In the Arms of Another - Chapter 2

[blackrose]

PG-13 for language.


Chapter 2



The shuttle flight to Earth always brought back memories. She couldn?t help but think about the first time she saw him, when he appeared as a shooting star just outside the double-paned window; so near, she felt like she could reach out and touch it. But like the fires of space that melted into the night, the ?little prince? that had captured her heart had also singed her tender soul.

She didn?t blame him; it wasn?t his fault. And she reminded herself that he had never made any promises to her, or declarations of affection. And yet, she had always felt as though they just knew what the other was feeling. Was it just wishful thinking? Was it my imagination? From the way things had turned out, she had to believe it was.

You should have known he only wanted your friendship.

Trying to distract herself from such thoughts, she pulled out the thousand-page proposal for a semi-conductor on Mars she had been needing to read through. She knew she wouldn?t get much further. The ?legalese? would knock her unconscious faster than a sedative. But that was fine. Sleep, hopefully dreamless sleep, would be a welcome respite.



The shuttle touchdown jarred her mind from slumber. Relena blinked and stretched, the memories would not give her mind any relief. She knew he was due back on Earth tomorrow. As her shuttle docked, and she disembarked, the diplomat could just imagine him helping his future bride down the jetway stairs, and being as protective of her as he had once been of Relena. The thought made her feel slightly nauseas, and so she scolded herself for that, too.

You?re happy for him. She seemed very sweet, and she obviously loves him. She makes him happy. Stop being so selfish!

But it was easier said than done. She shook her head. ?I can be his friend. And I?m sure that I?in time?Once I meet her, I mean, I will like his?? She couldn?t say it without that horrible ache throbbing in her chest near her heart.

I just need some time. Please forgive me, Heero. I am not as unselfish as I would like to be.

She drifted down the long corridor of the shuttleport, her mind churning, trying to dodge the thought of him. She tried to focus on her work, on that proposal, on what she wanted to eat for dinner?.But it was to no avail.

Her shoulders slumped, and Relena finally let her mind work through how best to handle the situation. She would allow herself to cry tonight, and start the healing process. And then?Well, she would have to avoid him for a while.

I know it will hurt, but it's for the best. She stepped into the car and nestled into the back seat for the long drive home.

I?m sorry?I?ve just never been as strong as you.


***********************************************************************

Heero glared out the shuttle window at the giant blue-green planet that loomed larger every moment, but that they just couldn?t reach quite fast enough. He found it difficult not to go up front and take over the controls. Not that he could get them there any faster, he just wanted something to do to take his mind off her. The quiet was, too quiet. It gave him time to think, and thinking was not a welcome occupation right now. Thinking only made the urge to see her grow that much stronger. He forced himself to remain seated, and wished that he could sleep.

The video-comm blared, interrupting the peacefulness of outer space.

?Well, this is convenient,? Une said in a crisp tone. ?I needed to speak with all three of you.?

Trowa and Duo moved to take seats nearest the comlink screen and then turned to look at Heero. He glared at them and then dutifully moved to take the chair next to Trowa.

?Good to see you, Heero.?

?Hn.?

?Well, now that we have our pleasantries out of the way, the Vice Foreign Minister will be making a campaign tour of the Colonies in three weeks. I want to put together an advance team to make security arrangements at each of the hotels she will be staying in during her trip. You all leave tomorrow. First thing in the morning.?

?What? Oh man! We?ll just have enough time to unpack and repack before we have to leave again. This sucks!?

The Head of Preventer glared at him. ?Maxwell, I?ll write you up for insubordination if I hear another word. Your shuttle leaves from Canton Airforce Base at 0600. Be on it, that is an order.? Une terminated the connection.

Heero cursed and stomped back to his seat. He had planned on seeing Relena first thing tomorrow morning ? to make her talk to him and to set things straight between them. He didn?t know what would happen after that, it depended on how she felt and responded to the news he wasn?t getting married. Neither of them were the type that required irrational displays of emotion; they understood each other without needing words. Well, most of the time, anyway. Right now, he needed to speak to her, needed to see her and be reassured that she still cared for him before he could even contemplate what would come next.

But now, his anxiety was going to be prolonged. He had to leave too early in the morning to see her before he left. Sure, Trowa had said he could contact her by video-comm, but he had the distinct feeling this was something that needed to be said and heard in person. Which is why he hadn?t wanted Duo to talk to her for him. He wanted to see her reaction. She had never been able to hide everything she was feeling, and so he had always suspected, always counted on the fact that she loved him, but he had never heard her say as much. He had never needed to hear it before, but with this new chain of events, and the wall she sought to place between them the last time they met, he needed to hear it now. And over a long-distance connection was not the preferable method. He scowled out the window and cursed again under his breath.

