Fatimai1
I don?t own Gundam wing
I'd like to thank everyone who posted a reply! And Milliardo dying?...Opps!
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There was a long silence, then Trowa said quietly, ?What if I thought of a solution??
Both Relena and Heero swung toward him.
?What the hell--?Heero began.
?What?? Relena asked, hope rising in her face. She started toward him eagerly. ?Do you mean it??
He nodded. ?Perhaps. If you?re willing to risk it.?
?I would do anything!? she exclaimed rashly. ?Just tell me what it is!?
?What you need to do is arrive at Sanq Manor tonight with a fianc?.?
?What?? Relena frowned. Had he not understood what she had been telling him?
?How could I--who--?
Trowa smiled and nodded toward the other man in the room. ?Heero will be your fianc?
Relena gaped at Trowa. Across the room, Heero expressed her fears more forcibly.
?Have you completely lost your mind Trowa?? his tone irritated.
?Not at all. If you think about it, you?ll see that it?s the perfect solution.?
?I see that it?s perfect insanity,? Heero retorted. ?If you think that I am going to become engaged to that?that??
?To that what, Mr. Heero??
?Really Heero, you are usually not so slow,? Trowa told him lightly. ?Of course, I don?t mean actually engaged. I?m talking about pretending. You?ll go with Miss Relena to Sanq Manor tonight. In the morning, you?ll meet her relatives, talk to her brother, and so on. You?ll stay a few days, then you say that you have to get back to outer-space, and you leave. The brother will be reassured and content, and you?well, you?ll spend a few days at Sanq Manor, which I understand is an elegant country residence, where servants will abide to your every need.?
Heero narrowed his eyes and began to speak, then pressed his lips tightly together. He turned away, growling, ?You?re as ridiculous as she is. It?s impossible.?
?Why? You?re able to play the part of an aristocrat, aren?t you?? Trowa?s eyes sparkled. ?Somewhat rude perhaps, but then, most nobles are.?
?Oh, I don?t need a noble,? Relena stuck in. ?Just a gentleman will do.?
Heero turned to her. ?You?re actually considering such a foolish scheme??
Relena had no intention of agreeing to Trowa?s plan. However, Heero?s sneering tone made her decide that it was worth thinking about after all. Her chin came up, and she glared back at Heero defiantly. ?Why not? It would suit my purposes. And however rough your manners are, you do speak accurately enough. We might be able to fool everyone for at least a few days?as long as you avoid talking to everyone as much as possible. I will pay you, of course. Wouldn?t that be a better way of making money than thievery? And it will answer my problem. It will please Milliardo, and then, later, I can pretend that I realized that we weren?t suited for each other. Or better yet?? her face brightened ??I?ll say that you died! That would be perfect.?
?Maybe for you.? Heero replied.
?Well, only so far as my family is concerned.?
?It would be somewhat awkward, don?t you think, if they happened to meet me again months from now??
?Don?t be silly, why should they meet you??
?I could run into one of them someday. I am free to pass from Earth to Space. Despite my lack of gentility.?
?Oh,? She hadn?t thought he would be rich enough to afford traveling to outer-space without worry of funds. No doubt he must have mastered his profession of thievery. ?Well, in that case, I suppose I will have to stick to the story that we broke it off.? She sighed.
?Pity. The dying story would?ve been much more dramatic.?
?You?re right.? Trowa agreed, his expression disappointed. ?We must content ourselves with the plainer tale.?
?Forget it. I?m not going to pretend to be your fianc?. I can?t believe you would even consider it. You?re obviously drunk.?
?No, I?m not? It was somewhat true. She acknowledged to herself, that she felt very warm and cheerful, and that her mind was a bit fuzzy. But she had merely been relaxed by the rum, not enough to influence her decision, she hoped. ?I am open-minded enough to see the value in Mr. Trowa?s idea. It would work well for the both of us. You?ll certainly be richer. You?re simply too stubborn to go along with anything that anyone else says.?
?I?m glad someone appreciates my endeavor.? Trowa said lightly.
The other man let out an inarticulate growl. ?Obviously I? the only person in this room with any sense.? He stalked toward the door and opened it, slamming the door on his way out.
Trowa and Relena stood for a moment, looking at the door, then turned toward each other. Trowa gave her a long considering look, then asked quietly, ?Are you willing to do it??
Relena gazed back at him, wide-eyed. Was she? This plan would solve her problem for at least a few days. Of course it was odd that a stranger like Mr. Barton was so willing to help her out, even a princess. But she doubted her title had any influence on him. The worst aspect of the plan had to be around such a rude, insufferable man as Heero for several days, but she assured herself that he would be able to manage both the situation and him. Fat had dropped this opportunity into her lap, and she would be foolish not to take advantage of it.
