All's Fair...Chp.3

[Faye Faye]

A/N: WelI. . . I?m getting the third chapter up. . . Took me long enough eh? Well Two or Three days wasn?t THAT long a wait was it? Anywho?

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing or ANY of it?s Characters. . . And Duo is NOT my man?sadly?::sulks::

Chapter 3
*~*~*~*~*
The Accident


?Christina?Jeffery?s gone. He?s been missing for three days now and?I just don?t know where to look!? Hilde glanced over her script during the run through. ?I knew he was leaving to find his daughter, but?he hasn?t even called and I think something might have happened to him.? She feigned as she looked at her ?best friend?, ?Christina Avondale?. Relena Peacecraft played her beautifully and brought out the innocent girl with deep dark secrets from deep within herself. She herself was a wonderful woman with abilities beyond her years. She was the same age as Hilde, 20, and they were inseparable, sharing intellect, acting secrets, and girly secrets. Relena was one of the reasons Hilde stayed on the show as long as she did. She could not handle EVERYTHING on her own, not without a friend to listen to her gripe.

?Listen Regina, Jeffery?s left, he?s moved on and you should too.? She said convincingly, the same tactic she could use in real life to get just about anything she wanted, without crossing any boundaries. ?You have friends here, and Jeffery needs to find his niche and his place in society ok? You?ll find someone else?I promise.? She soothed. Even though she was acting, her own soul felt comforted by Relena?s words.

?Maybe you?re right.? She gave in. ?Christina? gave her friend a soothing hug and Zechs called for a 10-minute break while we prepared for another scene shoot.

?God Relena, How do you do it!?? Hilde teased her friend as they walked offstage towards their dressing room to fix any smudges or a misplaced piece of hair.

?What?? She asked innocently.

?You?re so convincing. You?re truly an acting goddess!? She laughed nudging her best friends shoulder lovingly. ?I?m glad I have someone to learn from?lately I?ve been feeling a little down on my game, y?know?? She inquired. Relena stopped and turned to Hilde, starring with a deep, intent look in her ocean blue eyes.

?Is this about that bastard Treize?? She asked. ?I swear if he?s done something this time I?m personally going to rip that blond greasy hair off that over sized scalp.? She said threateningly. Hilde only laughed.

?No Relena?Well?that may be part of it, but I feel like?something is?missing, but I can?t put my finger on it.? She hesitated as she searched for the words to explain the phase she was going through. ?I?m not losing it am I?? Hilde asked with mock worry. Relena grinned.

?Girl, you?ve always had it?and you always will.? She reassured her. ?We?ve got call in 10, let?s go freshen up.? She finished and the two women went chattering and laughing back to their dressing rooms to prepare for the next scene.

~*~*~

?Alright, let?s get in places for the beginning of the accident scene?? Zechs called out from the set. ?Treize?you?re going to be in your car?we?ll give you a Dutch angle then switch to a scene shot to capture the entire car and the on coming car ok?? He instructed the sour faced man standing by the prop car. Treize had something up his sleeve?She could feel it. Chills ran up Hilde?s spine as she looked at him. He glared daggers at her, making her feel both intimidated and disgusted. Despite her gut feeling however, Treize was being surprisingly calm and obedient. He didn?t argue or intimidate Zechs into getting his job back, he just?sat in the car and followed the scene layout?no questions asked.

The way the shot was set up was that when Zechs called action, the scene would focus on Treize driving along side a cliff, talking to himself all unknowing and unsuspecting. When the scene switched it would appear that a driver on the other side of his car was driving too close and glaring at him only to have him slam into the side of the car, running Treize off the cliff, ending the scene, and switching to Hilde talking to her sister (played by Catherine) and Relena.

The Accident scene ran through perfectly the first time and Hilde, Catherine, and Relena get into places and prepare for the next shot.

?Scene 12, take one, Action!? Called the stage director as the scene slowly focused in on Christina and Catherine sitting at the Kitchen bar over looking the kitchen, while Hilde fixed them glasses of wine.

?You know, Hilde...With Jeffrey gone, you can find someone who will really take care of you?? Joan pointed out. Joan Mosgrove, Regina?s sister, was well played by Catherine Bloom, a Broadway femme fatale who decided her calling was to do soap operas. A switch, Hilde found confusing, but never questioned Catherine strange style or motives.

