~*~

The next words that were supposed to leave her lips- words that were supposed to set her position with Heero- disappeared, and in its place, questions. "Wha- what do you…"

Heero’s piercing Prussian blue eyes met hers, his face ever serious though he was on a roller coaster ride within. "What do I mean?" He couldn’t believe that he said that. He hid it for so long… had thought that he was just fine without her in his life… and then this?! There was no turning back now…

For a moment, Relena thought she saw uncertainty in those always confident eyes. How was he able to turn this conversation around…?

What did he mean? "I don’t know it myself, except that…" His right hand involuntarily reached out to touch her chin. Why? Because he wanted to be sure that she was truly in front of him… Always he’d force himself not to touch her but sometimes, it was just so hard. He truly wants to finally understand this side of humanity… this side that he’s so blindly curious of.

Relena swallowed. "Except that?" She could feel her whole body tremble and prayed to God that he wouldn’t notice.

"That I want you to teach me how to feel the right emotions…" The moment he said those words, he knew that it was the truth.

He couldn’t look away and neither could she… A strong feeling of joy coursed through her. That he would want to do such a thing… that he would ask her to be his teacher… Questions filled her head, and with it, reality… "Heero, I can’t… You’re the only one who can teach yourself those…" She couldn’t even finish her sentence.

He didn’t expect such an answer and he quickly let her go as if burnt. His eyes stared over her shoulder, unable to meet her open gaze because of the simple reason that he had opened himself for the very first time and he was just slapped.

Relena bit her lower lip as she felt, rather than saw, his hurt. She had caused that pain, and though he gave a share of burden in her life, she knew that he hadn’t meant it. This, on the other hand, she objectively, reasonably declined… Reasonable decision… a good decision… Why then was she reaching out for his hand?!

Heero jerked as he felt her soft touch and he quickly looked back into her face. A slight smile appeared on her lips before his right hand was completely encompassed in her small one.

She relented… When it comes to Heero, she never could say no. She closed her eyes, briefly told herself that she must be careful, and then opened them. "If you want me to, I will try." She met his eyes to show her sincerity and, how long they stood there, staring at each other as if sizing their will, no one knew.

Heero questioned himself...

Relena questioned herself...

"Thank you." Those words were his acceptance. He had waited a long time for answers and now, he’s finally going to get them. That was the only reason why… right?

She smiled. She never heard him say those words before. "You’re welcome." She suddenly became very aware that she’s still holding his hand and instantly let go just as a blush blossomed upon her cheek. "So, where should we go next?"

"To where you were nearly assassinated. I want to investigate the site myself."

"Fine." Relena shrugged nonchalantly then started to walk in front of Heero. Without turning around, she voiced one thing she wanted him to surely know. "Heero…"

He focused on her back. "Yes?"

Her throat suddenly felt dry, but she was determined to teach him. After all, he was willing to learn. "First order of business…" This is going to be hypocritical of her because she would be doing the exact opposite; then again, she wasn’t the student. "Don’t hold yourself back."

A frown appeared on his forehead as he followed her graceful gait. ‘I never do…’ He mentally told himself, almost like a creed… but why was it that he could feel doubts rising within?

Glass cracked under Heero’s soled feet. He was at the scene of the crime and sharp memory relived what happened earlier… Had he felt terror? Was that when your heart seemed to have stopped? Damn! He had only felt that once or twice before in his life… or maybe more, but he just couldn't remember-

Cracking glass from behind made him remove his gun from its holster and face the intruder in one swift motion- he stared into Relena's unfazed eyes. "I told you to stay in the car."

She ignored his monotonous voice. It had felt so strange to hear his voice again. It was deeper than before… But his eyes were just as blue and hair was just as thick. She was able to get a good look at him from inside the car. She must have memorized the back of his head by now. "Heero, I am a grown woman. I think I can decide whether or not the coast is clear."

That she was, but… Heero's eyes turned to steel when Relena only walked past him, straight to where the bullet had hit the steel background of the shattered glass. He racked his brain. She seemed so different from the Relena he once knew… She was more… irritating.

He watched as she observed the bullet indentation, stood, glanced around the building, and then walked to the podium.

"I am glad I dropped my pencil." Her whisper reached his ear. She decided not to tell Heero about the note. It was not relevant.

