I don?t own Gundam Wing
****
She didn?t awaken until the next morning?when Heero jumped into bed beside her.
His leap was a smooth dive over Relena?s sleeping form and onto the bed beside her. He barely grazed her, but the movement brought her instantly awake.
?What?? she began furiously but Heero wrapped his arms around her and squeezed her to his chest, cutting off her words.
?Hush!? he whispered against her ear. ?The maid.?
At that instant it registered on Relena that she could hear a gentle rapping at the door, and now the door creaked as it eased open. Relena lay still in Heero?s arms, her eyes tightly closed, as the maid tip-toed into the room and set a tray down on the small table beside the bed. Relena tried to make her breathing slow and shallow, as if she were asleep, even though every nerve in her body was alive and tingling. She was acutely aware of Heero?s bare chest against her face, a few curling hairs tickling her skin. His arms were like iron around her, holding her tightly, should she make a movement that would give them away. His scent filled her nostrils; his heat seeped into her body.
?Miss Relena. Uh, Mrs. Lowe,? the maid whispered. When Relena didn?t respond, the maid leaned closer to the bed. ?Princess, please, wake up.?
Heero opened his eyes, his arms loosening around Relena. She took this as her cue to stir and ?awaken,? also.
?What the hell do you want?? Heero asked the maid gruffly.
?I?m sorry, sir?prince.? The maid looked pitifully hopeless and a bit confused. ?Truly I am. It?s just that the Kind is up, sir, and he?s demanding to see you. He?s eager to see you and Miss Relena. I mean, Mrs. Lowe.?
?Oh.? Relena understood now why the maid had the audacity to awaken them. She knew her brother, and his orders brooked no argument. ?Milliardo ordered you to wake us up and bring us to his room.?
?Yes.? Relief flooded the girl?s plain face at Relena?s ready understanding. ?That?s why I?ve brought you coffee and toast.?
Relena nodded. ?It?s all right. We aren?t angry with you.?
?We aren?t?? Heero asked sourly.
Relena wanted to shoot him a look that was just as sour, but instead, she smiled at him with great sweetness, saying, ?Now, dearest, I told you how my brother is. She isn?t to blame. I am sure he commanded her to awaken us.?
To her surprise, Heero smiled back at her, his dark blue eyes alight with affection.
?Of course, my love. Your smile can sweeten even my bitter temper. Forgive me.?
?I will.? She tried to act as if she were used to that loving look in his eyes, to his warm, firm lips touching hers. She drew a steadying breath.
?Should I pick out an outfit for you, Princess?? the maid asked now, going toward the closets.
?Yes. Please do.?
The maid bobbed back and forth through the open door of the closet room. She emerged a moment later with a white crochet sweater-dress and high-heeled polka-dot sandals and left the room, promising to be back ?quick as a wink.?
When the door closed behind her, Relena sagged with relief. ?God! How did you know she was about to come in??
?I?m a light sleeper. I heard her rattling with the tray out in the hall, setting it down so she could knock on the door, and I realized what she was going to do. I didn?t mean to startle you.?
He sat up, pushing aside the cover. Relena realized that he was lying on top of her bedcovers. He had brought the blanket with him as he leaped over her onto the bed, spreading it hastily over them. She glanced at the bed beside her and saw that he had brought his pillow, too. A very efficient man, even in an emergency.
?Is your brother so terrifying that everyone jumps at his command?? he asked, searching the drawers for his clothes, which the maid had unpacked the evening before. ?Even waking us up and dragging us out of bed??
?He can be something of a bother. He?s used to getting his way, you see. He assumed the title when he was only twelve. That was nearly eighteen years ago.?
?Then we better not keep him waiting.?
He pulled on a clean white shirt and buttoned it up. Then he began to unbutton his pants, and Relena realized that he intended to strip them off and put on fresh ones right here in front of her. With a gasp, she scrambled off the bed and into the sanctuary of the closet room. While she was there, she pulled off her nightgown and put on her bra and crochet sweater-dress.
The maid found her in the closet room, and if she found it odd that Relena was whiling away her time there, she was in too much of a hurry to say anything about it.
