~*~

‘Where is she?!’ Heero nearly overturned a table with barely contained anger. ‘How could she have eluded twenty four cameras all over this house?!’

"Yo! Heero!" Duo ran into the hall and then skidded to a halt as Heero’s murderous glare settled on him. "WHOA! Hey! I didn’t do anything!" He held up his hands in total surrender while his huge violet eyes showed playful panic.

"Just get out of my way." The words were low and barely got out of his tightly clenched jaw while he walked past Duo.

Duo frowned and scratched his head. "Eh… Heero… can I help?"

"No!" The growl sounded like a lion’s roar and Duo’s eyebrows shot up as he followed Heero silently. "Duo stay away from me! Dammit!" Where is she?!

It was just a grumble, but Duo still heard it and he couldn’t help but smile. Plan B worked its charm! Hehehe… Heero never even knew that he was the one who did something to the cameras just so he could see how his friend would react. ‘And my, my… He sure is responding quite to the point.’

Duo cleared his throat and Heero turned around in anger. "I told you to-"

"You wanna find Relena?" Duo grinned as he saw Heero do a double take. Bulls eye! His friend sure was having a harder time covering his face with his unemotional mask. ‘Goody!’

"What do you know." It was more of a demand than a question.

"Well… since you told me to leave you alone…" Duo turned sideways and then started to whistle. Hands gripped his collar in a strangle hold and Duo felt himself being shaken.

"Duo, I’m not in the mood right now so, if you know something, just spit it out and leave me alone." Duo really knows how to get him riled up- damn man knows that he’s partial to Relena.

Duo nodded- if you call barely tilting your head up and down a nod! He was suddenly let go, and the glorious feel of air through his nose and lungs was enough to make him kneel and praise the Lord.

"Now, where did she go." It wasn’t a question- more of an order.

Duo shrugged. "I know that she likes making her art by herself… I thought I saw her walk into her shed earlier."

‘Art? What art?’ Heero wondered. "The cameras didn’t show anything."

‘Excuse… excuse… What’s my excuse… ah!’ Duo smiled sheepishly. "Er… you see… uhm… Hilde and I kinda was doing our… uh… thing… and I didn’t want you to get a hold of those footage- Hey! Where are you going?!" Duo pouted as he watched Heero walk out of the house without even answering. "Gee… Don’t I even get a thank you?!" Heero didn’t look back at him, but he expected it. Then, with a shrug and a victorious grin, he continued his trek to the kitchen.

‘What’s in there?’ The small tool shed came in sight and Heero frowned as he tried to remember what he saw in there nearly two months ago. ‘Nothing…’ If there’s nothing there… what the heck is she doing in there? And… what art?

He heard a whirring sound and didn’t even bother to knock when he opened the door. An eyebrow shot up from beneath his tousled hair while his eyes stared at the sight in front of him… Relena- and for the first time in nearly ten years- her legs were uncovered for his eyes to see… The last time he’d seen her legs, he had been too focused on his mission- and damn! She’s got legs!

He gulped, his throat suddenly dry, and Relena? Relena hadn’t noticed that he came in and continued to working on the vase, going round and round on the table with her hands delicately curving it here and –

"Oh! Heero!"

The vase, already up to her elbow, became a lump of clay in less than a few seconds and slowly, the table stopped turning.

He looked up from her perfect legs- thankfully the small table was situated between her open legs as if inviting him to- damn! Did he say thankfully?! Heero forced his eyes not to look down and focused on her surprised, mud streaked face instead. What the hell was wrong with him?! Why’d he suddenly think of her like… Argh!

"I… ah… Is there any trouble?" She wiped her hands with a damp cloth that hung on the backrest behind her, and then quickly stood up. Her long skirt, hiked up her legs so she could position the table between her legs, fell down with a swish. The shed, already small, seemed smaller. She hated it when he surprises her like this!

He forced himself not to think about it- no more! – and focused on the small figurines on the table near him. "I didn’t know that you do…" Heero looked around. "This."

Relena smiled happily, finally settling her roundabout feelings. "It’s a hobby of mine. I learned how to do pottery from Pagan to practice my patience. It is soothing."

Heero looked at the small pieces of clay and vases. He had wondered why there were new bookshelves in this old shed. Now he knows…

"Would you like to look around?" Relena hesitantly asked as she walked to Heero’s side. "They aren’t much… more like a work of a fourth grader, but-"

"No… they’re…" He didn’t want to say it but, as he looked at the pieces, the lines just right… "Good." More than good, actually! Beautiful! And the mere fact that he usually does not have time to appreciate art, then this…!

