If you think I own Gundam Wing, you’re crazier than I
am. And believe me, that’s saying
something
People were screaming.
The wooden floorboards rumbled with the sound of countless running feet,
as hundreds of panicking spectators jostled their way to the exits. She watched in horror as some fell, simply
to be trampled by those behind them.
She tried to raise her voice above the din, pleading for calm, but it
went unheeded. A fear swelled in her
heart that she had never before experienced, fear for the people around her,
and for a moment reason left her, bowing to her own growing anxiety.
She fought for composure, swallowing back the urge to run with them. It was just a hoax. A publicity stunt. There was no bomb. It would be okay… it would be okay. And then there was a deafening roar, and she found herself being pitched to the floor. The last thing she recalled, before everything went black, was the protective embrace that seemed to shield her as she tumbled into darkness.
Relena…
Whisper soft. The
gentle, yet insistent beckoning drifted through the mist of unconsciousness.
Stay with me Relena…
She shivered… it was so cold.
She wanted to open her eyes, to see the angel that was calling her name,
but the heavy curtain of obliviousness refused to budge. She felt herself drawn closer to his warmth
however, and the action seemed to surpass the relentless ache that wracked her
body. A steady hand stroked her hair,
the movement calming her.
The voice continued to speak to her, the underlining tenor of
desperation preventing her from slipping back into the tempting abyss.
Relena, hang on, stay with me…
******
Relena shivered, as she attempted to curl further into her
cocoon of blankets in the middle of the expansive four-poster bed. A nagging voice in the back of her mind
reminded her that she need not have been sleeping, or attempting to sleep, on
her own, had she not opened her big mouth.
She sniffled, as another wave of self-pity washed over her.
She was such an idiot! Why did she have to ruin everything? What
was she thinking? Reaching for one of the soft pillows, she hugged it close, as
she remembered how it felt to be held in his arms, how safe it made her
feel. She shivered again, as she
recalled the dream she had just had… the same dream that seemed recurrent in
the last few days.
Was it just a dream though? Some of it, she knew, was memory,
reminiscences of a painful event. But
the angel… she wasn’t sure. The voice…
the touch… it meant something. And why
was she having the dreams now? It was all so strange.
And it didn’t matter anyway.
All that mattered now was how she was going to face HIM again. She was mortified. He must be used to women throwing themselves at him, although she
doubted any had ever gone quite to this extreme. She groaned loudly, pulling the covers over her head, wishing the
silk sheets would simply swallow her up and put her out of her misery.
Sighing, she realised there was no avoiding it. Better to release him from the humiliation
she had subjected him to. It would no
doubt cost Colonel Une one of her best Commanders, but perhaps one day he would
at least forgive her.
She would send Trowa to see him, first thing in the morning.
******
“I want to see her… I’m not going anywhere until she speaks to
me.”
Heero’s words were hard, menacing, and he moved towards the
doorway with a stride that suggested he meant to throw the taller guard out of
his way if he attempted to stop him.
Trowa’s expression was grim, but it was his words that served to obstruct
the enraged Commander.
“Don’t make an ass of yourself.
She’s not here, and even if she were, her orders were very clear. She doesn’t want to see you. You’re free to go. All charges have been dropped, and no mention of these recent
events has been added to your permanent record. So go home. Forget this
ever happened.”
The glare that Heero bestowed would have felled an
elephant. The deep blue irises flashed
with malice and fury, yet not mirroring the true feelings in his heart. Hurt, anguish… heartbreak. Why was this happening?
“So she thinks she can just throw me aside, is that it? Use me
and then move on to the next conquest? She must keep you busy, keeping her in
ready supply of new toys. Is that a
part of your job description?”
The contemptuous words spat from his lips like venom. Deep down, he knew the insults were empty,
but he struck out none-the-less, as his bewildered mind attempted to understand
why she had said what she did, and then reacted so fiercely.
She had said she loved him.
Said it and, he knew, meant it.