When she emerged from the closet room, Relena found Heero fully dressed with black corduroy pant with a chocolate brown jacket over his white button down shirt. He chose his shoes the same color as his jacket. He was waiting for her, lounging on the couch on which he had passed the night, looking both bored and aristocratic. He looked so much the picture of a refined, handsome man that Relena had to smother a smile.
He rose when she entered the room. ?You look lovely, as always.?
Even though she knew that the compliment was only part of the image he was trying to create, Relena couldn?t restrain the flush of pleasure that rose in her. It was always nice to hear a compliment, she reasoned. It had nothing to do with the fact that Heero was the one who had given the compliment to her.
She sat down in front of a mirror and brushed her hair into a long braid, finger-curling a few strands of hair around her face into soft dangling curls. With that, she was ready, and they set forth down the wide hallway to the king?s bedroom, her hand formally on Heero?s arm.
With each step, the bundle of nerves in Relena?s stomach grew larger and tighter. She had the thought of lying to her brother. She wished that she had never blurted out the stupid fib in the first place.
They stopped in front of the door to his bedroom, and Heero looked down at her. ?Nervous??
She nodded. To her surprise, he laid his hand over hers, where it rested in the crook of his arm. It was a comforting gesture, and the last thing she would have expected from this man.
?Don?t be,? he told her in a low voice. ?I?ll be there to help you out. And, remember, don?t explain too much. Real like is full of contradictions and mistakes. Only lies are perfect and smooth.?
She nodded her understanding and gave him a small smile. He rapped lightly at the door.
A moment later, the door creaked open to reveal the same old butler who greeted them when they first arrived and when he saw Relena, he broke into a wide smile.
?Miss Relena! I should say, Mrs. Lowe. Come in, please,? Pegan said in a loud voice, and stepped back, holding the door open for them. ?His lordship will be much pleased to see you.?
?Hello, Pegan.? Relena beamed back at the man, raising her voice slightly. ?It?s good to see you. You are looking well.?
?Thank you. It?s kind of you to say so, my arthritis has been acting up a bit, but not enough to complain.? He then proceeded to escort them into Milliardo?s private office.
A platinum blond man sat in front of a large desk, apparently reading some documents. He was dressed in a snowy white suit. His blue eyes looked up to their waiting faces as he rose from his seat.
?My lord,? Pegan announced in stentorian tones, ?here?s Miss Relena to see you.?
?Yes, I can see that, you old fool,? Milliardo grumbled. ?Stop shouting, I?m not deaf.?
?Very good, sir.? The old butler didn?t seem to mind the other man?s stricture. Heero wondered if the old man had even heard it.
Milliardo waved at the servant in dismissal, then Pegan began his slow way back to a chair in the opposite corner of the room. Milliardo held out his hand toward Relena, and she quickly went around the desk and took it, leaning up for a kiss on the cheek.
?How are you Milliardo? Still growling at everyone, I see.?
He made a slight ?humph? noise but held on to her hand, motioning for her to sit on a leather sofa in one corner. ?Better than I can convince any of these fools. Of course I growl at them, otherwise, they?d never let me get any work done.?
?You? Never!?
His eyes twinkled at her, and he reached up to smooth out her hair. ?You were always a stubborn one. I like that. Never the fragile, sensitive type.?
Relena smiled back. Then he shrugged off his comforting thoughts and turned to stare at Heero.
After a moment, he asked ?Is this him?? Relena nodded.
Then Milliardo motioned toward the seat beside Relena. Heero obediently went to stand beside her and executed a polite nod toward the man. It wasn?t a bow or even a shake of the hand as some people would have done under the glare of the intimidating king, Relena thought, but then she knew her brother would think someone who gave him that kind of attention was probably a snobbish guy, an idiot is what he would call him.
?Milliardo, this is Heero Lowe. Heero, this is my brother, the king of the Sanq kingdom.?
?Good morning.? Heero said.
Milliardo gave a somewhat of a snort. ?Well?what do you have to say for taking my sister away without even asking me for her hand??
?Oh, brother?? Relena moaned. ?Is that really necessary??
Both the King and Heero ignored her comment. Heero looked at the other man straight in the eye and said, ?I should have presented myself for that I must beg your forgiveness.? He smiled, and the stern lines of his face lifted and changed. ?But, I couldn?t wait, not for a woman like Relena. I?m sure you understand that. I trust that you wouldn?t judge me ill despite my impatience. That I?ll be able to prove my worthiness to you after our wedding.?