‘So… she knows that if she was standing, it would have gone through her head…’ Heero looked at her in a different light. "How did you know?" He walked to the bullet indentation and saw the status of inclination. Not that he ever thought her to be stupid… but how did she gain knowledge of bullet trajectory?

"Excuse me?" Relena nearly jumped at that accusing tone. Does Heero know something about the person who wrote to-

Heero faced her. "How did you know the angular travel?" He was curious to learn how a person who supposedly lives for peace could know so much about bullets.

Relena nearly slumped in relief. She couldn’t explain why, but she could not bear the thought that a person might get into trouble because of helping her! How she was able to look at him directly and cunningly evade his question, she could only chalk up to practice. "One does not live with Wufei for nine years and not get something out of it."

Heero frowned. Something blinked red at him… Something she said- "What do you mean ‘live with Wufei’?"

"Are we finished here?" Relena asked as she walked to the exit. She really must stop thinking of how handsome he is if she doesn’t want to get hurt in the end again.

"Yes. Now answer my question."

She turned to him and tried to act as if she didn’t care when, in fact, the mere thought of having him under the same roof sent her stomach flipping about. "Part of the contract, Heero, is to live in the same house as the client being protected. I assume that Ms. Une didn’t tell you about that?"

Heero decided not to answer. He was too stumped. He should have known! Why was it still a surprise to him? Or maybe, he unconsciously decided to ignore it.

"Don’t answer the question. I have a feeling she forgot to mention it." She sighed. How could Une do this to her?! "If you wish to leave this assignment, I will not stop you. It is a waste of your talent."

They were standing face to face once again… Staring eye to eye…

"No… I’ll stay. I’ll get my things later." This mission was a waste of his talent? Well… he couldn’t say that it wasn’t!

Relena nodded. She looked away and started walking back to the car. "I am sure that you would like to assess the house…?"

"Yes. After a small detour." He was walking just beside her and in his mind… he was already mentally torturing himself. One thing’s for sure… ‘This is going to be one long… mission.’

"Detour?" Relena glanced over her shoulder with the question in her eyes. She was not aware that they had to go somewhere else.

Heero’s eyes hardened as the bruise on her cheek, now blue violet with red violet spots in the middle, taunted him. He couldn’t bear to see her with such a mark. "It will be quick."

They reached the car Une had given him for the assignment- a classic, very practical black Buick- then he opened the opened back seat door for her.

"Thank you." Relena whispered as she gracefully entered the car. Another long drive ahead of her… She stifled a sad sigh. ‘At least Wufei talks… er… complains…’ The car started to move and she glanced at the back of Heero’s head while she wished for him to talk. Complying with the inevitable, she leaned back and fiddled with her fingers. There was no use trying to make him talk. It just won’t happen.

She tried to think of what she will do in the future instead… There wouldn’t be any more conferences to plan for… at least, not for a while. Freedom, and yet right now, she feels trapped- especially with Heero around. Maybe she should start planning what’s needed for her house…?

Heero’s eyes seemed drawn to the rearview mirror. She had that thoughtful look on her face and he wondered… what was she thinking of?

Halfway to listing which color her bathroom carpet should be, Relena glanced outside the window and frowned as they entered a place she hadn’t seen in such a long time. "Heero…? What are we doing here?"

He didn’t answer. She bit her lower lip and scolded herself for even thinking that he would answer. The car stopped, finally parked, and then Heero turned, his eyes nailing her to the seat. "Stay here."

He was treating her like a child again! Then again, she was unfamiliar to this town, so she couldn’t do anything but nod. "Of course." She watched him leave then… slumped in her chair and wallowed in misery. Once again, she asked the question that had plagued her since they left the Preventer’s base- how could Une do this to her?! She had laughed off her loneliness and surrounded herself with activities ranging from the environmental protection to the poverty stricken population… She had finally accepted that she would never see him again, even joke around with Duo and Hilde- bless them!- about him… then this!

A gasp nearly left her when the driver side door opened so suddenly. Heero entered and she promptly willed her pounding heart to slowly settle while he got comfortable. Suspicion rose within her when he turned around then quickly looked away… almost all too quickly. Then a pot of… grass was suddenly thrust to her.

