Ice Hot 5/?

[Gundam Girl]

Thanks to all who?s reviewed. Here?s five.

Disclaimer: Don?t own GW.

~ Ice Hot ~ Chapter 5

By Gundam Girl

That dread worked itself into an ice-packed anxiety. The meeting with the Citizens? Council of Europe, of which she had been obligated to attend, had been weary. In a stupor brought on by weariness and a headache, she was only half-certain of what they had been discussing for most of the gathering.

It had either been fishing laws or fishing poles. Either held as much significance to the ESUN in its entirety as a flock of seagulls. And although the protection law on seagulls was important, she thought as she drifted to a sleepy state, leaning on the window, she was nearly positive that the topic of today?s meeting was not.

Trowa sat beside on her the shuttle bound for L1. He seemed comfortable enough in his aisle seat, although Relena was suspicious of him uttering a few curses under his breath each time the refreshment cart came by and rammed into his shoulder.

Wufei had said they?d all changed. Apparently Trowa was a little easier to anger these days. Relena shifted her shoulder, trying to find as comfortable a spot as she could in the cabin that was empty but for Trowa, herself, and a gentleman riding coach to L1.

She let go of any thought, too tired to care about it. Too tired to care about anything. She fell asleep.

And was watched.

When she slept, Relena lost the frozen defense she fought to keep up during her every waking moment. Trowa?s eyebrows narrowed. He knew what had happened, of course. Yuy?s half-assed ?apology? note that had been left outside Relena?s door for him that morning had left him enraged. He?d left the newly elected president by herself.

His suspicions had only been confirmed when she had burst from her chamber demanding Heero?s location. She?d ridden back to the palace with him after her brief and unscheduled meeting with Lady Une.

It had been torture for him after that. Each day, she had become less and less tolerant. A simple reminder of where her car would be parked had set her off cursing her job?and her security guard. She?d stopped smiling. She?d become the very image of the disgruntled politician.

Trowa hadn?t realized then how much he had appreciated the quiet thanks she?d give him before when he?d do something as meager as checking in on her at the office.

But the worst part had been listening to her cry in the minutes when the sun came up. He had known that she?d ordered anti-depressants ? he?d put the order form in the mail himself. She had also bought books authored by experienced doctors; books about emotional stress, dealing with it, and moving on. He?d nearly considered confronting her about it and trying to help her with his own feelings.

And once?just once?

Trowa shook his head. Four years ago was a long time. Relena was better?

But not much.

And he was worried. There was always a thought in his mind that if he had gone with his feelings and made a move, she?d be happier now. Even in her frosty state?a part of him still loved her. He didn?t want her to go on this way. That was part of the horrendous truth.

The other part was that Trowa knew he couldn?t put the warmth back into her voice or the kindness into her eyes. It wasn?t that he didn?t want to try, but he could not do it. She would never open up for him.

A beeping filled the cabin, signaling their landing as the stewardess ? who?d hit him with her cart a damned hundred times ? requested that seatbelts be fastened. He checked his watch, satisfied that they were on schedule. Leaning over, Trowa set a hand on his boss?s shoulder and shook it lightly.

?President Darlian, we?ve arrived on L1.?

***

When she first emerged from the shuttleport, Relena was still tired ? and quite disoriented. They had been set to arrive at L1 8749 at six o? clock, and since it was late spring, it should not have been dark yet.

But it was. Stars shone over hers and Trowa?s heads as they walked to the street and hailed a taxi, one that bumped the curve before it braked, startling her and meriting a disapproving glance for the driver.

Trowa suggested the driver be more careful with no little amount of annoyance himself.

?Is this it?? she asked with a dispassionate tone as the cab pulled up to a brick apartment building. Some of the windows were broken, and graced with shaggy curtains or unattractive blinds. The paint job hadn?t been touched up for ? ever. And the small set of wide, rounded stairs looked on the verge of dissolving under the slightest weight.

And Heero Yuy, when he walked down the steps with a rather confident gait, was no slight weight; not with his muscle.

?Madam President,? he greeted. He seemed smooth enough, but there was an underlying tone of nervousness that Relena didn?t fail to pick up. He had changed. ?How do you like my humble abode??

Relena swallowed and cast another glance at the darkened streets while Trowa paid the cab fare. She was glad of the diversion; the khaki dress pants, red button-up shirt, and brown leather jacket he wore looked sinfully flattering on his muscled figure.

The Colony itself was in damnable condition. She clamped her teeth shut to keep from chattering in weather that was meant for mid-November, not May.

