Ice Hot 7/?
Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2004 12:58 pm
Please keep reading and reviewing!
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing.
~ Ice Hot ~ Chapter Seven
?Resistance?
By Gundam Girl
She watched Heero bow, and reflexively curtsied. Around them, couples were dancing as well, enjoying the party, and overall being regular people who were fond of being happy. When the two war acquaintances stepped into each other?s personal space for the waltz, it seemed that only Relena felt tense.
?Have I mentioned how I think you look tonight?? Heero asked casually, so out of character compared to six years ago.
Relena set her teeth. ?No,? she muttered intolerantly.
?Then I will. You look gorgeous.? She looked hot, he thought frankly, and was doing his best not to imagine if what was under the dress was softer than the silk itself. He?d only caught moonlit glances six years ago. ?Stunning.?
?I suppose I should say thank you.?
?Say whatever you want.?
Relena blinked, her expression cross. ?You probably don?t want to give me that liberty.?
?If it?s insulting, I?ll merely laugh.? To prove his point, Heero spun her in a fast circle around him, pulling her closer. ?Right here. In your face.?
Relena had to mentally remind herself that nothing he said could possibly amuse her. ?I think you look boring.? She ran her eyes over his black tuxedo, perhaps letting her gaze linger a bit longer than what was needed to examine his appearance.
His smile grew. ?Ah.?
?Black is a common color, and to see you in it?? To see him in it left her heart fluttering, but she?d be damned before he knew. However, since they were practically chest-to-chest, she wasn?t so sure that he didn?t. ?You?re very dull in a crowd, Mr. Yuy.?
He chuckled, and Relena blinked. It was so odd to seem him look happy. ?That hardly bothers me.?
?I have no doubt,? she muttered. ?Was it necessary to make me a mystery??
?Necessary?? He raised both brows as though in deep thought. ?No,? he said at length. ?Not at all necessary. But very fun.?
Relena pressed her lips together. His dancing skill had improved greatly since they were fifteen. So had his character. ?I wouldn?t suspect you of ever having fun.?
The half-cheery expression dropped, and he went suddenly serious. His hold tightened on her waist. When he spoke, his voice rushed over her like a warm wind. ?It?s been six years. Things change. People change.? He tilted his forehead until it touched hers. ?We change. Apparently.?
Relena?s breath came a little shallowly. ?What do you mean?? she found herself asking. She despised the way he flustered her. His thumb was gently stroking her hand, causing tingles in her arm. She had to fight to keep herself from shivering.
?Well.? A bemused look crossed his face. ?You weren?t so willing to leave me alone back then.? And clearly, she was willing to leave him right now. Her eyes had the faintest gleam, and he knew he had her attention. ?I recall the way you followed me around the world.?
Her eyes snapped back to alertness. ?I wasn?t following you, I was following the war!? she exclaimed, annoyed that he would think something so outrageous. Even if it wasn?t. She tensed, but Heero?s grip only strengthened. ?I?m quite sure you understand why our feelings toward each other shifted,? she hissed.
?Do I understand?? His tone took on a dangerous thickness. ?Not exactly. I?m myself. I know one half of the story, not all of it.? They stopped dancing, though couples continued to twirl around them. ?I?d like to talk about it.?
Relena felt as though she was being led to the guillotine. She would surely lose her head in a moment. ?No,? she grated, tempted to prick the shoulder of his that she held onto with her pink-painted fingernails.
?Relena??
?It?s President Darlian,? she instructed him with the first traces of real anger.
?Relena,? he repeated, knowing he was pushing buttons. ?We need to??
?Excuse me!? Laura, cheerful and self-occupied even in voice, managed to call over the sounds of the party. ?Excuse me! We?ll be having dinner now, if you find a seat, and the entertainment will be starting soon.?
Heero released her waist but kept hold of her hand to escort her to the seats Quatre and Rosanna had reserved for them at a four-person table. He didn?t take his eyes from hers as they walked.
?We?ll talk later tonight.?
Relena?s stomach dropped. Because they most likely would.
