Love’s Labours Lost

By Stella and the Black Rose

Disclaimer: I don’t own it, I just like to dress up like characters from the show in my spare time.   Okay okay. I do not own the show or the characters.  And sadly, as much as I would like to, I make no money whatsoever on these fanfics, I do this out of sheer love of the characters, love of writing, and a deeply rooted sado-mascochism complex that can be traced back to my early childhood….  In other words, Bandai, Pioneer, you’d only get debt if you sued me.  **bows humbly** We’re not worthy….

Chapter 7

Quatre watched Vash fight with the apartment door’s often temperamental lock.  Gloved hands jiggled the brass fitting, pounding on it and finally giving it a well-timed thump. 

            “There’s a trick to it,” the tall blond grinned over his shoulder at the CFO while the battered door swung open.  Four weary friends filed into the darkened living room, groaning as they dragged what seemed like half the contents of the Columbia University bookstore behind them.  Quatre was convinced that the textbooks for his art class alone weighed more than he did, especially after having carried them for five blocks through the freezing winter night. 

“Um guys?” Vash’s heavy footsteps ceased as he called out from the living room. 

            “What is it?” Van snapped, dropping his bag with a resounding bang on the hardwood floor.  “Oh geez, it’s fricking cold in here!”

            “Who turned the heater off?”  Vash huffed misty words into the air.  Quatre’s eyes darted from one roommate to the other, and he shivered as the chill crawled through his opened coat and wrapped itself around his chest. He peered at the small, round device on the wall.  “The thermostat says the heater’s on.” 

            “Then it’s a liar.” Van glared at him like he was in cahoots with the darn thing. 

            “I was just telling you what it said.  No one turned it off, so it must be out.”

            Heero pulled his gloves off and began digging through one of the kitchen drawers. “The rental agreement’s in here somewhere, I’ll call the emergency repair number.”

            Quatre flipped the switch on the thermostat and turned the temperature up.  It didn’t kick on.  He sighed and re-entered the kitchen.  At least I can turn the kettle on and make tea to help keep us warm.

            Vash sauntered up to the counter with the purring black kitten in hand.  “Brrrrr.  It’s fr-fr-freezing in here. I think poor Kitty would have been warmer on the street afterall. Doesn’t this excellent facility have a fireplace?” Quatre shook his head as he continued filling the kettle with tap water and glanced over at Heero.  This was not the time to push the software exec.

            Heero picked up the phone, his eyes dangerously flashing towards his roommate before turning back to the paper in front of him. “No.”

            “Aw man!”Vash complained, retreating back to the living room and swaddling himself from head to toe in one of his blankets.  The television came to life at the same time Quatre turned on the burner under the kettle.  He stuck out his gloved hands and tried to warm them over the stove. Mmmmmmm, heat.

            “The repair man will be here in an hour.” Heero’s voice interrupted his thoughts with the unpleasant announcement.  Quatre stood back and steeled himself for the onslaught.

            “An hour?” Vash cried from the couch.  “We’ll be ice cubes by then.”

The CFO cringed, and pulled himself away from the stove in order to head off further griping.  He snatched an armful of quilts from the hall closet and distributed them to his friends. 

“There isn’t anything else we can do, Vash, except just try to keep warm.”

“I can’t believe this,” Van shouted, staring out the window.  Quatre followed his gaze and glimpsed a bank sign’s digital thermometer. It flashed between “18° F” and “-8°C” as if taunting all those unfortunate enough to feel the winter’s chilly effect.  He groaned inwardly.  What a time for the heat to go out.

            “Keep your coat on and get under a blanket.  Take a nap and by the time you wake up in the morning, the heat will be back on.”  Heero’s voice was as cold as the air inside the apartment as he reprimanded the marketing VP in his most condescending tone.  Quatre drew in a sharp breath.  Van had been in a mood all night, and Heero’s latest insensitivity was not going to go over well at all.  The software exec opened his laptop and balanced it on the table in front of him.  Remembering the kettle he was still waiting on, Quatre retreated towards the kitchen.

“Riiiight.” Van’s voice dripped heavy caramel sarcasm that screamed confrontation.  Quatre shut his eyes and leaned back against the cupboard. He didn’t like to witness these sorts of disagreements.  Breathe in, breathe out.  You’re not involved, so just relax.

“See, usually, when it’s eighteen degrees outside, they tell you NOT to fall asleep because that’s how you freeze to death.”

            “Van, you’re not going to freeze to death,” Heero muttered, having not bothered to look up from the laptop screen. He punched a couple of buttons and seemed to be ignoring everyone around him.

            “That’s what you think!” The marketing VP yelled.  Quatre’s eyes snapped open and he felt his heart race, but he knew he was powerless to stop what amounted to a train wreck about to happen in their new living room.  Both of them were too damn stubborn for their own good – neither one would back down until they had said more than they should.

Van paced back and forth like a caged tiger. His jaw was tight and his hands formed fists at his sides. 

Vash seemed to realize the intensity of the situation as well.  Blond spikes turned from the tv screen.  “Guys, this isn’t worth…”

Van lunged towards Heero, and grabbed the laptop off the table to gain the President’s undivided attention.  There was a brief silence as the two glared at one another. 

“Stop being a child.”

“Stop trying to be my father.”

“Dammit, Van, you’re not going to freeze to death in an hour.”

“What do you know? You think you know everything.  But I’m telling you, there’s a reason why God invented heaters and I guarantee that without them, people would not be living on the sixteenth floor of a bare-assed apartment this close to the damn arctic!  They’d all be down near the equator, living in mud huts and dancing naked, worried only about putting enough sunscreen on their privates so that it doesn’t hurt when they pee!”  He accentuated the statement by slamming the laptop down, which rocked the table’s already less than steady surface.

            “Van,” Heero’s eyes narrowed and he sat up completely straight in his chair. “Go to your room and freeze quietly.  I have work to do.”

            “Sure thing, Dad,” Van spat.  He whirled around and snatched the comforter off of Vash before stomping off down the hall.

            “Hey!”

Heero sighed and handed the blond tester his blanket.  “Here.”

“Thanks.”

            The kettle whistled from the kitchen, and Quatre went to pour himself some well-deserved tea.  How are we going to make it three years?  We can’t get along for three days.

“Dang it, there’s nothing on,” Vash whined from his place on the sofa, pushing a button and plunging the room back into darkness.  “I hate bowling and I’ve already seen this documentary on the mating habits of fruit bats - And I don’t think I want to see it again.  Kinky little critters… it’s sad when fruit bats are getting more action than-”

            “Vash, if you’re staying up, can you let the repairman in or would you rather take my room while I stay up and wait?” Heero cut in.

            “I’m kinda tired, boss,” Vash yawned, “but I can wait if you want.”

            “I’ll stay up for a while,” Quatre offered and took another sip of his tea.  “Would anyone else care for some tea? I think we have some little packages of hot chocolate…”

            “I might take you up on that if the repairman isn’t here by midnight,” Heero nodded.   “But get some rest for now, I’ll need your input for that meeting with PCC tomorrow.  And Vash, just go ahead and take my room.”

            “Don’t have to tell me twice!” the tester jumped to his feet, collecting his furry friend and making for the quiet destination of Heero’s slightly more comfortable bed.

            “Are you going to be alright, Heero?”  Quatre asked.  He handed his friend a cup of hot tea before starting off towards his own room.

            “Yeah, I’ll be fine,” Heero said between sips. “But tell Vash to keep that damn cat off my pillow.”