Joan was 7 years younger than Regina and was the opposite of Regina, with her ear length wavy red hair and sharp green eyes. She was her half sister to be exact. After Regina?s father left her mother for his secretary, her mother remarried Triton Bloom, a dashing and handsome romancer right out of a sappy Harle-Quinn Romance novel. He was however, the sweetest man in the world to Regina?s mother, and in less than a year, Regina welcomed Joan into her life as her new half sister.

Regina sighed and rolled her eyes at her younger sister. ?Joan?I love him and don?t say things like that!? Regina reprimanded. Joan sighed and rested her elbows on the table, perching her chin onto her hands as she stared down into a small glass of wine. ?Besides, he?s probably going to come back in a couple of days anyway. I know he?s gone to find his daughter?but?I didn?t think he wouldn?t call?or?anything?What if something?s happened to him?? She questioned, panic rising in her voice, and worry flushing her features. Christina put a friendly hand on her shoulder and reassured her.

?Jeffrey?s fine, he just needs time, and a switch kick in the ? ?Regina elbowed Christina and shot her a death glare before resigning and taking a sip of her wine.

?BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRING!? Regina jumps slightly as the phone rings, hope flashing briefly in her eyes as she picks up the phone with haste.

?Hello?!? Regina inquired.

?Hello?Is there a miss Regina Mosgrove available?? the voice retorted. Regina hesitated for a moment?

?Yes?This is she? she spoke softly into the receiver.

?Miss Mosgrove?I?m afraid I?ve got some bad news about a Mr. Jeffrey Donavan?? Regina?s features faltered as she listened to the message her expression changing to that of fear, shock, and devastation as she thanked the man and placed the phone back on the receiver.

?That was Loyal Roads Hospital in Monterey...? Regina started as she looked at Christina and Joan each in turn. ?Jeffrey?s was killed last night in a car accident?His car was run off a cliff in Big Sur.? Regina couldn?t bring herself to cry, only stare in shock and grief as the scene faded and the credits rolled, ending the episode one of season three and ending Regina?s relationship with Jeffrey Donavan?

*~*~*

Hilde walked back to her dressing room and paused when she heard Treize yelling in his dressing room, the victim of his ranting obviously a young woman. She stood by the door and listened quietly in an attempt to hear the conversation?

?You stupid bastard! You stay away from Hilde?she?s too good for you and you?re not worth and dirt under her shoe. I know you?re planning something, and if I catch you doing anything I?ll kill you myself?? The women shouted at him. The voice sounded like Relena?s, but the door muffled the voices too much for Hilde to tell. Treize was the next to speak.

?Be careful what you saw or you may be the one looking death in the eye...? He whispered threateningly. Apparently, the woman was fed up and announced her departure. Hilde ran quickly to her dressing room and cracked the door open slightly to listen from inside. She peeked through the crack, but missed the woman, only catching the slamming of the door by Treize.

Hilde closed her door and leaned back against it, fear welding up inside of her. What was Treize planning to do? Who was he arguing and threatening?

A resounding knock interrupted Hilde as she contemplated the events that just happened. Her head shot up and she took a deep breath, realizing it was just the door and stood up to answer it, making sure her skirt was straight and her face was clear of any signs of fear.

Hilde opened the door to a handsome face bearing an Adonis smile. She stared for a minute than regained her composure.

?Oh?Hello Duo. What do you want?? She asked. The statement coming out colder than intended.

Duo was apparently shot back. ?I?m sorry?am I interrupting something?? He asked nervously as he tried to look behind her into her dressing room for another figure. Hilde shook her head and placed a fake smile on her lips hoping to calm his and her own nerves a little.

?No?I?m sorry, I?m just a little jumpy today, that?s all.? She said as she grinned and continued. ?You didn?t answer my question though.? He looked at her a moment, than laughed.

?Oh?yeah?I was wondering, since we?re going to be working together, I thought maybe we could go get some dinner together and talk?you know, get to know each other.? He asked trying to mask his nervousness at asking the, now labeled, ?Ice Princess?, out to dinner.

