If I Were You - Prologue & Chapter One

[melodrama]

If I were you

Newsflash ? I don?t own Gundam Wing. Well Duh. I also don?t own Wrangler jeans?although I?d love to own a guy that looks good in them. Oh sorry?I digress. *cough* Hopefully those kind and loveable people who do own Gundam Wing won?t sue me. I?m sure they have much better things to do?like maybe animating Blind Target *hint hint*. I am but a poor defenceless little fan girl. Really. Truly.

Now on with the sad attempt at fan fiction. C+C welcome at melodrama1@bigpond.com. Flamers ?yeah righto, whatever, I could do with the laugh.



Prologue

I couldn?t honestly tell you the first time I saw her. I mean really saw her. She?s hardly the most low profile personality on the planet, being the Vice Foreign Minister and all, but who could truly say they knew who she was? I guess I had fared a little better in the notoriety department ? being an ex-Gundam pilot who had never really been ?exposed? to the public. I had simply blended back into the background when the Gundams had outlived their purpose.

Not her though. Not Relena Peacecraft. Or is it Relena Dorlian? I?m not sure. Does she even know? No, the fates seemed to have other plans for our former Queen of the World, a higher calling perhaps.

Providence chose not to cross our paths during the Eve wars. A brief glimpse of her in Siberia, but no more. I observed her from a distance, and learned a little of her from my fellow pilots and Noin. But I was not to be touched by her grace until times of peace, and for that I am almost grateful. I merely had to observe the way she touched those around her. The history books will write her as a beacon of peace in troubled times, a fairly limited appraisal by my reckoning. Who would have guessed that such a small form, so fragile at first glimpse, could be the bearer of such strength, kindness and will?

I remember Heero telling me how Trieze had once declared Relena to be stronger than Heero. It was a statement that obviously annoyed him. And amused me. Probably because we both knew that Trieze was right. If not for her, I doubt Heero would have survived either wars. I just wonder if he realises that too. I?m pretty certain he?s not that obtuse. But then again.



He doesn?t deserve her.

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

Chapter One

So we destroyed our Gundams. And like the smoke that rose from the twisted remains, we scattered to the four winds. After all, we all had homes to return to.

Wufei was lured into the Preventers, not so surprising although it took a very patient partner to deal with his on-going justice rants. Sally deals with it, although we still marvel at her self-control.

Duo returned to L2 and Hilde. His better half. Actually, make that his MUCH better half. One thing we all agreed on, was that Hilde was one hell of a girl. Looks, personality and style. We just didn?t get her taste in men. But in Duo?s case, we all hoped she wouldn?t get over that minor flaw. The guy adores her and I don?t think I?ve ever seen him so happy. She brings him peace. None of us deserves it more.

Quatre still makes full use of his gift for strategy, only now he applies it to the cutthroat business world rather than the battlefield. Since taking the helm of Winner Enterprises at Eighteen years of age, he has gained notoriety second only to the most prolific rock star of the moment. I think we?ve all become adjusted to seeing the boy wonder?s face splashed over some media publication, although I much prefer seeing his face on the Business Review Weekly than Women?s Scandal Mongering Weekly. The local tabloids seem more anxious to marry him off than his own sisters.

Only a few weeks ago, Quatre was photographed with an ?unknown brunette?, who was proudly sporting a diamond engagement ring, resulting in speculation of an impending elopement. Quatre was bemused, Hilde in hysterics. Duo was simply said to remark ?Cat, man, if you really wanted to run off with my fianc?e, you could at least have bought your own ring.?

And Heero. Well, there?s a mystery. No one seems to know where he is. It?s been five years since the mariemaia incident, and he seemed to vanish almost straight after. It doesn?t surprise me that much, but I do wonder if he has any idea of how many people he has left behind. I saw him once; at least I think I did. I had just finished the lion act, and spotted him amongst the crowd. He met my gaze for a moment, raised his hand in a brief gesture and then seemed to disappear again. That was about six months ago, two weeks before I went from close acquaintance to close friend to Relena Peacecraft.

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

The annual Christmas Ball had become somewhat of a tradition for us, one that I actually looked forward to with some anticipation. For Relena and Quatre it was, of course, somewhat high profile. But for the rest of us pilots and our close circle of friends it allowed us to celebrate in style without any question of who we were. We were simply faces in a considerable crowd.