            *                      *                      *                      *                      *                      *          Vash tossed from side to side, kicking at the twisted mess of covers around his feet.  The cold air bit at his nose and froze every breath, and it was extremely difficult to get comfortable with his bulky coat on.  Maybe something warm to drink would help.

            He wandered out into the hallway and followed the eerie glow emanating from the corner of the kitchen.  

“Hey, boss.”

The rhythmic clacking of keys ceased for a moment as Heero’s eyes turned from the screen.  “I thought you were tired.”

            Vash fumbled for the tea kettle.  “I guess I got a bit of a second wind.”

            “Hn.”

            “Did Quatre call it a night, too?” The taller blond questioned.  His friend nodded and went back to typing. “And don’t worry about Van,” Vash went on.  “He’ll get over whatever has been his problem lately.”

            “Yeah.”

            Vash hunkered down at the table with a steaming mug and a rather sizable salmon sandwich.  He chewed in silence, letting his green eyes drift to the stone-faced man across from him who seemed to be unaffected by his presence completely.  The software tester slurped at his tea, wondering what his friend could be working on so diligently.  Another report?  No.  Heero never waited until the last minute.  He had those done and revised yesterday.  Some coding?  Wouldn’t that fall under the ‘no business clause’ of the pact? 

Vash crunched the last of his snack, licking his fingers and still staring at Heero.  Finally the answer slipped into his brain.  The Boss must have received another e-mail from… “So, what’s she like?”

            “Who?”  Heero barked. He sat up rigidly, the rickety kitchen chair creaking under his weight; Vash noticed that his business partner had stopped working and was looking right at him.

            “Relena,” Vash answered, concealing a smile.  “I mean…I have to be prepared for our meeting tomorrow.”

            Heero drew in a haggard breath. “You met her.”

            “Yeah, I met her,” Vash leaned across the table and pointed a long finger at his friend, “but I wanted to know your opinion of her.”

            “Why?”

            The man in red reclined in his seat and propped his feet up on the table.  He shrugged. “Just curious, I guess.”

            Heero shoved his chair back, flipping the laptop shut and scowling through the darkness.  “Vash, I’m too tired to have to deal with this,”

The tester blinked.  “Deal with what?”

            “These questions.”

            “All I asked was your opinion of her.”

            “I don’t have one,” Heero growled and shot up from his seat.  He stormed across the chilly room, charting a course for the couch.

            “Oh you do, too,” Vash insisted.  He grabbed his tea and followed his friend.  “I’m not asking if you like her, in fact I hope you don’t.”

            The other man dropped onto the sofa and switched on the light.  “Why’s that?”  Heero fished a computer magazine out of the cushions and tore it open.

            “Because she doesn’t seem to be your type,” Vash observed, letting his gaze drift over to study his friend’s expression.

            “And what exactly is my type?” Heero sniffed and turned another glossy page.  Vash shot him a sly glance and tried to hide his smile.

            “Grumpy.  She’s too cheerful.  Polished.  She’s beautiful, but not fake,” Vash reasoned out loud.  “Assertive.  She can hold her own, but she’d rather not be combative...”

            “Are you done?” Heero frowned.  The familiar ruthless glare settled over his features.  Vash rolled his eyes.

            “Oh, will you quit with that look?  It stopped working on me in junior high.  Please tell me you don’t look at Relena like that.  Oh, and did I mention she was beautiful?”  Vash grinned.

            “Yes.  And you’re completely wrong.”

            Vash nearly spit out his tea.  “Boss, I think you need to have your eyes checked because if you don’t think she’s…”

            “No,” Heero corrected.  “About my type.  I don’t like those kinds of women at all.  Fake, manipulative, aggressive women are the ones I deal with all the time.”

            “Well,” the tester said, drumming his fingers against the arm rest and thinking back to the young woman he’d met. “Relena doesn’t seem like that at all.”

            Heero returned his attention to the article.  “She’s not.”

            “So,” Vash continued, “if she’s not the type of woman you despise, can I assume that she’s someone that you could have a good opinion of, if you knew her better?”

            The magazine slammed down on the end table.  “Why are you pushing this?”

            “Why can’t you ever loosen up?”  The lanky blond rose to his full height.  Exasperated breaths formed a foggy trail behind him as he paced the living room.  “What’s wrong with saying you like her?” he asked, lowering his voice to a calmer tone.  “That’s not breaking the pact, Boss.  I like her, I’ll admit it.  I like Hitomi, too.  I’m not sure about Dorothy – her coat scared me.  A lot.  But still,” Vash came to a halt and bent down, leveling his face with Heero’s.  “Are you going to take away my share of the company because I said I like Relena and Hitomi?”

            Heero crossed his arms and bowed his head under Vash’s stare, like a child being lectured by a parent.  “No,” the president muttered.

            The spikey-haired man squared his shoulders and let out a long breath.  “Okay then.”

            Heero continued to regard the floor. “Hn.”

            “It’s okay to like the girls, Boss.”

            “Hn.”

            The taller man cast his eyes heavenward.  “I don’t know why I bother.” He turned and took a step towards the kitchen.

            “I like her.  She’s….different.”

            The words hit him like a surprise blow to the back.  Vash spun around, letting his gaze wander the room to make sure no one else was speaking to him.  He saw only Heero.  Heaving his slackened jaw into a smile, Vash nodded. “Yeah, she seems like she’s pretty smart.”

            “Very smart,” Heero agreed.

            “She’s funny.”

            The man on the couch snorted.  “In a sarcastic way.”

            “Of course,” the tester chuckled.  “See, that wasn’t so hard.”

            “Hn.”

            Vash deposited his mug in the sink, and took another pitiful glance at the thermostat.  “Well, Dad, if you’re going to wait up for the repairman, I’m going to hit the sack.”

            Heero raised an eyebrow.  “Dad?”

            “See, you’re the dad, and we’re the sons.”

            “Riiiiight.”  The laptop once again whirred to life, and greenish light spilled over the bleak apartment.

            “So, now, about my allowance,” Vash teased on the way down the hall.

            “You’re grounded and you’ll be getting no more allowance if you don’t get your butt in bed right now.”  The glow of the screen leant Heero’s mock scowl a demonic appearance, and Vash’s eyes grew large as he reached the bedroom door.

            “Dang.  I’d hate to really be your son.  That face – SCARY!”

*                      *                      *                      *                      *                      *

            Van’s eyes cracked open, squinting against the daylight that crept in through the worn Venetian blinds.  If not for the chill still nipping at his exposed skin, he might have been able to forget where he was, even if just for a few minutes. He clenched and unclenched his fists in order to get the blood flowing to his frozen fingers.  I hate the cold.  I hate this apartment.  I hate this city.  The only good thing about this trip so far has been...  He shot straight up in the bed. We have a meeting!  I’ll get to see Hitomi today.  Better find something decent to wear.  His eyelids started to droop again as he eyed his pillow longingly.  Ugh, that means I have to get up first.

The VP of marketing stumbled out of bed, lurching across his room.  The first order of business, of course, was to locate something caffeinated, and preferably hot.  Voices filtered through the hall as Van threw his door open.  He blinked and was finally able to focus on his watch.  It read nine a.m.

“Boss, don’t tell me you were up all night,” Vash sniffled, shuffling into the kitchen just ahead of Van..  “Achoo!  Ugh.  I feel horrible.”

            Heero’s red-tinged eyes fluttered up from his computer screen.  “The heat just started back up an hour ago.  And don’t sneeze on me.”