?Yes,? she responded firmly. ?I am willing.?
Trowa gave her a small smile. ?Then I will go talk to Heero. In the meantime, you may use the bathroom over there to, um, freshen up.?
Relena smiled at his polite words to describe the daunting task of ridding herself of mud. She would have to shower and wash out her hair.
?I?m sure you must have a change of clothes.?
?Yes, in my car. A trunk.?
?I?ll tell a servant to bring it to this room then.?
Relena nodded. ?Thank you.?
?No trouble at all.? He started toward the door, then hesitated. ?You might want to have another drink before you begin, as well.?
Heero walked no further than the bench in front of the Inn and sat down on it. He didn?t doubt that Trowa would be following him soon. In a few moments, Trowa came out of the Inn and strode over to the bench. He stood for a minute, looking down at him. Heero ignored him.
?Well?? Trowa said at last. ?Like to explain why you?re refusing such a golden opportunity??
Heero cocked his head to look at him. ?Golden opportunity for what? Wasting precious time we have??
?At least I?m not blind Heero, or have you given up??
That remark brought Heero irritation. ?No, I haven?t given up.?
?I know better than anyone that you would never give up. Even back when you tried to commit suicide to protect the agency, I was the one nursing you back to health.?
?Catherine.?
Trowa smiled at the thought of her. ?Yes, she too helped out. Still, I can?t understand why you?re unwilling to do this. It?s much easier than blowing yourself up, don?t you think??
The little joke made Heero glare at him. ?I won?t pretend to be engaged to that?that?her. If she hadn?t revealed me to the kidnappers everything would?ve been settled by now.?
Trowa paused, then continued by saying ?She?s an attractive woman?underneath all that mud, I mean.?
?She has a pleasant face.?
?Pleasant? Didn?t you see those eyes? Blue and sparkling??
?And a passable figure.?
?She?s beautiful.?
?She has a delectable body, but that?s not the problem. It?s her personality. I wouldn?t get along with someone like her and her brother would detect the fa?ade when he sees us together.?
?But he doesn?t know you. If you act right you could pass as her fianc?. The princess would never know why we were so willing to help her. She needs a fianc? for her own purposes; she?s too busy worrying about her problem.?
?She?s not stupid. She will wonder why I agreed despite her belief that I?m a thief.?
?You haven?t done much to give her a good impression of you,? Trowa pointed out. ?It?s to our advantage if she thinks you?re a thief, then she won?t wonder why you agreed. And she?s an intelligent girl. I can?t imagine her giving it away through fear or timidity either.?
?No.? Heero gave a reluctant grin. ?But I doubt she?s accustomed to such deception.?
?Yes. This woman seems more direct than most.?
Heero stopped and sighed.
?If you think about this more deeply, I?m sure you would?ve realized Relena is a godsend.?
?Maybe she?s capable of this pretense, but I won?t be able to act moonstruck.?
?Dammit Heero, this playacting is vital to finding where Wufei was taken in this country, you can?t ruin the mission simply because you don?t like a woman.?
?This isn?t an objection. This story will not work.?
?What do we have to lose? The Peacecraft family have connections that may suit our purposes into discovering Wufei?s whereabouts. With you considered part of the family, everything will become much easier for us.?
Heero gazed at him for a long moment, caught by his argument. Finally he said in a truculent voice, ?I don?t want to be wasting my time when I could be out looking for the hijackers.?
?You know this way is faster and easier.? He repeated. Then he paused. ?Or am I wrong?maybe you?re reluctant not because you dislike her?but because you like her too much? Is that why she irritates you so much? Is that why you?re so determined to avoid being around her??
?Don?t be an idiot,? Heero said roughly. ?Fine, I?ll do it.?
With that, he got up, turned without another word and strode back into the Inn.
Still feeling relaxed by the rum, Relena finished her hot thorough shower and hair washing and turned to the clothes she had selected for the drive to Sanq Manor. She thought about the inevitable that would occur tomorrow. It would be better if that loathsome Heero person did agree to pretend to be her fianc?. If she told the real story, Lady Une would find it a golden opportunity to lecture her on her foolish ways and how being defiant in the royal family would ruin the country because Relena had always been outspoken on her ideals. It was enough to make her hope that Barton had been able to talk Heero into it.