"Thank you." Relena whispered as the compliment washed over her like warm syrup over a hot batch of pancakes. She took a few steps to stand beside Heero and then her eyes widened as she saw three pieces she didn’t want him to see… But, too late… Heero walked up to the first two pieces…

"I… I could never get them right… It’s a bit hard, trying to do it by memory."

Heero shook his head as he reached for the other two pieces of small statues- Wing and Zero… She got them right to the last detail- even the colors… What did she mean they weren’t right? "Relena, the harshest critic is oneself." He knew from experience, missions, and more.

She was about to put away the third piece when what he said caught Relena’s attention and she looked at him. She saw something she couldn’t quite understand. "Why don’t you think about what you said, Heero?"

He turned to face her and was about to answer when the figurine on the lower shelf caught his eye. For a moment, that terrible memory enveloped his suddenly numbed mind.

Relena turned, but she already knew what made his face suddenly pale… The figurine of a dog and a little girl… Granted that she only heard ‘a little girl and a dog’ without any other description when she finally pried that little tidbit from Wufei… She just used her imagination. When she was younger, she had wanted a small dog, too… So she basically thought of herself and used the image that came to mind to make this only single memory of Heero’s past that she knew about.

"Does it remind you of something?" Relena tried to venture through this choppy situation. Maybe if he talked about it…

Does it remind him of something? Almost all too well… Too much-

"RELENA! C’MON!" Duo suddenly appeared from nowhere, grabbed her hand, and pulled her out of the shed.

"Duo! What-?"

Hilde’s laughter rang out while Heero’s eyes followed Duo and a too-stunned-to-struggle Relena. He saw Relena stiffen when she saw the pool where Hilde, still in her clothes, was swimming in, and before she could protest, Duo pushed her into the pool.

Her playful scream and then the hearty splash made Heero smile. Funny… it’s the first time he’s ever smiled after he remembered that little girl… He watched as Duo jumped into the pool, still in his jeans and shirt, before he turned away from the happy scene and faced the little girl’s figurine.

It didn’t look anything at all like the little girl he knew. For one, this girl does not have a hat… but the way the girl held on to the dog… the way the grass had flowers painted over it… it just reminded him of her.

His first lesson about emotions… and his last…

Now, as he looked at the figurine, he couldn’t feel that turbulent emotion anymore… He felt more… peaceful… For the first time… It wasn’t that he had forgotten. The pain was still there in his heart, but it wasn’t as agonizing.

"HEY HEEEEROOOO!!!! COME OUT OF THAT SHED AND JOIN US!!!" Duo’s yell carried itself three houses away.

Heero grimaced without its usual malice then walked out of the shed to face the pool. "No thanks. Someone must look after three adults who are making fools of themselves."

Relena smiled at him, feeling rather mischievous. "Sometimes, it’s better to be a fool than to be the smart one. At least the fool gets to have fun."

Hilde laughed. "Hear ye! Hear ye! That’s telling him, Rel!"

Heero just shook his head and sat on one of the seats around the pool, content to just observe the three- although most of his attention was focused on Relena as she laughed, splashed Duo with water and… everything else…

He watched as she lay on her back to stare at the splash of colors in the sky.

"Relena, get out of there. It’s getting cold." Heero stood up and walked to the edge of the pool to glare at her.

She just smiled at him. "No thanks… I like it… I’m not cold." Her waist length hair swayed with the small ripples in the water… It was mesmerizing.

"You’re going to get sick. Why don’t you follow what Duo and Hilde just did a while ago?" Why couldn’t he just go in there and pluck her out of the water?

"Duo and Hilde were hungry. That’s why they left. I’m not hungry and I’m not cold. Thank you." She averted her eyes from him while her hands danced by her side to keep her afloat.

She didn’t know that she looked like a water sprite even with her ankle length cotton dress that was, thankfully, double layered, or else, he’d be seeing more than he… Heero shook his head. She almost looks surreal… "Relena-"

"Heero, it seemed like only yesterday when I picked roses for the house… and now its autumn… How time flies, doesn’t it?" She glanced down at him once again. Somehow, it felt as if she’s oddly not herself. Maybe because when you’re in the water, you feel… light…

Heero nodded. "Yes. Now get out of there."

"No." Relena answered promptly, obstinately. "If you wish to leave, I am not stopping you." God only knew how much she tried to do that before, and she never had been successful.

Heero’s lips pursed. "When did you become so stubborn?"