***
Wufei had been bored. He had enough to think about, of course; perimeter checks, security assurances, and basic eye-keeping on the president. He?d stored a small camera in the sapphire on her choker, and had instructed her to keep it on at all times until she was inside the palace in the Sank Kingdom again.
The boredom had been immediately erased, however, when Wufei had seen the look on Yuy?s face when Relena?s cloak had been removed. Seeing a beautiful woman affected all heterosexual men; and the rumors of Heero being gay were undoubtedly false.
He?d never seen a mouth fall open quite that way. He?d been forced to smirk. But then his own jaw had almost dropped when he?d seen and heard the amusement filling Yuy.
It wasn?t the Heero he?d fought with. That Heero had been a focused, dedicated soldier who bothered with nothing but the mission. But this Heero?
This Heero was still focused. This one was focused entirely on the President of the ESUN.
?Different, isn?t he??
Wufei shut his eyes. ?There?s no need for you to be here, Barton. I?ve got it covered tonight.?
?Do I understand?? Yuy?s voice was heard through the speakers. ?Not exactly. I?m myself. I know one half of the story, not all of it.?
Trowa walked into the tiny room crammed with computers security equipment and stood beside Wufei?s chair. ?I won?t be here long.?
?I?d like to talk about it.?
?No.?
?Relena??
?It?s President Darlian.?
?Relena??
Wufei caught the sight of Trowa?s fist clenching near his elbow.
?We need to??
?Excuse me!? came that annoying Trieste woman?s voice.
?Give it up, Barton,? Wufei muttered stoically. ?You know you should.?
?Heero! Miss Relena, over here,? Quatre?s kind voice was heard.
?We?ll talk later,? they heard Heero tell her.
Trowa turned; he didn?t need to see anymore. He didn?t leave Wufei with a farewell. Only two, tersely spoken words:
?I know.?
***
Rosanna Palatolia was a very sweet, straightforward woman, Heero learned when they sat down with them and dinner was served. The smile she gave them radiated genuine fun. And she was only a year younger than them. Quatre seemed to like her very much.
?Madam President,? she said to Relena, ?it really is an honor to meet you, ma?am. I?ve been admiring your work since I was fourteen. It?s what inspired me to be an engineer.?
?Really?? Relena nearly smiled herself, the woman?s happiness was so great. Nearly. ?How so, Miss Palatolia??
?Um.? She suddenly took on a very shy countenance and toyed with one red curl. ?Well, mobile suits were historically used for labor. The first mobile suit was constructed when the Colonies were first designed, as I?m sure you?ve heard. I believe that the mobile suits used at that time were useful then, and that they?d be useful now. Oh, I promise, there?s nothing good about them being used to fight!? she exclaimed when Relena blinked. ?For a few years now, I?ve been working on a design for a machine that is similar to a mobile suit, but it could never be enhanced to later use as a major weapon. It?s better than a bulldozer, but lesser than a battle mobile suit.? Rosanna bit her lip. ?I?I know it may sound foolish to someone who?s spoken against machines that can kill for so long. Man is smart and our intelligence grows as our race lives on, and I guess that I?m no one to really say if my design couldn?t ever kill a person? Well, what do you think??
Relena stared at Rosanna for a moment. She looked so hopeful. Nearly her age, Relena almost felt as though someone, and a woman, was empathizing with her beliefs. Rosanna?s dream was different, of course. But it was a dream, and she was keeping the peace of the Earth and its Colonies in mind.
And she genuinely smiled for the first time in six years.
The expression didn?t go unnoticed by Heero, who was fairly certain that his heart had stopped beating. That was, until it came back full force and pounded in his ears.
He?d forgotten how amazingly beautiful she looked when she smiled. Somehow?he?d forgotten.
?I think that is a genius idea,? Relena told her. She nodded, as though considering it herself. ?I do hope you?ll let me look at the design when you?re more comfortable with it.?
Rosanna looked startled at first. She gave Quatre a surprised glance as though to ask: Is this the woman so renown for her detachment toward others?