Why, he cursed himself, why couldn’t he have replied in kind? Why couldn’t he have told her how he really
felt? He was a fool. Valiantly, he bit back his anger, struggling
for calm.
“Please,” he ground out, his pride chafing at the prospect of
asking the other man for help, “Just let me speak to her.”
Trowa stared back at him, his arms crossed and his expression
unreadable.
“I can’t help you. My
loyalty, as was yours not so long ago, lies with Our Queen. I cannot allow you to hurt her anymore than
you already have.”
Heero’s jaw dropped in astonishment.
“What? Hurt her? I didn’t…”
Trowa raised an eyebrow at him, apparently unmoved by Heero’s
plea. Pointing to the folded uniform he
had deposited on the bed, he moved towards the door.
“I think you’d better get dressed. There’ll be a car to take you home in half an hour. I advise you hurry, unless you want to walk
back.” Pausing with his hand on the door, he turned back towards Heero.
“I’d recommend you keep what went on here to yourself. I don’t know what happened between you two,
but I can only tell you this. She’s
never done this before. Maybe it wasn’t
the best way of doing things… but sometimes you do strange things when you’re
in love with someone.”
Heero stared in shock, any opportunity to question the normally
silent guard lost, as he disappeared swiftly through the door.
******
The gentle touch of Hilde’s hand on her arm briefly drew her
gaze away from the tiny figure below, as it stepped into the waiting government
vehicle and was whisked away.
“My Lady… are you sure you’re doing the right thing? It’s not too late, you know.”
Relena gazed at her in silence, before turning back to the
window, her hand lifting to press her fingers against the cool glass. Hilde sighed softly.
“Sometimes, Your Highness, you’re far too stubborn for your own
good.”
******
Relena smiled half-heartedly at her Royal advisor, as he bowed
politely before taking a seat opposite her at the elaborate breakfast
table. He frowned, glancing pointedly
at her untouched serving of food, as a maid poured his tea. She folded her hands in her lap, knowing he
would not remain silent for long. Absently,
she began to count backwards in her head… Ten… Nine… Eight…
“Your Highness… You seem most unwell. Is something troubling you?”
Biting back a dry laugh, Relena covered the urge with a slight
clearing of her throat.
“I’m fine, Quatre. A
little tired perhaps… but nothing for you to concern yourself with.”
He quirked an eyebrow at her, his expression dubious. Glancing around, he signalled to the maid
and guards to wait outside. As the
heavy doors swung shut behind them, he turned back to her
“Relena, you’ve been wandering around in a state of bewilderment
for the past two days. People are
beginning to notice.” He paused a moment, noticing the minute form of a pout on
her lips, “It’s not too late to make amends.”
She shifted uncomfortably under his gaze, knowing that she would
be incapable of hiding her feelings from her long time friend and
confidant. Self-consciously, she began
to pleat the heavy tablecloth, in a most un-Queen like action. Quatre raised his eyebrows at her, watching
her agitation with interest.
“It would take very little exertion to get him back here, you
know. From what I understand, it took
some effort just getting him to leave.”
Relena blinked at him, before returning her gaze to the
tabletop, and sighing.
“And what would you have me say to him, oh wise advisor? I used
him, treated him without respect and placed him in a shameful situation. How could he possibly have refused me? How
can I apologise, even look him in the face again? I forced my feelings on
him. And I had no right.”
Quatre leaned forward, setting his teacup aside, and placing his
clasped hands in front of him.
“So you slipped. You
told him how you feel. Had you not
panicked and socked him one, he may just have returned the sentiment.”
Relena flushed deeply, her face hot with embarrassment,
privately wishing she had kept that part of the story to herself. She was silent for a moment, before she
looked back up at him, her features etched with uncertainty.
“But then what, Quatre? If he did reply in kind, how am I to
know if he meant it? And if he did? Where would we go from there?”