"Here." Why the hell did he even buy this plant for her? Now she’s going to act like any other girl and fawn over it as if it meant something when it didn’t… did it?

Relena’s eyes widened as she stared from the plant to Heero’s downward face. She looked at the pot… What did this mean? What was it for? Why was he giving her a pot of… grass? "I… ah…" She gulped out her- "Thank you… Heero…"

Her hand reached out to take the gift and Heero felt that butterfly touch against his fingers. He nearly jumped as an unfamiliar sensation snaked through him. "It’s for your bruise."

His gruff words, before he turned to the steering wheel, didn’t help Relena’s understanding at all. "Oh? Uh… What is it called?"

Against his will, Heero looked up at the mirror again and saw Relena’s confused frown on the plant. Damn! She probably never saw that kind of thing before. With a sigh, he turned around just as she looked up, but when their eyes met… he couldn’t look away.

"It has a lot of names… Kusay. Call it that." He saw her smile shyly then she tried the word and he almost laughed when her accent made her mispronounce it.

"You said it was for my bruise…?" Her words were barely a whisper. The car was too small… maybe she should never have given up limousines…

Heero nodded. "You take a leaf." He tore off one of the spindly looking leaves, "Then you crush it until it gives off the juice." He demonstrated it efficiently.

She nodded though she was just half listening. How could she have ever forgotten such a face? "Then?"

His hand moved on its own accordance and touched her face… her cheek… her bruise… "You wipe it over the… bruise…"

Relena closed her eyes as she relished his tender touch. With fingers under her chin, his thumb stroked her cheek… She felt as if she was in a dream.

A smile appeared on his lips as he stroked her face and couldn’t seem to stop. His heartbeat had grown faster and he couldn’t seem to look away from her lips…

From outside, a horn sounded off… a bicycle chime signaled… and then somebody bumped against the car.

Heero jerked his hand away and quickly stared to his right, but the milling crowd… whoever had bumped against them was able to hide. He felt angry and relieved at the same time while Relena felt as if she was just jerked back to reality so fast that her surroundings were still spinning!

She was compelled to touch her tingling cheek, but she forced herself not to as she looked down at the plant with undivided attention.

Heero quickly glanced at her from the mirror and saw the green juice streak over her cheek then he cursed himself over and over again.

"I’m coming… I’m coming…" Relena muttered as she opened the door to her study, dropped the basket of roses on the table, and turned on her monitor.

"Yo, pretty lady. Mornin’ to yah."

Relena frowned at the cheerful face while she untied the ribbon under her chin and finally took that sordid hat off. "Duo, how did you get my new phone number?"

Duo grinned and shrugged at the same time. "Hey, I’ve got skills. So," he leaned forward and nearly meshed his face against the screen. "How’s the new," he coughed, "… bodyguard?" His eyebrows went up and down suggestively, hinting upon the unspoken meaning.

Relena rolled her eyes as she sat down in front of the monitor. "I don’t know. I only see him when we eat. I think he’s memorizing the whole place, every nook and cranny."

She saw him slap the base of his palm to his forehead. "Geeze! Relena!" He pounded his hands on the table. "Fate dropped that stupid boy on your lap and what do you do? Nothing!"

Relena’s frown deepened. "Well… what’s there to do? I mean, he’s not interested in me and-"

"And he came to you the moment you were in trouble to punch Wufei. Have you seen the poor guy’s black eye?"

Relena’s eyes widened, concern suddenly enveloped her for the man who had saved her life countless of times in the past. "Wufei? A black eye? What happened? I’ve got to call and see if he’s all ri-"

Duo couldn’t stop the laughter that bubbled out of him. How could she be so clueless?! "Gurl, open your eyes! You happened, that’s who! When Wufei wasn’t able to protect you…" He purposely left the sentence hanging.

"This is absurd. Heero wouldn’t." Her hand involuntarily went to her cheek, now without a bruise, then she shook her head, cupped her chin with her palm, and decided to change the subject. "So, did you just call to laugh at my demise, or to see if I needed your cheering up?"

Duo’s face became serious. "I called to see if you’re doing something to what God had sent you and I see that you aren’t. Relena, you need to work in order to get what you want… You, of all people, should know that."

Relena looked away, unable to meet his eyes. What good was going after something if you already know that you would never be able to achieve it?