            “It’s still cold in here,” Van spat.  “And since you’ve been up you could have at least started some coffee.” He threw the software exec a dark scowl and opened the pantry in search of filters and the economy sized can of Folgers.  He filled the pot and then dumped several scoops of grounds into the coffee maker, without measuring.  A flip of the switch and the best invention ever was happily brewing a fresh pot of the bitter, life-saving fluid.  Somewhat appeased, he turned back to his friend.  “What did the repair guy say?”

            “That it was a temporary fix, and he’d be back later this morning.”  Heero’s head lolled forward, but snapped back up when Vash sneezed again and coughed.

“Ugh.  Boss, did you get any sleep?”

            Heero massaged his temples.  “No.”

            “Aw man.  ACHOO!”

            Van shook his head and grabbed up two mugs. He poured a cup for himself and one for Heero.

            Quatre emerged from the bathroom.  Vash picked that moment to start sneezing again.  “Are you alright, Vash?  You sound sick.”

            “I think I am, Quatre,” The tester whimpered.  “Hey, boss.  Will you hate me forever if I bow out of today’s meeting?  You don’t really – ACHOO – need me there, do you?”

            Heero pushed the hair away from his face as Van handed him the coffee.  “Hn. I guess not.  Besides, someone needs to stay here for Chad.”

            “Chad?” Van asked.

            “The repairman,” Heero answered, slowly gaining his feet.

            Vash rubbed his nose with the back of his hand.  “Did you want your bed back?  Ack – are we out of Kleenex?”

            “No.  Stay in my room,” Heero offered.  “I’ll just grab a quick shower.  The meeting got moved up to eleven, and we have to give ourselves enough time to get there.” 

            Van watched his sleep-deprived roommate disappear into the bathroom, left to himself while Vash snuffled and coughed, and Quatre rummaged through the kitchen cabinets in search of cough syrup. 

“It’s alright, Vash.  I thought I had some NyQuil or something here somewhere…”

“ACHOO!  Ugh, that stuff is evil! I’ll be in a coma all day – just dazed and drooling all over myself… ”

“Isn’t that normally how you are anyway?”  Van smirked, unable to resist the dry barb now that he had had his first cup of coffee.

Vash glared across the room with puffy eyes.  “Ha ha.  Be nice or else I’ll cough on you.”

The marketing VP glowered and downed the last of his second cup.  “Do it and you’ll need more than NyQuil to help you.”  He spun on his heel.  “I have to go and get dressed.”

“Ahhh, yes the big meeting.  I have it on good authority that Hitomi’s favorite color is blue.”

Van halted, but refused to turn around.  “How would you know that?”

 “I have my sources.”

“Well,” Van huffed over his shoulder, not liking the knowing grin displayed on his sick friend’s face.  “I don’t see what that has to do with me.”  The door to his room slammed behind him, and GLLC officer rushed to his closet.  Hmmm, I hope my navy sweater is clean…

            *                      *                      *                      *                      *                      *

PCC Tower

            Relena bit her lip and narrowed her eyes at the image in the mirror.  She tugged at a stubborn strand of golden hair, tucking it behind her ear and willing it to stay in place.  The VP straightened the lapels of her gray jacket and continued to scrutinize her reflection.

            “I’m being silly; this is just a business meeting. Heero doesn’t care about how my hair is fixed or what I’m wearing…”

“Miss Relena?”  Sakura’s voice floated across the office, interrupting her thoughts.  The flustered young woman spun around, blinking at her secretary.

  “I’m sorry to disturb you, but the gentlemen from GLLC just arrived.  They’re waiting in the conference room.”

“They’re early,” Relena choked as she quickly gathered files.  Sakura raced to her side and took up an armful of papers.  The two women rushed through the corridor.  As they reached the conference room door Relena paused to take a deep breath.

“You’ll be fine,” Sakura smiled.  “Mr. Milliardo trusts you completely.  I know you’ll do a great job.  Go get them to sign that contract!”

Relena nodded and pushed on the latch.  Three taller figures rose from their places at the polished table when she walked in.

“Thank you all so much for coming.  I know you’re all very busy.  Dorothy and Hitomi will be joining us shortly to go over an additional concerns you might…Heero?”

            “Hn.”

            She took a step forward and studied his blood shot eyes, accented only by a pair of dark circles etched beneath them.  His hair was even more disheveled than usual.  “You look terrible.”
            Van gave his friend a sympathetic clap on the back before lifting his brown eyes to meet Relena’s.  “He didn’t get any sleep last night.  The heat was out and he stayed up with the repairman.”

            “Oh.” Relena felt her muscles relax.  “Well, we can do this another day…”

            “No!”

            Relena’s eyebrows shot up through her hairline as the three present GLLC officers answered together.

            “This is as warm as we’ve been all day,” Van explained, still clutching his jacket.

            “Since yesterday afternoon, really.  And poor Vash woke up with a cold.  He’s at home waiting for the repairman,  ”Quatre added.

            A small frown tugged at Relena’s lips.  She knew the temperature had been well below freezing last night.  “They still haven’t fixed the heat?”

            Heero growled.

            “I guess that’s a no.  Would you like some coffee or tea?” She offered.  “I’d be happy to get you something warm to drink.”

            Heero shifted where he stood, swaying a bit to one side before he caught himself.  He seemed a bit unsteady on his feet.  “Coffee.”

            Quatre and Van shrugged out of their jackets.  Relena moved to take them.

“I’ll have some tea, thank you.”

            “Tea’s fine.”

            The men settled into their seats, and after Sakura brought their refreshments, Relena began her presentation.  About ten minutes in, a distinct buzzing sound materialized from Heero’s corner of the room.  Relena stopped in mid-sentence and craned her neck in his direction.  The software mogul was fast asleep.

            Van scowled and moved to nudge his friend, but Relena held up a hand.  “We’ll continue this another day.  Really, it’s fine.”

            “We’re very sorry, Miss Relena,” Quatre apologized with a glance at his slumbering business associate.

            “It’s all right,” Relena assured them, switching off the digital projector.  “We’ll fit it in after the weekend.  How about Monday or Tuesday?”

            “We’ll check our schedules and give you a call,” Van said.  He stood up and crossed his arms, staring down at Heero.  “What should we do with him?” Van’s gaze wandered from Heero to Quatre.

            The blond man scampered backwards and put up his hands.  “I’m not waking him up, you do it.”

            Van shook his head.  “Nu-uh.  Remember what happened last time?  He dozed off in the test lab last year and when I went to get him, he knocked me out with the motherboard from his laptop. It was three hours before someone found me!”

            “A dangerous man even in his sleep,” Relena giggled.  “You can leave him here.  I’ll make sure he gets home.”

            “Are you sure?” Quatre asked.  “We hate to burden you…”

            “It’s no trouble,” Relena assured them.  “And if you wanted to stop in and see Hitomi and Dorothy, I’m sure they’d be more than happy to discuss the more specific points of what I was going to address in my presentation today.”

            “Well, I suppose since I’m here anyway…” Van sighed and reached for his jacket.

            “If Miss Dorothy will have the time, I did have a question for her,” Quatre said and took his coat down off the rack as well.  Relena thought his cheeks looked a little pink, but he averted his gaze before she could be sure. She pointed the other two men towards the legal and marketing departments, then turned back to unconscious one at the conference table.

            “Ok, Heero, not a motherboard in sight - guess I’ll take my chances.  Up you go…”  She helped him to his feet and half-dragged, half-carried him the twenty yards to her office.  “You’re heavier than you look.”

            “Hn.” Heero’s head drooped forward.

            She laid him on her office sofa, tucking a pillow under his head and covering him loosely with a blanket.  She smiled at the picture he made.  All men, even her older brother, looked like little boys in their sleep.  Relena smoothed his hair off his face and bent to kiss his forehead.  “Sleep well, Heero.”