?It truly does need work, Yuy,? Relena told him with a hostile ring in her voice. ?I?ll be making notes as we go along, so??

?Yuy.?

Heero?s gaze left her only because his name was spoken. And when he saw who the speaker was, he sorely missed the sight of Relena?s bare legs growing from that sky blue skirt. ?Barton. I?appreciate you escorting President Darlian.?

It was mostly the truth. She wouldn?t have agreed to come here if Trowa was not with her.

?It?s my job,? Trowa nodded and added: ?Perhaps we should go inside before the president catches a cold.?

?Understood.? Heero turned, and Relena couldn?t help but wonder if he realized what word of affirmation he had used. Maybe seeing Trowa, his war comrade, had triggered behavior from six years ago.

He led them out of the night. Relena feared that the condemned-appearing stoop would fall to dust beneath her feet and she hurried after him, Trowa on her tail.

It wasn?t much warmer inside, but at least the wind chill had been reduced. The apartment building was drafty, and she fought not to shiver. Yuy and Barton weren?t shivering, and she hated feeling weaker, whether they were ex-Gundam pilots or not.

?I?m on an upper floor,? Heero said, ?and I have heat.?

?All right, let?s just get there,? Relena muttered impatiently.

?Fine. Hold on, this way,? he urged when the president and her guard went for a set of doors. ?Elevator?s been dead for the last year. We?re taking the stairs.?

Relena wasn?t really affected by this news. She only scribbled on a tiny notepad from her purse and followed the representative, knowing Trowa was right behind her.

She didn?t know that Heero was five stories up. She was fairly hyperventilating by the time they reached his door, and she had to press a hand to the filthy, dirt-smeared wall for support.

Heero paused when he poked his key in the lock. ?Out of shape, Madam President?? He shot her a sideways glance and smirked.

?Open the door, Yuy,? Trowa snapped and Relena was grateful. She didn?t think she?d had the breath to form a proper retort.

Heero did as instructed and the three of them stepped inside. It was much warmer in his apartment, and, Relena had to admit, Heero was no slob bachelor. There was a couch, an armchair with a crocheted blanket strung over the back, a space where the kitchen was and two rooms that probably led to a bathroom and a bedroom.

The part of the bedroom that she could see through its open door looked small, but that only made it seem cozy. She could too easily see the resident rolling around in there with some slim woman that drooled at his feet.

Awfully, the woman was herself. Relena forced herself to look at Heero instead of his bed, but that only made it worse. He had hips that were much too nice.

?Make yourselves at home,? Heero offered in a way that wasn?t menacing but not exactly kind. ?Do either of you want a drink??

Trowa folded his arms and leaned against the wall. ?I don?t drink on the job.?

Heero stared pointedly at him. In the past, he might have glared. ?You?? he asked Relena. ?The water?s clean ? for now.?

She sat down in the armchair and crossed her legs. ?Yes.?

Heero nodded once and walked into the kitchen. The sound of a running faucet was heard, and Relena took the opportunity to look at Trowa. He was watching her stoically.

?Let me know,? he said softly, ?when you?re ready to go.?

She frowned. He didn?t seem very comfortable here, either. Why would that be? Sure, Trowa and Heero had never been what one would call friends, but they had never seemed outwardly uneasy with each other.

?Here.? Heero returned and Relena thrust the glass at her. In truth, Heero thought agonizingly, he would rather be thrusting something else. In that blue skirt suit, she looked as refreshing as the water was. He could use some refreshment. ?Barton, I?d like to show her around the city.?

?Show her what you want,? Trowa told him. ?But I?ll be there, Representative.?

Not uneasy with each other, Relena thought again. Or competitive. She decided to keep to her peaceful tactics and said, ?Actually, I want to ask you a few question, Representative.?

Heero tensed. A statement like that could leave a man cold.

Especially if that man had left the asker after a night of sex. Of course she?d have some damn questions.

?Whatever you want to do,? he acquiesced intensely and sat on the couch. ?Shoot.?

Oh, how she would have loved to. Right between his eyes to put the glare back in the man before her. The emotions he was showing ? and so casually ? put her at a disadvantage. Unused to it, Relena wasn?t sure how to go about treating him like a human ? instead of a machine.

?First off,? she began tersely, flipping to a clean page in her notepad and posing her pen (which held the ESUN insignia) above it. ?How long has the weather and the lighting been like this? It?s thirty-five degrees outside and pitch black. I should see a setting sun.?

And she?d look gorgeous beneath one, Heero thought absently. But back to the current matter. ?Too long,? he replied. ?We would need a completely new system and backup generator. The backup we?re running on now is, as you can see, in horrible shape. Soon we?ll have no light at all.?

