Hello all!!! Ah yes, a second part!

None of these characters belong to me.


Ease My Pain, Part 2: TOUCH



He looked over to the sleeping form beside him. Her long golden hair was tangled and damp, and he reached out to brush a few strands of it away from her face. His eyes traveled downward, studying her bare body. Perspiration still glistened on her exposed breasts, the droplets twinkling in the dim room's light as her chest rose and fell steadily. A twisted bed sheet was wound around her midsection, covering her hips just barely while her long slender legs stretched out beneath it. She seemed to be sleeping soundly, though the expression on her face was not one of perfect peaceful slumber. Her mouth hinted at a bit of a frown; her brow furrowed as though she were in deep and pensive contemplation while she slept.

Heero propped himself up on his arm and craned his neck to see the clock on the bedside table. 7:15. Relena's meetings began at 8 o'clock sharp. Before moving to wake her, he gave himself a moment to remember what had passed between them just hours before; how he had drowned all his anger with her, inside her. How she had answered without hesitation that she loved him, wanted him no matter what he had done. A twinge of remorse wormed its way into his mind. He had been so thoughtless, so rough. Perhaps he had hurt her, and he looked her over finding that he had bruised the tender flesh of her neck and arms with his haste and forcefulness. He caressed the marks gently, finding that he loved the feel of her soft smooth skin beneath his fingers. For all of his life, Heero Yuy had never known a gentle, loving touch - at least not one that he could remember. Until Relena. The first of many... the day on the beach when she held him and tried to comfort him. He had run away, but now there was a part of him that didn't want to run anymore.

She began to stir and the sheets made a rustling noise around her. Heero's eyes widened, as he had not considered this moment, facing her after the fact. But it was too late. Relena's eyes fluttered open and she looked slightly confused for just a few seconds, but suddenly became very aware of the presence next to her. "Heero...?" she said sleepily, still blinking. Immediately after speaking to him, she seemed to realize that she was barely covered and furiously grabbed for a sheet. Heero didn't answer her right away. He simply looked past her to study the clock again.

"It's almost 7:30," he replied dryly.

A look of surprise crossed her face. "Oh no, the meeting!" She charged out of bed, sheets and all, running to bathroom. Upon hearing the shower start, Heero picked himself up, gathered the clothing that was strewn about the floor and made his way back to the room that adjoined Relena's suite - where he was supposed to have slept last night. He laid his rumpled clothing on the untouched bed, lost in his thoughts as if in a daze. Methodically, he showered and dressed, glancing at his watch. "7:55. It's a good thing we only have to go downstairs." Checking that his gun was loaded in case of any "incidents," he replaced it in his waistband before going to her door. He knocked but didn't wait for a reply before he entered.

"I'm ready," Relena said in an alarmingly toneless voice before he even asked her. She was adjusting a scarf around her neck, and when he looked in her direction, she cast her eyes down and stared at the floor. They walked to the conference in silence.

Heero took his place along the wall with the multitudes of other bodyguards as the representatives argued over trade, orbiting rights and countless other trivial issues with Relena to mediate them. They droned on and on, breaking for a meal or a stretch here and there. Heero watched her all day, fighting against the memories of the previous night. He took in her tentative expression as she helped the delegates to find compromises; the way she weakly pushed her hair out of her eyes as the old men around her disagreed about everything. Heero listened as hour after hour passed in the stuffy conference room, his mind wandering back to last night - back to her. Though he was ever aware of his duty to protect her, his brain would not let him forgot the sensation of holding her. As the day wore on, his need to touch her consumed him all the more. Finally, somewhere in the distance chimes began to ring out the late hour, and Heero looked up dazedly to watch the other officials and their guards exit the room until only he and Relena remained. She was languidly shuffling files into folders as he made his way over to her. Without a word she turned to face him, making eye contact briefly before his mouth came down on hers. His strong arms pulled her tightly against him as Heero trapped her between himself and the conference table. Relena wrapped her arms around his neck, causing him to deepen the kiss. Heero's hands found their way down to her hips, and his fingers deftly cinched up the skirt she was wearing while at the same time, he lifted her so that she was sitting on the edge of the long polished table. Parting her legs so that he stood between them, Heero heard her moan softly as he moved to unbutton her blouse. He could feel Relena's hands searching as well, beginning to fumble with the belt at his waist when all of a sudden... the chimes...ringing again... Heero snapped his head up, feeling the sweat running down the side of his face as he stared across the room from his place against the opposite wall. His eyes darted warily from one corner to the next as he came to the realization that he had just been dreaming. A fellow bodyguard who had been standing next to him raised an eyebrow at the look of his colleague. "You okay, pal?" he asked, regarding the stoic blue-eyed man beside him. "You look a little pale, you sure you're not comin' down with somethin'?" Heero merely glared in reply, but it did nothing to deter the talkative man. "Hey, it's quittin' time, you should go get some rest."