“Then you would proceed in the same fashion as most couples who
wish to be together, though perhaps with a little more ‘formality’ than the
average. Relena, it’s not as if you are
locked in some ancient ritual of marrying for position or standing. You may be with whom you choose, within
reason, and a man of Commander Yuy’s status would be considered more than
suitable in this day and age. Stop making
excuses. Simply send for him, and
either way, you can stop dwelling on the situation and move on.”
A flicker of hope flashed across her face, only to be wiped away
with an expression of doubt. Pushing
the untouched plate of food away, and rising to her feet, Relena shook her head
sorrowfully.
“I can’t, Quatre. Not
yet. Maybe not ever. I’m sure that the Commander has already put
this behind him, and now I must too.
Now, I believe we have a full days work to get through.”
******
Heero walked warily through the main foyer of the Department of
Defence, down through the halls towards the offices of Colonel Une. His passage appeared to go unnoticed,
although he had expected the muffled titters and nudges from gossiping
personnel. Not a head turned his way,
however, save for the occasional nod of greeting from a passing colleague.
No one questioned his absence of the past few days, and there
was not a murmur about his recent arrest.
It was perplexing, particularly knowing his co-workers partiality to a
good intrigue. Could she really have
kept things so secret as to go unnoticed by even those that protected her?
He ran idle fingers through his thick hair, the turmoil of
emotions still unsettled since the two days passed when she had cut his bonds
and cast him aside. He had been
wandering listlessly, unable to rest, attempting to return to his missions, but
incapable of making them foremost in his thoughts. And now he had been summonsed to the Colonel herself, her message
suggesting the onset of new orders.
Turning the final corner, he paused as he noticed Commander Chang
leaving the Colonel’s office, his face etched with a dark scowl. Wanting to avoid an exchange with his
long-time adversary, Heero began to move back in the direction he had come, but
his actions proved ill timed.
“Couldn’t help yourself, could you Yuy?”
Wufei’s tone was hard, the words spat through gritted
teeth. He glared at his fellow officer,
making no attempt to conceal his contempt.
“I’d love to know how you got yourself out of this one. You disobeyed orders, not just Une’s but Her
Majesty’s! And you just waltz back in
like nothing ever happened! You’re
either blackmailing someone, sleeping with someone or both, because it can’t
have anything to do with your ability to pilot a craft.”
Heero stared back, unable to prevent the insolent smirk that
flashed across his face. Choosing not
to pursue the argument further, he stepped back towards the Colonel’s office,
leaving a seething Wufei in his wake.
Nodding his acknowledgement to Une’s personal assistant, he
stepped into her office, his step wavering slightly as he became aware that his
superior was not alone. Standing to
attention, he saluted the stern Colonel formally, before repeating the action
to the composed gentleman who had not risen from his seat opposite the large
oak desk.
Une nodded her recognition, before indicating to her guest with
a wave of her hand.
“Commander Yuy, you of course know Lord Winner, the Queen’s
Advisor.”
Heero nodded briskly, his teeth clenched and eyes narrowed in
suspicion. Quatre stared evenly back at
him, his expression betraying nothing, save the slightest hint of a smile. Apparently satisfied with his reply, or lack
thereof, Colonel Une continued.
“Lord Winner has been made aware of a ‘situation’ of extreme
delicacy, regarding Her Majesty’s security, and has requested your assistance
in dealing with it.”
Heero blinked at her, before casting a sceptical glance in the
direction of the blonde Noble. His
reply was slow, stilted, as he struggled to conceal his confusion.
“Oh course, Sir. I am
always at the service of Her Majesty.”
He cringed privately at his ironical choice of words. Was he imagining it, or did a flash of
amusement glimmer in the other man’s eyes?
Mentally shaking himself, he set his gaze on the picture frame
that hung behind the Colonel’s desk, praying that his usual mask of
indifference had not failed him. Une
stood silently, walking to stand before him.
