Posted: Wed Jul 03, 2002 8:57 am
Continued from Page 1
?Well, this has been an eventful evening,? Relena?s mouth curved into a thin smile as their waitress cleared away the last of the dessert dishes. ?Life with you must never be dull.?
Heero frowned, mentally reliving the scene from an hour ago with Vash and his cat. ?Not by choice,? he mumbled.
?Of course,? Relena said, glancing down the table to where her two business associates were chatting happily with the other GLLC officers. ?That side of the table has been noticeably quieter since Van spoke with Hitomi. Thank you for stepping in.?
?You don?t have to thank me,? Heero said. ?It?s only common decency that if he?s made her angry, he should apologize. After all, it?s what?s best for our business.?
?Yes, well...? Relena mused, sipping her coffee. ?I suppose that?s the only reason you apologized to me, then.?
Heero lowered his eyelids, pressing them tightly closed as his head leaned slightly forward. ?Hnnnn..?
?Well??
He stiffened and glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, his features revealing no hint of emotion.
Her gaze dropped to the crimson tablecloth. ?I see.?
?Relena?.it wasn?t the only reason.? He turned to face her.
She looked up at him again, the golden waves of her hair catching the light and captivating his already wavering senses. ?So, what was the other one??
?The other what?? He asked, the words escaping his mouth in a languorous procession.
?The other reason,? Relena persisted.
?Hn.?
Tiny creases formed on her forehead, and her eyes bored into him, causing that fleeting, flustered sensation that he had not yet become accustomed to. The pit of his stomach made room for the sinking realization that he had unwittingly backed himself into a corner not easily escaped.
?That?s not a reason.?
?I?I didn?t want you angry with me.? He struggled for air, feeling short of breath as his heart rate picked up. It forced blood from his brain and left him feeling strangely dizzy.
?Right,? Relena assented. ?But why would that be important? You had our contract revisions, what difference would it make whether you and I get along personally??
?Because I?? His mind kicked into gear, reeling, flailing desperately like a drowning man in search of a life preserver. He had only apologized to her for the good of the business?hadn?t he? But to tell her that?Would be a lie, he finally admitted with a cleansing sigh. ?I?ve never really cared what people thought, but...your opinion of me...matters....and I didn?t want a phone call from your brother chewing me out.?
?Leave it to you to bury a compliment beneath an insult.?
?Insult??
?Never mind,? She smiled with a shake of her head, nonchalantly stirring the remainder of her cappuccino. ?I?m resolved not to take offense at things you say that seem inadvertent??
Heero stiffened. ?I didn?t mean that I only apologized to keep your brother off my back. It figured into the equation, but it wasn?t the major part of my decision.?
Her eyes widened. ?So, you aren?t completely oblivious.?
?Sometimes I am,? he shrugged.
?Well, admitting it is the first step to recovery.?
Heero grimaced. She got me again. ?Hn.?
?Ah, we?re back in ?I?m-so-grumpy mode?. Hn.? She mocked, stifling a giggle when she noticed his sour expression.
Heero?s eyes slanted at the VP beside him. ?I?m just here to amuse you.?
She laughed this time, the sound musical and genuine as it tickled his ears. Her hand came up to rest on his arm ? an innocent touch that managed to burn through the sleeve of his shirt and leave its mark on his skin.
?Anyway, back to our conversation from a million years ago, you should take some time out to view the city. There are several really excellent tours on double-decker buses, or for the really well off, you can hire a private driver to show you around.?
Heero glanced down at where her hand still loosely gripped his forearm before meeting her eyes again. ?What about a private tour guide??
?Well,? Relena began, sitting up in her chair and dropping her palms into her lap. ?You see the driver acts like??
?No, I had someone else in mind.?
She cocked her head to one side, all the while toying with the edges of her napkin. ?You...? Oh, well?I don?t have anything planned for Saturday. I suppose if you were really interested, I could find some time to give a tour for a friend. What would you like to see??
?I?ll leave the details to you.?
?All right,? she agreed. ?Well, then, Saturday it is.?
