<b>Author:</b> Midge-14
<b>Warnings:</b> None
<b>Disclaimer:</b> I don?t own Gundam Wing or the 1939 Wizard of OZ film.
<b>Summary:</b> It's just nerve racking moving to a new place but Relena finds it harder when she's chased by a conniving witch and thrown into a magical world where the only helpers she's got are Brainless, Heartless and Cowardly.
Please be kind and review
Link to <a href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... 0">Chapter I Part 1</a>
Link to <a href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... 8">Chapter I Part 2</a>
<p align="center"><b>Chapter II - Taking Him Away</b></p>
<p><i>Part 1</i></p><p>
<i>??Don?t get in my way.?</i>
<i>?You?re a distraction??</i>
The words kept ringing in her head.
Relena began to wonder how her coming here must have been for everyone. Did they see her as a disruption in their lives? Did her brother consider her an obligation he had to keep? These thoughts created a sense of isolation in her which was heightened by her determinism not to be affected by them. Over the next few days, she began to detach herself from everybody. She stopped offering to help around the farm; she talked less; her smiles turned hollow and she stopped glowing vibrantly.
Duo often tried to make her laugh but it would always sound empty and his shoulders would droop in failure. Once, Wufei surprised her by grumpily commenting that his ears had become so used to her meaningless chatter that they pounded from its absence. Her faint smile had, briefly, glowed with her old liveliness. Heero was the only one who noticed it; he had been observing her silently.
Relena made sure she didn?t get in Heero?s way and tried to quell her feelings for him. She found, however, that she couldn?t ignore him easily with his eyes following her every movement, making her constantly conscious of his presence. When she did look his way, she was always faced with his deep blue depths but never a solution to the mystery hidden there. At least she was free of their intensity at night when she retired to her room. Nobody but Toto heard her as she cried softly into her pillow, calling for home, and sometimes for him, no matter how much she tried to convince herself they were both out of her reach.
One day she was sitting on the porch of the house, stroking Toto absently, when a shadow fell across her. She squinted up in the sunlight and caught a glint of Prussian blue. She kept her expression blank and turned her gaze to the horizon mechanically. Heero?s eyes grew darker at her reaction. He crouched down till he was level with her and silently demanded her attention. She continued to stare past him at nothing. Before he could open his mouth, she spoke softly, ?Why aren?t you working??
??I?m taking a break.?
?You don?t take breaks,? She reminded gently.
?Relena, I??
?Don?t waste your time here Heero, please go back to work.? Out of the corner of her eye, she saw his expression harden in response but she believed nothing could hurt him. She didn?t move. Silence stretched between them and the air began to feel like a stifling blanket.
She sighed, ?Still here Heero? You?re not going to get much don??
His hand reached out like lightning and grabbed hold of her chin, turning her roughly to face him. Her words collapsed in her throat at the sight of his eyes flashing like blue flames; licking and burning her inside. She bit her lip to control the raging emotions that surfaced inside her.
?Stop it,? He said fiercely.
?What??
?You heard me.?
She felt anger rise up and stared back at him defiantly. She wasn?t going to be daunted.
?I?m not doing anything,? She retorted.
?This isn?t you,? He said sharply.
?What do you care?? Her cerulean eyes dared him.
His grip tightened fractionally but he was silent.
She went cold inside, ?Well, then don?t presume you have the right to tell me who I am. Let me stay out of your way.?
Heero stiffened, ?I never??
Her chin was starting to ache with the pressure he was placing on it. ?Let me go,? She commanded and he went silent and complied. She winced and rubbed her bruised skin. They were still staring at each other when the door opened and Zechs came out followed by Noin; both of them pensive as if they had just finished a deep conversation. Zechs noticed Relena and Heero and raised his eyebrow.
Heero stood abruptly and excused himself. Relena watched him leave with relief; her feelings were always in a mess where he was concerned. She warmed to him involuntarily when what she really wanted was to maintain a rigid wall of indifference. She began to wonder what he had been trying to say but Zech?s words broke into her thoughts.
?Relena, I?m going into town to make some deliveries. Why don?t you come with me??