"How long has it been? Two days since Heero officially started? And you only see each other when you eat?! I bet you don’t talk to each other at all- knowing that numskull."

Relena’s head snapped back to the monitor, defensive for Heero’s sake. "You wouldn’t be so confident calling him names if he was here."

Duo shook his head. "The fact of the matter is that if you could make warring colonies be the best of friends, then I’m sure that you could turn his head around by hook," Duo’s lips suddenly parted to a mischievous grin, "… or by crook…"

Relena stared at Duo’s image incredulously. Duo always had the wildest ideas, but this…?

"Look at that fru-fru you’re wearing. How could you make him look at you if your whole body is covered in ugly faded maroon whatchamacallit? Don’t you have a bright red, tight fitting dress somewhere?"

"Are you suggesting that I flirt with him? That I seduce him?!" Ideas started popping in her head, but as quickly as it was produced, she crushed them.

"You got it, babe." Duo nodded conspiringly. "Tilt your head a certain angle. Make his eyes follow your hands. Make him wonder. Make him crave… Offer and snatch it away. You’re a woman. Use it to your advantage."

Relena quickly shook her head to rid her of the images her friend had just invoked. "Duo, you’re putting ideas in my head!"

Duo nodded. "Exactly. Now, do it."

Relena’s eyes widened once again. "What?!"

"Relena, the last sensory device has been set in place…" Heero frowned at the guilty, pale look that flooded Relena’s face. "What is it?"

Relena gulped while Duo grinned at her from the monitor screen. He could clearly hear his friend’s monotonous voice.

"Yo, Heero! I’m just talkin’ to Relena here."

Duo’s voice reached his ears, prompting him to walk to the computer and face his friend. "What did you tell her?" If Duo told Relena he shouldn’t have-

"Nothing man! Sheesh! You’re waaay over protective of your woman dude!"

"Duo!" Relena gasped out while her hand went to her lips. She could die right now… God let her be swallowed into the depths of the earth!

Heero glared at him. He could feel blood rush up to his cheek and the back of his neck—is that embarrassment?

Relena bit her lower lip, trying to come up with an idea to end the situation at hand. "Heero, I was just asking Duo if he would like to spend the rest of his, and Hilde’s vacation here in my new house."

Duo’s grin reached ear to ear while Heero shifted his glare on Relena. His hand pushed the mute button while another turned the monitor screen around just as he saw Duo’s image cry out ‘Heeeey!’, if you read lips.

"What are you planning?" Heero placed both his hands on either side of Relena’s chair. His instinct was telling him that something’s afoot...

‘Think quick and fast…’ Relena met his eyes squarely. "I am not planning anything at all. They are my friends and I would like them to see my new house. Not to mention that I think they would be the best people to base your lessons on." He hadn’t changed a bit. Still silent, monotonous, and suspicious… though that last one was justified. But the fact was, how could she teach him when he’s never around? When he’s always ignoring her?

Heero pushed himself upright then resumed the monitor’s original position. "Fine." He pushed the mute button once again-

"What was that for?! As if I would listen while you two make sweet talk with each other-" Duo stopped as Heero’s furious glare hit him in full force.

"Duo, how about it? Would you like to spend the rest of your vacation on Earth here?"

Once again, that grin reached Duo’s ears. Heero felt the urge to both throttle the man and laugh, but he did neither.

"Relena, Hilde and I would be delighted to spend some time over there." He chanced a glance from Relena to Heero then back at her. "And believe me, we will enjoy ourselves." More than you’ll ever know.

Heero crossed his arms and kept his stoical facade while Relena mentally sighed.

"Anywayz, I’m gonna go now and look for my beloved. Over and out, guys!"

The bluish light that covered Relena’s face disappeared and she finally faced him, thankful that it was over. "Would it be too much if I ask you to show me where you hid the devices?" She had learned, so long ago, that one of the methods to keep a person happy was to keep them engrossed, and the best way to do that was to use whatever interests them.

"No." Heero wearily looked at her. Why the sudden change of topic?

"Then I’m asking."

She smiled at him and Heero felt something akin to softening that made him instinctively put up defense walls. "Fine. Follow me."

It was the fourth camera and sensory device.

"Where is it?" Relena squinted her eyes as she stared at the brick wall.