Milliardo smirked. ?A very pretty speech.?
Relena, staring at Heero in amazement, had to agree. It was straightforward, yet respectful to her brother, and subtly suggested a strong affection for Relena. Despite her brother?s snobbish words, she knew that he approved of what Heero said, and she wondered how Heero could have guessed that this was the tack he should take with her bother. Perhaps it was because the two men were alike.
The thought startled her, and she immediately dismissed it. Her brother was nothing like this man pretending to be her husband. Her brother was a man of strong principle, who would always commit to duty. He might be proud and aristocratic but Relena knew there was no one she would trust more. On the other hand, Heero was just a great actor, who would dare to fool anyone, even a king. Certainly someone willing to give up his own identity in order to get a little money, and who was now even calmly lying to a king. It was foolish!
It was just something about the expressions on their faces, she thought as she looked at them. That was what had made her think that somehow they were alike. Heero was a man of commanding presence, just like her brother was, and he had that rather arrogant way of looking at one, as if he expected everyone to do as he said. With her brother, she assumed it was from years of training, of being regarded with the awe and respect that was afforded to a king. She wondered how Heero had acquired it. Was he that good an actor?
It made her think that perhaps he wasn?t a blue-collar as she had assumed. It seemed to her that surely he must have grown up around aristocrats, to be able to imitate the look, the stance, the attitudes, so easily. He had mentioned before that he was able to travel easily between Earth and space. He must obviously be wealthy. But if that were the case, why would he still choose to be a thief?
She remembered Duo?s suspicions. Could Duo be right? Was there some other, deeper motive for his willingness to pose as her husband? She should keep a close watch on him, she decided.
?You think a few charming words will make me give you my blessing?? Milliardo went on brutally.
?I didn?t think about that.? Heero replied. ?Frankly, it doesn?t matter to me whether you give our marriage your blessing. However, for Relena?s sake, I hope you will. She would be happier.?
?Stop being such a feint, Milliardo,? Relena interjected. ?You and I both know that you?re glad I?m married. It?s pointless trying to intimidate Heero.?
?Mmm.? He regarded Heero unblinkingly for a moment, then said a little bitterly, ?Welcome to the family.?
?Thank you.?
?Do you play chess?? Milliardo asked curiously.
?Oh, Mill?no. You?re not going to make him play with you, are you??
?It?s no problem,? Heero said quickly, ?If you?d like to, I?d enjoy a game of chess very much.?
?Good,? he rubbed his hands together. ?Pegan, Get out the chess set. Lowe, pull up a chair in front of me. I haven?t played a good game since I don? know when. No one?s any good, well, except for Duo, but he?s too fidgety, always jumping up and pacing around when I?m trying to think and Noin?s too busy keeping Lady Une out of my way.?
Relena looked at her brother oddly. ?Mill, are you sure you want to?? She was faintly surprised at her brother?s almost eager attitude towards the game but that wasn?t so much that bothered her than the fact that Heero and he would spend time together.
?For God?s sake Relena, don?t turn into Pegan. Why don?t you run along and visit with Noin. She?s been anxious to see you.?
?Uh, well, I thought I might stay and watch.? Relena liked even less the idea of Heero being trapped alone with Milliardo. Her brother was a clever man.
?Don?t fuss,? her brother ordered. ?We?ll be fine. I promise I won?t interrogate the man. Much.? He reached and stroked Relena?s chin.
Pegan brought the set and put in on a table he dragged between the two men sitting. Heero began to put the pieces. Relena lingered beside him, trying to think of a reason to stay. Heero looked at up at her and smirked.
?I?ll be fine. You?d only be bored if you stayed. I?m sure you and Noin have a lot to talk about.?
Relena promised then that she had promised to tell Noin all about her supposed marriage to Heero, with both her brother and Heero practically shoving her out the door, she could hardly stay here. With a sigh, she leaned over and kissed her brother on the cheek, then rubbed Heero?s disheveled chocolate brown head, promising to come back and visit him later.
When she had walked out of the room, Heero turned to Milliardo.
?Now, I presume, is when I should tell you about my finances and background.?
The other man waved his hand, dismissing the topic.