?Well?? She was about to decline when she glanced down the hall to find Treize walked towards her dressing room. Her expression changed as she replaced her serious grimace with a brightly lit smile and wide eyes. ?I?d love to! As a matter of fact, How about...RIGHT NOW??!!? She chirped as she grabbed Duo?s arm and rushed out the door, trying to avoid confrontation with the grease ball. Duo was taken aback, but followed Hilde as she speed walked towards the parking lot, glancing behind her frequently to make sure Treize wasn?t close behind.

When she was sure he wasn?t following her, she slowed down and took a deep breath. Duo, while trying to catch his breath, look over at Hilde questioningly, but wasn?t sure if he should attempt an ?Are you ok??

~Maybe it?s a woman thing?~ He settled. ~But damn, she?s fast?and moody. One minute, she?s hot, the next minute she?s ice cold. ~ He joked to himself. Hilde caught the slightest hint of a grin on his face and spoke up.

?What are you thinking about?? She questioned, her mood lighter now that the stress of the studio was yards away.

?Oh, just wondering what that was all about back there...? He returned. Hilde sighed.

?I?m sorry about that, I?m not too fond of Treize, and I was trying to avoid having to talk to him, I didn?t mean to startle you.? She finished.

?That?s not why you said yes was it?? Hilde was shocked at the change in his tone and lowered her head. ~He must be a damn psychic or something~

?Honestly? If I said yes, I?d be lying?but?if I said no, I?d also be lying.? She said, her tone coming out as a bit flirtatious. Hilde scolded herself for being so flirty and looked down, realizing she was still attached to his arm from their Studio Flee. She blushed slightly and moved her arm away, avoiding direct eye contact with the now grinning Adonis, a nickname she was growing rather fond of.

Hilde looked up and saw them approaching a jet-black BMW convertible and her jaw dropped.

?What a beautiful car!? She exclaimed as she ran her hand over the hood slowly as if memorizing the feel of such a smooth, fast car. Duo grinned.

?Well we?re going to be riding in it pretty soon, so you can see how this baby really works.? Hilde?s eyes shot up after a moment.

?Oh?listen?can you meet me at my place in about a half an hour? I need some time to get ready. I can?t exactly go out looking like a stiff business woman.? She laughed and looked down at the suit she had worn in the last scene shoot.

?Yeah?that?ll be fine?Where do you live?? He inquired, focusing his gaze on the slightly nervous and fidgeting Hilde. His eyes seemed to penetrate her soul as she gazed back at him, his deep blue eyes capturing her in them for a moment till she remembered his question.

?Oh?yeah...24 Grayson Ave. top floor high-rise.? She said quickly before turning and walking to her car. ?See you in 30 minutes!? She called back to him, as she unlocked and got into her own car, speeding away towards her apartment as Duo watched her car disappear, a goofy grin spread over his beautiful tan cheeks. ~My day just got better?~

~*~*~

Hilde jumped out of her car, and raced up to her apartment, a down to earth but beautifully decorated and rather large apartment at the top of the apartment building.

She kicked off her shoes and walked towards the shower, discarding clothes as she went.

After the refreshing shower, Hilde stepped out of her steaming bathroom, a thick Terry Robe tied loosely around her body as she walked towards her closet. She looked over her wardrobe selection and settled on a great silver, shimmering halter tip with a loose neck that draped down her chest, exposing just enough cleavage to catch the average male?s eye, and a pair of low-rise fitted knit pants with the same silver tone as the top, draping an intricate silver chain around her waste. She then slipped on one of her few pairs of Gucci stiletto sandals with a single strap across her toes, and a string up the back of her ankle that attacked an around the angle strap. The toe strap and ankle strap buckling with silver rhinestone studded clasps, completing her sexy, chic, and totally glamorous look.

She went back to the bathroom and applied her make-up, settling on a silver smoky-eyed theme that complimented her choice in fashion for the evening and blow-dried her hair, allowed the long strands of raven silk to frame her face and stream over her bared, smooth shoulders. Hilde was ready for the kill, so to say, and flashed one last shimmering smile at the mirror before her doorbell rang and Hilde, in a rush of nerves and anticipation, ran to open it.