So it was five years after the Mariemaia incident, at the afore mentioned ball, that found Duo, Wufei and myself seeking relief from the loud music and crowded ballroom on one of the expansive balconies outside. Leaning back against the railing, I silently watched my former comrades in arms and marvelled at how far we had come. Duo sat hunched over on a nearby deck chair, elbows on his knees, watching as he trickled champagne from his glass and onto the tiled floor. His gaze was intent, as though he were hoping to find the answer to a question in the flow of the liquid.

?So I see you have filled your quota of business transactions for the evening, my friend,? remarked Wufei, as Quatre slid softly out into our little alcove.

?Not exactly,? replied Quatre, with a self-conscious smirk, ?But if you don?t give me away, I?m sure no-one need ever know.?

Slumping down onto the floor, he loosened his tie and ran a manicured hand through his blond locks. He sighed and watched us, assessing each of us in his customary perceptive gaze.

?And the topic of tonight?s discussion is?? he ventured.

That was another tradition that we seemed to have developed over the years. We didn?t seem to discuss what had transpired during the Gundam years at all. Not until we met at the ball. And then we would?share, speculate, discuss. I don?t know how it came to happen that way; it was never a conscious decision. I guess none us wanted to dwell, to rehash old memories, and resurface old pain. We weren?t boys anymore, not that we ever really were. But once a year, every anniversary, it seemed right to remember, and to help each other. I liked it this way and I think the others did too.

Duo finally upended his glass, splashing the last few drops into the small puddle he had created at his feet. With a sudden flick of his wrist, he sent the empty flute sailing over the railing and onto the cobblestone pathway below, where we could hear it shatter with a sharp pop.

?Heero Yuy.? He spat, glaring at each of us in turn, seeming to challenge one of us to respond. I quirked my eyebrow at him, entreating him to continue. He shook his head; a sharp, impatient movement.

?It?s been five years. Why the hell can?t any of us even seem to say his name? Why do we seem to leave him out of every discussion, like he was never even there? We?re treating him like he?s dead.?

?Maybe he is dead.? Wufei?s voice rose softly from his darkened corner, almost forlorn, ?We couldn?t really know. He disappeared quite effectively. I should know. I?ve used every contact I have, within the Preventers and without, with no success.?

I shot a look across at Quatre, who returned my glance with a small, almost imperceptible nod. I sighed, shifting my weight and glancing over my shoulder at the silently flickering stars.

?Heero?s not dead.? I murmured, and glancing at the doorway, I frowned. ? But you already knew that?. didn?t you Relena??

********

There was a stunned pause, as my three companions were made aware of our taciturn observer. She stood there, her posture that of a creature trapped between the urge to turn and take flight or stay and perhaps invade our exclusive circle. A faint blush seemed to spread across her cheeks, and she ducked her head in apology for her intrusion. Duo was the first to move.

?Lena! How did you manage to slip away from all the stuffed shirts?? He almost seemed to bounce up from his seat, as he moved forward to take Relena?s hand. The Vice Minister seemed to visibly relax as she leant forward to kiss Duo?s cheek.

?I?m so relieved. You had all disappeared, and I was so worried that I had missed the chance to see each of you.?

There was a pause as Relena accepted the chair that Quatre offered her, smoothing out the skirts of her elegant ball gown. We settled into an uncomfortable silence. Our new addition to the group seemed to take a vested interest in her perfectly polished fingernails before finally looking up and locking me in a steady, intense stare.

?When?? she paused to clear her throat, before beginning again. ?When did you see him??

Wufei and Duo both turned to look at me, Wufei with eyebrows raised and Duo with jaw dropped. I scuffed my foot and shrugged, perhaps not unlike a chastised schoolboy.

?I can?t be sure it was him,? I offered ?I could have imagined??

?It was Heero, Trowa, you know it was.? Her interruption was soft, yet firm ?When did you see him.?

?Two weeks ago. At the circus. Two weeks today.?

I shifted self-consciously, uncomfortable under the measured stares of my friends. Quatre smiled softly, with his familiar expression of understanding. Wufei simply looked mildly annoyed but Duo was obviously pissed off.

?Were you planning on sharing that little piece of information at any stage, Tro? ? he muttered mutinously. Relena merely smiled serenely and leant across, squeezing Duo?s hand gently.