Relena?

***********************************************************************

Three Weeks Later, L1 Colony



?You?re going to the L2 colony, Yuy, to handle advance security measures there. You leave first thing in the morning.? Une's stern countenance appeared on his laptop screen.

?Shouldn?t I be here when she arrives? It seems like while she?s in transit, the more security, the better.? Heero?s mind worked rapidly to come up with a reasonable objection. He had been on the various colonies working with Trowa, Duo, and Wufei to scout out and prepare preliminary security measures, then determine the appropriate number of guards needed for each location. They had just returned to L1 to oversee the actual implementation for the first stop on her tour. He had been planning, for the last week, on seeing her the first night she arrived, come hell or high water, but once again, he was being ordered elsewhere. He was beginning to suspect it was being done on purpose.

?That?s a negative, Yuy. You and Barton are to head to L2 and set everyone in position for the next stop.?

?Let me guess, then just before she arrives, I?m to head to L3??

?Affirmative.?

Heero scowled at her. ?May I ask why??

Colonel Une raised an eyebrow. ?These are your orders.?

?Are these your orders, or are they coming from someone else??

?Your shuttle leaves at 0600. Out.?

Heero slammed the laptop shut. ?Dammit!? He heaved up the thin computer and started to throw it across the room. A hand on his shoulder stopped him. He turned around and glared at Trowa.

?You can?t blame her, Heero. Under the circumstances, she needs to concentrate on her campaign. She can?t afford to be distracted by her feelings for you, especially when she believes they are unrequited,? Trowa said in a voice that sounded like he was reciting the Preventer mission statement.

The deep frown didn?t leave the former Zero pilot?s face, but he put down the laptop and felt some of the tension and anger dissipate. ?I just want to talk to her.?

?You will get your chance. It just will have to wait a while longer.?

?How much longer? And what if?? He didn?t finish his sentence, he was letting down his guard, and though Trowa was one of the few he felt he could trust, feelings were still an uncomfortable topic. One he avoided at all costs.

?Have faith. She?s waited all this time, certainly you can return the favor,? he said and left the room.

Was it like this for you, Relena? Were you angry with me? Did you curse me for leaving while I came to terms with the peace we fought for?

He heaved a deep sigh and moved to the desk to pack up his equipment. He had an early morning shuttle to catch.

You can?t avoid me forever.



Two weeks later, L4 Colony



?And the speculation is that Miss Darlian will soon be hearing wedding bells, based on statements made by her frequent escort James R. Whitling the third, a young colony delegate from the L3 cluster,? the entertainment gossip show host said with a plastic smile on her face. ?We managed to catch up with the new political couple last night at a charity function they attended together on his home colony.? The female voice continued as the television screen cut to a video clip of the man in question, holding Relena?s hand outside a large estate.

?She?s absolutely amazing, and someone I admire greatly,? the blond-haired aristocrat said and cast what Heero deemed a meaningful look at Relena. She blushed. The Preventer felt like throwing up, throwing something at the television, or throwing down and fighting Duo to the death for putting him in this position and then forcing them to watch this ridiculous crap. He had heard the stories about her and that James Whitling guy. And the gossip made his hands curl up into fists and ache to pummel anything and anyone in his path into little bits. But he chalked it up as a rumor, nothing more. He was not going to jump to conclusions, but he was still in Preventer-induced exile for the moment, and getting more and more anxious every minute. His concentration on his work was starting to slip, and he felt like he was about ready to jump out of his skin because of this latest broadcast. Unfortunately, it wasn?t over.

?So, are you two dating? Officially? There?s been a lot of talk,? the roving reporter asked the two. Relena seemed to almost shrink into the background as James smiled broadly and then winked. ?Yes, but not for long??



That was it. Heero got up and switched off the TV, his whole body tense as he measured the steps to the monitor.

?Shit! Looks like you?ve been dumped. Wow, who would have thought?? Duo said.

Heero swung but hit only empty air.

?What the hell?? Duo?s widened eyes stared back at him. The former Zero pilot growled and prepared to launch himself at his ?friend?.

?Heero. Relax, there isn?t anything you can do. I?ll contact Wufei if you want and see what the real story is, but getting upset??

Heero stood up, and closed his eyes, waiting for his temper to cool. He wasn?t sure if Trowa?s voice trailed off, or if he had intentionally tuned it out.

?I can?t believe she?d date that loser ? not after you told her that Kara wasn?t in the picture?. I figured you?d be inseparable by now?.?

