Sea of Stars 15: The Reception from Hell

[trekkiexb5]

"Sea of Stars"

A Gundam Wing Story
by Trekkiexb5


Category: Drama, Romance
Couples: 1xR, 2xH--the normal match-ups
Rating: R for language. Heero has a potty mouth and so does Zechs. It's a bit lime-y in parts, too.
Caution: part of this story is about rape, though it is really never described in detail.
Posting: I'm posting at fanfiction.net and at blissfulignorance.com, but anyone can post it, as long as my name stays attached. AND you write me and tell me how bad (or good) it was.

Summary: Relena told him to get a life, so he did, of sorts. Now, it?s her turn. But the past often shows it's ugly head at the worst of times. Are they ready to handle a past when they are just getting grips with the Present?

Gundam Wing isn't mine. If it was, you would be watching this, not reading it.

Author's notes: I am deployed, for those who know I?m in the military. So for me get any updates out takes a bit of work. Thanks to all for your patience. I have to say I am thankful for someone who won't even read the story! Straughen, who told me to finish what I started and Loeffler, for the pure entertainment value. Thanks, guys!


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NOW, ON WITH THE SHOW!!!!

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***Heero-torture, part three. And Lots of alcohol consumption by all! And Let's not forget the TWIST OF LEMON! hee, hee!

"Sea of Stars"
Chapter 15
Wedding on L2 part three: The Reception From Hell

"Heero, Stop panicking!"

I don't...

I do not panic!

I am the Perfect Soldier!

And Perfect Soldiers DO NOT panic!

...

I was...concerned, that is all.

...

I mentally filled in Duo's response: Yeah Right!

I followed Relena back into the house after the pictures. When I told her of my...issue she looked like she would either laugh or cry. We went to our room and I observed Relena as she went through the desk to retrieve her PDA.

"Look, we'll call Patsy. She's the best speech- aha! Here it is!" She exclaimed, holding up the small object. "Anyways, she's the best speech writer in the business. That's why I hired her. Should have thought of this easier, instead at the last moment." She stopped in mid-dial, the proceeded to slap her head with the heel of her hand. "Damn! She's in Chicago! Maybe I've got the hotel number...? She furiously tapped on the PDA and continued to talk down that vein, leaving me wondering that we could do this in a half an hour, when were due at the reception.

Watching her, I also wondered who was more flustered, she or I.

"Maybe I could...hell Relena I could make it up as I go along. I've been doing a lot of that, anyways, lately."

She sighed, putting down the device. "It's up to you. I really don't want to wake Patsy in Chicago. It's 3 AM. But do you have any idea

I looked back at Relena. In the silence that followed, could hear the grandfather clock in the room ticking the time away.

Tick, tick, tick.

Faintly, I could make out the sounds of the band warming up. Absently, I thought of Mary.

She would be doing some of the singing today.

Damn... Why can't I think? I used to be good at these things. Oh wait, that was battle strategy.

What to say...what to say...

I was always bad with words. I never knew what to say or couldn't say it correctly. Only when I was...

I was...

...Wait a minute!!

An idea formed. It had to be the worst idea I've ever had, but it was better than nothing. I stood up. "Come on, let's go to the reception."

Relena looked at me increululosly. "Just like that, a speech spontaneity appeared in your head? I find that hard to believe after all those attempts in the past."

"That's right,? I held my hand out to her. "Too much."

She took it and stood up. 'Too much what?"

"Thinking. I'm going with my instincts,? Which is was how I fought, anyways.

"What's that?"

I opened the door, gesturing her to go out into he hall. "You'll see. It's a surprise."

"Does it involve the death of my brother or the groom?"

I like those suggestions, but..."No,"

What I wanted to do is talk to Mary.

We hastily went downstairs to join the rest of the wedding party filing into the massive ballroom.

I escorted Relena to the table; the I headed to where the band was warming up. A few words with the bandleader and Mary, I rejoined Relena at the table.