Heero caught the man by the arm as he walked passed him, leaving with the rest of the delegates and guards. "I don't have a 'quitting time,'" he growled, and pushed away from the wall to where Relena sat.

She looked exhausted and she stayed in her chair with her head buried in her hands long after everyone else had left the room. He watched her there for a time, but soon began to wonder if she had fallen asleep and made his way over to her. He rested a hand on her shoulder, which seemed to startle her. She looked up and made eye contact with him for the first time all day. They looked into each other's eyes for a very long while - each searching for something; Heero looking for the reason behind her sad and quiet demeanor, all the while trying to push the fantasy of only moments before out of his mind. Relena was seeking to find that what had happened last night happened because he loved her, that he would no longer leave her. She couldn't find the answer. Their little staring contest was broken by a knock on the conference room door.

"Excuse me, are you through in here?" A middle-aged man in a janitor's uniform wheeled a bucket and mop into the room.

"Yes, we are," Relena answered quietly, rising from her seat and walking past Heero toward the door. He stayed a few steps behind her as they walked to their rooms, and upon reaching their destination, he took the keys from his suit jacket pocket and unlocked the door for her. She stepped in, keeping her back to him the entire time. He walked in after her and they continued to stand in silence.

"Relena..." he finally spoke, his own voice sounding foreign to him. She didn't turn to face him as she spoke in a soft tone.

"Please, Heero, just leave me alone. I'll see you in the morning." He hesitated for a few seconds, again wanting only to touch her, but she didn't move from her place by the window, so eventually he complied and left the room. Listening at the door, he was sure he could hear her crying.

Relena sat down on the edge of the bed, fixing her gaze tearfully on the image in the mirror before her. Slowly she untied the scarf that hid the bluish splotches on her neck, wincing as her fingers brushed over them. "Isn't it what you'd always wanted?" she asked herself wryly, thinking back to the time not so long ago when she had stood before Heero, offering herself to him, practically begging him to do whatever he wanted with her. Part of her was in fact happy - happy that she could be the one to give him the release that he needed so badly. Yet at the same time, she wanted to know that she was more than just object to him. Something to protect... or use.

She glared for some time at the rumpled bed, letting the tears roll down her cheeks. However, there was something about him today... Looking back on the day, Relena realized that perhaps he had been feeling something afterall, and she was the one who had been cold and aloof. But it was more than she could deal with right now. Letting out a deep breath, she freed herself from the confines of her suit and slipped under the covers, lapsing into a fitful sleep.

It took all of his self-control not to rush into the room and beg her not to cry, least of all over him. His suspicion that he had hurt her the previous night was confirmed, and now he had to figure out what to do about it. He lay on top of the bed, not bothering pull the covers back. For the first time in his life he longed to be next to another person. He craved her warmth and the feel of her body next to his. Heero let the image of her sleeping by his side as she had earlier that morning reply in his mind time and again.

The ringing phone startled him out of sleep and he groped blindly at the bed stand until he found it.

"What is it?" he asked groggily.

"Is this Miss Darlian's guard?" the voice on the other asked.

"Yes." Heero answered flatly.

"You asked that all calls be directed to you first, sir. This is the front desk. We wanted to let you know that the conference has been post-poned until Monday. Apparently some of the delegates have become ill. Food poisoning, it would seem."

"Hn," was Heero's reply. The desk clerk took that as a "bye" and hung up. Heero sat up and was sure that he heard the shower running in the next room. He let himself in and she was nowhere to be found. Heero found his way to the bathroom and knocked loudly. "Relena." No reply. He called out for her a few more times, and concern soon overtook him that perhaps she was ill as well. Heero slowly opened the door, being greeted by a billowing cloud of steam. "Relena?" he called. Again, no answer. Pushing back the shower curtain, he was met with an alarmed scream.

"Heero! What are you...?"

"Didn't you hear me call you?" He let his eyes rove over her bare, wet body in spite of himself.

"N-no, I guess I didn't," she answered, turning red while attempting to hide behind the curtain.

"Some of the delegates got sick. The conference is off until Monday." He had delivered his news, but found he had no desire to leave. She looked him over curiously before turning off the water. He handed her a towel and turned around, leaving to wait for her in the bedroom. Relena emerged wrapped in the towel, looking surprised that he was still there. Heero walked over to where she stood, water still dripping from the long hair that clung to her damp shoulders. He gently lifted her chin so that she would meet his gaze. Saying nothing, she let him turn her head to one side while he inspected her neck. He all but whispered, lowering his face to plant tiny kisses on the bruises. "I never meant to..."