The action reminded him of all too recent events, and his bemused mind
was relieved to see that the Colonel was not dressed in a short, revealing
skirt. Her expression was most
certainly in no way similar to his previous seductress.
“I’ll leave you Gentlemen to discuss the assignment then.” She paused, frowning at Heero for a moment.
“Commander, I think perhaps you need to listen carefully to the mission that
Lord Winner has in mind. And think
carefully before you accept it. I fear
this may be one task you are at great risk of failing.”
She moved away quickly, missing the widening of dark blue eyes
and loosening of a usually rigid jaw.
As she pulled the heavy door shut behind her, Heero turned his menacing
glare on Quatre, who, to Heero’s chagrin, appeared completely undaunted. Rising from his seat, the Queen's advisor
wandered across the room, his arms folded against his chest. He paused to scrutinise her highness's
portrait on the far wall.
“I usually make it my business to stay out of her Majesty’s
private affairs, Commander.”
Heero scowled at him, refusing to be won over by Quatre’s
amiable tone,
“Then maybe you should stick to that principle, my Lord.”
Quatre glanced back at him, a raised eyebrow his only response
to the Commander’s contemptuous tone.
Heero found it strangely infuriating that his open hostility was having
no effect on the man whatsoever.
“You know, Commander, that at the same time you were at the
Academy, training in the ‘arts’ of war, I too was in training. Only I was groomed in protocol and
politics. And while you protect her physically,
it is my duty to protect her mentally… and emotionally.” He paused, as he turned from the picture,
fixing Heero with his level stare.
“Her Highness is of great importance to me. I count her as one of my dearest
friends. Her happiness is paramount,
and I cannot allow anyone to hurt her.
Do you understand my meaning Commander?” He waited for some form of
answer, and on receiving none, continued.
“I must say, I was somewhat surprised when Rel… when Her Highness
related the events of the past few days.
It appears her Lady in Waiting’s influence is rubbing off on her. But if you think that she has continued on
for the past two days without regret or remorse, then you are gravely
mistaken.”
Heero winched, a sickening feeling rising in his stomach at the
thought that the time they spent together had caused her displeasure. He was swift to cover his disappointment,
although he suspected that he had not been quick enough to fool the perceptive
Quatre. His features darkened, schooled
to an expression of condescending indifference.
“I’m sorry, My Lord, but I don’t think I follow you.”
It took every ounce of will power he possessed not to throttle
the blonde as he began to laugh, openly laugh, at him. His fists clenched and unclenched, as he attempted
to interpret exactly what the man found so funny. What the hell had she told him?
Quatre’s laughter gradually died off, and he coughed slightly at
Heero’s look of furious bewilderment.
Heero’s eyes narrowed, as he waited impatiently for Quatre to let him in
on the joke.
“You two are as bad as each other.”
Heero quirked an eyebrow at him, thoroughly unamused by the
disjointed conversation. He fought the
growing urge to simply walk out, but he knew that with Lord Winner being his
superior, protocol forbade it until he had been formally excused. He watched as the other man’s face smoothed
back to seriousness, his expression conveying that he was aware of Heero’s agitation.
“I am not here to represent Her Highness, Commander, merely to…
further understand… your position in this situation. I make no assumptions in regards to how she feels, or what
exactly is going on in her head right now.
I also have no intention of revealing her feelings, so don’t bother
asking.”
He paused, seeming to consider his next sentence. Or perhaps he was allowing adequate time for
Heero to respond. Well, Heero decided, he
had no intention of giving him the opportunity for further mockery. Quatre tutted softly, giving his head the
slightest of shakes.
“I believe it would be in the best interests of discretion, that
you tell no one of what occurred. Her
Highness wishes to place the entire incident behind her, and I feel it would be
in your best interests if you did too.
While it would be too obvious to remove you from active duty, it may be
preferable to… relocate… you, until she has had the opportunity to overcome her
embarrassment.”
The sickened feeling returned, along with a strange constriction
in his chest at the advisor’s words.