            *                      *                      *                      *                      *                      *

“Here ya go, buddy!  One giant hot cocoa – with extra foam, a box of tissues, a cough syrup that won’t put you out until next Tuesday and last but not least, three dozen glazed donuts from Mick’s Donut-O-Rama, and a bear claw with his compliments.”

The shivering blond gratefully accepted the plastic shopping bags and hugged the box of pastries.  “Thanks a million, Duo, you really saved my life!  My so-called friends ditched me for some business meeting.  Eh, just leave the door open.  The hallway is warmer, I think.  Stay and have a donut with me before you head downstairs – ACHOO!”

“Well…” The braided doorman hesitated, but only until Vash opened one of the boxes and started in on its freshly-baked contents.  “I guess just one… or two wouldn’t hurt.  At least it’s finally heating up in here.”

“Thank goodness!”  Vash sniffled.  “I thought Kitty and I were going to end up frozen like that Wooly Mammoth some guy found in an iceberg; it was on the news a while back.”

Duo nodded, helping himself to another donut.  “Too bad about getting sick, though, man.  Last thing you need.”

Vash examined the cold medicine that his new friend had brought along.  “Could be worse, I guess.  And I’ve always been a quick healer.”

“That’s good.”  Duo reached into one of the bags and claimed his own box of donuts.  “But at least you can get some rest.  Anything good on tv today?” 

Vash coughed, then grabbed the remote and started clicking.  “Ugh, probably not… Game show, talk show – ‘Midget Alien Abductees Who Want to Take Over the World’ - scary!  Soap opera…  Hey, what’s this?”

The two men stared at the screen, curiously regarding the large group of people dressed in ruffled shirts, breeches and large-skirted dresses and singing against an impressive, very dramatic-sounding musical score. 

The taller of the pair grinned at the image of several busty female performers.  “Ooooooh.  I totally think they should bring back those corset things.  Poor girls though – must be hard to breathe.  I wonder what they’re singing about.”

Duo’s eyes widened.  “I think this is Les Miserables.  It’s my girlfriend Hilde’s favorite musical, she’s seen it like ten million times.  They show the concert version on PBS once in a while.  It’s really good, actually.  Have you and your friends had a chance to see any of the Broadway shows?  Les Mis plays like everyday down on 41st street.”

Vash sighed.  “Nah, not yet.  Hopefully one of these days, though.”

“Yeah.  Hey, let me know,” Duo offered.  “If you find yourself a nice girl, I’ll bring Hilde and the four us can go.”

The software tester pouted.  “A nice girl… huh…  ACHOO!”

“Bless you, Mr. Vash.”

Vash didn’t even have to look.  He recognized that no-nonsense voice right away. “Hey, there, reporter girl.  Reporter girl?!  What the heck are you doing up here?”

“Well, there was no one downstairs, so I just let myself on up.  You owe me an update, you know.”  Meryl removed her hat and gloves and stepped inside.

“B-b-but… Aww man!  Come on in, why don’t you?” Vash groaned and shot a pleading look at Duo. 

The doorman missed the subtle hint completely and merely winked, stole a quick look at Meryl, and gave the spikey-haired man a thumbs up before making his exit.  “Hey, well guess that’s my cue to get back to work.  Later, Vash – hope you feel better.  Nice to see you, Miss Reporter.”

“Thanks a lot, Duo.  I can’t believe he just abandoned me.  Geez, with friends like that, who needs enemies?”  He coughed again and turned to the new arrival.  “Look, Miss Meryl, if it’s all the same to you I’m not really feeling up to being interviewed or just generally tortured with questions today, so if you could just… ACHOO!”

“Do you have a cold, Mr. Vash?”

Was that… could it be… SYMPATHY in her voice?  Oh he could really use some of that right about now.  Vash stuck out his lower lip and nodded slowly.  “Uh-huh… I feel awful!  And the heat’s been off nearly all night, and Heero kicked me out of my nice, cozy bed, and…”

Meryl took off her coat and headed to the kitchen.  “Go and rest on the couch,” she commanded, opening the cupboards and searching through them.  “What you need is my famous chicken soup!  It’s my very own recipe – guaranteed to make you feel better in no time!  I have a few hours till my next interview, so I’ll make you some!”

Vash’s mind flashed over the possibility of his roommates coming home to find him here, alone, with a woman – a cute one at that.  And Heero was already suspicious of the reporter.   This could be nothing but trouble.  He tapped her on the shoulder.  “Uh, but Miss Meryl…”

She brandished a soup ladle.  “Sit!”

“Yes, ma’am!”

Vash loped over to sofa and collapsed.  Kitty appeared and hopped up to snuggle under his master’s chin.   A man’s strong tenor rang out from the tv: “Who am I?  2-4-6-0-1….”

“Huh, it’s the rest of that play Duo was talking about.  Well, Kitty – ACHOO – I guess a little culture won’t kill us…”

*-ONE HOUR LATER-*

“Miss Meryl!”  Vash sobbed, “I need another box of Kleenex!  Oh my god, this is the most depressing thing I’ve ever seen.  Those poor French people!”   

Meryl charged in the room, tossing a handful of tissues at her ‘patient’.

“Well, what did you expect?  The title of the show is ‘Les Miserables!’  You didn’t think it was going to be happy, did you?  Do you always cry at sad things on television – look at you, you’re a mess!”

Vash lifted a tear-streaked face to the woman standing over him and blew his nose loudly.  “No… I mean, I dunno…  I CAN’T BELIEVE HE DIED!  Aaaaaaaah!”

The reporter made a face and headed back to the kitchen.  “I’ve heard it said that real men can cry, but you are ridiculous.  The soup’s finally ready!”

Blond spikes perked up over the drab living room furniture.  “Food?”

“I knew that would cheer you up.”   Meryl set a steaming bowl of her creation on the table for the sniffling software tester.

“Wow – this is actually pretty good, reporter girl.  I’m impressed!”

“Of course it’s good!  Now eat all of it and you’ll be up and around by tomorrow.  Didn’t the others stay around to take care of you?”

“They had a business meeting.  Not like Heero or Van would have anyways – taken care of me, I mean.”

Meryl raised an inquisitive eyebrow.  “Business meeting?  With PCC perhaps?”

Vash grimaced.  “Boy, you sure are nosy.   But yes, with PCC.”  He slurped another spoonful of soup and suddenly brightened.  “I wonder how things are going over there – and I’m not talking about business…”

His companion glanced at her watch.  “Oh no!  I have to get going!  I have another interview scheduled in 45 minutes!”

“Who are you interviewing?”

The reporter crinkled up her nose as she wrapped herself in her coat.  “Boy, you sure are nosy,” she teased.  “I’m just checking into some rumors I’ve heard.”

Vash cocked his head to the side.  “Rumors?”

“About PCC.  But it’s nothing concrete at this point.”

The blond man studied the expression on her face.  He had always been good at reading people, and he could see the concern written plainly on her features.  “You would let me know if it was something bad, right, reporter girl?   I think of Miss Relena as a friend, and if there was something we could do to…”

“I don’t know yet, Mr. Vash.  I just don’t know.”  Meryl opened the door slowly and wrapped her scarf one more time around her neck.  “Somehow, you managed to get out of it again.”

He blinked innocently.  “Get out of what?”

“The update you promised – and don’t think I’m letting you off the hook just because you’re sick.  I will be back this week!”

“Oh… well, in that case – see you soon, reporter girl.  Thanks for the soup, it was really good.”