The coffee cups had been filled and re-filled, the bill had been paid, and the last of the other patrons were slowly gathering their coats and handbags, preparing for the fearsome winter air that would greet them upon leaving Cipriani?s cozy enclosure.
Dorothy stretched in her seat, taking a quick glance at her wristwatch. ?Well, it?s been a lovely evening,? she said, eyes fixed on Quatre, ?but we really should be going.?
The woman beside her nodded. ?Yeah, our boss is a real slave driver.?
?Uh-huh.? Relena smirked, rising to her feet. ?I?ll remember that, Hitomi.?
?Awwww?you girls have to leave so soon?? Vash sulked, his green eyes darting piteously from woman to woman. ?We were just getting to know each other better. Come on, stay just a little while longer. Please??
?That?s really very sweet of you, Mr. Vash,? Meryl said, collecting her notebook. ?But we should get going. It?s never a good idea to be out too late on this city?s streets.?
?Oh!? Vash grinned, jumping to his feet and giving a slight bow. ?Well, then allow me to at least escort you lovely ladies to your car.?
Hitomi took a step back. ?It?s really unnecessary, Mr....?
Vash waved his hand, following the women to the coat check. ?Ah pish-posh. It?s the least I can do.?
Relena mouthed at Heero. ?Pish posh??
He just shrugged in reply and stood up as she departed.
?We can?t let any nasty old muggers get my favorite computer girls, or the reporter girl.? Vash insisted. Meryl turned to glare at him.
?Riiiiiiiiight.?
?So, with you nearby, we?re protected out of professional courtesy?? The blond attorney asked on the way out.
?Dorothy, behave,? Relena whispered.
?Professional courtesy?? Vash blinked, helping the VP into her coat. ?No, I just??
?She means the freaks will leave us alone out of professional courtesy to you.? Meryl grinned in a sly expression.
Vash pouted. ?Awww, man, I?ve been dissed.?
?He?s actually kind of cute? In his own way,? Hitomi smiled.
Meryl gave the other woman a cock-eyed stare. ?Ehhh, I don?t know about that.?
Their escort crossed his arms and stuck out his lower lip. ?Gee, thanks a lot.?
* * * * * *
?Well, I don?t know how productive that was, but they were really nice.? Quatre said, resting his chin on an upturned hand while he watched the PCC girls file out.
?It doesn?t matter how nice they are,? Van groused. ?They?re our clients, nothing more.? He moved towards the window, watching Hitomi come into view just as a cab pulled up at the curb outside the restaurant.
?I don?t see why they can?t be our friends as well as our clients.? The blond CFO watched Dorothy disappear through the main entrance. ?Right, Heero??
Heero?s eyes darkened as Vash held his arm out for Relena in a gesture to escort her to the door. She linked her hand through his and smiled up at the blond software tester. ?Hnnnnn, Quatre??
?I said that just because PCC is our client doesn?t mean they can?t be our friends.?
Relena let go of Vash?s arm, and he turned to engulf her in a large hug. Before fully pulling away, he kissed her cheek, earning a slight blush in reply. ?There is not friendship in business,? Heero repeated, his voice like a frigid harbinger of the winter air they would be exposed to when they left for home. ?We can?t afford to give PCC any sort of preference in regards to our contractual obligations.?
Vash led her through the doorway, and the final glimmer of her golden hair was swallowed up by the darkness of the night.
?But?we?re all friends, aren?t we, Heero?? Quatre?s blue eyes darted away from the window to focus on his friend. ?Or have we all become a contractual obligation to you as well??
Van turned back towards the table, unable to ignore the exchange going on between his friends. ?Quatre??
?I can?t agree with you, Heero,? the blond said, all but ignoring Van?s presence. ?I think that we can be friends with our clients, and I think that we should be whenever possible.?
?That?s why you?re not president of this company.?
*********************************************
?Don?t take this the wrong way or anything girls, but are all four of you going to fit in there?? Vash craned his neck, studying the cramped rear half of the taxi that Dorothy had hailed. ?I mean, I know how tight a fit that can be.?