Relena was startled, Zechs never invited her to come with him. Once, she would?ve smiled with joy and agreed but instead she shook her head.
?No brother. The horse will pull the cart slower with my extra weight and there is no reason for me to go.?
Zechs? face fell with her bland tone and he glanced over at Noin for help. She made a frantic gesture at him to go on. He nodded and took Relena?s hand gently, startling her again. ?Please Relena,? He said with difficulty, ?I?d like you to come. You can keep me company.?
Again a very strange admission from him and she just nodded dumbly. He smiled at her in relief and went to get the cart. Relena felt Noin?s hand on her shoulder. The woman looked at her with bright eyes, ?Give him a chance.? She brushed her hand over Relena?s hair softly causing an old memory of her mother, stroking her hair and soothing her, to surface. A warm feeling spread through her and she relaxed but when she blinked there was only Noin standing there. She drew away uncertainly but the feeling of comfort remained.
Relena cradled Toto in her lap and sat stiffly beside Zechs when he brought the cart along. As soon as the farm disappeared from sight, Zechs turned to face her. ?Relena??
?Yes brother??
He swallowed, as if preparing for what he was going to say next. ?I want you to know you can always come to me if anything is troubling you.?
She lowered her eyes as Zechs pushed on, ?Noin and I worry about you not feeling comfortable here. I know I?ve not been there for most of your life Relena but you are my responsibility and I?ll always look out for you.?
Relena looked over at him. Did he really care or was this what he felt was his duty to her? ?I understand,? She said formally.
Her voice betrayed her uncertainty and Zechs looked downcast. ?This is new for me too. Please little sister, let me care about you. Give us all a chance??
It was the way he said ?little sister? that broke a little of the barrier between them. He said it in such an endearing way that it reached through her defences and made her smile.
?Okay,? She said thoughtfully, ?But I get to help you make your deliveries.?
Zechs grimaced and Relena thought he might refuse but he nodded, ?All right. But I don?t want you to help out if you believe that living with us means that you have to.?
Relena went still, ?Is that why you won?t let me do anything??
He frowned, ?Yes.?
Her heart soared and her misgivings vanished, ?It?s okay, I want to help.?
Zechs eyed her warily, ?Don?t drop anything,? He warned, but his tone was light.
Relena just laughed and he realised how much he had missed that sweet sound.
<p align="center">~~+~~</p>
Relena had never been to town before. Everyone knew Zechs so they were curious to meet her and she delighted them with smiles and polite greetings. She didn?t falter at lifting up the crates of produce and Zechs had to admit, grudgingly, that she was helpful.
There was one more delivery to be made to an old lady who lived on the other side of town. Relena was in the back of the cart with Toto when it slowed to a stop. She peered over the side. The old lady was outside her house talking to a much younger woman who caught Relena?s interest. She wore a maroon cotton dress that had a collar fastened with a little black bow and rode all the way to her ankles giving way to shiny black boots. On her head, she wore a black hat which nestled comfortably above the two braided buns that her brown hair was bound into. She had a pair of spectacles which glimmered in the light and her eyes were sharp. This woman looked out of place but Relena couldn?t think why.
Zechs stepped off the cart and the old lady greeted him kindly, ?Ah there you are Zechs, I was just telling my new friend Miss Une here that I was expecting you.?
?Pleased to meet you,? Zechs nodded.
?Pleasure?s all mine,? Une responded curtly.
Relena withdrew and pushed the crate to the edge. She got down off the cart to hoist it into her arms. Toto jumped off, bounding around the side of the cart. He stopped dead when he caught sight of Miss Une. His green eyes flickered with panic, he backed away and whined. Relena took the crate into her arms and noticed him. ?What?s wrong Toto?? She asked.
?Mrs Palmer I believe you haven?t met my younger sister yet.?
?Dear me, you have a sister Zechs? Well introduce the young lady, I?m sure Miss Une would like to meet her too.?
?I?d be delighted,? Une affirmed in a blank tone.
Toto whined again and lifted his head towards Relena. The thick messy fur that covered his eye quivered as he trembled. He seemed to be trying to convey something to her that she couldn?t understand. He suddenly shook his head and took off. Relena gasped, ?Toto wait!? Zechs approached her, ?Relena??