Barton?s scheme made sense?in an outlandish sort of way. As long as the two of them maintained that they were engaged, who would have the nerve to dispute them? On that pleasurable reflection, she finished arranging her hair in the best attractive style she could despite it being wet. Then she heard the door opening and assumed it was a servant taking away the toiletries she had finished using, however, when she heard the hard thud of a man?s, she swung around with a low cry. It was Heero. They froze, starring at each other. Relena was dressed in only her undergarments, a lace push-up bar and a hipster. Her breast swelled up. She made an entrancing picture there, in front of the fireplace; her ripe curves exposed, hair down, thick and luxuriant, inviting to touch. She seemed at once innocent and sensual, a woman to stir desire.
A blush surged up Relena?s throat into her face, and she raised her hands to her shoulders, covering her luscious breasts. ?Excuse me!?
He stepped back, a little jerkily, as though pulling himself from a trance. ?Sorry,? He turned, and then added with great irony, ?How fortunate that we?re engaged, or your reputation in as a princess would be in shreds.?
?Then?you have agreed??
?Yes, I?ve agreed to this scheme.? He turned and strode to the door, where he looked back at her. ?I?m going to Trowa?s room. He hopes to make me into a nobleman. You better lock this door if you don?t want any more unexpected guests.?
As soon as he left, Relena darted to the door and turned the lock, as he had suggested. She thought of the look in the man?s deep blue eyes, the way they had run rapidly down her figure, and she shivered, once again feeling that odd quiver deep in her abdomen. There was something about this man that seemed dangerous.
But she straightened her shoulders and marched across the room where her clothes lay and began dressing. She wouldn?t be intimidated by him. She would pretend she was going to marry him, and she would do such an excellent job at it that no one would suspect the truth. She finished dressing and exited the room. As late as it was, she hoped that Lady Une wouldn?t even be up to see her enter the Manor. The Public parlor was nearly empty and she found Mr. Barton near the stairs, having a drink. He turned and smiled at her. ?Ah?lovely Princess.? He came forward to take her hand and raised it to his lips. ?You?re even lovelier than I realized. It would be clear to anyone but the dragon Lady Une that if you?re unmarried, it?s entirely through your own choice.?
?What a pretty compliment.?
?It?s nothing but the truth.? His gaze moved past her and fastened on the staircase beyond. ?Here is your fianc?, and looking more the part.
Relena turned toward the staircase. It was all she could do to keep her mouth from dropping open. Gone was the rough clothed, muddy thug of earlier, and in his place was the most gorgeous intense man she?d ever seen. Though his clothes were mostly black, his perfectly toned body stood out, his disheveled brown hair made him seem untamed. But the most captivating feature were his eyes; such deep blue.
?What do you think Miss Relena?? Trowa watched her as Heero began his descent down the stairs.
?Yes. Although I hadn?t given anyone a hint that my fianc? had such a bearish personality.?
?That would be quite natural to hide.?
?Let?s go,? Heero snarled. ?A servant has already taken down my suitcase.? He turned toward Relena, hand out. ?The money??
She looked up at him ?What??
?We had an agreement.?
?Oh! Well?? she cast a helpless glance toward Trowa. ?What should I pay him??
?I?m not sure.? He frowned at Heero. ?What do you usually get for such a thing??
??I?ve never done such a thing.? Heero thought for a moment ?I?d say 2 million.?
Relena gave him a brutal look.
?Heero, that?s pricey.?
Heero raised one amused eyebrow. ?A man?s got to live, doesn?t he??
?But that more than most family?s make in years!? Relena protested.
?But you couldn?t take a servant in to meet your family, now, could you??
?It?s only a few days work.? She argued.
?It?s not the time though, is it? It?s me keeping our little secret. I?ll take 2 Million in cash.?
?All right?I?ll pay you in separate amounts. $500,000 now, and the rest once I witness your acting skills.?
Trowa escorted them out where a rented car and driver awaited them. Trowa helped her in the car and Heero climbed in after her. And the car started forward. Relena looked at the stranger across beside her and wondered what she had gotten herself into. Then she picked up her purse, rolled out a large sum and handed it to him. ?Here.? She almost threw it at him.
?Thanks.? He told her as he put it in his pocket.
?Remember, it?s only part of the money.? Relena said crisply, refusing to let him draw her into irritation.
?Afraid I?ll run off as soon as we get there?? he asked, a sardonic smile playing at his lips. ?That would be embarrassing.?
Relena ignored his words. ?What are you?? she asked. ?An assassin? A gambler??
?Why do you ask? Are you familiar with them??
?I?ve heard enough about them to recognize you?re one of them.?
He snickered.
?Then you?re not one of them??