“You’re welcome, Mr. Vash.  It was… nice to see you.” 

The door closed behind her, but Vash stared at the scuffed wood panel for a long time.  He had to admit, he was actually sorry that she had to leave.

“It was nice to see you, too, reporter girl… ACHOO!  Come on, Kitty, let’s go back to bed.”

            *                      *                      *                      *                      *

It was dark, except for a single lamp light over an oak desk.  He blinked and tried to focus on where he was.  The apartment?  He frowned.  No. Where am I?

            He groaned and sat up, his eyes adjusting and taking in the sight of her working beneath the halo of light in the strange room.  Relena?  What is she doing here?

            “Did you decide to wake up?”  He watched her put down a pen and slowly rise from her place at the desk.

            Heero squeezed his eyes shut and opened them again.  This had to be a dream.  “What time is it?”

            Relena glanced at her watch as she shrugged into her suit jacket.  “Nine o’clock in the evening.  You’ve only been out ten and a half hours,” she giggled.  “I guess you needed to catch up on some sleep.  Are you feeling better?”

            He shook his head, trying to recall what had happened earlier that day.  “How did I get in your office?”

            “Well, you’re pretty heavy.”  Relena crossed the room and unceremoniously dropped onto the cushion beside him.  “I could only about half-carry you in here, but you sort of walked as I carried.”

            Heero turned to face her.  “I don’t remember.”

            “I’m not surprised.”

            “What happened at the meeting?”

            Relena stretched and folded her arms behind her head.  She sank back into the sofa.  “Oh, I gave the most amazing presentation.  Everyone was impressed, even you.  You all signed the contract and then gave me controlling interest in GLLC.”

            Heero mustered a sleepy, yet skeptical glare.  “Funny.  No, really.”

            Relena sighed and got up, slowly making her way to the closet.  “You fell asleep and I cancelled the rest of it.  I figured while we were touring tomorrow, we could talk about it some more.”

            “Do you always work this late?” He asked, easing himself to the edge of the couch.

            “No, not all the time.”  Relena handed him his coat and then slipped into her own, pulling set of keys from one of the pockets.  “Anyway, I promised your partners I’d make sure you got home.”

            Heero followed her to the door. “Don’t tell me you actually drive in this crazy traffic.”

            “No, but our friend Mr. Taxi driver does.  These are so we can get out.”

            Heero scowled, still recalling his last encounter.  “They’re not my friends. The last cab driver I had tried to kill me.”

            Relena laughed as they stepped into the elevator.  “They’re mostly harmless.  I usually take the subway, though.”

            “Not this late, I hope.”

            “I’ll be fine.”

            They arrived on the ground floor, and Heero reached out to stop her before they passed through the large glass entrance.  “You should have woken me up.  Instead you’re here way too late on a Friday night…”

            “Hmmmm.  Well, I was going to give you until midnight, then I was either going to wake you up or join you – depending on how tired I was at the time.”         

            “Hn,” he remarked, trying to keep his mind from conjuring up the image of her sleeping with – next to him. He shook his head and stifled the urge to slap himself.  I’m just overly tired…

            The keys jingled in her grasp.  “Come on, let’s go.”

            Heero held fast.  “You still should have woken me.  I’ve already intruded…”

            “You weren’t too much trouble,” she said, a smirk forming on her lips.  “You kept your snoring down to a barely audible level.”  His eyes widened and he released his hold on her shoulder.

            “I don’t snore.”

            “You do snore,” she argued, turning her attention to the nearest lock.  “Not very loudly.  Definitely not as loud as Milliardo, who sounds like a chain saw in the middle of a forest, but you snore.”

            Heero trailed behind her into the cool air of the winter night.  “I don’t snore.”

            “It was cute.” She moved to the curb and raised her arm.  “Really.  Come on, I’ll call you a cab.”

            He stepped in front of her, taking her gloved hand in his.  “You’re not taking the subway.”

            “I’ll be fine.  I always am.”  Her eyes shone under the bright downtown lights and Heero watched the shadows flicker across her face.  They obscured her expression, but Heero wasn’t convinced that was all the darkness was hiding. “I promise.”

“You’re not invincible.  It’s okay to accept help from time to time.” He could hear his own voice rising while his heart pounded fiercely in the confines of his chest.   She wrenched her hand free. 

“Is that so?  Tell me, Heero, is that advice you take yourself, or something you just give out as lip service?”

            He blinked and looked away. 

            “That’s what I thought.”

            “You always do that,” he mumbled.

            “What?”  Her tone was much calmer.  It seemed to warm the air around them, melting the well-guarded barrier to his emotions.  Truth poured from his lips like a newly thawed river in spring.

            “Somehow, you… you manage to turn a mirror on myself and make me see, wanted or not, my weaknesses.”

            She smiled up at him, that sweet, sincere smile that made his insides churn and his pulse race.  “You’ve made marked improvement already.  I think that when we first met, you would have denied having any at all.”

            “Hn.” 

“Goodnight Heero.”

“Be careful.”

            She nodded.  “Stay warm and get some sleep.  I’ll see you tomorrow.”

            His eyes followed her until she disappeared around the corner, the sounds of her footfalls echoing in the distance before the city seemed to swallow her up completely.  Heero shivered at the sudden chill.  He hadn’t noticed it until now.  “Goodnight.”

            *                      *                      *                      *                      *                      *

            Vash stared up at the ceiling, listening in on the conversation that was taking place in the living room just beyond.  The sound of a slamming front door had woken him only moments before, and Heero’s low voice carried through the stark three-bedroom refrigerator, otherwise known as their apartment.  He couldn’t believe it when Quatre had told him that they had left Heero sawing logs in the PCC offices.  And on top of that, when he had gone to the kitchen a while back for a cup of tea, he’d noticed that the temperature inside had once again taken a dramatic dip.  Van had called the repairman and Vash just crawled back in bed, dreading the inevitable.  Boss would have to find his way home eventually.

“Let me take a wild guess,” Heero hissed.  “The heat’s still out?”

            Quatre, Vash could tell, was attempting to keep things from getting out of hand.  “Well, yes and no.”

            “Yes and no?”

            “Yes, it’s out,” Van explained.  “But it just went out again about an hour ago.”

            “Fuck.” There was a loud crash that sounded like the coat rack being thrown against the wood floor.  Vash pulled the covers up around his ears.

            “Yeah,” the marketing VP went on.  “How was your nap?”

            “Fine,” the president growled.  “I’m not thrilled that you left me there.  She’s a busy woman.”

            “Well, you know what you’re like when someone wakes you up,” Van reminded him.  “We figured in the best interest of our continuing relationship with PCC, it’d be better to let you sleep in their conference room.”

            Vash could practically see the scowl on the software mogul’s face through the white walls of the room.  “If you weren’t my partners, I’d fire you.”

            Van chuckled.  “Yeah, well, falling asleep during a meeting with our most important client isn’t exactly above reproach, either.”  Ooooh, good one.

            There was a scraping sound, and some swearing – probably Heero picking up the coat rack from the floor.  It stopped. 

“Where’s Vash?” Uh-oh.

            Quatre spoke up again.  “Asleep in your room.”

            The door flew open, and the bright hall light assaulted his bleary vision.  “Get out!”  Heero advanced towards the bed, looking ready to kill.  Or, er, more like his regularly irate self.  Vash leapt from the bed and tried to dodge the assault, but the shorter man caught him by the scruff of the neck and tossed him towards the door.

“EEEEEEEK!” He stumbled into the hallway, sniffling and holding tissues balled in the fist of his left hand.  “Can’t a sick guy get a break?”