"Second layer from the top." Heero answered promptly as he looked up and his trained eyes instantly caught sight of the small device. He was trying very hard not to step any closer to her…

Relena checked once again. "I still don’t see it."

Heero went beside her and pointed, completely forgetting his goal to stay away. "Right there."

Instead of following the direction his finger was pointing at, she stared at his face instead. Okay, so she was a bit ruffled because she could not understand what he wanted. He asked her to teach him, but he would always disappear on her. He touched her as if she was a precious gem, and then he acts as if she was garbage.

"Relena, you aren’t looking."

"No. I looked until my neck ached. Now, I’m looking at you, trying to figure something out." She’s had enough of this running around!

Heero dropped his hand and met her gaze. She’s demanding today! "What is it?"

"Were you serious?" There, she asked it.

"Serious? About what?" Heero frowned at her, trying to figure it out.

Relena sighed then looked down at the ground. This was like talking to a three year old! "Serious about me teaching you how to feel… because Heero," She looked at his face once again. "I cannot do anything if you keep on ignoring me."

Once again, cat got his tongue. All right, so he had been ignoring her… "Excuse me. Habit." He saw Relena cringe and he instantly wanted to take those words back. He didn’t mean it that way… it was habit of trying not to notice her! Not habit of ignoring her!

"Uhm… yeah… Habit… of course." A slicing pain echoed its path through her and she tried her best to school her face to show indifference.

He began to stutter. God only knows it was the first time this happened! "I- I mean-"

"No, it’s alright, Heero. You don’t need to explain. I completely understand." She gave him one of her best smiles- one that she uses when she wants to cry instead- but it was too late as she felt those irritating tears. "Uhm… you know, if you… Please, excuse me… I… I don’t think… Excuse me."

She quickly walked past him, back into the house while Heero stared after her retreating form, feeling completely helpless and totally disgusted with himself for hurting her feelings. But what should he do?

‘What?’

Her words echoed in his mind and then his feet moved to the direction she took. Minutes later, he stood outside her bedroom door, not knowing what to do. Heero pushed his shoulders back then, as if walking to his death, knocked.

"Just put the tray on the floor, Buena. Thank you."

Heero pushed his hand through his hair. Great! Now she thinks he’s Buena. He knocked once again. "Relena… It’s me…. Heero."

From inside, Relena wiped her tears away in swift, jerky movements, using the corner of her blanket. ‘Yeah, as if someone else has that voice in this house, right?’ She breathed in deeply before she answered. "I’m… a bit busy, Heero. What is it?"

Heero glared at the door. Hell if he’s going to pour his words to an inanimate object! "Open the door."

Relena wiped her face once again then turned to her other side so she wouldn’t look at her door. "I’m busy!"

"Open it or I’m going to knock it down." His clear threat made Relena throw her pillow at the door and the soft thud made Heero wonder what was happening inside.

Not wanting any of her part time servants to have something to talk about, she went to the door and opened it with eyes fixed on the floor. "That was an unfair threat. Now what is it? I am a bit busy at the moment and would really like to be alone."

She gasped when Heero’s hand tilted her chin up to make her face him. "You’re crying." The observation just came. It was idiotic of him to say such an obvious fact.

"Was. I was. Is there something wrong with that? The last time I heard, there wasn’t any law that prohibits a person from such an act. Of course, you can correct me if I’m wrong, Mr. Yuy." She’s covering her pain with anger, but who cares? She was still pacified, wasn’t she? Slight anger does not necessarily mean that she was turning away from Pacifism. Even a pacifist was allowed to feel anger, so long as it is controlled. And she’s in control, right?!

"No. It isn’t wrong." Heero felt like kicking himself at the moment. He had been callous? Wonder if he was worse before…

Relena saw him look away, look back, breathe in deeply, and then bite his lower lip before he reached out to tenderly touch a cheek where a wet trail of tears was still obvious. Her lips trembled at the gentle touch and she instantly pulled away to look down at the floor. It wasn’t fair that she had tears while he had none. It just wasn’t!

"I wanted to…" Heero breathed in deeply. He did this before, right? Why was it so hard to tell her? "… apologize." He looked away.