?The ESUN will see to its replacement before then. Shelter?? she queried.

?You?ve seen the worst of it; right here. All the buildings except for maybe the hospital need major renovation. And even the hospital could use better supplies.?

?That?s very important then.? Relena nodded. ?Is that it then, Mr. Yuy? I?m sure there are details that you can fax me.?

Heero inclined his head. The movement was more to study her expression than to affirm her question. He didn?t like the way her smile had been thrown away. ?I?ll make a list,? he promised.

?The ESUN will be keeping an eye on this project.? She stood up. She felt it necessary to add, ?And I will be keeping an eye on you.?

Trowa cleared his throat. ?Excuse me,? he said and walked away toward the bathroom.

Relena?s stomach knotted. She was alone in a room with him. Trowa had deserted her for a call of nature.

Heero stood up as well and held out his hand. She felt an urge to smack it away, but then she realized she was still holding his water glass. Feeling foolish from her previous thought, she handed it to him.

Their fingers brushed each other.

And just like that, an explosion of fire burst up her arm and filled her to her gut. She nearly staggered back, anything to be away from him and his fire, but Relena Peacecraft held her ground and grew colder to fight the heat.

?Thank you for your time,? she said crisply, straightening her jacket and buttoning it to her chest. ?This experience will surely aid me and my position.?

His eyebrows lowered. That was a dangerous sign, if Relena remembered correctly. His glare didn?t hold quite so much menace as it had six years ago, but it was enough. Her pulse thumped and her heart crashed in her ribcage. His dark look didn?t frighten her.

It excited her. Dreadfully.

And he was suddenly speaking. ?Don?t you think we should talk??

The suggestion destroyed the hotness in her. Her face went pale; Heero watched her fist as it clenched. She was fighting to keep control of her emotions, and he knew when people did so. He himself fought a battle still every day.

?You explained to me the current major problems with the Colony and others like this one, didn?t you?? She could have been spitting icicles. ?If there isn?t anything else at the moment, then I will go home now.? She turned, wanting to knock for Trowa.

He caught her wrist, grasping flesh below the French cuff on her jacket. ?There?s more,? he said lowly. ?Everything more.?

Relena debated yanking her wrist away from him. He had a grip like steel, but she was willing to sacrifice a hand if it meant escaping his touch. It was possessive, warm?and completely unwelcome. ?Mr. Yuy, I have every intention of keeping our unpleasant encounters very strictly professional. You are clear on that now, so give me my space.?

?How would that be fair?? he asked her softly. ?Every day for too long you?ve never??

?Let go of her, Yuy.? Trowa had returned from the bathroom. His green eyes flashed at the Japanese man warningly as he aimed his gun at Heero?s heart. ?I will shoot.?

Heero released Relena?s hand. Relena drew it to her chest, wishing her fingers didn?t tingle so much.

?Goodnight, Preventer Barton,? Heero grated out. If his tone had been loud, he might have sounded savage. As it was, he sounded like a beast caged for months ? or years. His eyes never left Relena?s. ?Madam President.?

?Representative Yuy,? she said tartly and turned on her heel. Trowa moved to the door and opened it. Relena walked out with swaying hips and a confident, if a little shaken, air. Before Trowa followed, he paused and looked at Yuy.

Correction. He glared at Yuy. So fiercely that the look would have challenged Heero?s own past expression.

The door shut behind Barton.

And Heero trembled. His rage was on a very, very short leash. And he still held the glass in his hand. Feeling the urge to break something, he opened the window and threw the innocent cup on the pavement five stories below. Fortunately, the street was empty, assuring him that no passersby had been injured.

Then he stood there at the window, feeling the breeze, so cold, engulf his face and cool his system.

Heero hung his head. Leaning fully on the windowsill, he felt heavier than he ever had in his life. Even the blood of the people he?d killed weren?t so staining as the mess he?d made six years ago. And there was no denying what he felt.

He was damned if he didn?t want Relena Darlian.

And he was damned because he did.

With a taught jaw, he grabbed a brush and dustpan and headed out to go sweep up the broken glass. If he wanted the Colonies fixed, he couldn?t be one of the people ruining them.

***

?Here. These are the repairing companies I?ve hired in space before. That one with the check specializes in weather systems, plus several of the supervisors were trained on MO-IV, so?? Quatre paused when Heero didn?t take the stapled sheets of paper from his hand. ?Are you?oh.?

Relena latest press conference was on the TV in the lobby of the L4 service center. Heero?s eyes were trained on her form.

Quatre smiled. ?She looks very good in burgundy.?

