Chapter 3

After getting Heero's clothes started in the washing machine, Relena entered the dining room to find Duo on the phone. From his relaxed nature, she could tell he was talking to Hilde. He was never that way with Lady Une.  Relena offered him a smile when he nodded to acknowledge her. She chuckled slightly when she saw him mouth the words "about time" to her. After a few more minutes of whispering sweet words of love, Duo hung up the phone.

Relena could feel his gaze on her. She took a seat across from him and found a smirk on his face when they made eye contact. "What?"

"So, what exactly were you two up to?" Duo's smirk grew bigger at the sight of the blush coloring on Relena's cheeks.

"I helped him to bed and got his clothes, why?" Relena kept a serious face. The last thing she wanted was for Duo to find out what happened. He would tease them to death, and never let the subject drop.

Duo started to chuckle as their meal was brought in and served. He waited for Relena to finish requesting a tray for Heero before he continued. "You came in this room with you cheeks flushed, your lips swollen and a dreamy far off look in you eyes. So tell me, did he finally make a move? Did you guys... you know?" Duo made a motion with his hands that made Relena's eyes go wide and her blush deepen.

"Duo Maxwell!" Relena hid her face in her hands.

"So you did. That would explain why Pegan was in such a hurry to get back downstairs."

Relena looked at Duo through parted fingers and groaned quietly over the thought of how much Pegan might have witnessed. She would have to make sure that next time the door was closed. The thought made her blush and caused Duo to laugh again. Anger quickly over took her as she stood up and smacked her hands down on the table. The silverware rattled from the impact causing Duo to jump from her outburst. "Heero and I didn't do what you think we did."

 "But you did do something."

"Duo!" Relena was truly starting to doubt letting Duo stay the night.

"All right, subject dropped." Duo rubbed his hands together as he stared at the food before him. "So, did he ever tell you why he was out in the cold and not far from you house?"

Relena once again took her seat and laid her napkin on her lap. "No, I never thought to ask." She was surprised to find silence followed after a quick nod from him.

After their meal they both had a cup of tea before heading off to bed. Before reaching her destination, Relena stopped by Heero's room to drop his clothes off. She knocked lightly and cracked the door open. She entered his room, her heart pounding so loudly she was sure Duo probably could hear it down the hallway. Relena stopped dead in her tracks. "He's not here," She could feel her heart strain as a wave of sorrow clasp around it. The bed had been unmade and the tray of food was untouched. 'What if he regrets it?'  The sudden sound of the door closing caused her to jump and turn around, only to come face to face with Heero.

"Heero, I thought you left. Where were you? You should be in bed."

"I had something to take care of," Heero prowled toward her. His stride was that of a predator as he advanced on her.

Relena smiled nervously and took a step back as he came to a stop before her. "I brought you your clothes." She watched him take the clothes from her and toss them carelessly on a chair nearby. She swallowed hard and glanced back at the tray. "I see you weren't hungry."

"No I wasn't."

Relena glanced down at her hands and started to twiddle her fingers in an attempt to keep herself from looking up into the intensity of his eyes. She could only imagine what he was thinking.  "So... Heero, um. Is there anything you want before I head off to bed?"

"You."

"Me?" Her voice almost came out as a squeak as her head shot up to look at him.

"I want you... to tell me how you would feel if I were to move here."

"Here? As in… move in with me?"

"If that's what you wish."

"For how long?" Her heart started to race as he once again advanced on her. 'Will you stay forever if I ask?' She couldn't find the courage to ask him out loud, even though she so badly wanted to.

"Until you ask me to leave," Heero reached up and took a strand of her hair, running through his fingers.

"Why? Is this why you were in my car's path?" Relena could feel her stomach start to twist and shivered once again.

"No, but I intend to keep my promise now."

"Which one?" She already knew what the answer would be. He was here to stay because he wanted her to be in his life.

Heero let her silken hair fall from his fingers and touched her cheek lightly. He trailed his fingers down to her chin and tipped it up slightly. He watched Relena lick her lips in anticipation and could sense her erratic pulse. It stirred something deep within him that he had to fight back.  "That all depends on you."

Relena took his hand in hers and led him towards the bed. she returned the scolding he gave her earlier. "How about you get your butt in bed? I'm not going to let you get any worse, Heero Yuy, if you plan on staying here. And if you do get any worse, I'm going to have Duo take you in since he is partially responsible."

Heero's lips twitched into what was almost a smirk at her motherly tone. "Yes ma'am."

Relena pulled back the covers and made sure he was in it this time. "And another thing," Relena quickly pecked him on the cheek. "I love you Heero. Get some rest." She blushed  from her forwardness as she pulled away. She had waited what seemed like ages to say those three words to him. Even though she knew she probably wouldn't hear it in return, she could see it in his eyes and could tell by his actions that he felt the same.

Relena shrieked in surprise when she was suddenly pulled back down onto Heero's lap.

"Do you mean those words? Even though I left?"

Relena nodded. "Very much so."

"You're not angry?" Heero waited patiently for her response. She was quiet as she stared  into his eyes.

"No, I knew you needed time to yourself."

Her smile warmed his heart. She understood him more than he gave her credit for, and he was thankful for that. This was one of the reasons why he had fallen for her. He gently caressed her cheek, his gaze telling her what she wanted to hear. He might not be ready to say it yet, but he would make sure she knew. Heero watched her eyes mist over just before she threw her arms around his neck. Hiding the briefdiscomfort caused by their collision, he returned the gesture; held her close to him as she cried.

After a short time Relena sniffled and pulled back slightly so she could look into his eyes again. "If I would have known all it took was to hit you with my car, I would have done it sooner." Relena giggled, hoping Heero hadn't taken that seriously.

Heero held her face in his hands and caressed her cheeks with his thumbs. "Thank you."

"For what?" She was slightly confused, why was he thanking her?

"For knocking some sense into me, I still have the bump to prove it."

"You're welcome, I think."

"Just... don't do it again." Heero took that moment to kiss her, giving her reassurance that he was going to be ok. And he would always be by her side, from that day forth - to be her protector, her confidant and her lover.

 ~Fin~