Embarrassment? Incident? He flushed, real anger rising as he listened to
Quatre’s proposal. The other man’s gaze
was calm and business-like as Heero ground out his reply, his voice dry and strangled.
“What if I don’t want to?”
Quatre blinked at him.
“Excuse me?”
Heero cleared his throat, agitated fingers raking through his
heavy bangs as all pride was swallowed back, and the plunge prepared to be
taken. He wasn’t going to let this pretentious
jerk fob him off without a fight, dammit.
“I said, What if I don’t want to? What if I’m not willing to
just walk away?”
He paused, the room settling to an uneasy silence as Quatre
studied him with his sharp blue eyes.
Placing a hand on the back of a chair, Heero stared at the floor, no
longer able to meet the other man’s look or bear the judgement he was currently
undergoing.
“She said she loved me…”
The words were whispered, not truly intended to be spoken out
loud, and Heero was quick to shoot Quatre a threatening glance, daring him to
laugh again. The blonde’s expression
softened, however, and his mouth tipped up in a minute smile as he replied in
kind,
“Yes… indeed she did.”
Heero blinked at him, no longer trying to conceal his
confusion. Watching as Quatre leant
back on the edge of the large desk, he himself sank down into one of the large
leather bound chairs.
“I need to know if your intensions are good, Commander. A reliable source informs me that perhaps your
time with Her Highness held a great deal of significance to you. Your loyalty to her is unquestionable, but I
have been lead to believe that your feelings run deeper than that, and that
they have for some time.” Quatre paused, appearing to brace himself for his
next words, “You saved her life some years ago. Why did you request for your identity to be confidential? Most
agents would have wanted the praise and promotions related to saving our sovereign,
but you didn’t. Why?”
Heero frowned, his eyes squeezing shut as the memory of her
fragile form flashed through his mind.
“I was merely doing my job, as any one would have. It did not deserve accolade, she was alive
and that was all that mattered. I didn’t
want her to feel… obligation. I just wanted
to protect her.”
Quatre nodded his understanding.
“Do you know,” his voice was warm, gentle as he spoke of her, “To
this day, she thinks you were an angel.”
Heero sighed, his gaze on the soft, flecked carpet.
“No… she is the angel. I’m
merely a mortal who desires to bath in her light.”
Lost in his melancholy thoughts, he started as a folded piece of
paper was waved under his nose.
“I fear that I am restricted as to how much I can help you,
Heero. I will do what little I
can. However, I suggest you go see the
contact I have given you… he should be of assistance in your plight. This is your mission, Commander. I sincerely hope you won’t fail. Good luck.”
He grinned as Heero stood up, glancing quickly at the paper and
blanching at its contents. He clenched
his jaw, his thoughts already on the subject at hand. He nodded briskly at Quatre, before saluting formally.
“Mission Accepted.”
******
The speakers reverberated with the hard pulse of rock music, the
song high energy and aggressive. Heero
slouched against the doorframe of the gym, not wishing to yet make his presence
known to the solitary figure working out towards the back of the room.
Dressed in loose pants, shirt long since removed and hands
wrapped tightly, the tall man attacked the defenceless punching bag with a
series of jabs. The thick sheen of
sweat that dripped from his body and darkened his hair indicated that the
workout had been going on for a while.
Heero scowled. This man
was his competition, the one most likely to have seen her at her most
exposed. What the hell was he doing
here? And asking for his help at that.
He needed his head read. What
the hell had possessed him to seek the advice of Trowa Barton?
Sighing, he realized, there was no other tangible course of
action. He had considered his options
constantly for the past two days, figuring out how he could see her, and he
knew there was no way he could do it without Trowa’s assistance. He had to see her.
The music suddenly stopped mid pound, leaving the room in
silence. Trowa dropped his hands to his
side, rolling his shoulders as he began to unwind the bandages on his
hands. He turned towards the door, head
down and apparently oblivious to his observer.
“What do you want Yuy?”