?Can you take care of her??
?Yes.?
?Are you going to spend her money??
?Her money is and will remain her own.? Heero answered truthfully. ?I?m not even aware of how much she has.?
Milliardo studied him for a moment. ?Do you gamble? Drink much? Chase after other women??
?No. I don?t gamble and I don?t drink to excess.? Heero tried to repress his indignation at the questions. It was, after all, the other man?s right to pry into his business if he was married to his sister.
Milliardo smirked. ?Don?t like being asked questions, do you? Well, neither do I, if I were in your shoes. But I?m not, and my concern is my sister.? He shrugged. ?Well, I won?t ask if you love her. It doesn?t matter whether if you do now or not. If I know Relena, you will soon enough.?
Heero could think of nothing to say in response.
?Well, let?s begin,? Milliardo went on, as if it were Heero who had been delaying the game, and nodded toward the board.
They began the game. Heero found himself enjoying it more than he would have thought. Milliardo was obviously a very clever man and he beat Heero in the first match. But Heero came back and won the second.
?We?ll have to play again,? Milliardo said, setting back into the couch. ?You?re the only one here who will give me a decent game.?
Heero bowed his head in recognition of the compliment and started to rise. Milliardo waved him back down. ?No. Sit. I have something else I want to say to you.? He glanced around the room. ?Pegan??
?Yes, sir?? Heero had forgotten about the butler, but he came forward now to pick up the chess set.
?Take that away and go find yourself something to do,? Milliardo commanded.
Pegan frowned. ?But, sir?? he glanced from Heero to Milliardo and back again. ?Are you sure you wouldn?t rather??
?No, dammit. I want to talk to him?alone.?
?Of course, sir.? Pegan said frostily, pulling himself as straight as he could stand. He shuffled away with the chess set. Milliardo watched him put the set away in its cabinet, then leave out the door, turning back for a last look before he went out and closed it behind him.
Milliardo let out his breath in a noisy sigh. ?I?ll hear about that for a week, I?m sure. Worse than my wife.? He shook his head. ?Well, I?m still upset at him for helping Relena leave when she did.? Then he turned toward Heero.
?I have to talk to you.? Heero straightened, alerted by something in the man?s tone.
?I trust you can keep a secret.? He said this as he pointed a long finger at him.
?Of course.?
?Even from Relena??
?If I need to.?
?Good.? They sat in silence for a moment until Milliardo said casually, ?Military, aren?t you??
Heero glanced at him a little surprised. ?Sort of.?
The other man simply nodded. Finally, he said, ?I think that you?re just the man I need.?
Heero wondered where this could be going. Milliardo continued, saying, ?Ordinarily, I?d take care of it, but I?ll be leaving soon to the colonies for a small while and I?d like this to be taken care of as soon as possible.?
?About what??
?About what?s going on here.? He frowned. ?I don?t know what it is, but there?s a problem and I know it has to do with Duo...?
?I?m not sure what you mean. What makes you think something?s wrong with him??
?Duo is the head of security. When he first came here about two months ago??
Heero?s eyes narrowed. Two months ago was when Wufei first disappeared.
??he saved Relena?s life when she?s accidentally fell off a one of my more wild horses. Anyway, lately he?s been sneaking away in the middle of the night.?
?But why? Can?t he just leave??
?That?s it. Why would he want everyone to think he was still here? He?s very good at it too. Took me a while before I realized what he was doing. He only began to sneak off when a man named Dekim Barton arrived a few days after Relena left for the Colonies. He said he wanted to introduce his son, Trowa Barton, to Relena.?
Damn, Trowa must have taken his name after he killed the son?
?Dekim Barton?? he asked. ?Who is he??
?General from the Colonies. He and his son stayed at a local hotel until his son was found dead at the bottom of a cliff, on my propriety. He hasn?t left since then even though people rarely see him. Some think he?s looking for his son?s murderer. It?s common knowledge that he?s been recruiting young men around this location. But he?s not using the men for a search, he?s forming an army. ?
?An army? What for??
?Dekim?s always wanted the Sanq kingdom for it?s strong alliances with the Colonies. He?d like nothing more than to either have this kingdom or destroy it to get it out of the way.?
?But why did you pressure Relena for marriage in the first place? Otherwise Dekim wouldn?t have brought his son to you.?