            Heero snarled and slammed the worn, wooden panel in his face.  “Yeah, but only if you want one in your head.”

            “Damn.  I swear he gets grumpier every day.”

            Vash rested his dizzy head against the wall, squinting as Van walked passed him.  “Eh, well, since you’re here.  You can let the repairman in when he gets back, Vash.  Good night.”

            “Aw man!”

Heero reappeared in the hallway.  “Oh, and you forgot this.”  A black ball was launched into the air as the door banged closed again, and before Vash knew it, something furry and warm landed in his arms.

            Vash sighed.  “We just can’t seem to get a break, can we, Kitty?”

“Meow.”

            *                      *                      *                      *                      *                      *

            Past memories of sun and warmth began to feel like forgotten fantasies. Heero couldn’t remember the last time he had actually felt something akin to warm.  He closed his eyes and turned his back to the icy wind gusting over the waterfront.  The salty scent it carried reminded him of home… and the frigid blast reminded him of the apartment.  The heat had been out most of the night – again.  “Actually, I think it IS warmer out here,” the lone figure muttered to himself.

            “As opposed to where?”

            He whirled around to find her standing there, bundled up in a cream colored coat and hugging a bulky package to her chest.

            An answer escaped through his chattering teeth.  “The apartment.  Heat was out.  All night.”

“Oh no!  Well, here, I have a present for you.  You look like you’re about to freeze to death.  That coat is completely inadequate.” She tore open a large garment bag and produced a thick, down-filled parka for him to slip over his arms.  He did so, watching as she moved around to face him and begin to button his coat.  Her red fingers worked the buttons in place, then plucked the knitted mittens from his hands.  She shoved a pair of fur-lined leather gloves into his arms.  “There, put those on.”  His whole body began to tingle with warmth under her ministrations.  As a final touch, she pulled a fleecy hat over his thick mane and grinned up at him.  “Better?”

            He nodded.  God, it was so good to be warm. He had begun to think that since the moment he first set foot in this city, he had been chiseled from one solid block of ice.  The outdoors were cold, the apartment was cold.  His own coat had never made him feel this toasty.  He seriously wanted to kiss her right now.

            “All right.  Now that you’re warm, are you ready?”

            He nodded again.

            She smiled and took his hand.  “Come on.”  Relena pulled him along the dock, passed several piers – some with boats anchored nearby, others completely vacant.  She finally stopped at one hosting a fairly large sized yacht with the name Peacemillion emblazoned on the gleaming white side.

            Heero stared up at the boat.  “What’s this?”

            “Our touring vessel.”  Relena moved ahead and started up the wooden ramp that would lead them to the deck.  “I figured you could get the same old boring tour from any place.  But no one I know gives river tours, yet it’s the easiest way to cover a lot of ground in a small span of time.  Unless you prefer to try to fit in with the city.”

            They stood together at the front of the ship, looking out over the water to the jagged lines of buildings, signs and bridges just beyond.

            “What do you mean?”  Heero asked.

            “It has its own personality, its own pulse and movement,” Relena explained, gesturing to the vista stretched out before them.  “You can try to match it, move to its beat, or you can travel through, mindful that it’s unique and appreciative of its beauty, yet never really be a part of it.”

            “You don’t feel at home here.”

            “Never have.” Her tone didn’t seem to be a sad one, just very matter-of-fact. And it struck a familiar chord inside him.  Heero decided to change the subject. 

“Is this the company boat?”

            Relena shook her head.  “It belongs to Dorothy’s uncle.  He leases it out to us, though, pretty much anytime we need it.”

            “Ah.”

            “You sure this is okay?”

            “I told you, you’re in charge of the tour.  Whatever you want to do is fine with me.”

            She smiled.  “Well, I best go tell the captain we’re ready to get going.”

            Aside from the bitter chill that his new parka kept at bay, the day was a beautiful one.  The sun shone and glistened off the crests of the river as they glided around the bulk of Manhattan.  Relena pointed out major buildings and told little stories about ones with which she had some sort of personal experience.

            “And that one there, I think you’ve seen enough of,” She chuckled, pointing at the ornate peak of the Empire State Building.

            Heero glanced at her out of the side of his eye.  “Hn.”

            “I met this guy there,” she began in a conversational tone. “The rudest person I’ve ever had the misfortune of…”

            “Watch it.”

            She blinked and tried to look innocent, but he could see the humor dancing in her eyes.  “Oh? Do you know him?” Her hand found its way to his right forearm. 

            He turned to face her.  “Used to. I think he froze to death in his uptown apartment the other night, though.”

            “That’s so sad.” She lowered her head, but not before he caught the smile on her face. 

            “Why? I thought you said you hated him.” He took a step closer and caught her other arm with his left hand. 

She looked up. “I don’t hate him….”

He stepped closer, crossing the invisible boundaries of their personal space.  “But you don’t like him, either.” Her eyes met his and he could see….he was affecting her, too. 

“I didn’t say that.”

He leaned down, mesmerized by the movement of those lips. Her cheeks were flushed, but it wasn’t just from the cold.  He released his hold to bring his gloved hand up to cup her chin.  “Then what did you say?”

“I…” Her eyes darted away from his face, breaking whatever spell had been cast. He took a dizzying breath and then felt her grip tighten on his arm.  “That’s where the twin towers used to be.” She leaned against his shoulder.

            He turned and stared at the infamous site of the still fairly recent attacks.  Despite the fact that nearly a year had passed since that nightmarish day, he could imagine that for those that lived there, it would not be something soon forgotten.  He spoke to the top of her head: “Were you here when it happened?”

            “In New York?” She met his gaze again, but only briefly.  It was like she was trying to hide something she was sure her eyes would give away.

“No.  I was actually visiting my brother in Seattle.  But…but Dorothy’s father died in the attack that brought down the first tower.  They were very close.”

            “I’m sorry.”

            “We all knew someone that was affected or was there, but it’s never the same as losing someone dear to you.  It...”  Her head bowed for an instant, and she let out a long sigh before she was able to continue.  “It makes you stop and think, re-evaluate your priorities in life.”

Heero couldn’t think of anything to say.  He stole a glance at the young woman beside him, and quickly returned his gaze back to the city.  He’d never had a reason to question his priorities; his life’s direction had always been clear to him and free from doubt or distraction.  Until now.  Until… her. 

            They continued on in silence for a while, the tip of the boat skimming over the water.  The captain maneuvered their vessel around the Statue of Liberty, and Heero caught a fairly close view of the green-copper lady.  Despite the wind rushing around their ears, the sound of his stomach growling caught her attention.  Relena giggled and pointed at one of the cabin doors.

            “I packed us a lunch for when we got hungry.  We’ve seen most of the true tourist sites, if you want to discuss the contract, there’s a fireplace below deck, a work area, and a dining table.  Whenever you’re ready, we can get to work, or eat.  The captain’s just going to troll the waters a bit until we tell him to go in.”

            “Sounds fine.”

            He pulled off his parka, gloves and hat before sitting down on the sofa across the room from the small, but very efficient fireplace.  He watched her struggle a bit with her own winter clothing, catching his errant thoughts drifting towards the pleasing idea of her just continuing in the direction of removing all her clothes for him.  He shook his head and turned away.  “Completely inappropriate,” he muttered to himself.

            “Hmmmm?” She pivoted in his direction, fisting her hair in her left hand as she fought to tie it up with a rubber band in her right.  “What was that?”

            He tried not to scowl.  “Nothing.”

            “Oh.  Ready to eat?”

            “Whenever is fine.”