Relena whispered in my ear. "You aren't doing what I think you are going to do?"

"Hn"

She stared at me for a moment, and then grinned, sitting back in her chair. I could hear the words "suicide,' and "Your funeral'" but what she said in my ear was "Good luck."

I was going to need more than luck; I was going to need a hell of a lot of courage.

I took a deep breath and avoided everyone's eyes, especially hers. This has to be the stupidest idea I've ever had. The balance between shock value and totally embarrassing myself for all time, not to mention destroying the rest of my reputation was close, and I wasn't sure how everyone was going to handle this.

How was I going to handle this.

God.

Well, it's too late now.

tick, tick, tick.

As the festivities started, I slipped away and waited by the band.

I waited for my cue from Duo-when he stood up to introduce me and finally noticed that I was missing. I took a few last moments to Duo's floundering.

Then I signaled the band.

And spoke into the microphone/earphone set over the music.

"I am not good with words. I will confess I forgot the speech entirely. So I will give my...best friend and his bride the words the only way I can."

And I sang.

Dumb. Stupid.

I sang the first thing I could think of that was...romantic.

"In your Eyes," by Peter Gabriel.

Halfway through the song, I got the courage to look at the crowd. Disco balls are so interesting to look at, especially if you don't want to look at the audience. Apparently I must have shocked every one of the pilots and friends. I have never seen so many slack-jawed, wide-eyed looks from people before.

Ok, but announcing you are having sex in front of your friends was totally different.

Really.

Duo, however, recovered. He stood up and offered his hand to his wife. He and Hilde came to the cleared area in front of the band and started to dance.

I finished the song and silence-absolute silence- filled the space behind the last note. I watched Duo spin Hilde around to face the silent crowd. Then he looked at me, with a smirk and thumbs up. Then he started to applaud, Hilde a moment and a smile behind him. Then, one by one, my friends stood up.

I got my first standing ovulation.

I seemed to last forever.

It slowly died as Duo and Hilde returned to their seats at our table and attention was focused on the Father of the Bride, who stood up. Who, by the way, looked very pissed. I carefully turned off the headset, removed it and handed to Mary. I then slipped away to hyperventilate in the hallway.

Missing Relena's speech. She'll forgive me.

God.

What have I do? What have I become? I don't even know if I should be pleased or terrified. I suddenly wondered who I was, really. Before, it was so easy; I was the Gundam Pilot, The Perfect Soldier. Now...I'm still that but it is somehow...lessened. Or augmented y other, newer aspects of me. I shook my head. This is not the day to dwell on it. This is Duo and Hilde's day.

After I gathered frayed composure, I rejoined Relena at the table. Duo gave me grin and wink. I will NEVER hear the end of this. I sighed. I hate this! I hate being the center of attention. I felt Relena's hand clasp mine underneath the table.

She leaned into my ear. "That was perfect! Everyone was so surprised and pleased!"

Oh, joy.

"Hn."

Yes, I was sulking. Well you didn't stand up and make a total and utter fool of yourself, leave me alone!

But she kept jabbering on, determined to cheer me. "Oh come on! They will be talking about your 'speech' for years? Shit! Just what I wanted. To be remembered for years to come for something embarrassing.

"And besides,? She continued, with a smirk just as evil as Duo's. "I told them if they were impressed with your singing, they should put you in front of a piano!"

Bitch!

Thanks to HER, I know what I'll be doing for the majority of this party. Damn!

As I scowled at her, the waiters started to bring out the first course. Relena gave me a look that said, no, you can't escape nor can you be rude today.

Have I told you how much I despise her?

Shit! Damn!

...Oh hell.

The meal went well, Duo and Hilde getting the most of the conversation directed at them. I pretended like I was fine and that I was enjoying myself, which I wasn't. Hilde's parents, who were at the same table with us, glared at me and ignored me the whole meal. I found out later that I had upstaged them twice in one blow. First, by singing for my speech, I made Dad's speech boring and meandering. Not that it was before I sang. I heard him practicing it a couple of days before. The second was that Duo and Hilde's first dance of marriage life was to my song, not to some crappy song that her parents picked out.