?I pressured her because there are certain people who want our family gone. Our parents were murdered and it?s easy to get rid of us as well. If Relena and I were killed, this country?s bond with the Colonies and other nations would also be gone. If that happens, war is but a second away.?
?Why don?t you just exile him from your country??
?His son was killed on this property. ESUN will believe I was connected to his son?s murder.
?Does Relena know anything about Dekim??
?Relena wasn?t around when Dekim showed up. I?d told everyone, including Duo, not to tell her. At that time, I was searching for a legitimate husband for her. That?s why Dekim came to me.?
?I see.?
?I want to know if Duo has been recruited to Dekim. Duo has every knowledge of the Palace, including this Manor. I want you to find out if Duo has joined Dekim against me.?
?But I?m an outsider,? Heero pointed out.
Milliardo shook his head. ?Doesn?t matter. Pretend you want to be recruited by Dekim, ask around the towns. Do anything to find out if Duo is involved.?
Milliardo said no more, simply looked at him. Finally, Heero nodded. ?I understand. I will see what I can find out.?
Heero got up and walked towards the door. ?Come back,? Milliardo commanded. ?We?ll have another game.?
?I will.?
Heero walked out into the hall and, finding only the offended Pegan sitting there waiting, he made his way downstairs. He found Relena in a living room that was smaller and more comfortable than the formal one where they had met the guest the evening before. She looked up at him and smiled, and he was struck at how pretty she was. Her skin was cream and rose, and when she smiled, her face seemed to light up. His eyes fell to her breasts, emphasized by the low cut blouse. It wasn?t difficult, he realized, to look as if he were a new bride-groom because the first thing he felt when he saw her was a swift rush of desire.
?There you are,? he said, tamping down the feeling and coming across to bend over her and kiss her cheek. He turned to her companion. ?Noin.?
?Good morning, Heero,? Noin answered friendly. ?Relena was just telling me of your wedding. Quite interesting details.?
He felt sure it had been. He wondered what the story was. He cast a look toward Relena, hoping for help, but she just smiled. ?I see,? he finally replied.
Noin beamed at him. ?I?m so glad you two decided to get married after you agreed to pretend to be her fianc?. How ironic that you two fell for each other.?
?Mm-hm,? he murmured, completely uncomfortable. ?Noin, if you?ll excuse us, I hoped that I could convince Relena to show me the gardens.?
Noin smirked at him. Not at all offended. ?Of course. They aren?t I full bloom yet but I?m sure you?ll enjoy them anyway, as long as Relena is with you.?
He stood up, offering Relena his hand, and she rose gracefully to take it. There was a sparkle in her eyes that told him she was enjoying his displeasure. However lovely she was, she was equally annoying, he reminded himself.
Just as the start d toward the door leading to the gardens, Quatre entered the room. ?Relena. And Mr. Lowe,? he said. ?Everyone seems to be up before me. They say its Earth?s refreshing scenery. Earth?s truly lovely, isn?t it??
?Yes, it is Quatre.? Relena replied. ?You must tell Noin all about it. Heero and I were just going out for a walk in the garden.?
?Oh, well I won?t keep you waiting.? He moved, then stopped, studying them both. ?You know, Mr. Lowe, I keep having the oddest feeling that I know you. Have we met before??
?I doubt it,? Relena interjected hastily. ?Heero lives in L1.?
?All your life??
?Yes,? Relena answered.
?No,? Heero replied at the same time.
Heero put his free hand over Relena?s and squeezed it. ?I haven?t always been in L1.?
?That?s right,? Noin added. ?He must have been in L4 to meet you Relena.?
?You?re right. How silly of me.?
?Of course,? Heero went on, ?my life didn?t really begin until L4, or we wouldn?t be together now.?
Noin gave a dreamy smile. With a nod, Heero swept Relena out of the room before Quatre could question Heero if he?d seen him anywhere else.
?Do you know him?? Relena whispered as she guided him through the gardens.
Heero shook his head. ?I didn?t recognize him. I doubt he could?ve seen me before.?
?Quatre?s friendly but he?s also smart. You never worked for him, did you??
Heero shook his head.
?Or stole anything from him??
?Why do you keep thinking that I?m a thief?? Heero asked, exasperated.