Relena’s eyes widened and she slowly looked up to his face. She saw that slight uncertainty in his eyes once again but this time it stayed on longer than before. The mere fact that he was apologizing… Sad to say, but her heart softened like putty. She had never thought to hear an apology from Heero’s lips...

He waited… It seemed like forever before she spoke once again but it was worth it. That heavy feeling he had was lifted.

"Apology accepted, Heero."

Her whispery voice of forgiveness was enough. It almost made him smile, but habit stopped it. He nodded instead. "And…"

Relena waited for whatever it was he wanted to add.

After some time, he was finally able to blurt it out. "I still want you to teach me."

A small smile gave way upon Relena’s lips and Heero… was that relief when it seemed like pounds of weight was taken off your chest?

"The last device was set, am I correct?" She waited for his nod before she continued. "My servants won’t be back until Monday morning. We could go to the park tomorrow and try to have your first lesson." She hesitated for a moment, unaware of his schedule. "That is, if you don’t have anything planned."

Heero shook his head. "No. I have none."

"All right. That’s settled." She stepped away from the door, ending their conversation. "Buena is still downstairs. She has dinner set for you. I will not join you tonight, but please eat to your heart’s content."

He nodded and took a step back also.

"Good night, Heero." Relena whispered before she closed her door without a sound.

Heero stared at the closed door then, as if it was wrenched from his lips, he also whispered the words he was been holding back. "Konbanwa, Relenasan. Genki okitte kudasai."

She looked around her room. There were still some boxes on one corner that she has yet to open, but they could wait. Her eyes traveled from her windowsill, where the plant Heero gave her in China town was, then to the small teddy bear, snuggled right in the middle of the bed and then she shook her head. "Heero… what do you really want?

"No… please… I don’t want to go to a conference…" Relena sleepily grabbed a pillow with one hand and placed it over her head while her other hand slapped down on her alarm clock. The ringing sound stopped.

Then it came again.

Heero woke up and scowled. A ringing doorbell in the middle of the night wasn’t exactly how he would like to start his day. Damn! He wouldn’t have cared a long time ago, but he wanted sleep so badly. It was the first decent sleep he had since he came to this house! Wait… how did they get past security? Granted, he didn’t finish coding and programming some of the devices… Still! In a bolt, he was up from his bed.

Slowly, Relena got out of her bed and grabbed her robe. She finally realized that the incessant ringing was really her doorbell. "Who could be outside at this time in the morning?" She checked her clock and saw that it was only—Four?! With sleep-dulled mind, she walked out of her room, yawning, and was checking the knot on her robe when she bumped against something and nearly fell down.

Firm hands enveloped her waist and stabilized her balance. She hastily looked up and found Heero’s face, so near her own. "Er… morning."

Heero nodded. For some reason, his heartbeat notched up and his breathing sort of… "Good morning." He had never seen her just woken up before, and she looked beautifully vulnerable.

She quickly glanced down, not wanting to look at his stupidly handsome face since she could already feel her quickened heartbeat, and stared into his bare, muscled chest instead… God! That didn’t help! Relena instantly looked away. ‘Oh Lord!’ Relena swallowed. "Uh… I think there’s someone at the door."

Heero finally let go her small waist and forced his body to turn. He should not stare at the creamy valley of her chest like a hungry wolf! He should not! "I’m going to check it."

"I’ll go with you." Relena piped as she followed him, trying very hard to tug the V of her robe together.

"No. Stay there."

His voice hinted finality but Relena just ignored it. "I’m going. It’s my house."

Heero heard her soft, padded footsteps follow him and grimaced. She never listens. A hand went to the doorknob while another went behind him. Relena’s eyebrow shot up as she saw Heero grab hold of a gun. She shook her head. Why should she be surprised?

With only the swish of her silk robes to tell Heero about her movements, she tiptoed to look over his shoulder while he opened the door.

"Good morning!"

"Yo! We’re here to invade the fort- Holy! Have you two been sleeping together?!!!"

{AN: Konbanwa: Good Evening. Genki okitte kudasai: Please sleep well. I wanted to put this story in a different link under ffnet, but when I reviewed the rules and regulations, I knew it wasn’t possible. The Conclusion will tie all fiction together, therefore, according to ffnet rules, I must have the stories together. I’ve forgotten to say some things in the last few chaps—Disclaimers ^^ and Take Care everyone. I hope you all are well.}