?We?ll be fine? Hitomi assured him, climbing in. ?One of us can ride up front.?
?Yeah,? Vash smiled, helping Relena into the car. ?And I guess Miss Meryl doesn?t take up much room, either. She?s pretty small.?
?Hey!? Meryl protested, standing up as straight as she could. ?Just because I?m not a seven foot tall bean pole like you doesn?t mean I?m small.?
?I?m six foot four,? Vash corrected, opening the front door for Dorothy. ?But I can understand where anything more than about five foot five would seem like seven feet to you.?
Meryl?s face contorted. ?Errrrrrrg.?
He leaned down and pecked her cheek. ?Don?t sweat it. You?re still my favorite reporter girl. Have a good night, Miss Meryl.? She plopped into the taxi?s backseat, a small hand coming to rest on the spot where his lips had just touched.
Their escort turned around and started back into the restaurant. ?Goodnight computer girls, I?ll be seeing ya.? He tossed another smile over his shoulder at the departing cab.
?Good night Mr. Vash,? Meryl said as the car began to move.
?You two sure seem like you?re on friendly terms,? Hitomi observed, quickly drawing Meryl out of her daze. The reporter sat up, sucking in a deep breath before starting on her defense.
?Who, me and Vash? Never. Not in a million years.?
?Uh-huh? Dorothy teased from the front seat. ?I think you?re sweet on him, Meryl.?
?He?s a freak!? Meryl protested, crossing her arms and glaring at the ceiling of the cab. ?And a pervert. You girls have NO idea. Could you even imagine what his kids would look like? There?s absolutely no way?.?
?I thought he was very sweet and considerate,? Hitomi said. ?Unlike some other people at the dinner table that shall remain nameless.? She feigned a coughing noise around the words ?Van Fanel?.
?Oh, whatever, Hitomi.? Dorothy blurted out with a roll of her eyes. ?You?ve definitely got the hots for him.?
?What?? The marketing rep all but shouted, raising her hand as if swearing on a bible. ?Never. Absolutely not. I?ve never met a more arrogant, self-centered jerk in my entire life. I?d never ever?I have too much self-respect to go out with the likes of him.?
?It?s okay Hitomi,? Dorothy sighed, ?he likes you, too.?
?Really? You think so??
?Dorothy, stop trying to set everyone up,? Relena interrupted, almost wishing she?d let Vash call that second taxi. ?Men and women can be friends without wanting to hop into bed.?
The corporate attorney turned and locked gazes with her friend, one eyebrow twitching up into a smug expression. ?No they can?t.?
?Yes they can.?
?No, they can?t.?
?Yes, they can,? Relena persisted. She raised her head and straightened her shoulders. ?Case in point, look at me and Mr. Yuy. We?re??
Dorothy?s pearly white teeth glinted in the shadows as a mischievous smile spread across her features. ?Oh yes, let?s look at you and Mr. Yuy, since you brought it up.?
?We?re friends.? Relena said, a trace of finality in her tone, though she got the distinct picture she had just played right into the attorney?s trap.
Dorothy smirked. ?Uh-huh. I saw the way he was looking at you.?
?Business associates, Dorothy, remember??
?That?s not what I heard,? Meryl chimed in.
Relena?s eyes grew wide as she turned to the reporter seated nest to her. ?What do you mean??
?I heard you two were an item,? Meryl informed her, adding an affirmative nod.
Relena gaped. ?Where did you hear that??
?Oh, nowhere in particular.? The reporter smiled, drumming her fingers on the door?s armrest. ?So, how about the scoop? Are there wedding bells in your future??
?We?re not an item!? Relena said, grateful for the darkness so that the others couldn?t see the color rushing to her cheeks. ?There?s nothing going on between us that isn?t business.?
Dorothy cleared her throat. ?His face?s own margent did quote such amazes, that all eyes saw his eyes enchanted with gazes, I?ll give you Z/OS and all that is his, and you give him for my sake but one loving kiss1.?
?You?re imagining things, Dorothy,? the VP mumbled.
?Oh, I don?t think so, Relena,? the attorney countered. ?He was definitely looking at you with more than friendship in his eyes.?