I was supposed to be conciliatory about it.

Why?

Not my problem.

But it cheered me a little that I made Hilde's snooty parents look like idiots.

Dinner itself was excellent. Of course it was, Dave cooked it. The man can cook. The conversation was mostly about when and where Duo and Hilde were going for their honeymoon.

Who cares?

There were many toasts with the horrid pink champagne. I almost regret going off my medication (An hours-long argument with Sally that I actually won.) so I could drink.

Between the end of dinner and waiting for the awful dessert (which Dave didn't make) Relena and a host of other females left, in mass, to use the bathroom.

Why do women do that? Are their bladders synched?

The ladies returned in short while later, sans Relena. Glancing towards the entrance, I saw her with a bottle in one hand and two lemons and a saltshaker in the other. She smiled and made a sawing motion with her forearms.

I get to bring the knife. Suddenly the wedding was looking a lot better.

I slipped an unused steak knife into the sleeve, and stood up, informing my tablemates that I was going to the bathroom.

Dessert time.

I joined Relena in the hallway. "We have alcohol,? I said to her. "And we have a knife. I suppose you have the privacy?"

She made a scoffing sound. "Heero, for shame! I thought you knew me better!"

I was suddenly glad, very glad that she was mine.

I do enjoy her devious mind.

She led me to a small office nearby. After she shut and locked the door, we dropped our supplies on the desk, and then attacked each other in a heated embrace and a passionate kiss.

A very nice kiss that in which Relena gave me one of those spine tingling soft moans.

We reluctantly broke apart, panting heavily. "Relena,? I gasped, my forehead on hers. "What's the plan? And how long for we get to the dessert?"

And I'm not talking about the souffl? being served a few yards away from us.

She threw me an impish-smoldering grin and proceeded to remove shot glasses from the small room's bar.

I picked up the bottle. Tequila was on the menu today. I opened it, then pouring the liquid into the proffered glasses. After slicing the lemons, we silently went through the age-old ritual that all tequila drinkers go through. Three times a piece, in fact.

I took another look at the label. ?Hombre? is a recent brand, but a very potent one. Combined with the tacky pink champagne, I?d say we well on our way to being very drunk by the end of the evening.

Probably the best way to remember this little soiree.

Relena giggled, her face flushing red. She then picked up the knife and held it in front of her, studying it.

?Care to assist me redesigning this lovely frock I?m wearing, Mr. Yuy?? She said, handing me the knife.

She said Mr. Yuy. I was in for the best kind of trouble from her. I love a happy Relena, but it is the wry and devilish Relena that is near and dear to my heart.

She whirled around and instructed me how to remove the bow.

A few cut threads here and there revealed that the bow hid the dress?s plunge that almost went to the derriere.

Very good improvement, indeed. It?complimented the plunge in the front.

?

There will be very few people who will be allowed to dance with Relena tonight.

?You like?? she teased me. I think I answered that question, but I nodded, in case my staring and drooling confused her. ?The design was an in-house one at the boutique. Hilde?s mom had it altered and dyed to resemble her bridesmaids dresses.?

Well, that explained the dresses. At least, the tackiness. ?What next?? I asked from my kneeling position.

?Tulle.?

Huh? ?Tulle??

She lifted her skirt a bit, revealing layers upon layers of net-looking stuff.

?For what purpose??? I trailed off.

She shrugged. ?To make the dress poofy.?

Apparently poofy is a word. ?What do you want me to do??

?Rip most of it out. I?ll tuck the excess into the fake waistband.?

What material, I thought. Shaking my head at the of women?s fashion, I did what she asked. She pulled the silky skirt up, so I could get to the tulle around the waist. With a small incision, I found that I could rip the rest out.

