONG!***

     ' Saved by the bell.'  Heero thought relieved he didn't have to answer any more of her dumb questions.

 

~By the front door~

   

    "Hello, Duo!  Come in!  Come in!  It's wet...Hilde!!!"  At that moment you could here two ear shattering squeals.  *Sweat-drop from Duo*

    "Come in!  Heero and I were just having some coffee.  Would you like to join us?"  Relena offered.

 

    "Sure!  We'd love to!"  Came Hilde's over exuberant reply.

 

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ Within the next hour, Trowa and Cathrine, Wufei and Sally, and Dorothy trickled in. /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ 

 

    "Haha!  Duo that's rude...But funny! Hahaha!"  Relena rumbled with laughter along with everyone else.  Minus Heero, Trowa, and Wufei of course.  They just smirked, not being able to laugh at Duo's horrible jokes. 

 

    Calming, Relena became serious and asked of their abrupt presence.

"I don't mean to pry.  I love it that you all are here, but I just want to know why.  Quatra isn't here, and I suspect he'll be here soon.  Am I right?"  Relena bowed her head slightly ashamed for questioning her friends.  She thought it was rude of her to ask, but she had to know.

 

    "You're right, Relena.  We do only gather when something is wrong.  I think it quite fair of you to ask.  Don't be ashamed!  Rise your head!  Heehee!"  Dorothy reasoned, giggling.

 

    "For some reason or other, fires, followed by explosions, continually happen among the colonies.  They started from the furthest colony, and worked their way closer to earth.  For what reason is still unconfirmed."  Duo started boldly.

 

    "Hm, and you think this is leading to another war?"  Relena asked diplomatically, jumping right into the information about to be given.

   

    "Yeah, and each fire has slowly gotten worse.  We think, of course, that their target will eventually end up to be you."  Duo answered her.

 

    "Your confidence is encouraging."  Relena said flatly.  "And you want what?  For me to run and hide?  To runaway from my duty?  Duck under a desk and expect no one to find me?  THAT will protect me!?!"  Relena asked furious and sarcastic.

 

    "We can't take any chances.  We want you to be safe.  We want you to stay with one of us.  Preferably with Heero, since he is your bodyguard.  They don't know where we live, but they do know where you live.  Come on.  It'll only be till we find out why the fires started, and we'll be over all the time on shifts to hang out.  It'll be fun, and you get to get away from your work for a while!  What do you say?"  Duo tried to reassure her.  **Didn't work.** 

 

    "How could you sit here and tell me to hide?!"  Relena was upset to say in the least.  "I hold you all in the highest respect, but really..."

 

    "Your eyes are blinded, Relena.  Every time we give in, and let you do it your way, you end up kidnapped.  This time it's our way, or your capture."  Heero coldly and heartlessly laid down the rules.

 

    "Are you saying it's my fault for doing what I believe in, and the result is getting kidnapped?"  Relena asked hurt.

 

    "Yes."  Came Heero's only harsh reply.  Relena backed away slowly, turned and ran as fast as she could away from the room.  She was not about to stay and embarrass herself further.

 

\/\/\/\/\ "Baka!  You idiot!  It's not her fault!  You've just been stupid!  Every time she was captured, she was with you!  It's really your fault!"  Duo exploded on Heero.

    The other 3 pilots and the rest of the girls left unnoticed.  They didn't want to be in the same room as Duo and Heero when they went at it.

    "I'll go look for Relena..."  Hilde paused as she saw Quatra, of all people, run down the hallway.  "Hi Quatra!  No time to explain, but could you stay here to clean up?  When Heero and Duo are done fighting, I mean."  Hilde smiled innocently.

 

    "I'll stay with Quatra and explain it all.  By the way, how'd you get here so soon?  Wufei said you were coming day after tomorrow."  Dorothy asked.

 

    "I told the company I had to leave.  They understood, so here I am."  Quatra answered.

 

    "Is anyone else going to stay?"  Hilde asked as she turned from listening to Quatra.

 

    "I'll stay, too.  This door will not be opened unless one of the two block-heads do it."  Wufei said, not really caring as long as Heero kicked Duo's butt.  (lol ^_~)

 

    "I will stay with Trowa.  He is going to fill Quatra in on the other situation."  Cathrine chimed in.

 

    "And I'll stay to help Quatra clean up.  Hehe, when those two are done with each other, he'll need it."  Sally volunteered.