"I know..." she responded, letting her body relax as he pressed himself against her. Eventually Heero's mouth found hers, and he kissed her gently, letting himself experience the soft heat of her mouth as he ran his tongue over her lips. He pulled her tightly to him, letting his hands move over her back, up and down her sides until they encircled her tiny waist. His senses were filled with the feel of her warmth, the scent of her clean fragrant skin. This time he felt no rage; there was no reason for haste or desperation - only gentleness. The towel she had been clutching dropped to the floor and Heero gasped at the sensation of her bare skin against his shirtless chest. He allowed himself a moment to just feel how her skin burned against his before finding her lips again. Relena returned his kisses eagerly, exploring his mouth as he explored hers, sighing ever so softly as they broke apart for a brief moment to move towards the bed.

She landed gently against the pillows while Heero steadied himself above her. Relena watched shyly as he looked her over, his eyes traveling hungrily over the curves of her body. Intent on not hurting her, Heero softly stroked the soft pink nipples, which topped her full, round breasts before covering one, then the other with his mouth, suckling lightly. He felt Relena's body writhe beneath him as he did this, and he let his eyes wander to her face, watching her lips part slightly as she breathed out in pleasure. Heero moved farther down her body, resting a cheek on smooth stomach, mesmerized by the feel of her silky skin.

Relena ran her fingers through his hair and, with a hand on each of his cheeks, lifted his head to let him know that she wished to kiss him. Heero complied, finding her mouth again, and as he pressed his lips against hers, Relena could feel the hardness of his manhood resting between her thighs. She reached down to touch it, surprised at the softness of the skin. Running her fingers over the length of the shaft, Heero seemed to unconsciously buck against her, begging for access to slick, hot wetness that was waiting inside her. Slowly, Relena guided him to the entrance of her womb, feeling him press against her hot, aching flesh, still tender from their first encounter. Heero longed to drive himself deeply into her, but he was mindful of the fact that she was still bruised, so he mustered every ounce of self-control he contained to stop himself. Pulling away from the kiss, he opened his eyes and watched for her to do the same. "Relena...?" he breathed, as if asking her permission since he had neglected to do so last time. He resolved that he would go no farther until...

"Mmm, Heero," she whispered, pulling him in towards her. His resolve crumbled he pushed his way into the soft heat at the core of her body. She cried out at the blissful ache of his presence inside her, moving her body against his to allow him to enter more fully. He did so, but a bit too forcefully, causing Relena to let out a painful gasp. Heero looked up, stopping instantly at the sound, looking for signs of hurt in her expression. He leaned in to kiss her apologetically, gently pushing her wet blonde hair out of the way. She smiled at him after he lightly touched her lips with his own, letting him know that the pain had subsided, and began to push her hips against his. Sunlight was straying in between the blinds at the windows as the two figures in the bed continued moving rhythmically in their intimate embrace. Heero clenched his fists as he fought against the urge of his release when he felt the rush of heat and wetness come from within her. Relena clung to him as she shuddered beneath him, choking on the cry of pleasure, which tried to escape from her throat. The warmth inside her body only increased with Heero's finish, sending his own heat to intermingle with hers. With a slow, ragged moan, Heero lowered his trembling body to the pillow beside Relena, not yet wanting to pull out of her. They stared at each other for a very long while, exchanging tiny kisses and gentle caresses, but no words, until Relena drowsily spoke up. Her eyes were half closed, and it seemed sleep was about to over-take her, when she asked him very simply, "Do you love me?"

She seemed to drift off, as if she wasn't really waiting for him to answer. Heero watched her eyes close, and waited before answering with a barely audible, "Yes." Thinking that she was already asleep, he closed his eyes as well only to hear her whisper.

"Then say you'll never leave me." He only pulled her close in response, surprised at first that she had heard his confession. He fell asleep reveling in the touch of her cheek against his as he dozed.

A beeping sound woke him - an all too familiar sound. It was faint, coming from the next room. Though he tried to ignore it the sound was relentless, so he grudgingly freed himself from Relena's embrace and followed it, lest it should wake her. Heero found the source, his beeper glowing, flashing the code from Preventer Headquarters. Hastily, he threw on pants and a shirt and went to the vid-phone. Lady Une appeared on the screen. "Heero, we have another mission for you..."

Relena's last words echoed through his mind, "Then say you'll never leave me."

"So," Une continued, pulling him out of his reverie, "when will you be ready to go?"

END

Well, perhaps this will be a series. Please let me know how you liked it.
With Love, **Black Dove**