But Winner only shrugged and smiled.
?Of course!? Palatolia blurted, pressing a hand to her heart. ?Madam President, it would be my highest honor!?
?It would honor me, too,? Relena said sincerely. ?I?ll be sure to leave you with an address to my office before the end of the night.?
Astounding, Heero thought. It was astounding that a woman so cold could warm up to a young dreamer in the time in took to draw breath. He smiled himself.
Would Relena surprise him any more tonight? He hoped so.
Dinner and dessert was cleared away an hour later, and three spotlights in blue, green, and purple appeared on the curtain of the stage. Rosanna and Quatre turned their chairs around just as the curtain rose.
What it revealed were two people; a man and a woman. They were clad in black, legged leotards so that the spotlights? colors contrasted sharply. The lights in the restaurant were dimmed, and everyone fell silent as a sultry duo of a saxophone and piano began to mingle.
The dancers ?walked? around the stage, their bodies twirling and twirling in slow, steady circles until they both met face-to-face at center stage, hands to their sides.
And then the real choreography began. The man?s hands slid from the woman?s ribs to her thighs, lifting her until her navel aligned with his forehead, while the woman arched her body first over the man?s shoulder, then his back, creating a perfect bow with her spine.
As the man slowly lowered her, the woman?s fingers tangled in his hair, threading through it and then down his neck, past his shoulder blades to the small of his back, around to his middle and up his chest, before her hands finally rested on his shoulders as her feet met the floor again.
Everyone seemed entranced. Relena was no exception. The two dancers slid over each other, as though they fused together and became one with the rhythm of the music. It was slow?sexy. Erotic, as they were supposed to be. She found she couldn?t tear her eyes away.
Mostly the music was cool and compassionate, but after every few measures, there was a short, low rumbling of cymbals ? a flash of fire when the dancers would shoot together, as though they couldn?t resist doing so, despite all consequences.
?That?s good art,? Relena heard someone murmur. Turning her head the slightest bit, still dazed, she saw it was Heero. There was a husk to his voice that she hadn?t recognized as his. ?The way they move.?
She could feel his breath on her neck and cheek, and it was warm. Dear God, it was so warm? ?They train and study,? she told him logically. She whispered, as though speaking too loudly would scare away the magic that she could somehow feel around her ? until she reminded herself that magic wasn?t real.
?They do,? Heero agreed, his eyes on hers. ?But it isn?t the will to learn about it. It?s the need to do it, and then to perform it, so they can prove that their need is beautiful. It takes passion to do that.? He gestured to the stage just as the man slowly pushed his hips toward the woman?s as they mimicked lovemaking. ?And courage.? Relena felt her knees tremble as his hand, calloused and wide-palmed, whispered just over the bare flesh of her arm, igniting sparks that sizzled and died, only to be replaced by more. ?And a little bit of love.?
She withdrew, her eyes wide. Though not because of horror, Heero noted. She wasn?t horrified. She was a little afraid, yes, but mostly, she was caught in the moment, and in the haze of the sensuality around them. ?Those dancers don?t love each other.?
?They don?t have to love each other. Can?t you see it?? Relena nearly shuddered; his voice was so low, so seductive. ?Every time they lift their legs, angle their heads, meet gazes.? He lowered his hand, but Relena felt as though he?d touched her, intimately. And all he?d done was watch her. ?They love ? maybe not each other ? but they do love.?
The music faded, and they both turned. The woman?s legs were positioned between the man?s, her arm curved over her hanging head while the man supported her back with one arm. His other arm was stuck out to the side, his fingers gracefully stretched.
The lights flooded on; everyone stood and applauded. Relena had a bit of difficulty getting to her feet, and Heero smirked at her. She straightened and clapped with just as much enthusiasm and appreciation as everyone else.
Now if only her damn knees would stop shaking!
?Thank you, everyone!? Laura called out from the stage when the dancers exited. ?I?m so very happy you all could be here this evening, and I thank you for your time. I hope you had a wonderful night, thank you for all you do for the Colonies. Have a safe trip home, ta-ta!?