As I removed the layers, Relena's quite shapely legs were noticeable. She was wearing stockings apposed to nylons, which were held up by ladders or suspenders or whatever they are called. I followed that up to the garter belt, red, and then?

I stopped my work, as my slightly fuddled brain registered something very important.

Panties.

Rather, the lack of them.

Interesting. I looked up at her. Relena was wearing a very coy smile.

?Well, Mr. Yuy, I seemed to have lost my underpants. Care to help me locate them??

?It may mean a thorough search of the premises on which it has been?misplaced.?

?A strip search, then??

I stood up. ?Well, due to limited time schedule we happened to be on, I may forgo some of the procedures, however, not all of them, my lady.?

One hand still holding the skirt, the other reached up and started to unbutton my vest. ?Well, Mr. Yuy, you better have at it.?

And I did.

***

Relena has a tendency to throw articles of clothing around. It took me several minutes to locate my vest behind the bar. I gave up on the tie. Relena finished ripping the other sleeve off the dress, leaving two small bands of salmon holding the entire thing up.

I then watched her?readjust the top. I was a little enthusiastic earlier. She opened the desk drawer and pulled out one of her silk panties.

Not planned, my ass!

I shook my head as she slipped them on. I picked up the empty bottle that fell on the floor, along with shot glasses. ?We are not fit to be in public,? I commented, throwing the bottle in the trash.

?Well, we do have return and make an appearance soon. Besides, the alcohol wasn?t for this,? She replied, tossing the tissues in the garbage and slipping back into her shoes.

?I certainly hope not,? I rebuffed ?That?s a bit insulting, to say that I need alcohol for sex.?

She smirked. ?Maybe for me in this scenario. Trust me, lots of thought and a lot of liquid courage made me brave enough to set it up.? This from someone who sunbathed in the nude in harbor. ?However,? she continued. ?It?s the dancing we?ll have to perform is what the alcohol is really for. Not that we can?t dance in public, but dance to the play list I saw might be difficult.?

?No electric slide??

That made Relena snicker. ?Nope, sorry.?

I had to concede the point. I saw the play list also, and it had Duo?s name written all over it. All that modern crap with syncopated skip beat. Colony music is the worst. At least Relena likes the classics, Beethoven, Bach, Joel, and Lennon.

Perhaps, playing the piano wasn?t such a bad idea after all.

After a few last minute tugs and hair straightening, we returned to the ballroom. We happened to catch the last few bars of the Bride and groom song.

Mine was much better.

After a shot of whisky, Relena and I accompanied them on the dance floor and tried to dance.

I hate modern music. Is it necessary to scream the lyrics?

Nevertheless, gradually more people joined us on the dance floor, allowing Relena and I to leave.

I did eventually sang and play the piano. I won?t tell how many times, because I can?t remember how many.

That maybe a good thing.

I had reason to believe that it was the uncountable shots I was giving from practically everybody. I don?t do the hard liquor. Beer is the alcohol of choice. Between Relena, the pilots, Zechs, and the band, I became intoxicated very fast.

And the urge to play the piano and sing in public is in direct proportion to amount of alcohol in my system.

What the hell, I?ve already embarrassed myself. What?s a little more?

One of the toasts was ironically given by Zechs to all the Gundam pilots; ?May our talents never be used again.? Was the toast.

I hope so. But as the wild turkey burned its way down my throat, I felt a shiver, a premonition that the Gundams? story hasn?t played itself out yet. Or that it may never be completed.

God, I hate those feelings.

The only other thing I could remember with any clarity that was important was our guest of ?honor.?

Dorothy.

Try as I might, I couldn?t ignore her. She has hurt Relena and my friends too many times in the past. But Relena pointed out her true intentions.

Well, what she thought was Dorothy?s true intentions were. I, on the other hand, will never think she doesn?t have some other motivation in everything she does.

Yes, I?m paranoid. That?s why Relena and I are still alive.

?See,? Relena said, in a middle of a slow dance. ?She?s been monopolizing Quatre.?

