Love's Labours Lost Chapter 7 page 2

[blackrose]

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, 358 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.?

[kmf]

Wonderfully written Stella and Rose. I had to sympathise with the poor guys in their unheated apartment - I hate the cold with avengance! My favourite part must be when Van had his little speech about suntan lotion - I just love the interaction you get going between the four main male characters. It has such a spark to it and they all seem very natural and real.

BUT! What are you doing to me?? Heero isnt going to see Relena again for three years? Relena has had some obviously terrible news and is going away - but what is the news? Why didnt Heero quiz her on it more, the big lug!

And now I have to wait for your next update *groans and falls to knees* Please! Dont keep me waiting too long! I need to know what is going on in Relena's life to cause her such pain.

kmf

[Tsukiyo]

EE!! I FEEL SO BAD!! I read this last week and I didn't know if i was going to get around to a reply or not because i've been busy!! But I checked my inbox and had no letters so I thought i would post!! I'M SORRY!! I DON'T PLACE YOU SECOND!! It's just english is making german more difficult!!
ok, enough crying...
Once again, I LOVED IT!! And I really really have to read this play... But I don't know if I can find an english copy around here...and i want it original...
but I swear to god i'm going to kill Heero and Van for their stupid "I'm not willing to give up money for the love of my life" ACK!
Oh, and I love Vash's kitty. The fact that he calls it Kitty is just great.
Ok, Ok, I'm going... enough random babble...

-Tsukiyo

[Angeldreams]

Hey guys! I love this fic! I don't know how you do it, but chapter after chapter, the story is just as believable and well written. I love the way you've fit the characters to modern day life. The cold! Yuck, I know I would have been grouchy.

Here's my suggestion.. *angel smirks*

Relena *shivers*: "Oh Heero, It's so cold over here!"

Heero *shrugs*: ....

Relena *inches closer to Heero*: "I have extra space, you could stay with me."

Heero looks at her for a moment, leans down and whispers, "I can think of ways to keep warm here...."

*Angel sighs happily*

Love, Angeldreams

[Misato]

Yah! They're all breaking the pact! ...Sort of anyways... Good for them! Another good chapter, keep it coming ^_~