?I thought we established that I was a common thief.?
?I?m not aware that we established anything about you,? she responded coldly. ?The only thing I know is that I don?t trust you.?
?You are a wise woman.? Again his dark eyes glinted with amusement. ?But, a trust-worthy man would hardly suit your purpose, would he??
Relena looked at him, nonplussed by his words. He was right. A scrupulously honest man would never have agreed to this charade. The fact didn?t reflect well on her, she realized, since she was engaged in the same deception as he?worse, since it was her own family that she was deceiving.
She cast a sideways glance at him, wondering what she was doing, bringing a thief right into her family?s home. Was she being weak, deceiving her brother this way? Was she doing all this for the sake of her pride? Doubts assailed her.
?What?? he asked. ?Having second thoughts? Wondering if this is less than honorable? Or is it doubt about letting a thief have access to the treasures of Sanq Manor? You should have thought of that earlier.?
?Don?t be absurd,? Relena said boldly, managing to keep tremor out of her voice. ?Even you wouldn?t be so stupid to steal something, when it would be so obvious who had done it. When I could identify you.?
?As what? Mr. Lowe??
Her eyes flew to his, startled.
?You don?t even know my name, do you??
?But?isn?t it Heero??
?Yeah?my first name.?
?Your first name! But I thought Mr. Barton meant your last name, what?s your last name then??
?Lowe, what else??
She merely looked at him, wide-eyed, momentarily bereft of words.
Suddenly, startling her even further, he grabbed her, pulling her into his lap. One arm went around her shoulders, the other around her waist, pinning her arms very effectively to her sides.
?What are you?Stop it! Let me go at once!?
?You seem to have forgotten one other little thing in your rush to fool your family. A fianc?, you know, has certain expectations.?
He bent and his lips meet hers. They were hard, almost bruising, pressing into her soft lips with an insistent force. Relena gasped in surprise, and he seized the opportunity to slip his tongue inside, amazing her even more. She had been kissed only once or twice, and then only by men overcome by the moment, but she had never felt anything like this. His mouth seemed to feed on her hungry and urgent, demanding that she give in to him.
Just as suddenly as he had began, he stopped, raising his head and gazing down at her for a long moment. His face was flushed, his chest rising and falling rapidly. She stared back, mesmerized, for once unable to speak. She thought for an instant that he was about to kiss her again, but then he abruptly set her back on her seat.
?Remember that,? he told her darkly, ?then next time you decide to pretend some man is about to become your husband.?
Anger flooded Relena, wiping away her astonishment, as well as a stab of fear she had felt a moment earlier. ?How dare you!?
?I dare anything,? he returned flatly. ?I don?t care that your royalty, you know nothing about me or my character. You were a fool to agree to this.?
?Then perhaps I should end it right now!? Relena?s cheeks flamed with color. ?Why don?t we stop, and you can get out and walk??
?Oh, no, princess, we made a bargain, and I intend to see it through.?
?Don?t get the idea that because you?re pretending to be my fianc? that you have those rights. I?m paying you good money, if you?re dissatisfied, then leave right now.?
Her fierce gaze would have melted iron.
Her words seemed to amuse him more than anything else, because he only smiled faintly and murmured, ?You don?t scare easily.?
?Is that what you were trying to do? Frighten me?? she gazed at him perplexed, ?Why??
?It?s better not go into a situation blind.?
?So you were testing me?? her mouth twisted with exasperation. ?Well, I can promise you, Mr?whatever your name is?that if there is a weak link in this plan, it?s not me.? She looked at him pointedly. He returned her gaze without expression, and after a moment, she got up in her most prim, princess like manner and said, ?I believe it would be best if, instead of indulging in juvenile tests, we settled down and be certain of our story. Now, your last name is Lowe, like you said. I think that we could use your own name, Heero, as your first name. That way, if I slip and say it, it won?t seem odd. I?ve never spoken of you as anything but Mr. Lowe to my family, so they don?t know what your first name is.?
He nodded agreement. ?Tell me, where do I live? How do I spend my time??
You live on the colonies. You?re a man of leisure, and you write.?
?What?? his expression turned pained. ?I hop you don?t mean poetry.?
?Oh, no. You?re a scholarly man. You?re interested in ancient history, particularly the 21st century. You even have written several articles, and working on a book.?
?You mean I will be expected to converse on the subject??
?No,? she assured him airily. ?Milliardo generally dislikes know-it-alls. I just thought it sounded like an interesting profession to be doing.?
He grimanced and went on, ?What else, should I know about this paragon??