Starting slightly, Heero grit his teeth, still unprepared for
the conversation that had to take place.
He watched as Trowa slouched onto a bench and took a long swig of water,
his narrowed green eyes glinting suspiciously.
Stepping away from the doorframe, Heero moved further into the room.
“I’ve come to ask for your help.”
******
“The Ambassador’s party is scheduled to arrive within the hour
Your Highness. There are no major
changes to their proposed trade agreement, however, you may want to take a
moment to review the mission statement.”
Relena nodded absently, the chatter of her Lady in Waiting
washing over her yet failing to sink in.
She sighed loudly, frustrated that she remained distracted despite the
recent heart to heart with her adviser and close friend. What was she going to do? If only she could
press rewind, go back and make it so this farce had never even happened. No, that wasn’t right. She didn’t regret being in his arms. She just wished she had kept her mouth
shut.
“Your Highness?” Relena paused mid-stride at the touch of
Hilde’s hand on her arm. “My Lady, are
you alright? You seem… somewhere else?”
Hilde’s normally bright, light-hearted tone lowered and held a
note of concern. Relena smiled softly
in return, her fingers closing over the offered paperwork, holding it to her
chest as they came to a stop before the ornate elevator doors.
“I’m fine, Hilde. Thank
you.”
Flipping open the thick wedge of pages, she waited patiently as
the doors opened and her two guards checked that the small area was
secure. Stepping out, Trowa gave a
small smile as he allowed her entry.
Without looking up, she stepped in, not waiting to see if she had been
followed. She frowned, noticing a flaw
in the opening Mission Statement. As
the elevator doors rolled shut, she turned to Hilde to point out the
discrepancy.
“Hilde… Oh My God.”
******
He watched as she visibly paled, her eyes widened in horror and
the carefully arranged papers slipped from her fingers and crashed to the
floor. She glanced desperately around
her, discovering with dismay that they were alone. She gave a soft squeak of protest, as he leaned across to the
control panel and punched the Emergency stop.
“What are you doing? Are you insane?”
He stared at her, unaffected by her tirade, instead mesmerised
by the movement of her lips. Noticing
his line of vision, her voice faded off, and she looked at him nervously. Obviously looking for some form of
distraction, she crouched down and began frantically gathering the scattered
file. He could not hide a small smirk,
as he realized that she was still muttering mutinously under her breath.
Kneeling down, as if to assist her, he reaching across and
grasped her chin, forcing her to look at him.
God, she was beautiful. She cast
her eyes downwards, avoiding his gaze, and the action merely drew his attention
to the shadows her long lashes cast on her porcelain skin. He felt his mouth go dry, as his carefully
planned speech fled his thoughts.
He swallowed hard, his pulse quickening as the tip of her tongue
flicked nervously across her bottom lip.
She could not possibly comprehend the effect such a simple action was
having on him. This wasn’t progressing
the way he wanted. Dammit, he swore to
himself… Dammit.
He growled, low and fierce before his resolve gave way, and he
crushed his lips against hers. She
squirmed against him, her hands lifting to press against his chest, but he
refused to relent. His hand moved to
the nape of her neck, brushing at the loose tendrils of hair that had evaded
her intricate braid. As sophisticated
as the style was, it merely served to frustrate him, as he yearned to touch the
soft, golden tresses.
Her lips parted slightly, as he sought to deepen the embrace,
his other hand lifting to her waist.
She flinched, moving away from him more forcefully, as the touch to her
side seemed to break the spell the kiss had cast. In her haste to stand, the heel of her shoe caught in her long
skirt and she stumbled, eliminating any vestige of elegance as she tumbled
back. She straightened until her back
was pressed against the mirrored elevator wall, her glare defensive and not a
little flustered as she clutched the battered file to her chest as if to create
some futile barrier against him.
Using her moment of awkwardness to his advantage, Heero moved
against her, his arms preventing her escape as he gazed down at her. She frowned at him, her lips pouting with
displeasure, the action merely succeeding in arousing him more, rather than
discouraging him.