?Take this,? She thrust the crate into his arms and ran after Toto. A look of utter shock crossed over Zechs? face. ?Relena come back!? He yelled after her but she didn?t heed his call.
Her skirts flew out as she dodged past people and tried to keep Toto in her sights. ?Stop Toto!? She called, but he continued to scurry away as fast as his feet would take him. He ducked through the doors of a bar and Relena pushed in after him. The smell of alcohol and smoke hit her as she entered. She ignored everyone?s stares as she searched under chairs and tables. She eventually found Toto quivering behind the piano and took him into her arms, hugging him. ?Silly dog,? She admonished, ?You frightened me.? He licked her face.
?What could such a beautiful young lady be searching so eagerly for in here? Perhaps I can aid you?? A smooth voice came from behind her. Relena stood up clutching Toto and stared at the man leaning casually against the piano. He looked immaculate with his brown hair combed back beneath his black hat and his shirt tucked neatly into his trousers. He eyed Toto and raised his eyebrows. ?Ah, so this little fellow was eluding you??
One of the other men across the room called out, ?Hey there, you?re Zechs? sister aren?t you.? Relena nodded. The man standing by her smiled in surprise, ?I never knew Zechs had a sister. It?s an honour to make your acquaintance.? He took her hand and kissed it.
?Always one for the ladies Treize,? Another man called out. Treize smiled at Relena who was looking at him uncertainly. ?Ignore those buffoons my lady; I am nothing but a gentleman. Where is your brother??
The doors flew open and Zechs came storming in. He relaxed when he saw Relena and made his way over to her. ?Why did you run off like that Relena??
?I had to get Toto,? She said, stroking the dog nestled in her arms. Zechs looked down at Toto with disapproval and sighed, ?Please keep him under control will you? You can?t have him running off like that.?
?I?m sorry,? Relena said sincerely. Treize looked at Zechs in amusement, ?You must keep a better hold on her Zechs or she?ll slip away.?
Zechs then noticed Treize and he smiled, ?I see you?re back Treize. It?s been a while.?
Treize inclined his head, ?And I?ve visited a great many places. It?s good to see you.?
?How long are you staying this time??
?I?ll take to the open road again eventually,? Treize chuckled, ?After all, I?m a traveller by heart.?
Zechs nodded, ?Perhaps I?ll see you around, old friend.?
Treize nodded, ?Perhaps.?
As they turned to go, Relena gave Treize a gentle smile. ?It was nice to meet you Mr Treize.?
After they left, Treize lifted his glass and drank with an elegancy that was unrivalled. He placed the glass on the counter.
?Now there goes a real angel.? He said thoughtfully.
<p align="center">~~+~~</p>
Noin was overjoyed when Relena returned happy and cheerful. She nudged Zechs and mouthed, ?I told you so,? grinning when he scowled at her. Zechs and Relena led the horse into the barn where Heero was shovelling hay. Heero stopped when he saw Relena?s bright smile. Zechs held out the horse?s reins and Heero took them silently, leading the horse into her stable. Zechs left and Relena turned to follow when a faint whisper of words reached her ears.
?You?re you again.?
Relena looked at Heero who was removing the harness. ?Yes. I?m not a complete nuisance; I helped my brother today.?
?Nobody ever said you were a nuisance,? Heero stated.
Relena looked aside, ?I felt like I was a distraction.?
Heero put the harness away and passed close by her. His proximity made her flush. ?I never meant it that way,? He said quietly.
She looked up, ?Then what did you ???
Too late; he had left. She sighed in exasperation. He was so confusing. If he never meant it that way then what <i>did</i> he mean? She wished he would have a heart not to puzzle her with his cryptic words and throw her into emotional turmoil over what he said.
But for some reason, even though she was still supposed to be indifferent to him, his words made her happy.
And her heart sang.
<p align="center"><b>TBC</b></p>
<b>A/N:</b> Heh I'm chugging these out just to get this story to the same point that it is on FF.net
Can anybody spot the hidden Gundam Wing character yet?
....But I'll live. Heero on the other hand might have a few objections....MWHAHAHAHA!!! Your's trully..(wink)