?How could you even have had time to pay attention to anything but your not-so-private war with Mr. Fanel??
?I saw, Relena,? Hitomi giggled. ?It was so obvious ? even more so than the way Ran Fujimaya looked at you that first afternoon?oops.?
?Hitomi Kanzaki.?
?I?m sorry, Relena,? Hitomi said, her head bowed, but quickly upturned with pleading eyes fixed on the woman beside her. ?Meryl, please, you can?t print that.?
?I can and I will if you don?t tell me more about PCC?s connection with Weiss Kreuz.? The aggressive reporter instantly flipped out her spiral bound notebook.
?Meryl,? Relena began in a patient tone, eyes resting on the driver?s seat in front of her. ?That?s not something we can discuss at this time. Please...?
?Relena, it?s my job. So?come on.?
?No,? the VP insisted. ?It could jeopardize our contract negotiations with both Weiss and GLLC.?
?If you don?t tell me, prepare to see your name romantically linked to Mr. Fujimaya?s in my next column, anyway.? The writer taunted.
?Don?t threaten her, Meryl,? Dorothy hissed from the front seat. There was no hint of amusement in her tone. ?You know how important this launch is to our company. If it bombs because of you, expect BFW to be slapped with a nice, big lawsuit.?
?Dorothy??
The blond whipped her head around, her frosty eyes connecting with their intended target as the cab rolled to a stop. ?Off the record, Meryl. If our Epyon class servers don?t impress the shit out of the crowd at the MO-II conference, by this time next year, our company will be belly up. These contract negotiations with GLLC are critical to ensuring our survival, and if you do one thing that might remotely screw it up, I?ll sue BFW and I?ll sue you personally. Is that clear??
Meryl nodded, watching silently as the attorney exited the car, slamming the door behind her.
?This is my stop, too,? Hitomi said, searching for the door handle. ?Good night, Relena, Good night, Meryl.?
?Good night, Hitomi.?
The two dark figures clutched their coats against their bodies as they darted towards the front door of the apartment building. The cab stayed until the women were both safely inside before it rolled away from the curb.
?Please don?t be offended by Miss Catalonia,? Relena told the reporter after a brief silence. ?She?s used to dealing with some pretty stubborn people ? she?s an attorney after all.?
Meryl smiled, taking a deep breath. ?Don?t worry about it, Relena. Being a reporter requires a thick skin. I know she?s just being protective of you and PCC.?
?Yeah.? The VP nodded, turning to stare out the window.
?Is it?is it really that bad?? Meryl stuttered, her precious notebook falling to her lap as she stared at the young woman sitting on the opposite side of the cab.
Light washed over them in modern, multicolored waves as the car continued on its course through the city. There was a long pause in which the computer exec didn?t move or speak. Meryl began to wonder if the girl had even heard the question.
?Which?? Relena asked finally, her eyes never straying from the window.
?The company ? are you really??
?No.?
?If it is, I could probably?you know, at the MO-II conference?? The reporter offered.
Relena spun away from the window, meeting her friend?s eyes with a small but genuine smile. ?We?re fine, Meryl. Thank you,? she said, and returned her attention to the passing landscape. ?Dorothy was just exaggerating to make a point. Of course our negotiations with Gundanium are important, but PCC has never been more financially stable.? The executive?s posture seemed to stiffen before uttering what sounded like a challenge.
?You can even check it out for yourself.?
Meryl frowned at the VP?s back. You?re a proud woman, Relena, and a smart one. But I?ve seen enough of your protective nature to know you?re not always a truthful one. And I?m more than determined to find out what it is you?re hiding.
****************************************************************************
1= From the Shakespearean play, Love?s Labours Lost.
?His face?s own margent did quote such amazes, that all eyes saw his eyes enchanted with gazes, I?ll give you Acquitaine (Z/OS) and all that is his, and you give him for my sake but one loving kiss.?
We substituted, in this case, our Acquitaine, Z/OS, and luckily, didn?t even lose the rhythm of the original line.