Red hot flames danced before his eyes. Calm?calm?.

?Duo, he hasn?t told her.?

?What the fuck?? Two hands shoved him backwards.

?What are you, retarded or something? Why the hell didn?t you tell her?? Duo shouted.

The anger left him in one large whoosh, taking with it all the energy in his body. It seemed to command great effort to drag his gaze up to meet Duo?s flashing eyes. ?When did I have the chance, Duo? She?s pushed me away time after time, always forcing me to leave to the next colony before she arrives. It?s apparent that she?s not interested in seeing me right now, and that she has sufficient resources to keep me away until she is ready to talk. Whenever that may be.? He turned on numb and shaking legs and left the room.

He could hear them talking about him through the door, but he was too tired to care.

?I?ll place that call to Wufei,? Trowa said.

?Why bother? He?s given up! He could have called her any time.?

?He wanted to talk to her in person. You can?t fault him for that.?

?Well, yeah I can. He?s had four years to say something to her ? anything, and he didn?t. Now she?s finally decided to move on, and he STILL won?t say anything. If he?s lost her, he has no one to blame but himself.?

?I don?t think he?d disagree with you on that.?

*********************************************************************

L3 Colony that same night



Relena smiled across the table at her date as she took another sip of decaffeinated coffee. His dark blond hair that was usually combed back neatly, looked a little ruffled at the end of a long day of political meetings, followed by a charity ball. James was intelligent and good-looking in a more polished sort of way than Heero with his wild and dangerous air.

She and James were equals in the political world; they shared a lot of the same views, and had much in common. He had been chasing after her for quite some time, asking her to dinner on numerous occasions, but she had always refused his advances because of her feelings for Heero. When she ran into him again a month ago at a social event, he finally persuaded her to let him take her out. No small factor in her decision was the engaged status of her?her? Friend.

After the first date, she found herself seeing him more and more. Being with him took away some of the loneliness that she had never allowed herself to feel before she went to Heero?s graduation. Heero had always been there ? his presence felt even though he wasn?t physically nearby. But since the trip to L1, she could no longer feel him or his strength supporting her.

?Hey, you look like you?re miles away. Do you want me to take you back to the hotel?? James said from his seat across the table.

Relena broke out of her reverie and smiled. ?Yeah, I?m sorry, James. I?m just tired. This campaign, all the moving around, packing, unpacking and so on has worn me out. I?m so glad it?s almost over. Just the L4 colony to go. It?s a shame you won?t be able to come with me.?

?Yeah, I know. I?m sorry about that, but duty calls. I have that speaking engagement next week on L2 and I had already made arrangements to meet with some of the delegates there. But I won?t be gone too long. And I?ll see you at the arms summit in Sanq two weeks from now. You?re still going, right?? His voice took on a teasing tone.

She laughed. ?To my own summit talks? I don?t think I could get out of it if I tried.?

?Good. Then I?ll expect your undivided attention,? he said and held out a hand to help her up from her seat.

She shook her head and teased him back. ?Well, you?ll have to get in line. Don?t you know that every colony delegate expects my undivided attention at these meetings?? Relena took his offered arm and he escorted her to the front of the restaurant.

?Ah, but I?m a special case.? His eyes glanced from one of two Preventers standing at attention in the doorway to the other. ?Do they have to go everywhere with you??

Relena looked over at Wufei and nodded to him, signaling their departure. He brought his hand up to his mouth and spoke into the wristcomm device, alerting the outside guards to the movement. The light mood dissapated into something more serious. ?Yes, they do.? Heero?

?But don?t you find it excessive, and limiting to your privacy??

?If it is excessive, it is only because the gentleman in charge of the security measures wishes me to remain safe. He?ll err on the side of excessive every time rather than leave me unprotected for a single moment. He is the best.?

I know you?re still protecting me, Heero. I know you will always keep your promise. And for my part, I?ll let you. I will stay alive to keep the peace you deserve.



James saw something flicker in those light blue eyes for a moment, and frowned. He knew; he could feel the distance that always existed between them, and sought desperately to close it. But in that moment, she seemed even further away.

It had been quite awhile since she had first captured his attention, but over the last few weeks, he had come to realize that it was no longer just infatuation. He was in love with her.

The ride back to the hotel was short, and James got out to walk her into the lobby. She hadn?t said much since he had questioned the presence of the guards, and he couldn?t figure out why that would cause her to look so pensive all of a sudden. Underneath the grand chandelier with the sparkling crystalline lighting, her blond hair shone like spun gold. He had been such the gentleman with her, only giving her a chaste kiss on the cheek or on the back of her hand, but he wanted desperately for something more.