?She certainly knows how to send a crowd packing,? Quatre commented good-naturedly. ?Although, good Lord, she can be so annoying.? He took Rosanna?s hand and rolled his eyes. The redhead grinned. ?Are you two leaving?? he asked his companions.
?Yeah,? Heero confirmed.
?Yes,? Relena said. ?Have a good night, Quatre. Rosanna.? She smiled again, though her mouth was firmer this time. ?Contact me when you can.?
?Of course, Madam President!?
Relena, having no other choice, allowed Yuy to retrieve her cloak for her and escort her from the building to the shuttle-port. It was what gentleman did, and although he would never pass as a gentleman in her eyes, she was forced to treat him like one.
When they arrived at the port, her shuttle was already prepped and ready for departure. She climbed out of the rented limousine, prepared to make a frosty farewell.
?Keep walking,? he instructed, ?we don?t want to miss it.?
She blinked. ?Excuse me??
Heero took hold of her upper arm and fairly tugged her to the boarding station. ?The shuttle will leave without us.?
?Us?!? she cried indignantly. No, he wouldn?t. He wouldn?t.
?I?ll be seeing you to your home, Relena.?
He would. Half flabbergasted, she could only stammer. ?You?ll do no such thing! I was given no notice, nothing to??
?Notice isn?t necessary,? he said mildly, flashing his own ticket when she handed hers to an attendant with a dazed mind. ?Don?t you know I?d likely be hanged if something happened to you on your way back to Earth??
?There are trained security guards on the shuttles,? she began.
He shot her a look. ?And they do half-assed jobs.? He practically threw her into a seat, plopping down immaturely beside her.
?You rude stalker!? she partially shrieked. ?You can?t just tell me you?re going to see me home.?
?Then I?ll say it.? He turned fully to her, head bowed in mock respect, a hand lying on his heart. ?I will see you home, Madam President.?
She had little to say to him, but what she did have didn?t work. ?You?re insufferable. You always have been.?
?For the good of others only, I assure you,? he replied calmly, buckling his seatbelt. ?In this case, for the good of you.?
?You want no good for me,? she shot out and immediately wished she hadn?t. Heero?s eyes hardened to blue stones.
?This isn?t the place,? he said softly. ?We?ll talk about that when we get to New Port City. Be prepared to say something, and damn it, be prepared to listen.?
She glared. ?I?ll listen all the hell you want.?
Heero raised his eyes to the ceiling. ?Good.?
?Good, yes.? Her fists clenched in her lap. ?We?ll see how much goddamn good it does you when I don?t believe a fucking word.?
Heero was surprised at her language but didn?t show it. Instead, he propped one leg up on his knee and settled in for the flight to Earth.
---
Review please
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing.
~ Ice Hot ~ Chapter Seven
?Resistance?
By Gundam Girl
She watched Heero bow, and reflexively curtsied. Around them, couples were dancing as well, enjoying the party, and overall being regular people who were fond of being happy. When the two war acquaintances stepped into each other?s personal space for the waltz, it seemed that only Relena felt tense.
?Have I mentioned how I think you look tonight?? Heero asked casually, so out of character compared to six years ago.
Relena set her teeth. ?No,? she muttered intolerantly.
?Then I will. You look gorgeous.? She looked hot, he thought frankly, and was doing his best not to imagine if what was under the dress was softer than the silk itself. He?d only caught moonlit glances six years ago. ?Stunning.?
?I suppose I should say thank you.?
?Say whatever you want.?
Relena blinked, her expression cross. ?You probably don?t want to give me that liberty.?
?If it?s insulting, I?ll merely laugh.? To prove his point, Heero spun her in a fast circle around him, pulling her closer. ?Right here. In your face.?
Relena had to mentally remind herself that nothing he said could possibly amuse her. ?I think you look boring.? She ran her eyes over his black tuxedo, perhaps letting her gaze linger a bit longer than what was needed to examine his appearance.
