Hope and Darkness

[Symee-Sama]

<center>Hope and Darkness
By Symee-Sama</center>


//Hope is beauty, personified.//

He watched over her as he always did from the wings of the stage, his eyes managing to take in her every movement, and still be able to scan the crowd for possible threats. She was radiant in the bright lights of the stage, and he knew that the world was seeing her as he saw her. A guardian angel, sent down from the heavens to save the world from its current plight.

He had been just like them once. Only months before, he wouldn?t have seen past the confident smile, or beautiful face either. Heero stood in the wings, watching the person he cared most for in this world, and wondered if he was happier now that he knew the woman behind the politician?s mask.

Before, he had followed her blindly. She had been his ideal, a state of perfection that he could strive for, but never achieve. He set her up on the same pedestal that the world did, and although he protected her and saw for himself hints of the woman that she was, he never truly believed that she was fallible. She had saved him from self destruction, and he knew that some part of him would always see him as that perfect ideal.

The rest of him knew better now. He knew what she felt like under his hands. How delicate she looked when she was sleeping. How beautiful she looked when framed in moonlight?

He knew all of these things, and he cared for her above all others. He felt even closer to her now that she had stepped down from the pedestal he had put her on, and respected her more for the whispered fears he had learned about in the dark of the night.

She was as haunted as anyone in this world, and he?. Heero frowned as an overzealous reporter forced his way to the front. The question he shouted echoed around the suddenly silent auditorium.

?Miss Relena!? He cried, shoving his microphone into the air. ?What are the chances of us winning against the forces that have massed outside the Earth?s orbit??

//At her feet the world, hypnotised.//

She smiled at the reported, hope and faith radiating from her eyes. ?I believe there is, yes,? her gaze swept around the room, taking in the worried faces, and the smile faded ever so slightly. ?But we have developed a contingency plan, in case the worse happens. All non-militants will be evacuated to shuttles that the ESUN has prepared for them. With our current technology, it will be possible to sustain our race for years. Giving us enough time to either find another inhabitable planet, or if necessary, to create colonies to sustain our race.

?All militants and volunteers for the draft are asked to report to the nearest military base by 1200 hours tomorrow, and we ask that all civilians be at the space ports by that time as well. I have faith in the strength of our people. We will turn back this force, and life will continue undisturbed. Please do not panic, these are merely safety precautions taken to ensure your safety.?

The reporters in the crowd nodded to themselves, and took notes. ?I can take one more question, and then I?m afraid that I must leave.? She nodded at the first hand that shot into the air. ?Your question, sir??

?What of the Gundam pilots?? the stout reporter asked. ?Since they are neither militant or civilian, what will they do?? He looked at her expectantly, obviously waiting for some carefully crafted reply.

Instead, Relena simply shrugged, betraying her ignorance. ?As you said, the Gundam pilots are not part of the ESUN military, and cannot be assigned a place in the upcoming battle. If they were to volunteer, they would be drafted into our forces, but they will not be forced into a battle that they are not responsible for, nor will they be denied the safe passage on the emergency shuttles that is available to every citizen.

//A million flashes, a million smiles.//

?Thank you for your time, gentlemen, ladies.? Relena gave one last smile, and left, ignoring the flashes of the cameras, and walked into the wings, her smile fading as soon as she was out of the crowd?s line of sight.

?You handled that well,? Heero remarked, still unable to bring himself to touch her in public. ?Especially that last question. You know that we?re going to fight.? He looked at her quizzically when she shook her head. ?Relena??

?I won?t force any of the pilots into fighting this battle.? Relena said softly. ?I have a very good idea of what all of you will do, but I will not make you feel obligated to fight for us. That wouldn?t be fair.?

?Life isn?t fair.? Heero returned gruffly.

?Which is why I try to make it that way whenever it?s within my power to do so.? Relena walked past him, cold enough to make frost form and picked up her briefcase. ?We should be going. I?m going to be late for my meeting with the ESUN brass.?

He matched her stride for stride as she hurried towards the exit, but when they reached the doors, Heero stopped his hand on the knob. ?Can you hear it?? He asked, and when she shook her head, h turned to face her. ?There are people out there, probably reporters. Do you want to find another way out??

She shook her head again. ?I won?t run away from my responsibilities.? She steeled herself, and placed her own hand on the doorknob. ?No matter how unpleasant I may find it.?