Heero stuffed his hands in the pockets of the jeans he wore. ?She looks good in anything, unfortunately.?

Sandrock?s pilot?s happy expression faltered. He wondered if Heero also thought that she looked good out of anything too. ?You?re thinking about it, aren?t you??

He tore his eyes from the TV. ?I should be listening to you. Sorry.?

Quatre shrugged his shoulders, which had grown broad since he was fifteen. ?That depends. I talked to Trowa when he called a day ago. Relena wanted some information on L5?s condition, and he mentioned you two had a meeting of sorts last week.? He paused. ?Did something happen, Heero??

Heero took the papers from him and fought the urge to crumple them. He?d more or less confided in Quatre for the past years; why not now? ?I tried to talk her. About?that night. About the night she won.?

The blond man nodded. ?I see. I take it that went poorly.?

?Poorly,? he grunted. ?She ran. I didn?t really expect her to come right out and respond. She would prefer the cold to the warm, and you?d know that if you saw her these days. Well, it was plenty cold out there. Maybe it was a bit too warm in with me.?

Quatre?s brows arched. ?Really.?

?We touched. Just fingertips, but God.? Heero exhaled heavily, but didn?t quite sigh. ?She?s never run from me.?

?Well??

?What?? Heero was impatient. He?d been dealing with exploding tension for the past six years. Seeing her again made him just want it all through with, dammit. ?Quatre, you?re supposed to be the one who gets all of it.?

?Don?t jump up like that,? Quatre told him. ?It was probably just a bit too soon. Remember, she hadn?t seen you in a long time since the day before. And touching her?? He shrugged again. ?I don?t pretend to know Relena, Heero, nor you. But look at me and tell me you felt nothing.?

Heero did look at him, and saw his clear, sincere blue-green eyes. Sometimes it took a little effort to remember that Quatre had been a Gundam pilot just like him, but now it was incredibly. And the Arabic man had always been more in-tune with feelings than anyone he knew. ?I felt,? he said. ?Christ, I thought someone had taken a torch to me.?

?There you go. It?s possible Relena felt??

?An ice floe,? he shot out.

?Something similar. No huge puzzle.?

?The question is if she did feel anything,? Heero stated.

Quatre only smiled. ?That I can?t say.?

Heero nodded and started away.

?Oh, wait!? Quatre called and the L1 rep paused while he went to the service desk and spoke for a minute with the on-duty consultant. ?Sorry,? he said when he returned and passed Yuy a small folded card. ?Invitation to a Colonial dinner on L3.?

Heero glanced at him, then at the invitation. ?Duet??

?They have live performances there, and we?re scheduled for erotic dancers.? Quatre held up his hands when Heero?s brows arched. ?Hey, I didn?t set it up. It?s L2?s rep, Laura Trieste?s, deal. But we?re obligated to be there. And as the restaurant?s name implies,? Winner told him, ?you?re encouraged to bring a partner.?

Heero was surprised at the insinuation, but only for a moment. It wasn?t that bad of an idea. Then he smirked. ?Are you going to??

Quatre grinned. He and Heero weren?t technically friends, but it seemed they were becoming so. ?Just a redhead who?s interested in a higher position with the resource satellites, and I don?t blame her. She?s smart as anything. And,? he laughed, ?she?s damn good looking.?

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

Review please!

[Raspberry]

OMG! OMG OMG OMG!!!

Wonderful!!! Great! I love it! Now I can't wait to read next chappie! Oh no!.. I'll die... Please, oh please WRITE MORE, GG!!! This was excellent! Very well written! Just great! PLEASE WRITE MORE!!! I really love it!

[Crazygurl]

Where is this going??? Watch me:



Fair enough to describe my current state of mind.

Translation:

OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG!

Hehe.

Continue quick!!

--Crazygurl

[The Engrish Spy]

SO nice what a nice easter treat... woo hoo I'm gonna go see if I can scam chocolate off my roommates!

[Gundam Girl]

Awesome. Thanks for liking, guys.

[HeerosChick1842]

PLEAZZZZZZZZEEEEEEEEEE!!!! Another chapter!

[Gundam Girl]

lol, guess that means you liked it.

[Beer-monster]

This is a great fic, and I'm jonesing like a junky for the next chapter.
GIVE ME MY FIX!!!!!!!!!!

Why did have to wait so long for this chap, though with a fic this good three seconds between chapters is too long. Bring on the next one.

[Gundam Girl]

It will be coming soon! The last thing I want to do is upset a Beer-monster!

[Beer-monster]

Thank you Miss fic dealer