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: blackrose on 2002-07-03 09:58 ]</font>
?Well, this has been an eventful evening,? Relena?s mouth curved into a thin smile as their waitress cleared away the last of the dessert dishes. ?Life with you must never be dull.?
Heero frowned, mentally reliving the scene from an hour ago with Vash and his cat. ?Not by choice,? he mumbled.
?Of course,? Relena said, glancing down the table to where her two business associates were chatting happily with the other GLLC officers. ?That side of the table has been noticeably quieter since Van spoke with Hitomi. Thank you for stepping in.?
?You don?t have to thank me,? Heero said. ?It?s only common decency that if he?s made her angry, he should apologize. After all, it?s what?s best for our business.?
?Yes, well...? Relena mused, sipping her coffee. ?I suppose that?s the only reason you apologized to me, then.?
Heero lowered his eyelids, pressing them tightly closed as his head leaned slightly forward. ?Hnnnn..?
?Well??
He stiffened and glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, his features revealing no hint of emotion.
Her gaze dropped to the crimson tablecloth. ?I see.?
?Relena?.it wasn?t the only reason.? He turned to face her.
She looked up at him again, the golden waves of her hair catching the light and captivating his already wavering senses. ?So, what was the other one??
?The other what?? He asked, the words escaping his mouth in a languorous procession.
?The other reason,? Relena persisted.
?Hn.?
Tiny creases formed on her forehead, and her eyes bored into him, causing that fleeting, flustered sensation that he had not yet become accustomed to. The pit of his stomach made room for the sinking realization that he had unwittingly backed himself into a corner not easily escaped.
?That?s not a reason.?
?I?I didn?t want you angry with me.? He struggled for air, feeling short of breath as his heart rate picked up. It forced blood from his brain and left him feeling strangely dizzy.
?Right,? Relena assented. ?But why would that be important? You had our contract revisions, what difference would it make whether you and I get along personally??
?Because I?? His mind kicked into gear, reeling, flailing desperately like a drowning man in search of a life preserver. He had only apologized to her for the good of the business?hadn?t he? But to tell her that?Would be a lie, he finally admitted with a cleansing sigh. ?I?ve never really cared what people thought, but...your opinion of me...matters....and I didn?t want a phone call from your brother chewing me out.?
?Leave it to you to bury a compliment beneath an insult.?
?Insult??
?Never mind,? She smiled with a shake of her head, nonchalantly stirring the remainder of her cappuccino. ?I?m resolved not to take offense at things you say that seem inadvertent??
Heero stiffened. ?I didn?t mean that I only apologized to keep your brother off my back. It figured into the equation, but it wasn?t the major part of my decision.?
Her eyes widened. ?So, you aren?t completely oblivious.?
?Sometimes I am,? he shrugged.
?Well, admitting it is the first step to recovery.?
Heero grimaced. She got me again. ?Hn.?
?Ah, we?re back in ?I?m-so-grumpy mode?. Hn.? She mocked, stifling a giggle when she noticed his sour expression.
Heero?s eyes slanted at the VP beside him. ?I?m just here to amuse you.?
She laughed this time, the sound musical and genuine as it tickled his ears. Her hand came up to rest on his arm ? an innocent touch that managed to burn through the sleeve of his shirt and leave its mark on his skin.
?Anyway, back to our conversation from a million years ago, you should take some time out to view the city. There are several really excellent tours on double-decker buses, or for the really well off, you can hire a private driver to show you around.?
Heero glanced down at where her hand still loosely gripped his forearm before meeting her eyes again. ?What about a private tour guide??
?Well,? Relena began, sitting up in her chair and dropping her palms into her lap. ?You see the driver acts like??
?No, I had someone else in mind.?
She cocked her head to one side, all the while toying with the edges of her napkin. ?You...? Oh, well?I don?t have anything planned for Saturday. I suppose if you were really interested, I could find some time to give a tour for a friend. What would you like to see??
?I?ll leave the details to you.?
?All right,? she agreed. ?Well, then, Saturday it is.?