//And on the catwalk, she flaunts her style.//

He could admire her for the strength that she showed as she walked through those doors. None of the reporters that she talked to could tell that she would rather be anywhere but here, or that she held very little hope for the survival of the Earth against this new threat.

She had been a peacekeeper throughout two wars, but now, found herself in a position where she had to advocate fighting in order to protect all that she held dear. It was hurting her, he knew. To know that she would be sending people to their deaths. That her orders could save or destroy the homes of billions.

She was a key figure in this war, and she knew it. He also knew that she hated it. This wasn?t something she should have to deal with, and if he could, he would take this weight off her shoulders, but it was impossible.

It was her that the public loved, he mused as she made her way through the swarm of reporters. No one would ever be able to replace that wide eyed innocence and blind faith that had endeared her to the public in the first place. They would follow her willingly to their deaths, because they believed in her and her bid for peace.

He shook his head slightly as he helped her into the car. Maybe they were all fools.

<center>* * * * *</center>

//But in this heart of darkness, our hope lies lost and torn.//

Relena wasn?t afraid as she faced down a boardroom full of men decades older than she was. They were decided on what they were going to do, but so was she, and she wasn?t about to let them put her away because she wasn?t needed anymore.

?You are more of a public figure, Miss Dorlian,? General Warwick said from beside her, putting a soothing hand over hers. ?It is not necessary for you to take place in this meeting. You will be informed about what happened here in the morning.?

?I?m already here,? Relena said through gritted teeth. ?I might as well stay for the meeting I was invited for.?

?That was before certain things came to our attention.? Thee general looked at the rest of the board for support. ?Miss Dorlian, if you stay, you will be forced to lie to the public, and we know that goes against everything that you stand for.?

?Is that what you?ll use to chase me away?? Relena mused, not the least bit mollified. ?I don?t know about you, general, but I have a pretty good idea about what our chances are. I?ve seen the reports on the technology that our enemy has and the size of their army.

?I knew they were here less than three hours after they appeared in our solar system, and reported to you, expecting your military expertise to help the situation. I agree, I am not skilled in the arts of warfare, but you will not shut me out of this council because of that. I am your voice to the people, and I must be kept informed of the doings of the council.?

?Miss Dorlian??

?You wouldn?t even know they were here if it weren?t for me,? Relena ignored the interruption, determined to make herself heard. ?So don?t worry about me having to lie to the public. I have not caused unnecessary panic before by telling the truth, I will not start now.? She sat down, her eyes cold as ice. ?Now, tell me what you?ve found.?

?There?s been an ambassador from the enemy.? The general sighed heavily. ?He spoke English, and knew much more information about us then he should. He came to tell us their intentions, and to put it bluntly, Miss Dorlian, they?re hoping for a massacre. They want us to come and fight.

?The ambassador was a slave of theirs. They would not debase themselves by coming to talk to us personally, but we learned what we needed from him. He was an inhabitant of a planet called Gerian. He explained to us what the enemy had done to his planet.? He paused for a moment to catch his breath. ?Basically, Miss Dorlian, they?re planet killers. They?re going to kill all those that they don?t need, and enslave the rest. Then they will use our planet until it is completely depleted of natural resources. The amabassador said there is no hope, to resist is to die.?

?Planet killers,? Relena repeated numbly, pressing a hand to her forehead. ?What are your plans, general??

?They haven?t changed,? he told her, and she nodded slightly. ?You look unwell, Miss Dorlian, would you please take your leave??

//All fame like love is fleeting when there?s no hope anymore.//

She was too numb to argue with him. She felt Heero?s hand on her arm and let him lead her out of the boardroom. She couldn?t remember the car ride home, or reaching her house. All she could think of was what the general had said.

Planet killers? going to kill all those they don?t need?there is no hope, to resist is to die?.

She looked up in surprise when she realised that she was in her room, lying beside Heero. ?Snap out of it,? he ordered, shaking her slightly. ?There are things you have to do, Relena.? He turned on the TV, and switched it to the news, before taking his place just out of her line of sight.

?And in recent news, the Vice Foreign Minister issued a statement today about the impending battle that we will be facing. She has asked for all volunteers and militants to report to the nearest military base. Widescale riots started in many major cities after the address. No one wants to fight this new threat, and the people are calling for the Vice Foreign Minister to do something to avert it.?

Relena?s shoulders slumped forward, and she buried her face in her hands. ?I didn?t ask for this to happen!?