?You?re a very kind and well-mannered man?there is where you will need to work on your role.?
?Sounds like a dull dog to me.?
?He?s not! He is a superior man.?
?Well, your description makes me wonder why any woman would want to marry him.?
?You obviously have no understanding of women.?
?So I?ve been told.?
?Mr. Lowe respects women, and believes they are even more worthy then men themselves.?
?Heero cast her a sardonic look. ?Don?t you think he?s a little too perfect?intelligent, gentlemanly, a man who worships women as a higher being??
?No, I wouldn?t have agreed to marry him otherwise. He will be perfectly believeable as long as you act that way.?
?You may be stretching the limits of my acting ability.?
?You?re stretching the limits of my patience. Now please pay attention and do what you?re supposed to.?
?I?ll try my humble best,? he promised sardonically. ?Go on. Tell me about my most excellent qualities.?
They spent the remainder of the journey in conversation about the ficitious Mr. Lowe, with Relena trying to remember everything she had said about the man.
Finally, just as they passed through the gates to Sanq Manor, Heero thought to ask, ?Do I look like him??
An odd look crossed Relena?s face. ?What??
?Do I resemble him physically? I?m sure you must have described him.?
?Well?I didn?t picture him looking like you,? Relena admitted. ?He wouldn?t be so?attractive, I might have said he was of average height but I?m sure that I didn?t mention anything like that to Milliardo.?
She looked at him doubtfully. Heero?s six feet would hardly be called average. But at least she hadn?t mentioned what color his hair or his eyes.
At the moment, the car pulled to a halt in front of the house. Relena pushed open the door before the driver could get to it. She stepped out and Heero followed. She looked up at the venerable house and saw that almost all the lights were still on despite the lateness of the hour.?
?Oh, God.? She had been hoping everyone would have gone to bed already.
As if to emphasize her thoughts, the double front doors opened wide and were held by two footmen, and the butler, dressed in sober black came rushing down the wide stone steps toward them, a grin stretching across his face.
?Miss Relena!? he cried ?It?s wonderful to see you.?
?Pegan!? Relena flew forward and gave him a hug. ?You shouldn?t have waited up.?
?As if I could go to bed, not knowing where you were, and leave you to be greeted by the footmen?? The beaming man looked affronted by the idea.
?No,? Relena agreed. ?I can see that you didn?t.? She turned toward Heero. ?Dear? Come here and meet Pegan. He?s the butler and has been running all our lives for years. Pegan, this is Mr. Lowe. He??
?Yes, yes, I know!? he smiled broadly at Relena?s companion. ?Mrs. Noin has told us all about him. Congratulations, sir. Much happiness. This is a wonderful thing. And the Master will be very pleased that you?ve arrived. He?s been awaiting but since it?s already late, he retired early to bed.?
Pegan lead them up the stairs and into the house as Relena continued her greetings with her butler.
?It seems as though everyone is still awake.? Relena said, a little questioningly, as Pegan swept them through the wide front hall.
?Yes, the whole group, except his lordship.?
?Oh.? She tried to hide her glee.
?Here we are.? Pegan stopped before a double set of doors that stood open, leading into a large, formal room that was rarely used by her brother. Relena was sure it was by Lady Une command?s that it was being used now. Though Noin was higher in rank, being the mistress of the household. Pegan stepped inside the room, addressing Noin. ?My lady, Miss Relena has arrived.?
He stepped aside to let them enter. Relena drew a deep breath and looked up into Heero?s face. He smiled down at her, transforming the harsh lines of his face into a more beautiful image. Then she realized that he was assuming a loverlike expression for their charade. She tried to adjust her face into the same sort of look as she tucked her hand into the crook of his arm.
They stepped inside the room and stopped abruptly. Inside the room was Lady Une along with her bland son and daughter as well as Noin.
?Relena.? Noin said, rising to her feet and reaching out to enfold her in a graceful hug, all the while staring at Heero with a peculiar look on her face.
?Relena.? Lady Une rose ponderously, though she didn?t extend her arms for a similar hug.
Relena smiled back politely, exchanging greetings with her cousins, Quatre and Dorothy.
Then she turned toward Heero, holding out her hand toward him. To her relief, he started toward her with alacrity. She realized with amazement that he looked quite handsome smiling down at her. Dorothy and her mother were gazing at him with their mouths open.
Relena drew her breath to introduce Heero, but before she could speak.
Noin turned towards them and flashed one of her sparkling smiles at Heero and walked past Relena, saying brightly, ?No, you?ve no need to tell us, Relena. We all know that this must be your husband??
j/k
OMG! 