She had been reluctant before, and even when she decided to go, just to avoid Treize, she had over the chatting and dressing process, grown excited about it. She had after all, not been on a date in awhile, and only went out with her girl friends from the studio.

Hilde reached for her small over-the-shoulder handbag and checked her hair and clothes one more time before opening the door to a drop-dead-gorgeous hunk of male being that smiled at her with that heart melting, mind-numbing smile that made Hilde?s knees resort to Jell-O. There he stood in a loose-fitting black silk button-up shirt, the top three buttons undone for affect, and a great affect they were. The black shirt then seemed to melt into a pair of black paints with a matching silver buckle belt, topped off black Armani boots. His hair was pulled back in a loose braid, chestnut bangs falling idly over his eyes as he gazed over her form in return. His expression, showing that of equal appreciation for the raven beauty standing before him.

?You look?beautiful.? He said, half in a daze. Hilde felt a slight flush creep over her porcelain cheeks and she smiled.

?So do you?? She complimented in return as she stepped out her door, noticing for the time, the single red rose he held in his hand. He held it out to her with a smile and she extended her graceful hand to accept the gift, the flush remaining on her face and the smile growing wider as she looked up at him.

?Thank you.? She managed to get out. ~No one has ever done anything like this for me?Something about him?feels?right~ she thought. With that, he turned away from her slightly and offered his arm to her which she graciously accepted and the made their way to the elevator, and out the lobby where she came face to face with the beautiful car she had seen in the parking lot at the studio.

He led her to his convertible and opened the door for her, putting on the coach act as he bowed and beckoned her into the front seat of his dashing and quite frankly, damn sexy car.

Hilde laughed and slide into the front seat as he closed the door behind her and walked to the other side of the car, opening the driver?s side and sliding in.

?So where does the lady wish to dine this evening?? He looked over at Hilde and grinned. Warm sparks flew up Hilde?s spine at the site of that grin. His beautiful lips curved into a beautiful crescent moon that just screamed, KISS ME! Hilde just stared for a moment then jolted back into reality.

?Well?there?s this nice place in the city, called Lava on the corner of 3rd and Grave.? She suggested.

Duo started the engine and pulled out into the light stream of traffic. ?Than Lava it is?? He grinned as he sped onto Harbor Street, and headed for the Techno-Posh Nightclub that Hilde, Relena, Noin, and Catherine found themselves at on a regular basis.

Hilde was One-Hundred percent psyched as the car sped down the street. Duo looked over at her and grinned as he pressed a button the control panel and the top slowly detached itself, sliding back and burying itself behind the back seat. Closed her eyes and smiled, allowing the wind to blow across her face and through her hair as small strands of Cole black hair, whipped across her rosy cheeks. Duo, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye, grinned and the car sped down a couple more blocks before it slowed, then stopped. Hilde, shaken from her daze, opened her eyes and turned her head to find herself staring at the brightly lit sign, Lava. Duo parked in front and got out, walking to Hilde?s side and opening the door, offering her his hand as she stepped out.

Hilde smiled as the walked around the car with Duo as he tossed the keys to the valet, and escorted her through the brilliantly lit revolving doors of the techno club. The clubs was a regular hang out for the high class, despite the techno theme and ravish d?cor. The restaurant/club opened up to a maze of holographic mirrors that eventually led to a brightly lit dance club with sporadic columns whose entire length was thick, hollow glass. Each column was filled with a different color heated wax, creating 7 foot tall lava lamps that added color, exoticness, and a strong feeling of mellow, to neutralize the high energy radiating from the dancing bodies and magnificent strobe lights.

Duo was captivated. He had just moved here to start filming the show, and this club was totally new to him. He looked around and carefully studied ever lava column, strobe light, holographic mirror, and his heart pounded with the deep bass of the techno mix blaring from the speakers hidden behind ultraviolet fabric that pounded along with the speaker.

Hilde looked up at him and smiled at his reaction. She new he would like it. He seemed like a fast-paced person, and this was definitely a place for the fast paced at heart. Hilde held on to his arm and led him to the spiral staircase in the corner of the large room, each step was a light, that was triggered each time it was stepped on, creating a colorful pattern with each step ascending the stairs.

Creative was definitely an understatement.