"Ever since I could remember…" She closed her eyes, not really caring about the world at the moment. "Why do you think I get into so much trouble? Because I’m stubborn…"

A cold breeze swept down upon them. Heero’s hair swayed. Trained to endure all types of weather, he didn’t care, but Relena shivered and it only took another breeze to make her give up and stand in the pool.

"Okay, it’s cold… I’m going…" Getting sick was not on her agenda. Slowly, she waded to the shallow side, waiting for her feet could touch the tiles. She tried her best to keep her skirt down until she finally reached the front of the stairs while Heero glared down at her.

"Stop looking at me like that. I’m doing what you want me to do- I’m getting out of the pool." Relena pouted as she took her first step, but her long, sodden dress, coupled with the slippery tiles, made her slip. Her hands went out to grab the first thing she could hold on to so she wouldn’t fall-

Hands.

Her tumble stopped. She glanced up, thankful, and stared into Heero’s impassive face with the hint of impatience in his eyes. "Come on. You can’t even get your balance straight. That’s what you get for spending too much time in the water."

There must have been something wrong with her… there must have been something in the air, but as she said before, it felt as if she wasn’t herself and she smirked at him. An impish idea formed in her mind and before he knew it, she pulled him into the pool with her.

They both fell down with a loud splash. Relena quickly burst out of the water, unable to believe that cute expression of wide eyed surprise on Heero’s face. It was the first time she’d ever seen such an expression on him and she relished repeating the scene in her mind while she laughed heartily, gulping down some water in the process. She lost her balance, went down then came up sputtering only to face a wet, glaring Heero… his hair nearly covering his face.

The sight only made her laugh some more, even after his hand came up to comb back his hair. "You look funny! So that’s what you look like when you take a bath." She met his glare with a wide smile.

"You’re going to be sorry you did that." Heero muttered, not feeling angry at all. Actually, he feels so… alive! His whole body was tingling with anticipation.

"Yeah? And what will you do?" Relena looked at him saucily. "I bet your gun is wet too."

"I don’t need a gun to do-"

Relena’s eyes widened as she saw his lightning fast hands spread out.

"This!"

A huge spray of water hit Relena and she screamed playfully as she turned away, and tried to meet his attack with some of her own. She knew that she couldn’t do it and dived into the water instead to go behind him for a sneak attack. But Heero saw her and did the same thing. She broke out of the water only to meet an empty pool. It didn’t take a genius to figure out- Relena gasped as hands enveloped her waist and a spray of water hit her face. Heero’s face loomed in front of her, a playful smile on his lips.

"I’ve caught you."

Relena grinned as she placed her hands on his wet clothed shoulders. "Hmm… And what are you going to do about it?"

His smile never left his lips, but in a way, he didn’t know that he was smiling. All he knew was that he felt so good, so alive. "I don’t know yet… I’m trying to decide whether to torture you," He sprayed water on her face and Relena instantly closed her eyes before the water could get into her eyes. "Tickle you," His grin widened as Relena struggled and squealed in laughter when one of his hands, still on her waist, started tickling her. He liked doing that- making her laugh. "Or…"

He stopped tickling her, but the way he was looking down at her… She shuddered and couldn’t be quite sure if that was the reason she was breathing as though she just ran a race.

A different smile lighted her face… so different from what was usually on her lips that it… made him catch his breath. He was beginning to feel dizzy, and he knew he was acting strange, but he liked it… he wants this.

"Or what?" Relena whispered as her hands slowly slipped down from his shoulders to his chest… she could feel his hard muscles… his heartbeat… his hard nipples under her palm, under his wet shirt… his heat seeping into her cold hands…

Stars slowly appeared overhead while the moon waited for the wind to uncover its blanket of clouds… His smile disappeared, replaced by a serious look and Relena suddenly noticed how close he was to her… The way they stood was so much more intimate, just an inch away with their lower torso meshed against each other… When was the last time they were this close? Before he completely disappeared from her life nearly ten years ago…

She moved her hands, suddenly shy and touched his jaw instead. She felt how tense he was and hoped that her own anxiety was not showing. "Heero… what are you thinking of?" Her other hand brushed back a wet lock of dark brown hair from his face, as though he was a little boy, but she was fully aware that he wasn’t. God! She doesn’t want this moment to end!

"The last or…" Heero answered. What was he feeling? He wants to hold her closer… to touch her lips with his… As if his hands had a life of their own. One went around her sinuous waist, to pull her closer to him... to take out that small agonizing distance between them, while another hand went behind to the back of her neck to cup her head.

Relena’s eyes widened but she didn’t struggle… How many times had she dreamt and wished for this to happen? She met his eyes openly, to show him that there was no hesitation- not from her.