?I don?t know. You almost kidnapped me.?
?I saved your life.?
?They were shooting at you, not me. Why do you look at me like that?? Relena stepped away from him uneasily.
?Like what??
?As if you might put your hand around my throat and squeeze.?
?Don?t be foolish. I just think we don?t need to talk about that right now.?
When she didn?t say anything more, he turned his head to her, gently squeezing her hand.
?Tell me what you told Noin about our wedding.?
She smiled slightly. ?I tried to keep it simply like you said. That you offered to pretend to be my fianc?, but then we fell in love and decided to get married as soon as possible. That it was spontaneous.?
?You?ve told so many lies since I?ve met you, I don?t know how you keep them straight.?
?It is getting difficult,? Relena admitted. ?But you were the one who wanted to keep Noin from knowing the truth. This was the closest thing I could think of.?
?You?re getting better. Maybe Someday, you?ll get promoted to thief, like me.?
A little laughter escaped her lips. ?What?s you?re real profession??
Heero stopped, pulling Relena to a halt with him. Putting his hands on her arms, he turned her to face him and looked down at her as if they were having an ordinary conversation. No, not quite that. He was looking at her as if?as if he were hungry.
?Don?t pull away,? he told her quietly, all the while gazing at her in that odd, unnerving way. ?Lady Une is in the window, watching us. No! Don?t look. Keep looking at me.?
?Why??
?And smile at me, as if I had told you that you?re beautiful.?
She couldn?t keep from softening into a smile at his words.
?Good. That?s it. Now?we are going to put on a little show for your aunt.?
?To convince her that we?re married.?
?Smart girl. Yes. So don?t pull away or slap my face.?
His face was lowering to hers. Relena felt her breath coming faster in her throat. She knew that he was going to kiss her, yet still she asked, ?Why??
?I?m going to kiss you.? His lips brushed lightly over hers. ?Kiss you as if I?d just been between your legs.?
She gasped at his words, and then his mouth covered hers.
His lips were gentler than they had been last night in the car, but still firm and insistent. They moved on hers, digging deeper, pressing her own lips apart. Then his tongue flicked out, teasing at her lips, and it slipped inside her mouth. His arms went around her tightly, pulling her hard against his body. Relena trembled, glad for the support, yet even more unsettled by the feel of his hard body against hers. Her fingers curled unconsciously into his jacket, clinging to him in the maelstrom of sensations that enveloped her.
Finally, he raised his head and looked down at her. Relena, aware of a deep pulsation within her abdomen, hoped that he wouldn?t release her now, or she might fall. Breathlessly she asked, ?Is that enough, do you think? To convince her??
A sensual smirked curved his lips, and he answered huskily, ?No. She should see at least one more.?
He bent his head once more, and this time Relena went up on to meet him. He let out a low groan at this evidence of her eagerness, and his lips sank into hers hungrily. He kissed her deeply, fully, like he couldn?t get enough, but Relena, a little to her surprise, wasn?t frightened at all, only meet his eagerness head on. She had never felt this way. Her arms went around his neck, and she kissed him back, her tongue twining around his.
Heero?s hands moved down her back, curving over her hips and pressing her up into him. Relena was aware of something hard against her, pushing urgently. He lifted her almost off her feet, rubbing her abdomen against him. Moisture flooded between her legs, thick and hot, and there was a deep, pulsing ache there. She realized that what she yearned for was to feel him there. She became hot all over again with the thought. She wondered if he knew what she was feeling, what she was thinking. It would be humiliating for him to realize that he had such power over her. She felt a tremor pass through his arms and she knew that she had heady power over him as well.
He tore his mouth away from hers and trailed hot, greedy kisses down her throat. Relena shivered at the delightful sensation, and she lolled her head back, offering up her soft white throat to him. He made an inarticulate noise, and his hand slid up and around her body to cup her breast. A fierce heat speared against him unconsciously. He mumbled something against her skin, his hot breath tickling her. Relena let out a soft sigh, melting against him, as his hand caressed her breast. Her hand slid up and into his hair. Heat enveloped her, and she found it hard to think. She felt as if she was slipping away, sliding down into a red-hot maelstrom of desire, and she had no idea where it would end?
*****
Sorry this took so long
Relena always was strong