“Did you really think you could get rid of me that easily?”
His statement was low, seductive, as he leaned close to her ear,
warming it with the soft sigh of his breath.
Relena gave a small yelp of protest, twisting in his embrace in a futile
attempt of evasion. She gasped, as he
tugged the folder from her arms and tossed it over his shoulder, sending the
papers fluttering back to the floor.
“You know, someone worked very hard on that document. It’s not very considerate to just…” her
indignant words were brought to an abrupt halt, as his mouth covered hers, his
tongue sweeping between her lips, tasting her.
He pulled her to him, desperate to lose himself in the embrace, silently
enjoying the way her body seemed to fit perfectly against his.
He felt her hands press against his chest, her fingers clutching
at the front of his shirt, anchoring her.
Breaking the kiss, his breathing ragged, he smirked with satisfaction to
see that she was just as affected as he.
She swallowed, the struggle to regain her poise obvious, and her
tentative question rose softly in the otherwise still elevator.
“What… what are you doing here? Why are you doing this to me?”
Heero smiled softly, the tips of his fingers gently tracing the
curve of her cheek. His lips brushed
her throat, and he nipped quickly at her shoulder with his teeth. She sagged against him, her eyes drifting
shut and she sighed her surrender. He
continued his tender caress, feeling her shiver at his touch, before he chose
to grant her with a whispered answer.
“Because I love you.”
Relena gave a sob, and Heero looked up to see her gazing back at
him, the blue depths of her eyes shimmering with emotion. Her arms wrapped around his neck, pulling
him to her, and they kissed with renewed, unbridled passion. His heart leapt in his chest, and his hands
roamed over her body, as his need for her grew.
Her delicate hands tugged his shirt free from his pants, her
determined fingers sliding beneath the fabric to touch his fevered skin. He let out a long groan, his hand lifting to
brush against her breast, while his other pressed against her back, seeking out
the irritatingly small clasps that prevented his access to her luscious
skin. He looked down, watching as she
began to work diligently at the buttons of his own shirt. He smirked, enjoying her obvious
anticipation.
“You know, it’s not
always merciful to release a caged animal to the wild. Sometimes, they prefer captivity. Did you think of that, Your Highness? Maybe
this animal desires his gilded cage.”
Relena froze, her eyes widening in shock, before they began to
flash with an indignant intensity.
Heero watched her, confused by the sudden ferocity in his loves’
expression. Her voice shook, with hurt and
perhaps humiliation, as she pushed him away from her.
“Is that what you think love is? A cage? A prison? Why did you
say you love me, Commander? Because you meant it? Or because you feel
you had to? Is this just another mission to be completed? Tell me, Heero is it
love? Or is it lust? Or even worse… is it just obligation?”
Heero frowned, at a loss as to exactly how he had just lost
control of the situation. He watched as
she backed away from him, until she had moved to the other side of the small
area, her trembling hands smoothing her skirts and straightening her
blouse. Her fingers lifted to brush her
bruised lips, her expression betraying her distress.
“It’s not obligation, or a mission, and you insult me to even
suggest it.”
Relena arched an eyebrow at him, demonstrating her
cynicism.
“Then why do you love me, Heero? You don’t even know me.”
He gazed at her, knowing that any chance of success relied on
what he said in the next moment, was struck dumb. She stared back at him; hope rapidly deserting her.
“What do you think I am, Heero? Some romantic girl, waiting anxiously
for her perfect match, her soul mate, to come along and sweep her off her
feet?”
She waited, obviously feeling the question warranted an
answer. Heero thought frantically,
uncertain how to reply.
“No, of course not.”
Relena sighed, turning to the control panel and disengaging the
Emergency Stop. As the elevator
shuddered back to life, she turned her eyes back on her bemused companion.
“Well then, Commander, you don’t know me at all.”
******