I looked up, and indeed, she was dancing with him. They seem to having a conversation. My fuzzy brain recalled that Quatre and Dorothy have been on the floor together a lot.

However, instead of being reassured, I became upset at the thought. Dorothy and Quatre? After all, Quatre has been through hell, as Trowa tells it, the last couple of months. And that?s in top of the fact Quatre is very sensitive normally. And he is not the type to push her away or be rude, no matter whom it is.

So the idea of Dorothy hanging on his arm was churning very dark thoughts in my head.

My eyes narrowed. Bitch. She?s taking advantage of Quatre when his defenses are down.

I managed to maneuver us next to the couple. I cut in on Quartre, offering Relena to replace Dorothy. Relena gave me a warning look but conceded.

WE quietly moved across the dance floor, not speaking.

Dorothy spoke up. ?Well, Mr. Yuy, say what you want to say.? When she says Mr. Yuy, it has the opposite effect than when Relena says it.

So I gave her my very best ?Death Glare.? Dorothy, of course, was never really affected by it, except maybe turned on by the fact I wanted to kill her. Twisted Bitch. ?Hurt him in any way and I?ll kill you.? I growled.

?Why should I hurt gentle Quatre?? She coyly retorted.

?You did it before, and he did not with harm to you.?

She stumbled slightly; I had to hold her up. The look in her eyes was surprise and shock, which told me she took me seriously. Good, I was serious.

Twisted evil bitch!

?I try not to remember that.? Dorothy whispered, her voice humbled. Like she used Libra and almost screwed humanity, let alone my friends.

?Bullshit,? I bit back, getting very angry. Forget, my ass! ?For Relena and my friends, I will not force my opinion of you on Quatre. But,? I took my hand and held her chin firmly, forcing her downcast eye to look into mine. ?If I hear one peep, one rumour, one anything that upsets him in any way, I will cut your lying throat myself. Understand me??

I saw the fear starting to form in those eyes. ?Y-yes.? Her trembling voice softly acknowledged.

I released her chin and led us back to Relena and Quatre. I left her there and walked off, not even giving Relena an explanation.

I fucking hate that bitch.

My storming took me to the bar, where I found Trowa and Zechs, talking quietly. When I approached them, they looked at me in askance. I looked Trowa in the eye. ?I told Dorothy if she hurt Quatre, I?d kill her.?

He shrugged and poured me a shot of Wild Turkey. He handed it to me. ?Funny, I said the same thing to her. And I believe Zechs here threatened her in the general sense.?

Zechs nodded. Glasses clinked. Three shots were thrown back.

?With our luck, they would be the next to be married,? Zechs wryly commented.

I mulled over that unpleasant thought, I realized both Trowa and Zechs were looking at me.

It was the same the bland look Duo and the others have been giving me all day. I sighed. Duo vocalized that look. It?s the ?when are you going to get married?? look.

?So when will I address you as brother-in-law?? Zechs asked dryly.

I gave him a dirty look. ?When Relena?s ready and willing.?

?I?m sure she?s willing,? Trowa replied.

I gave him a dirty look. ? Get your mind out of the gutter, ? I retorted, frowning. ?Besides, she not your type.?

?Not this week,? He replied cheerily.

Zechs chuckled. ?Regardless, this whole event is for the women. I could care less marrying Noin, but he insisted.? He refilled our glasses. ?Here?s a toast to the women in our lives- can?t live with them, can?t live without them.?

I?d toast to that. At least Zechs wasn?t going to pressure me into marrying his sister.

I rejoined the confused Relena on the ballroom. I quickly cut in and removed the unauthorized partner and placed her in my arms.

?What was all that for?? She asked, gesturing with her head towards the door.

?Marriage.?

?huh??

?We were discussing marriage.? I answered.

She sighed. ?You too, huh? I wish everyone would stop hounding us about it!?

Apparently she was being annoyed with the same question.