He didn’t think any more and let his compelled instincts be his guide. Heero lowered his head and met her soft, inviting lips. His eyes slowly closed, just as Relena’s eyelashes touched her wet cheeks, and a sigh escaped from her lips into his.

Everything seemed so right… as if this was what was meant to be… as if this was what reality should be…

Heero nibbled at her lower lip and Relena opened willingly so he could plunge into her and take whatever it was he needed, and more… She wanted him to take more. He tightened his hold on her and her hands went around his shoulders to hold his head in place as their tongue dueled, played, and sought…

Their foreheads touched as they gasped for air, both almost lost in bliss and something they could not understand. Relena’s eyes were still closed but Heero’s was opened to watch Relena’s parted, red, just kissed lips, draw in her breath. He felt proud- so wonderful- seeing how she struggled for air, though he was doing the same thing…

She opened her eyes and met his.

He slowly smiled at her…

She joyfully smiled at him…

Everything was just… perfect- at least, for now.

So this was why people touch lips. He could still feel a slight, memorable tingle upon his lips and felt the need to do it once again. "I liked doing that." Heero drew back, just a small distance away. He couldn’t seem to get his body to move far away from her.

"So did I." Relena whispered while her heart sang an indecipherable song.

They stared at each other, taking in each other’s expressions, wanting to know where they stood now.

"I’d like to do it again…" Heero couldn’t believe what he was saying, but he couldn’t seem to stop himself. He really liked it. Kissing was weird but… wonderful… almost like a very relaxing drug.

Damn but she’s loosing herself in his Prussian blue eyes… Reason… she must remember… "Is that… what you want? What you feel you want to do?"

She saw a moment’s hesitation in his eyes and then he stared at her steadily once again. Heero saw her flushed face, more beautiful to him than ever before… Right then and there, he knew… A tentative smile left his face and he almost lied, but staring into her blue green eyes… he couldn’t. And though he knew he could easily say ‘no’, his body was likely to betray him by still taking her lips. What would she say after she hears his answer? "Yes. It is…"

Relena moved forward as she gently pulled his face down over hers. Where she got the courage to be so forward, she doesn’t know… A woman in love was the only answer she could think of… Oh, she was taking a risky step… but it sure was worth it. "Then… you have my permission to kiss me anytime you wish, Heero Yuy." She whispered her answer to his lips, her warm breath tempting him once again…

"Relena..." He barely got the words out before their lips met and they savored each other once again, as though they could not get enough of each other… Something was happening to him… His body was flushed and his jeans were suddenly so uncomfortable because of the sudden heaviness- damn! What was this woman doing to him!? But he couldn’t stop…

The water lapped against them as it waved to the cold night air… Slowly, the moon’s face was unveiled, and now, she shone upon the blissful couple.

"It’s cold." Heero whispered against her lips before interlocking it with his once again. How he knew, he couldn’t be quite sure except that he shivered, for the first time in such a long time…

"Really? That’s funny… I’m warm…" Relena whispered back as she felt a burning sensation go up, down, and all over her body. Her center pulsed, wanting more… such an aching pleasure…

‘JEEZE! ARE YOU GUYS STILL OUT HERE??? COME ON OUT! IT’S FREEZING!!!" Duo cried out as he walked through the path towards the pool while he shivered in his boots. "HEERO! RELENA!"

Heero and Relena jumped away from each other as the voice penetrated the thick, hazy fog that had enveloped their brain.

"I WANNA GO INSIDE! BUT NOOOO! HILDE JUST HAD TO SEND ME OUT HERE TO LOOK FOR BOTH OF YOU!"

The pool was set with an eerie blue light from the automatic underwater bulbs and Heero and Relena was an arm’s length away from each other when Duo came to view, pouting.

"Guys! What are you doing still in that pool?! You’re going to get sick!" Duo scolded them as he held onto the flashlight with shaking hands. Too irritated, he didn’t even question why Heero was with Relena inside the pool!

A funny thought came to Relena and she chanced a glance at Heero. She grinned as he met her gaze and couldn’t quite believe her eyes when he gave her a wicked wink.

‘Message received, dearest…’ She probably looked stupid with that huge smile on her face but who cares!

The two faced Duo… then with a battle cry from Relena-

Inside the kitchen, Hilde, working with Maya over the stove, heard a distinctive-

"AAHHHHH!!!! NOOO!!! I’M WEEEEETTTTT!!!!!!"

{Heartfire's Note: I just wanted to remind you all that there is a reason why this story is PG. Er... I will say that the PG's will come in very soon, so for those who does not like a bit of lime... All right, have fun, everyone!}