Duo followed Hilde up the stairs as they entered a more formal but equally effective dinning room. The room was more relaxing with its mellow techno and smooth lava lamps of both the columns and spread out randomly across the room.

To the far right of the room was a large stage with an extending runway jutting out from the center.

Hilde couldn?t help but smirk as she saw the stage. She and the girls had had many an interesting ?performance? on that stage. It was a regular Friday night thing for Hilde, Relena, Catherine, Noin, and Sally to visit Lava, have a few drinks and participate in ?Friday Night Ravin? Karaoke?. It was one of the things that kept all the girls from exploding at the end of every week.

The ma?tre d' approached them and led them to a table near a dimly lit corner, perfect for a first date and a romantic evening. Duo pulled out Hilde?s seat for her and waited for her to sit down before sitting himself directly in front of her. She smiled as the waiter approached them and handed them two menus while recording Hilde?s order for a glass of wine, and Duo?s for a dry Martini with extra olives.

?How did you first get into acting, Duo?? Hilde asked, breaking the awkward silence. Duo looked up thoughtfully and thought for a moment.

?Well, when I was little, my mother was killed in a fatale crash on her way to Europe. She was in a traveling opera company and was with her cast and crew on their private plane when the engine caught on fire over the Atlantic and plummeted into the ocean. No one survived and my father was devastated. He too was an actor, and a play-write. After my mother died, my father never performed again, he only wrote plays?tragedies, broken love stories, things like that. I looked at my father when he was acting before she died and saw the love and passion on his face and in his characters?and then I saw his face?and the emptiness whitening his features and slowly draining the life out of him after she died, and I decided that I wanted to become an actor. I wanted to always have the love, passion, and feeling that he had when he was acting?and be able to cover up any pain or sorrow that was hidden underneath the characters in my plays and now?my very first television show.? He recounted to her. Hilde?s eyes filled with both sorrow and intent at his story, feeling both the grief, and passion in his heart. ~He must be a wonderful actor?so passionate and dedicated?powerful. I can?t wait to see him in action~ She thought as she gazed back into his deep, soulful eyes. It was there that she could read, and understand everything about him?in that one moment, that one expression. She understood everything about his life. She became captivated. Perhaps, crush, is not strong enough a word?but perhaps love?was too powerful a word to describe the sudden feeling that bubbled deep in her belly and rose up into her chest. She pitied him, but admired his strength, his character, his will. He was everything she could have imagined a perfect man could be?but love was not a word or feeling she was ready to open up to, so she settled with ?strong admiration??yes?she strongly admired this man in front of her. She wanted to know more, be more, see more?everything?it all became clear to her. She smiled a warm smile at him piercing gaze and took a sip of the wine in front of her, never breaking the soul-locked gaze between the two.

Duo broke the silence again. ?What about you?? He returned.

Hilde looked down at her glass of wine and twirled the glass slightly, watching the wine twirl back and forth in the crystal glass. ?I did it to escape the world??She said simply and glanced up at him. ?My passion grew the first time I saw a play. I suppose?the same reasons apply to both of us.? She smiled slightly and looked back down at her glass. ?I wanted to be able to make everything wrong in my life disappear whenever I wanted it to. I could get on stage, or on TV and suddenly I wasn?t Hilde Schbeiker anymore?I was Regina Mosgrove?or Carolyn Graves. For that brief moment in time, I could be someone else?and escape the world around me?be something?someone else?it was a great release for me mentally and physically, and I wouldn?t trade what I do for anything in the world.? She finished taking a deep breath and smiling up at him once again. The warm and sincere look on his face, warmed her heart once again as she began to eat their newly arrived meals.

~*~*~

The dinner passed by quickly, with little chitchat here and there, as they joked, and laughed between bites of their dinners. Both finished and set their plates aside and Hilde sighed contentedly.

?That was delicious!? She told him with a smile plastered on her delicate face.