The coffee cups had been filled and re-filled, the bill had been paid, and the last of the other patrons were slowly gathering their coats and handbags, preparing for the fearsome winter air that would greet them upon leaving Cipriani?s cozy enclosure.
Dorothy stretched in her seat, taking a quick glance at her wristwatch. ?Well, it?s been a lovely evening,? she said, eyes fixed on Quatre, ?but we really should be going.?
The woman beside her nodded. ?Yeah, our boss is a real slave driver.?
?Uh-huh.? Relena smirked, rising to her feet. ?I?ll remember that, Hitomi.?
?Awwww?you girls have to leave so soon?? Vash sulked, his green eyes darting piteously from woman to woman. ?We were just getting to know each other better. Come on, stay just a little while longer. Please??
?That?s really very sweet of you, Mr. Vash,? Meryl said, collecting her notebook. ?But we should get going. It?s never a good idea to be out too late on this city?s streets.?
?Oh!? Vash grinned, jumping to his feet and giving a slight bow. ?Well, then allow me to at least escort you lovely ladies to your car.?
Hitomi took a step back. ?It?s really unnecessary, Mr....?
Vash waved his hand, following the women to the coat check. ?Ah pish-posh. It?s the least I can do.?
Relena mouthed at Heero. ?Pish posh??
He just shrugged in reply and stood up as she departed.
?We can?t let any nasty old muggers get my favorite computer girls, or the reporter girl.? Vash insisted. Meryl turned to glare at him.
?Riiiiiiiiight.?
?So, with you nearby, we?re protected out of professional courtesy?? The blond attorney asked on the way out.
?Dorothy, behave,? Relena whispered.
?Professional courtesy?? Vash blinked, helping the VP into her coat. ?No, I just??
?She means the freaks will leave us alone out of professional courtesy to you.? Meryl grinned in a sly expression.
Vash pouted. ?Awww, man, I?ve been dissed.?
?He?s actually kind of cute? In his own way,? Hitomi smiled.
Meryl gave the other woman a cock-eyed stare. ?Ehhh, I don?t know about that.?
Their escort crossed his arms and stuck out his lower lip. ?Gee, thanks a lot.?
* * * * * *
?Well, I don?t know how productive that was, but they were really nice.? Quatre said, resting his chin on an upturned hand while he watched the PCC girls file out.
?It doesn?t matter how nice they are,? Van groused. ?They?re our clients, nothing more.? He moved towards the window, watching Hitomi come into view just as a cab pulled up at the curb outside the restaurant.
?I don?t see why they can?t be our friends as well as our clients.? The blond CFO watched Dorothy disappear through the main entrance. ?Right, Heero??
Heero?s eyes darkened as Vash held his arm out for Relena in a gesture to escort her to the door. She linked her hand through his and smiled up at the blond software tester. ?Hnnnnn, Quatre??
?I said that just because PCC is our client doesn?t mean they can?t be our friends.?
Relena let go of Vash?s arm, and he turned to engulf her in a large hug. Before fully pulling away, he kissed her cheek, earning a slight blush in reply. ?There is not friendship in business,? Heero repeated, his voice like a frigid harbinger of the winter air they would be exposed to when they left for home. ?We can?t afford to give PCC any sort of preference in regards to our contractual obligations.?
Vash led her through the doorway, and the final glimmer of her golden hair was swallowed up by the darkness of the night.
?But?we?re all friends, aren?t we, Heero?? Quatre?s blue eyes darted away from the window to focus on his friend. ?Or have we all become a contractual obligation to you as well??
Van turned back towards the table, unable to ignore the exchange going on between his friends. ?Quatre??
?I can?t agree with you, Heero,? the blond said, all but ignoring Van?s presence. ?I think that we can be friends with our clients, and I think that we should be whenever possible.?
?That?s why you?re not president of this company.?
*********************************************
?Don?t take this the wrong way or anything girls, but are all four of you going to fit in there?? Vash craned his neck, studying the cramped rear half of the taxi that Dorothy had hailed. ?I mean, I know how tight a fit that can be.?
?We?ll be fine? Hitomi assured him, climbing in. ?One of us can ride up front.?