Gracefully, she vacated her seat, stepping towards me. Pausing beside me, she looked into the night sky. Almost as if on cue, a shooting star flashed across the satin sky. Eyelids slid down over aquamarine eyes, as perfect lips moved in silence and I found myself wondering just what she was wishing for.

Wish made, Relena turned those eyes up to mine. I felt a lump form in my throat as I was confronted by the sorrow those eyes bore. With poise, she reached up and pressed slender fingers against my cheek, cupping my face. Leaning up, she pressed her lips against the line of my jaw, before whispering,

?I would be so happy if you would come visit tomorrow. I would so like to hear all about how your life has been.? She paused, before resuming, voice even softer than before. ?He?s around. He?s always around. He?s here now, he just doesn?t think I know it.?

Relena stepped back again, leaving my senses reeling from the gentleness of her touch and the scent of her perfume. She turned to look back out over the balcony, her voice suddenly rising; it?s edge heartrending.

?He thinks I?m so stupid!?

There was no mistaking the tremble in her tone, and she dropped her chin to her chest, as she seemed to fight back her anger. Then resolutely, she straightened the elegant fingers that had curled to grip the wrought iron and drew her shoulders back to regain her normal posture.

?I really must return to the fray, I?m afraid, before my absence is noted and all hell breaks loose. Duo, I expect to see you very soon. Hilde and I have already made dinner plans, so don?t even dream of depriving me of your company.? Duo grinned openly, Relena?s charm melting away his previous dark expression. She turned to Wufei, pressing his hands in hers,

?And my dearest Wufei, I have just finished that marvellous novel that you loaned me and I am so impatient to discuss it with you. ? she laughed briefly, seeing the warmth in the Chinese man?s appearance at the mention of his beloved literature. Turning to Quatre, Relena clicked her tongue and shook her head.

?Mr Winner, I do believe you are working too hard. If we have to cancel one more lunch appointment, I believe I will have to sell my shares in your company. It is surely no way to treat business associates?? she said with mock severity.

Quatre laughed before bending to kiss her offered hand.

?Your wish is my command,? he announced ?anything for my favourite shareholder.?

And with a swish of silk, she was gone.

?So what the hell kind of game is he playing?? snapped Duo.

*******


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: melodrama on 2002-04-12 04:00 ]</font>

[blackrose]

You know I love this fic. ^__^ It's very rare to see a story from Trowa's POV period, but especially in a 1xR setting. I like the dynamic - how you reveal things to us through his eyes... One of the toughest things about getting inside Yuy's head is the tendency to bring him suspiciously out of character in having 'sappy' thoughts - telling things from someone else's POV helps to prevent that, I think. ^__^

Excellent job. You have more coming, I hope!

Love,
Rose

[Lady Saffir]

Whoohoo! Relena's getting ticked about Heero...about time. ^_^ May he grow insanely jealous of Trowa getting Relena's time, and come to see the error of his ways.

[Angelzhaloc9]

Intriguing, quite intriguing actually.

[wsprs]

This is by far one of my favorite GW stories. It's absolutely refreshing to open my email and find that another chapter has been added. (I'm proud to say that every time I DO get one of those cool little "a new chapter" messages from BI, I IMMEDIATELY come and read them!) Thank you!

[Morrighan]

Bravo! This is a wonderful start! This is definitely a refreshing change from the usual "in Heero's POV" gig.

[Kilmeny]

Trowa's my favorite character, so I hope you don't break his heart in this story. I really like it in his POV, though, very unique. Also, everyone is so in character that I could imagine them on-screen, performing this story just as if it was part of the show.

[katykit]

Lovely! I can't wait to read more..

[Melville's Best Friend]

I would have to agree with everyone else. I enjoy the way you're writing this, and I hope you'll continue. *narrows eyes* I know you will, in fact, 'cause I'll sick Heero on you if you refuse to comply. *insert evil laughter here* *cackle, cackle, cackle!!!!!*
*ahem* Sorry. I get carried away sometimes....
This is a wonderful fic, and now you've got me involved with ANOTHER increadible work from your hands. Well, I sahll look forward to all the completed.....everythings...^_^
'Twas really wonderful!!!!

Your friend,
Melville's Best Friend

[aku_ryo]

i love ths fic and cant witt to see more, i really like the way you portrayed relena in it


wanna read more!!!!!!!

aku akuuuuu