?Ahh, but the night is young.? He crooned with a grin as he stood up and walked to her side, extending a hand. ?We must dance.? He grinned down at her. Hilde smiled back and put on an heir of haughtiness as she stood gracefully from her chair and delicately placed her hand in his warm, but slightly rougher palm. He grasped her hand lightly and led her onto the dance floor gracefully twirling her around before bringing her to rest against his taller, lean figure. Hilde looked up at him and smiled and they began a slow dance around the floor, her arms draped lazily over his shoulders, as his hands rested comfortably on her hips. Hilde looked up at him once more and he pulled her closer to him, wrapping his arms around her back as she laid her head against his shoulder, reveling in his firm, but gentle?almost protective embrace. She didn?t want it to end as her hands slid down to rest against his chest and he leaned his head forward to inhale the scent of her intoxicating fragrance and closed his eyes, concentrating on the beautiful, captivating young woman pressed against him. Hilde lifted he head slowly to lock eyes with her Adonis, his whirlpool eyes penetrating her soul. She found herself leaning forward towards those kissable lips, her eyes drifting shut, as his arms tightened around her slender form, waiting for her soft, supple lips to press against his.


?BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP!!!? Hilde cell phone alerted her, loud enough to interrupt their reverie. Hilde sighed exasperatedly as she slid out of his arms and reached for her cell phone attached to the back of her pants. ~I knew I should have left this piece of shit at home! ~ She cursed herself. She flipped the silver flap out and put the phone to her ear. A sudden feeling of deja vous over came her body as familiar words filled her eyes, and the moisture of tears filled her misty eyes.

?Thank you??She murmured then flipped the phone shut, her senses kicking back in and the panic settling in her blood. Her blurred eyes met with Duo?s in a look of pure grief and panic as he asked her a silent question.

?It?s Relena?something happened to her?she?s at the hospital?we have to go!? She grabbed his hand as his own deja vous kicked in and they found themselves running to the car. Tears streaming down Hilde?s face as she sat fidgeting and nervous in the front seat.

The car sped up to the emergency entrance and Hilde shot out of the car, running to her best effort, in heels, up to the second floor??Collisions and burns unit?

She ran to the service desk. ?Where?s Relena Peacecraft?s room!!? She demanded of the young receptionist behind the counter. The woman just looked at her and replied,

?I?m sorry, Miss Peacecraft can have no visitors?you?ll have to come back tomorrow.? At this, Hilde lost it. Grabbing the nurse by the collar and pulling her forward.

?Listen here, My best friend is in one of these rooms.? She motioned with her free hand. ?And you better tell me which one, before you find yourself in one of them as well?? Her voice was shaky but still terrifyingly threatening toward the shaking and horrified receptionist.

Before she could respond, a doctor tapped Hilde on the shoulder and she dropped the poor girl and whipped around to stare at her good friend, Dr. Quatre Raberba Winner. Hilde broke down and looked at Quatre, speechless as he held her shoulders and led her towards Relena?s room, a stunned and worried Duo trailing not far behind.

Quatre opened the door, and Hilde came face to face with her battered and beaten best friend, lying half dead in a hospital bed?hooked up to God-knows-what. Tears overflowed as Hilde approached the bed and sat in the seat next to Relena?s form, holding her hand gently as she looked at Quatre for answers to her unasked questions.

?Her car was run off the road into a ditch. Her body took a severe beating from the crash, and she?s in a coma?we don?t have a definite time for her arousal.? He told her solemnly. He felt her pain?they had all been good friends?and he was hurt as much as Hilde was.

?Who did it??? Was all Hilde asked as she looked at Relena?s near-lifeless form.

?Hit and run?we have no idea.? Hilde grimaced and laid her head against Relena?s arm, crying and wishing it had been her instead.

For hours?Hilde just sat there and cried, stroking her friends hand lovingly until her tears were overcome by sleep and she lay asleep and restless, still holding the hand of her best friend. Anger, pain, and revenge flooded her mind as she slept, and unaware of his sleeping beauties dreams, Duo pulled a chair up next to her and laid a hand on her back, caressing it as she slept?wishing things could have been different?


~*~*~

A/N: ::wipes away her tears?It took all the power and strength I had to write this chapter?Please?give me strength?and reviews?to help me prepare for,

Chapter 4: Beyond the Masks of Pain and Happiness

[PeRiDoTs13]

*sniffle* dat's so sad!
i'm gonna kill that good for nothing treize if it's the last thing i do. he's gonna friggin' die!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :evil:

[Faye Faye]

Treize eh? We'll see ...Suprises loom ahead...