His smile grew. ?Ah.?
?Black is a common color, and to see you in it?? To see him in it left her heart fluttering, but she?d be damned before he knew. However, since they were practically chest-to-chest, she wasn?t so sure that he didn?t. ?You?re very dull in a crowd, Mr. Yuy.?
He chuckled, and Relena blinked. It was so odd to seem him look happy. ?That hardly bothers me.?
?I have no doubt,? she muttered. ?Was it necessary to make me a mystery??
?Necessary?? He raised both brows as though in deep thought. ?No,? he said at length. ?Not at all necessary. But very fun.?
Relena pressed her lips together. His dancing skill had improved greatly since they were fifteen. So had his character. ?I wouldn?t suspect you of ever having fun.?
The half-cheery expression dropped, and he went suddenly serious. His hold tightened on her waist. When he spoke, his voice rushed over her like a warm wind. ?It?s been six years. Things change. People change.? He tilted his forehead until it touched hers. ?We change. Apparently.?
Relena?s breath came a little shallowly. ?What do you mean?? she found herself asking. She despised the way he flustered her. His thumb was gently stroking her hand, causing tingles in her arm. She had to fight to keep herself from shivering.
?Well.? A bemused look crossed his face. ?You weren?t so willing to leave me alone back then.? And clearly, she was willing to leave him right now. Her eyes had the faintest gleam, and he knew he had her attention. ?I recall the way you followed me around the world.?
Her eyes snapped back to alertness. ?I wasn?t following you, I was following the war!? she exclaimed, annoyed that he would think something so outrageous. Even if it wasn?t. She tensed, but Heero?s grip only strengthened. ?I?m quite sure you understand why our feelings toward each other shifted,? she hissed.
?Do I understand?? His tone took on a dangerous thickness. ?Not exactly. I?m myself. I know one half of the story, not all of it.? They stopped dancing, though couples continued to twirl around them. ?I?d like to talk about it.?
Relena felt as though she was being led to the guillotine. She would surely lose her head in a moment. ?No,? she grated, tempted to prick the shoulder of his that she held onto with her pink-painted fingernails.
?Relena??
?It?s President Darlian,? she instructed him with the first traces of real anger.
?Relena,? he repeated, knowing he was pushing buttons. ?We need to??
?Excuse me!? Laura, cheerful and self-occupied even in voice, managed to call over the sounds of the party. ?Excuse me! We?ll be having dinner now, if you find a seat, and the entertainment will be starting soon.?
Heero released her waist but kept hold of her hand to escort her to the seats Quatre and Rosanna had reserved for them at a four-person table. He didn?t take his eyes from hers as they walked.
?We?ll talk later tonight.?
Relena?s stomach dropped. Because they most likely would.
***
Wufei had been bored. He had enough to think about, of course; perimeter checks, security assurances, and basic eye-keeping on the president. He?d stored a small camera in the sapphire on her choker, and had instructed her to keep it on at all times until she was inside the palace in the Sank Kingdom again.
The boredom had been immediately erased, however, when Wufei had seen the look on Yuy?s face when Relena?s cloak had been removed. Seeing a beautiful woman affected all heterosexual men; and the rumors of Heero being gay were undoubtedly false.
He?d never seen a mouth fall open quite that way. He?d been forced to smirk. But then his own jaw had almost dropped when he?d seen and heard the amusement filling Yuy.
It wasn?t the Heero he?d fought with. That Heero had been a focused, dedicated soldier who bothered with nothing but the mission. But this Heero?
This Heero was still focused. This one was focused entirely on the President of the ESUN.
?Different, isn?t he??
Wufei shut his eyes. ?There?s no need for you to be here, Barton. I?ve got it covered tonight.?
?Do I understand?? Yuy?s voice was heard through the speakers. ?Not exactly. I?m myself. I know one half of the story, not all of it.?
Trowa walked into the tiny room crammed with computers security equipment and stood beside Wufei?s chair. ?I won?t be here long.?
?I?d like to talk about it.?