?Do you want to marry me?? I said suddenly. Best get the question asked before I realize the importance of it.

?Yes I do,? she answered without any hesitation. A good thing. ?But, I don?t wish to get married now. But when I do,? She smiled, a dazzling smile that would light up the entire colony, ?It will be with you.?

I answered her by kissing her soundly in the middle of the dance floor.

With that heavy decision out of my way, we continue to dance, eat, drink, and generally party into oblivion.

Finally when the bouquet was thrown, (No, Relena didn?t catch it. Wufei did. The man should swear off alcohol>) the last champagne was drunk, we all staggered (or carried, in the case of Dave) in to our respective rooms and collapsed into our bed.

Well, Relena and I stopped at the bathroom, to forcibly removing the contents of our stomach.

?You know its love,? Relena whispered, her head resting on the toilet seat. ?When he is willing to hold your hair back while you are vomiting.?

I blearily rolled my head on the cool tiles in her general direction. ?I guess its love.?

?hm-mum.? Was her answer. She was falling to sleep.

I managed to get her to the bedroom, strip us both down naked, and into bed. I curled up next to her sleeping form and fell promptly to asleep.

May I never go through any kind of reception thing ever again.

Even my own.

When we awoke it was late afternoon. We showered and stumbled down to find afternoon tea laid out. Our meal was interrupted by our goodbyes to Duo and Hilde, who left for their honeymoon.

The rest of us quietly spent the rest of the day packing our belongings and the staff cleaned up after the party. Everything was quiet. Loud noises-bad.

I will never drink that much hard liquor again. Outside not able to protect Relena effiencatally, the hangover period after the fact cut my abilities down to nothing, making me useless. I felt like Gundam Wing stepped on my head and Zero peed in my mouth.

The next day, it was our turn for saying goodbye. Noin, Zechs, and Wufei would be joining us along with several of Relena?s personal bodyguards.

Reality was here; the trial of David Halstine was a few days away.

Chicago, here we come.

We waved goodbye to our friends, boarded the private shuttle to O?Hare International Spaceport.

I had donned a Preventer uniform and armed myself.

Hell.

As we pulled into the terminal, we could see the paparazzi, flashbulbs and security. Relena had been silent the flight not really speaking to anyone.

?Are you all right?? I asked as the boarding tunnel connected with the shuttle.

She squeezed my hand and smiled any longer. ?How about you??

Not really ok at all. ?Not sure if I can control the urge to strangle the man on sight.?

She gave a soft giggle and stood up. ?Shall we proceed, Mr. Yuy??

?Hn?? I answered her.

Her smile turned strained and we both proceeded toward the terminal.

Towards Reality.

Towards Publicity.

Damn.
*******
Glossary-

Credits- In Your Eyes is by Peter Gabriel, and is on the HIT OR MISS CD. Rather than spell it out word for word in the story, I would ask you to rent the movie "Say Anything" for the full effect.

Wild Turkey- is mentioned for a picture of Zechs I have. He is sitting on the floor barefoot and drinking Wild Turkey. I love that picture!
******

R&R pleez!!!!




ALLLLL MMMMOSSSTT DDDOOONNNEEEEE!!!!!!!

[Chibi-sitter]

Oh I loved this chapter Trekkie, Its my favourite!

I can't stop laughing. God I loved it! *bites lip, doesn't want to give anything away*

Heero in a bad mood = lots of funny!

I don't want to spoil it for those who read reviews before reading the fic. But it's a MUST READ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wild Turkey- is mentioned for a picture of Zechs I have. He is sitting on the floor barefoot and drinking Wild Turkey. I love that picture!

Yup me know the pic.

*gets down on both knees* Next chapter please.

[Morrighan]

Awww!! Heero, but we like your singing!!

Great job, trekkie, I can't wait to see more!

[Aristale Wolf]

i luv this so much....u have me on the edge of my seat then i'm falling to the ground with laughter now uv got me on the edge of my seat again....