            She moved towards a small kitchen area, quickly returning with a large basket and a full thermos of tea.  “Did you see everything you wanted to see?  We could still take a walk to Central Park or something if you’d like.  I just thought this would be a way we could get some work done in a fairly private setting, but a little more laid back than at the office – and quieter than the restaurants in this city.”

            Heero shook his head.  “I’ve seen all I need to.  All that I wanted to.  I’m not much for crowds or boring tour guides.  This was much better, thank you.”

            She beamed as she handed him a mug of hot tea.  “You’re welcome.  So, about lunch…”

            “Okay, I’m hungry,” he admitted.  “But if you’d rather…”

            “No, I’m hungry, too.”  Relena opened the basket and began extracting napkins and plastic plates.

            “Good.”  Heero eyed the basket, staring at each item as she emptied it

            She laughed and handed him a sandwich before scooting in next to him.  “Good, huh?” 

            He nodded.  “So did you bring me that report?”

            Relena swallowed her bite of sandwich.  “I didn’t feel I had an adequate listing yet.  I was just sure more faults would pop up as we spent more time together.” She crossed her legs, and he couldn’t help but follow them with his eyes.

Dammit.  Stop looking!

“And you’re not my only business you know.  I have an entire company to run.”

            Heero raised an eyebrow.  “Must be difficult being perfect.”

            Relena shrugged.  “It’s a hard life.”

            “Hm.  But a perfect person would have had that report done days ago, so it looks like you have some faults of your own.”

            “Damn.  The jig is up, you’ve found me out.  What can I say?  I’ve been hanging around you.”

            “Is that so?”

             Her eyelids fluttered and she took a sip of her coke.  “Tragic. Your faults are now spreading.”

            “Hn.”

            “Whatever did you do before you had me to point out your failings and pester you about contracts and such?”

            “Suffered.”

            An unfamiliar expression crossed her features, and Heero looked on while Relena sat back and studied him for several quiet minutes.   When she finally spoke again, her tone had lost the light-hearted tone of just a few moments ago.   “Seriously…you’re so different than everything I’d heard about you – or did coming to New York change you for the better?”

            Heero stole a quick glance out of the nearest window.  “I wouldn’t give the city any credit.”

            “So the rumors were wrong?”

            He felt the muscles in his neck and shoulders stiffen as he kept his eyes focused on the wall.  “They’re probably more correct than you are.”

            “Oh?” Relena frowned.  “So you prefer being thought of as ruthless and robotic?”

            “I…wouldn’t say I prefer being thought of that way in general.  I suppose it depends on who says it whether I mind or not.”

            She slid to the floor and leaned back against the couch, pillowing her head on the cushion next to where he was seated.  “I don’t see you that way at all.  You’re…contained, but not unexpressive.  And the way you care for your friends shows the sort of loyalty and depth of emotion you’re capable of.” She shifted to her left side and brought both arms up to cradle her head.  “I have the sneaking suspicion you’d do anything for them.”

            “They irritate me at times…but they are my friends.”  He allowed himself to slump farther down into the cushioned seat.  The warm room and a full stomach were beginning to have an effect on him after a morning spent outside.  And Relena… he found that he was becoming less guarded, even comfortable, in her presence.  The fragrance of her hair met his senses and Heero felt his eyes droop closed. 

            “Mmmmm…just as I thought, it seems.”  Her smooth voice massaged his ears.  “You’re a regular softy at heart, aren’t you, Yuy?”

            He snorted.      

“Yep…you probably cry at romance movies, too, don’t you?” Relena sighed. Her words were slowing down and when his leg twitched in her direction, it seemed to like staying where the tips of her fingers grazed his thigh, and her breath tickled his knee.

            “I wouldn’t be caught dead watching one.”

            He heard the sound of a yawn as he slid down further in his seat. 

“Mmmmm…don’t worry.  Your secret’s safe with me.”

            “Is it?” he murmured, consciousness slipping through his fingers like the imagined texture of the silken threads of her hair.

            “Mmmmm…hmmmm….safe…with…me.”

            “Hnnnnnn…..”

             His right leg felt sore and numb, that harsh tingling sensation trickled through the stiff muscle, lodging at its core.  He tried to move the stubborn limb, to stretch it out and find some relief, but there was a weight holding it in place, making it difficult to shift.  He cracked his eyelids and lifted his aching neck to peer at the obstruction.

            It was golden-haired and wore a sweater, with arms wrapped around his leg and her head was using it like a pillow.  Heero moved to reposition his upper body in a pose more conducive to sleeping in, and ended up lying on his back on the floor.  He gingerly extended his leg, trying not to wake her, though he was not fully alert himself.  Through the misty layers of sleep fogging his brain, he didn’t question the fact she was there or the familiarity displayed in the way she was cuddled with his leg.  His subconscious mind had, apparently, no problems with her position, just his cramped thigh.  She stirred, relinquishing her hold on his lower extremity, and her head darted up as sleepy eyes smiled in his direction.  His slid shut, returning to remembered sleep, the image of her smile fresh in his mind….

            He slid his eyes open again, feeling that decidedly welcome heat start to drain away.  He reached out for its source, and finding it, dragged it back to him, fitting his arm around the soft figure in case it tried to escape again. 

            “Heero?” It spoke, causing him to open his eyes again, this time a bit more awake as he realized there was someone lying next to him, like really close next to him.  He fought through the haze of sleep to remember if there was a reason a woman should be in his bed…

            “Heero are you awake?” 

            “Hn.”

            “Is that a yes?”

            His hold tightened around her, tugging on her waist to bring her closer to his body. He could smell the fragrance of her hair mingled with the detergent she used to wash her clothes.  It was pleasing, soothing, like everything else about her.             

“Heero?”

            “Hrn.”

            “Heero, you have to wake up.  If you’re tired, I’ll take you home, but…”

            “To Seattle?” he mumbled.  “That’s a long way…”

            She wriggled against him and he felt her hands on his, trying to pull his fingers off her waist.  Mmmmmm, Relena….

“Not to Seattle.  Heero…you realize that if someone saw us, like this, right now, there would be a lot of questions…”

            He breathed in deeply and turned away.  “Like how?”

            Relena struggled, but to no avail.  “Like this.  You’ve got me in a vice grip…”

            “You’re warm.”

            “So’s the fire.”

            He nuzzled into her shoulder.  “You’re soft, too.”

            She pushed his elbow away from her ribcage.  “You’re not.”

            He smirked.  “You’re right.”

            “Heero!”

            “Huh? Relena?” He released his grip on her as he sat up.  A hand came up and rubbed roughly across his face. 

            She cleared her throat and glanced away.  “I guess we were both pretty tired.”

            “Yeah,” he sniffed.  “Seems that way.”

            “I…I’ll go tell the captain to take us back.  You should get some rest.”

            “So should you.”

            She smiled, her eyes avoiding his gaze. “Yeah.  I’ll be right back.”

            He watched her leave, his heart thrumming wildly from waking up with her pressed against his body – by his own doing, apparently.  A dizzying sensation fogged his mind, probably caused from sleep, slowing down his brain functions and forcing him to think of how much more he’d like it if he had woken to find her naked and lying in his bed – instead of fully clothed and lying near him on the hardwood floor.  An uncomfortable ache steaming in his lower body wanted her attention…. He un-tucked his shirt to cover the effect.