*********************************************************************



L4 Colony?



Heero lay on his bed staring up at the bland hotel ceiling and tried to push aside the thoughts of her that he could never fully quash. He thought of all the times, all the chances he had to tell her how he felt ? all of them wasted, but unforgettable. Every moment he could have said, could have told her how much she meant to him was indelibly ingrained in his memory. The time on Libra, the moment he had almost kissed her on the abandoned colony, and when he woke up in her room after the Mariemeia incident. All of them had slipped him by somehow?.

A soldier was taught that there was no such thing as tomorrow, and yet when it came to Relena, he had counted on there always being another day, another chance.

You waited so long, only to give up on me when I finally figured out what I want. It hurts, but if he makes you happy, then I?ll let go. I have no choice but to let you go.

Relena?

*********************************************************************



L3 Colony?



The couple stopped outside the door of Relena?s hotel room, and she wished James a goodnight before standing on tiptoe to give him the obligatory peck on the cheek. As she pulled away, he reached out with a trembling hand, and tipped her chin up until she was looking at him. She could see the desire in his eyes, as he leaned down to kiss her. She closed her eyes in acceptance, but in her mind, she heard a familiar voice.

?Relena??

Her eyes flew open and she stepped back.

?Relena, what?s wrong?? He frowned, his expression one of concern.

?I?m sorry, I thought I heard something,? she said hastily turning away from him. ?Good night, James.? Relena slid her card key into the lock and left him standing in the hallway. She shut the door behind her and slumped back against the wall, fatigue washing over her like breakers slapping against the shore and slowly eroding it away.

Heero.

[kmf]

Aaaargh! How frustrating - all this angst due to silly Duo's attempt to help them out. And all would be solved if Heero just picked up the phone and called - I so want to clip him around the ear! Loved the last bit of chapter two where you demonstrate that Relena and Heero are just sooo connected They were born for each other, and I am sure that you will solve this misunderstanding and get them back together before Relena does something silly!

Cant wait to read more

kmf

[melodrama]

Oh dear. Rel and Heero really do take the old saying 'true love never did run true' to a whole new extreme, don't they?

Colonel Une raised an eyebrow. “These are your orders.”

“Are these your orders, or are they coming from someone else?”

Silly, silly Heero. You mean you really had to ask? And I thought Gundam Pilots were supposed to be smart. Sheesh

Heero - *glares* Hey! This isn't my fault! I'd straighten this out if she'd just let me.

Relena - What? Are you saying it's MY fault! I'm the one nursing the broken heart. What do you think I am? A mind reader? I'm sorry, but my crystal ball just happens to be in for a service at the moment.

Heero - :o No! Oh course it's not your fau...

Relena - That's it, I'm out of here. I don't have to put up with this.

Heero - But! But!

Mel - Hey Heero, where're you going?

Heero - To kill Duo :evil:

Duo - Meeps!

Cool fic Rose! (as always) Can't wait to read more.

[blackrose]

Aaaargh! How frustrating - all this angst due to silly Duo's attempt to help them out. And all would be solved if Heero just picked up the phone and called - I so want to clip him around the ear!

You still owe him a few kicks to the head for LLL, too. He's in biiiiiiiiiig trouble if you ever get gutsy enough to tear into him. Perhaps we should make Heero punching bags....
Relena: I'll take 10!
Heero: O_O;;;
Duo: I'll take 50.
Trowa: Give me a hundred.
Heero: *snarls* I hate all of you.
Relena: *sniffs* I just get frustrated with you from time to time.
Trowa: Relena, my dear...
Heero: How about clown body bags?

Loved the last bit of chapter two where you demonstrate that Relena and Heero are just sooo connected They were born for each other!

YES! THEY WERE! Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Thanks for reading, and for all the kind replies. *hugs*

Love,
Rose

[blackrose]

Colonel Une raised an eyebrow. ?These are your orders.?
?Are these your orders, or are they coming from someone else??

Silly, silly Heero. You mean you really had to ask? And I thought Gundam Pilots were supposed to be smart. Sheesh

Ummmm, I think we pretty much did away with THAT misrepresentation a while back. DUMMY WALKED AWAY!!!

Relena - What? Are you saying it's MY fault! I'm the one nursing the broken heart. What do you think I am? A mind reader? I'm sorry, but my crystal ball just happens to be in for a service at the moment.

LOL! As you know, he actually did say it was her fault later. *snickers* Stupid boy.

Mel - Hey Heero, where're you going?

Heero - To kill Duo :evil:

Silly Mel. You had to ask?

Love,
Rose