?No one did, Relena,? his words hit her like a slap. ?But it?s your job to pick up the pieces. These people need you, and no one else can do this job for you. So snap out of it.? Using all her strength, she summoned a shield of indifference around her heart.

?Thank you for your suggestions, Mr. Yuy,? she said coolly, trying her hardest to ignore the sheen of hurt that covered his eyes. ?That will be all I need you for. You may go.?

He pulled her to her feet so quickly that her head spun, and jerked her onto her toes so she was forced to look him in the eye. ?Don?t play this game with me, Relena.? He practically growled, pulling her closer to him, his lips mere inches from hers. ?Don?t think that being an ice queen is going to drive me away from you.?

?Did you ever consider that I simply didn?t want your company?? Relena couldn?t think, could barely form cohesive sentences. He was too close to her, and she had to stop this while she still could. ?Put me down at once. I won?t be manhandled.? She nearly sighed with relief when he lowered her to the ground. ?Besides. I have work to do.? She added, almost as an afterthought, and struggled to break free from his embrace.

?You?re not running from either issue,? Heero said softly, pressing his lips against hers, and stealing her breath away. ?I won?t let you run away from this, or me.?

She pushed him away, angry at his presumption. ?I?m not running from anything. I thought we agreed to keep this to casual sex.?

?And I thought we agreed not to lie to each other,? Heero countered, leaning against the wall.

If looks could kill? he mused as she turned to face him, her eyes deadly. ?I?m not lying to you! There?s nothing more to this than sex. Heaven knows we both needed it.?

?If it?s only sex,? he had her trapped again before she could blink. ?Then why do you tremble when I touch you?? He ran his finger down her spine to demonstrate his point, loving how she shook in his arms. ?I?ll be back for you tonight to see if you?ve stopped lying to yourself.? His hands moved to cup her face, and she closed her eyes, waiting for the kiss that she knew was coming.

But it never came. He simply brushed his thumb over her lips, and smiled. ?I?ll see you tonight,? he promised, and then was gone, leaving her alone in the room with nothing but the news report to keep her company.


Author's Note: This fic was supposed to be a one-shot... and once the idea got firmly lodged in my head, I found that it was impossible to keep it to one chapter. It's my first real shot at romance that is realistic and not complete fluff. All my other fics do have romance in them, but this is the first one that actually was created as a romance fic...

...I have no idea if it will actually stay in that category though... knowing my twisted mind, probably not. *Grins* although I can promise a touch of lemon in the next chapter.

Symee

[Morrighan]

Ooooh...... Very, very interesting!! With this chapter, I am SO hooked.

Can't wait to see what you come up with next!

[GundamVixen]

I like it so far!!!!! Really good writing!!

I love the role reversal with Relena! very orginal I must say!!

update the next chapter soon!

[takisha16]

OHHHHH
I like this new turn of events for a fic! I am glad you decided to continue it
instead of leaving it as a one-shot! Relena and Heero having casual sex??
That sounds very interesting and promising indeed. They are both obviously
wayyy over their heads! I'm glad Heero is not letting her back off and wants
her to be strong. He is soo awesome! Relena must be going through a really
tough time! I hope everything works out for her and Heero.
Can't wait for the next chappy!

[RelenaDorlinYuy1]

O_o ohhhh i have a feeling there love making will be one heck of night O_o


This is really good XD

[lildragonfly]

i agree with everybody!
UPDATE!!! please

[lilac310]

An UPDATE is a must!!!...I absolutely adore the tension building up between Heero and Relena....and those "planet killers" somehow remind me of "reavers" from this cancelled TV show called "Firefly"...yea, it was cancelled but I LOVE it...It's got so much potential...

anyways, I'm really interested in the way you're going about with the story...Keep posting!

[AnShino]

AH! I haven't seen a fic from you in ages. You don't know me, but I've read a lot of your work on FFN. ^_^ Absolutely adore it all.

This is an interesting piece. It's like sci-fi/ fantasy (something I tend to shy away from). I'm liking it so far :razz:. I really hope to see more of it sometime soon (if it's not soon, that's okay too. I have midterms to study for anyway >___>;; grr..).

[epyon]

great idea! i can't wait to see what happens next!

and he knew that some part of him would always see him as that perfect ideal.

*see her* maybe?

[heaven'sgirl]

oooooooohhhhh.... heero's turning sweet ! hope there's more update soon!