?Yeah,? Vash smiled, helping Relena into the car. ?And I guess Miss Meryl doesn?t take up much room, either. She?s pretty small.?
?Hey!? Meryl protested, standing up as straight as she could. ?Just because I?m not a seven foot tall bean pole like you doesn?t mean I?m small.?
?I?m six foot four,? Vash corrected, opening the front door for Dorothy. ?But I can understand where anything more than about five foot five would seem like seven feet to you.?
Meryl?s face contorted. ?Errrrrrrg.?
He leaned down and pecked her cheek. ?Don?t sweat it. You?re still my favorite reporter girl. Have a good night, Miss Meryl.? She plopped into the taxi?s backseat, a small hand coming to rest on the spot where his lips had just touched.
Their escort turned around and started back into the restaurant. ?Goodnight computer girls, I?ll be seeing ya.? He tossed another smile over his shoulder at the departing cab.
?Good night Mr. Vash,? Meryl said as the car began to move.
?You two sure seem like you?re on friendly terms,? Hitomi observed, quickly drawing Meryl out of her daze. The reporter sat up, sucking in a deep breath before starting on her defense.
?Who, me and Vash? Never. Not in a million years.?
?Uh-huh? Dorothy teased from the front seat. ?I think you?re sweet on him, Meryl.?
?He?s a freak!? Meryl protested, crossing her arms and glaring at the ceiling of the cab. ?And a pervert. You girls have NO idea. Could you even imagine what his kids would look like? There?s absolutely no way?.?
?I thought he was very sweet and considerate,? Hitomi said. ?Unlike some other people at the dinner table that shall remain nameless.? She feigned a coughing noise around the words ?Van Fanel?.
?Oh, whatever, Hitomi.? Dorothy blurted out with a roll of her eyes. ?You?ve definitely got the hots for him.?
?What?? The marketing rep all but shouted, raising her hand as if swearing on a bible. ?Never. Absolutely not. I?ve never met a more arrogant, self-centered jerk in my entire life. I?d never ever?I have too much self-respect to go out with the likes of him.?
?It?s okay Hitomi,? Dorothy sighed, ?he likes you, too.?
?Really? You think so??
?Dorothy, stop trying to set everyone up,? Relena interrupted, almost wishing she?d let Vash call that second taxi. ?Men and women can be friends without wanting to hop into bed.?
The corporate attorney turned and locked gazes with her friend, one eyebrow twitching up into a smug expression. ?No they can?t.?
?Yes they can.?
?No, they can?t.?
?Yes, they can,? Relena persisted. She raised her head and straightened her shoulders. ?Case in point, look at me and Mr. Yuy. We?re??
Dorothy?s pearly white teeth glinted in the shadows as a mischievous smile spread across her features. ?Oh yes, let?s look at you and Mr. Yuy, since you brought it up.?
?We?re friends.? Relena said, a trace of finality in her tone, though she got the distinct picture she had just played right into the attorney?s trap.
Dorothy smirked. ?Uh-huh. I saw the way he was looking at you.?
?Business associates, Dorothy, remember??
?That?s not what I heard,? Meryl chimed in.
Relena?s eyes grew wide as she turned to the reporter seated nest to her. ?What do you mean??
?I heard you two were an item,? Meryl informed her, adding an affirmative nod.
Relena gaped. ?Where did you hear that??
?Oh, nowhere in particular.? The reporter smiled, drumming her fingers on the door?s armrest. ?So, how about the scoop? Are there wedding bells in your future??
?We?re not an item!? Relena said, grateful for the darkness so that the others couldn?t see the color rushing to her cheeks. ?There?s nothing going on between us that isn?t business.?
Dorothy cleared her throat. ?His face?s own margent did quote such amazes, that all eyes saw his eyes enchanted with gazes, I?ll give you Z/OS and all that is his, and you give him for my sake but one loving kiss1.?
?You?re imagining things, Dorothy,? the VP mumbled.
?Oh, I don?t think so, Relena,? the attorney countered. ?He was definitely looking at you with more than friendship in his eyes.?