 

    "Ok, well I better find Relena!"  Hilde said in finality.

 

~~~~~Inside the room with the 2 Nutz...hehehe~~~~~

   

     "What did you say?"  Heero growled.

 

    "You heard me.  Here, let me yell it, so you can get it through your thick head.  Your the one at fault!  You are the idiot!"  Duo yelled.  Heero flung himself at Duo.  He threw a punch and hit Duo in the face.

   

    "Why would you blame me?  You were the one always saying, 'Oh come on, Heero.  Let her do it...' "

 

    "Yeah, maybe.  But I am not the one who just hurt the only person you'll ever love!"  Duo gave a swift kick to Heero's stomach, and stood up.  He kicked Heero again, causing him to double over.

 

    "Not...everything...ends up...happily...EVER AFTER!"  Heero slowly grew louder with each angry word.  He then made an attempt to punch Duo again, but Duo blocked it.  They went tumbling to the ground as Duo lunged at Heero.  They rolled around throwing an occasional punch, while trying to strangle each other.  Duo still tried 'knocking' sense into Heero.

 

    "Heero!  Don't you see what you are doing?  You're ruining your own life!  She stands there, arms wide open for you!  Only you.  She lo...She cares for you and you throw it away like trash!"  Duo had stopped himself.  It wasn't his place to tell Heero that Relena loved him.

 

    "No!  You're wrong!  No one could care for me like you say.  Not even Relena!"

 

    "Well you make it hard and then don't accept it when it is presented.  It is a no wonder why they call you the perfect soldier!"  Heero kicked him in the stomach, but Duo proceeded.  "Just remember, it doesn't matter...how many times...she gets kidnapped.  You'll always go after her to rescue her!"  Heero kicked Duo in the chest again, shutting him up. 

    Duo gave a last punch, before they both fell to the floor, gasping for lost breath; finally giving it up...for now.

 

    "Heero, don't let the world bring you down.  Not everyone is that f*cked up and cold...Like you...Hehe..Remember why you came, and why you are alive.  Experience the warmth that is offered.  You may never get another chance."  Duo coughed, then spit some blood out of his mouth. 

 

    "Remember?  Why I'm here?  Why I'm alive?  Last time I checked, no one of us knows that.  But maybe I'm wrong, and it took your inspiring speech to show me."  Heero said sarcastically and harshly.

 

    "Was hat an attempt at humor my friend?"  Duo asked disregarding most of Heero's comment.  Heero grunted. 

 "Go get her, before you don't have that other chance."  Duo said, trying again.  He got up and walked over to Heero.  He held out his hand in a helpful gesture.  For one, Heero took it.

 

    "Duo."

 

    "Yeah?"

 

    "Thanks."  Heero smirked.

 

    Duo smiled and joked, "You aren't going soft on me now are ya?"  He finished pulling up his friend and chided Heero again, "Man, Heero!  You look like shit!" 

 

    "Look who's talking."  Heero pointed to a mirror, that just so happened to be in the room.

 

    "Hehe, you little baka.  I should just kill you now.  Then you really won't have a chance.  Look at my hair!"  Duo laughed, and whined at the same time.  He tried desperately to fix his hair, but failed.  (^_^)

 

    ~Door Opens~

 

    "Well!  It's a good thing Quatra and I stayed to clean up!  What a mess!  Sally laughed.

 

*****OUTSIDE*****

 

    "Relena?  You out here, Sweety?"  Hilde, Relena's best friend, asked.  She looked around the corner of the house, and into the garden.

 

    " *sniffle* Yeah.  *sniffle*  By th-the **sniffle sniffle** fountain.  *shaky breath* "

 

    "Awe, hun." Hilde sat down by Relena.  "I know Heero didn't mean anything by it.  He is just..."

 

    "Right.  I-I don't know why, but I know that all my efforts towards peace are just going to die.  Like the soldiers who fought for peace.  I mean the people obviously don't like my ways.  I endanger myself trying to prove them wrong, when they must really be right!  **sob**  And, and Heero doesn't care about me.  Just his missions.  That's all I am.  I'm just his mission.  *sob*" Relena finished, wanting to cry all over again.

 

    "Relena Peacecraft!  Look at me!"  Relena looks up at Hilde.  "Pull yourself together!  For one, you might accidentally cry a river..." Relena laughed, and Hilde smiled then continued, " For two, look at all you have done already.  We have peace.  Thanks to you and the soldiers who died for it.  You should be happy!  I am, and so is the world."  Hilde's attempt to lighten the situation, worked slightly.  "Now see?  You can smile!  Look!  The world brightened!"  Relena 1/2 laughed, and 1/2 cried. 