            So much for three years of friendship, he thought as his mouth twisted into a grimace.  Three years?   He wouldn’t have lasted three more minutes with her that close to him, her jasmine scented hair wafting pleasantly into his nose as he felt every inch of her feminine form through her clothes.  Damn. This wasn’t going to work at all.  He was now officially beyond the safe zone of attraction, and well into the dangerous one-way stretch called desire.  He’d never make it the remaining…two years, eleven months, seven days, seventeen hours and two minutes – not like he was counting or had been counting since he met her – being in such close proximity on any sort of regular basis.  He couldn’t trust himself around her; he was obviously losing his control, and that was far too dangerous a thing to do when he could lose everything he’d worked for….

I just…need to get this contract thing over with, and get her out of my life.  The thought crushed out his breath, weighing on his chest as if an elephant had decided to sit there and use his heart as a footrest.  But he didn’t have a choice, it was either not see her and keep his company, or continue to see her and risk the consequences – consequences he was just not willing to pay.

            “The captain’s bringing the boat back to the dock.  I guess we didn’t get much work done, but if you wanted…”

            He stood up and side-stepped her, refusing to meet her eyes.  He busied himself collecting the gloves and hats scattered around the cabin.  “It’s fine.  I’m sure I’ve had enough time to look over it by now.  My only question was about the changes referenced, but I…trust you.  I’ll sign it.”

            Relena’s coat dropped from her grasp.  “You…you’ll sign it?”

            “Yeah.” It’s the least I can do….

“But, you didn’t get a chance to go over the changes.  Are you sure you want to…” The shrill sound of her cell phone cut off the rest of her sentence.  “Excuse me, Heero.  I’ll just be a… Hello?”

            Heero felt around his pockets in search of a pen.  He was going to sign the document, and get off the boat, and never see her again.  At least not for three years. He took a deep breath and fought off that errant train of thought.  There was no way a woman like her would not have other dates, other men pursuing her.  And damned if his pockets were all empty.  He tore himself from the chair and stomped off to look for a pen.

            “Yes, yes of course.  I…” He was ripped from his thoughts when he heard metal scrape the floor in a heinous shriek.  Her pale, trembling form sunk into the seat he had just vacated, tears evident on her lashes. His heart stopped, and he took a step towards her, listening intently for what had caused her distress. 

“I…no, whatever you have to do.  You have my permission.  I’ll leave right away.”  She pressed the button to end the conversation on the phone, her eyes glued to the floor.  He opened his mouth to speak to her when she punched another key and raised the device in a shaking hand to her ear.

            “Sakura, I need a flight to Seattle tonight.  I don’t care how, I just need to be on the next plane out of New York headed that direction.  No, I’ll go straight there from here.  Call me back.”

            Heero moved towards her.  “Relena?”

            “I have to get off this boat.” She got up and hurried out the door before Heero could utter another word.

            She came back, fidgeting and pacing – she wouldn’t look at him, and hadn’t spoken to him since he said he’d sign the contract.  She just stared out the window, the dried tears caking her makeup in faint circles around her eyes.  It was like she wasn’t even in the room.

            “If you have a pen, I’ll sign the contract.”

            She blinked and finally looked up at him.  “Sign it when you’ve looked over the addendum and talked to your partners.  I can’t do anything until I get back.”

            “I’d rather get this out of the way.  You have other business, apparently.  Is there…?”

            Relena cut him off.  “Yes. Urgent business.”

            “I guessed. Is…something wrong?”

            “No, I just have to get to Seattle tonight.”

            “There’s no one there that can see to it?  Your brother…” He quieted when he noticed the pained expression on her face.  She shivered and brought her hands up to cross against her chest.

            “I have to go.  I’m sorry.” She spun on her heel and grabbed up the coat she had been wearing when they first boarded.  The VP wasted no time in securing it over her shoulders, and tearing open the door – but she stopped halfway into the corridor, and threw a look over her shoulder.  “Aren’t you coming, Heero? Or have you decided to live here instead of your apartment?”

            He smirked.  “It’s probably warmer.”

            A faint smile touched her lips.  “Oh, I threw your sad excuse of a coat overboard.  You won’t be needing it anymore.”

            He shrugged on the down-filled warmth that was not quite as nice as Relena’s embrace and sighed.  His mind was made up.  He was going to tell her before she left – he’d sign the contract, and have it sent to her office this week, but he couldn’t see her anymore. Period-the-end.  Not for casual lunches or working dinners, or meetings, unless there were plenty of other people present and she was dressed in high collars and remained at least ten feet away at all times.  And showed no leg whatsoever.  Damn, he was pathetic.  He wondered what it would be like not to see her at all for the next three years, to try to forget they had ever met.

It will be the same as the last three years, and the three years before that, he told himself ruthlessly.  Stop making this a big deal.  She’s a woman, a distraction – look at what she’s doing to you.  He sucked in the last of the warm air and climbed the stairs to the deck.

            The boat was nearing the dock, and she looked like they couldn’t get there fast enough.  He wondered vaguely about the business she had to conduct in Seattle – why it would pain her so. But women were emotional creatures, and it was probably just that they were losing an account or something, not really the end of the world. 

            “What time’s your flight leave?”

            “Eight thirty-five,” she answered, staring straight ahead.  “From La Guardia.”

            “You have time.”

            “I know.”

            “Listen….” He opened his mouth, but the words wouldn’t come out.  I can’t see you anymore.

            “Yes?”

            His voice stuck in his throat.  He couldn’t say it; he didn’t want to say it.  But this wasn’t about what he wanted, it was about his business and everything he had ever worked for.  It was what was best, for both their companies. “I….”

            Relena whirled around and let out a long breath.  “Look, if it’s about the contract, I’d really feel more comfortable if you’d look over the addendum of changes with your partners and make sure everything is agreeable to you.”

            “It’s not that…I…”

            The boat jolted them both forward as it collided with the dock.  He grabbed her arm as she stumbled into him.  “Sorry,” she mumbled, extracting herself from his hold.

            “It’s okay.”

            He followed her over the deck, taking deliberately long strides to keep up with her rapid pace.  “We’ll have to talk about this later. I have a cab waiting to take me straight to the airport.  I really have to go.” She stopped at the railing and looked up at him.  Her light eyes were darkened by the reflection of the night sky; the rising moon lending its ethereal glow to change them to a darker sapphire color set in platinum or white gold.  His mind blanked and all he could manage was a brief nod.

            “I had a nice time today,” she said as a sad smile tugged at her features.  “I…I’ll call you when I get back in town and see if you have questions about the addendum.  Then we can go from there.”  She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and drew him into a friendly hug.  But his lethargic brain was still on the image of the moon, reflecting off her pale skin left bare by the black nightie she wore in his bed….WHAT?

            A wave rocked the vessel beneath them, throwing them off-kilter once more.  “Relena, I…”

            “I really have to go,” she said, and tried to balance on tiptoe, despite the erratic pulse of the boat.  He leaned down, thinking maybe she had something else she wanted to say, only to be jostled once more in a sideways direction.  He caught himself, and ducked his head just in time to feel soft rose petals, warm and fragrant, brush against his lips.  His breath caught in his throat and his senses screamed for more, but her lips were gone before he could react – her pliant body retreating from his loose embrace.

            She gasped and brought a hand up to her mouth, mumbling something that sounded like an apology as she spun away, darting through the small gate in the railing and landing gracefully on the dock.  Heero watched her rush to the nearby taxi and disappear in front of his eyes, her kiss still pleasantly stinging his cold-chapped lips.  He took in a deep gulp of pungent, frozen air and tried to calm his racing heart. 

When the world had righted itself, he stepped off the boat, his eyes still focused on the phantom place where she had last appeared.  Clouds moved and enveloped the moon, leaving him with only the faint, dingy light of a few streetlamps as he felt the cold once again invade the cells of his body.

            “Goodbye, Relena.”