?How could you even have had time to pay attention to anything but your not-so-private war with Mr. Fanel??
?I saw, Relena,? Hitomi giggled. ?It was so obvious ? even more so than the way Ran Fujimaya looked at you that first afternoon?oops.?
?Hitomi Kanzaki.?
?I?m sorry, Relena,? Hitomi said, her head bowed, but quickly upturned with pleading eyes fixed on the woman beside her. ?Meryl, please, you can?t print that.?
?I can and I will if you don?t tell me more about PCC?s connection with Weiss Kreuz.? The aggressive reporter instantly flipped out her spiral bound notebook.
?Meryl,? Relena began in a patient tone, eyes resting on the driver?s seat in front of her. ?That?s not something we can discuss at this time. Please...?
?Relena, it?s my job. So?come on.?
?No,? the VP insisted. ?It could jeopardize our contract negotiations with both Weiss and GLLC.?
?If you don?t tell me, prepare to see your name romantically linked to Mr. Fujimaya?s in my next column, anyway.? The writer taunted.
?Don?t threaten her, Meryl,? Dorothy hissed from the front seat. There was no hint of amusement in her tone. ?You know how important this launch is to our company. If it bombs because of you, expect BFW to be slapped with a nice, big lawsuit.?
?Dorothy??
The blond whipped her head around, her frosty eyes connecting with their intended target as the cab rolled to a stop. ?Off the record, Meryl. If our Epyon class servers don?t impress the shit out of the crowd at the MO-II conference, by this time next year, our company will be belly up. These contract negotiations with GLLC are critical to ensuring our survival, and if you do one thing that might remotely screw it up, I?ll sue BFW and I?ll sue you personally. Is that clear??
Meryl nodded, watching silently as the attorney exited the car, slamming the door behind her.
?This is my stop, too,? Hitomi said, searching for the door handle. ?Good night, Relena, Good night, Meryl.?
?Good night, Hitomi.?
The two dark figures clutched their coats against their bodies as they darted towards the front door of the apartment building. The cab stayed until the women were both safely inside before it rolled away from the curb.
?Please don?t be offended by Miss Catalonia,? Relena told the reporter after a brief silence. ?She?s used to dealing with some pretty stubborn people ? she?s an attorney after all.?
Meryl smiled, taking a deep breath. ?Don?t worry about it, Relena. Being a reporter requires a thick skin. I know she?s just being protective of you and PCC.?
?Yeah.? The VP nodded, turning to stare out the window.
?Is it?is it really that bad?? Meryl stuttered, her precious notebook falling to her lap as she stared at the young woman sitting on the opposite side of the cab.
Light washed over them in modern, multicolored waves as the car continued on its course through the city. There was a long pause in which the computer exec didn?t move or speak. Meryl began to wonder if the girl had even heard the question.
?Which?? Relena asked finally, her eyes never straying from the window.
?The company ? are you really??
?No.?
?If it is, I could probably?you know, at the MO-II conference?? The reporter offered.
Relena spun away from the window, meeting her friend?s eyes with a small but genuine smile. ?We?re fine, Meryl. Thank you,? she said, and returned her attention to the passing landscape. ?Dorothy was just exaggerating to make a point. Of course our negotiations with Gundanium are important, but PCC has never been more financially stable.? The executive?s posture seemed to stiffen before uttering what sounded like a challenge.
?You can even check it out for yourself.?
Meryl frowned at the VP?s back. You?re a proud woman, Relena, and a smart one. But I?ve seen enough of your protective nature to know you?re not always a truthful one. And I?m more than determined to find out what it is you?re hiding.
****************************************************************************
1= From the Shakespearean play, Love?s Labours Lost.
?His face?s own margent did quote such amazes, that all eyes saw his eyes enchanted with gazes, I?ll give you Acquitaine (Z/OS) and all that is his, and you give him for my sake but one loving kiss.?
We substituted, in this case, our Acquitaine, Z/OS, and luckily, didn?t even lose the rhythm of the original line.
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: blackrose on 2002-07-03 09:58 ]</font>