    "Come here."  Hilde leaned over and hugged her friend.

 *Crack!*

The two jerked apart, and Relena whispered, "He was right...They are here already.  Go get Heero and Duo.  Go!  Leave!" 

 

    "No!  I am not leaving you alone..."   Heero walked away from the corner.  He was the one who cracked a branch under his foot, and they discovered him.  He walked towards them.

 

    "Never mind!  Bye!"  Hilde called over her shoulder. 

Relena turned away, furiously wiping away any remaining tears.  ' Thanks, Hilde.'  She thought sarcastically.

 

    "Can I sit here?"  Came a monotone question.

 

    "You can do whatever you want.  You are on a mission, and sitting is probably the right thing to do!"  Relena excalimed.

 

    "Relena,"  Heero started.

 

    "No, Heero.  I understand.  There is no reason for you to explain anything."  She got up and began to walk away, when Heero stopped her with his words.

 

    "Relena, I promised to protect you.  I can't do that if you do it your way."  She turned around and walked back to him, stopping only a foot or so away.

 

    "Do you mean what you say, Heero?  That you are protecting me to keep your promise, or are you saying it because protecting me is a part of your mission?  Which one, Heero?" 

 

    "Both.  Mission Accepted."  Heero said, trying to piece her and her words together.  To him, she wasn't making sense.

 

    "Well forget it then.  I am not an obligation, Heero.  I am a human being!  You have lost your way, Mr. Yuy.  I suggest you find it before you FAIL your DAMN MISSION!  No one's going to give you a map.  You have to follow your own path.  I am obviously not a part of your path.  But when you do find it, Heero, then you can talk to me."  Relena walked off leaving a stunned Heero behind.

 

    ' What did she mean by that map statement?'  He mentally questioned himself.

 

~Inside~  "Things go a little rocky, buddy?  She ran through here, and to her room crying.  You look a little...Uhm, what happened?"  Duo questioned his friend, trying to decode Heero, though that was impossible.  And he was kind of worried.  Heero hadn't threatened him yet.  Afterall, he was in the room alone.  Hilde had gone after Relena, and the others had left to eat. ( ^_~ )

Heero shook his head, and looked up to meet Duo's gaze.

   

    "She didn't want to do it our way."  Heero finally answered Duo.

 

    "You mean your way."  Duo smirked.  Heero glared at him, and Duo felt better.  (lol)  He smiled and said, "It's not Burger King, Heero.  You can't always have it your way.  Hehehe...One day, you'll realize that.  Speaking of BK, lets go eat!"  Duo laughed and Heero just followed him.

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

    "Hilde, he thinks I am his mission!  An obligation!  I am still his...damn mission..."Relena cried.

 

    "Relena, you said he was also keeping his promise to you."  Hilde tried again.

 

    "No, that is just part of his mission.  *sniffle*  Hilde, why is he always so distant?  So cold?  Is it me?  I mean it must be!" 

 

    "No, Relena.  He's got a heart, a kind one, too.  You just have to give him a little push in the right direction.  You know?" Hilde smiled and put her arm around Relena's slower shaking shoulders.  (meaning that she's stopping her crying)

 

    "I didn't want to admit this, but I can't deny it any longer.  He's still just as distant as he was before.  I can't bring him back.  It's too late.  *deep breath*  And I think, that I'm ready to except it."  Relena quieted, keeping her voice steady. ' This is right.  He can't  hurt me any more.  After this, he'll leave, and I. Will. Be. Ok.'  Relena pep-talked herself.

 

    " *sigh* Hm.  Ok, Relena.  Ok...  Now lets go eat before it's all in Duo's stomach!  Heehee!"  Hilde joked, earning herself a laugh from Relena.

 

    They both smiled, and Relena thought one last thought about Heero.  'Good-bye forever, Heero.'  That was it, and there was nothing more.

 

~Author's Note!!~  Ok, so how was it?  Too long for a first set up chapter?  Are you into it yet?  Should I continue?  Thanxz for all of you who have stuck with me.  I know it has been a while, I AM SO SORRY!  But now that the move is over, I can get back on track!  Ok, well I think that is it!  ~Love's Angel~