?No.?
?Relena??
?It?s President Darlian.?
?Relena??
Wufei caught the sight of Trowa?s fist clenching near his elbow.
?We need to??
?Excuse me!? came that annoying Trieste woman?s voice.
?Give it up, Barton,? Wufei muttered stoically. ?You know you should.?
?Heero! Miss Relena, over here,? Quatre?s kind voice was heard.
?We?ll talk later,? they heard Heero tell her.
Trowa turned; he didn?t need to see anymore. He didn?t leave Wufei with a farewell. Only two, tersely spoken words:
?I know.?
***
Rosanna Palatolia was a very sweet, straightforward woman, Heero learned when they sat down with them and dinner was served. The smile she gave them radiated genuine fun. And she was only a year younger than them. Quatre seemed to like her very much.
?Madam President,? she said to Relena, ?it really is an honor to meet you, ma?am. I?ve been admiring your work since I was fourteen. It?s what inspired me to be an engineer.?
?Really?? Relena nearly smiled herself, the woman?s happiness was so great. Nearly. ?How so, Miss Palatolia??
?Um.? She suddenly took on a very shy countenance and toyed with one red curl. ?Well, mobile suits were historically used for labor. The first mobile suit was constructed when the Colonies were first designed, as I?m sure you?ve heard. I believe that the mobile suits used at that time were useful then, and that they?d be useful now. Oh, I promise, there?s nothing good about them being used to fight!? she exclaimed when Relena blinked. ?For a few years now, I?ve been working on a design for a machine that is similar to a mobile suit, but it could never be enhanced to later use as a major weapon. It?s better than a bulldozer, but lesser than a battle mobile suit.? Rosanna bit her lip. ?I?I know it may sound foolish to someone who?s spoken against machines that can kill for so long. Man is smart and our intelligence grows as our race lives on, and I guess that I?m no one to really say if my design couldn?t ever kill a person? Well, what do you think??
Relena stared at Rosanna for a moment. She looked so hopeful. Nearly her age, Relena almost felt as though someone, and a woman, was empathizing with her beliefs. Rosanna?s dream was different, of course. But it was a dream, and she was keeping the peace of the Earth and its Colonies in mind.
And she genuinely smiled for the first time in six years.
The expression didn?t go unnoticed by Heero, who was fairly certain that his heart had stopped beating. That was, until it came back full force and pounded in his ears.
He?d forgotten how amazingly beautiful she looked when she smiled. Somehow?he?d forgotten.
?I think that is a genius idea,? Relena told her. She nodded, as though considering it herself. ?I do hope you?ll let me look at the design when you?re more comfortable with it.?
Rosanna looked startled at first. She gave Quatre a surprised glance as though to ask: Is this the woman so renown for her detachment toward others?
But Winner only shrugged and smiled.
?Of course!? Palatolia blurted, pressing a hand to her heart. ?Madam President, it would be my highest honor!?
?It would honor me, too,? Relena said sincerely. ?I?ll be sure to leave you with an address to my office before the end of the night.?
Astounding, Heero thought. It was astounding that a woman so cold could warm up to a young dreamer in the time in took to draw breath. He smiled himself.
Would Relena surprise him any more tonight? He hoped so.
Dinner and dessert was cleared away an hour later, and three spotlights in blue, green, and purple appeared on the curtain of the stage. Rosanna and Quatre turned their chairs around just as the curtain rose.
What it revealed were two people; a man and a woman. They were clad in black, legged leotards so that the spotlights? colors contrasted sharply. The lights in the restaurant were dimmed, and everyone fell silent as a sultry duo of a saxophone and piano began to mingle.
The dancers ?walked? around the stage, their bodies twirling and twirling in slow, steady circles until they both met face-to-face at center stage, hands to their sides.
And then the real choreography began. The man?s hands slid from the woman?s ribs to her thighs, lifting her until her navel aligned with his forehead, while the woman arched her body first over the man?s shoulder, then his back, creating a perfect bow with her spine.
As the man slowly lowered her, the woman?s fingers tangled in his hair, threading through it and then down his neck, past his shoulder blades to the small of his back, around to his middle and up his chest, before her hands finally rested on his shoulders as her feet met the floor again.
Everyone seemed entranced. Relena was no exception. The two dancers slid over each other, as though they fused together and became one with the rhythm of the music. It was slow?sexy. Erotic, as they were supposed to be. She found she couldn?t tear her eyes away.
Mostly the music was cool and compassionate, but after every few measures, there was a short, low rumbling of cymbals ? a flash of fire when the dancers would shoot together, as though they couldn?t resist doing so, despite all consequences.
?That?s good art,? Relena heard someone murmur. Turning her head the slightest bit, still dazed, she saw it was Heero. There was a husk to his voice that she hadn?t recognized as his. ?The way they move.?
She could feel his breath on her neck and cheek, and it was warm. Dear God, it was so warm? ?They train and study,? she told him logically. She whispered, as though speaking too loudly would scare away the magic that she could somehow feel around her ? until she reminded herself that magic wasn?t real.
?They do,? Heero agreed, his eyes on hers. ?But it isn?t the will to learn about it. It?s the need to do it, and then to perform it, so they can prove that their need is beautiful. It takes passion to do that.? He gestured to the stage just as the man slowly pushed his hips toward the woman?s as they mimicked lovemaking. ?And courage.? Relena felt her knees tremble as his hand, calloused and wide-palmed, whispered just over the bare flesh of her arm, igniting sparks that sizzled and died, only to be replaced by more. ?And a little bit of love.?
She withdrew, her eyes wide. Though not because of horror, Heero noted. She wasn?t horrified. She was a little afraid, yes, but mostly, she was caught in the moment, and in the haze of the sensuality around them. ?Those dancers don?t love each other.?
?They don?t have to love each other. Can?t you see it?? Relena nearly shuddered; his voice was so low, so seductive. ?Every time they lift their legs, angle their heads, meet gazes.? He lowered his hand, but Relena felt as though he?d touched her, intimately. And all he?d done was watch her. ?They love ? maybe not each other ? but they do love.?
The music faded, and they both turned. The woman?s legs were positioned between the man?s, her arm curved over her hanging head while the man supported her back with one arm. His other arm was stuck out to the side, his fingers gracefully stretched.
The lights flooded on; everyone stood and applauded. Relena had a bit of difficulty getting to her feet, and Heero smirked at her. She straightened and clapped with just as much enthusiasm and appreciation as everyone else.
Now if only her damn knees would stop shaking!
?Thank you, everyone!? Laura called out from the stage when the dancers exited. ?I?m so very happy you all could be here this evening, and I thank you for your time. I hope you had a wonderful night, thank you for all you do for the Colonies. Have a safe trip home, ta-ta!?
?She certainly knows how to send a crowd packing,? Quatre commented good-naturedly. ?Although, good Lord, she can be so annoying.? He took Rosanna?s hand and rolled his eyes. The redhead grinned. ?Are you two leaving?? he asked his companions.
?Yeah,? Heero confirmed.
?Yes,? Relena said. ?Have a good night, Quatre. Rosanna.? She smiled again, though her mouth was firmer this time. ?Contact me when you can.?
?Of course, Madam President!?
Relena, having no other choice, allowed Yuy to retrieve her cloak for her and escort her from the building to the shuttle-port. It was what gentleman did, and although he would never pass as a gentleman in her eyes, she was forced to treat him like one.
When they arrived at the port, her shuttle was already prepped and ready for departure. She climbed out of the rented limousine, prepared to make a frosty farewell.
?Keep walking,? he instructed, ?we don?t want to miss it.?
She blinked. ?Excuse me??
Heero took hold of her upper arm and fairly tugged her to the boarding station. ?The shuttle will leave without us.?
?Us?!? she cried indignantly. No, he wouldn?t. He wouldn?t.
?I?ll be seeing you to your home, Relena.?
He would. Half flabbergasted, she could only stammer. ?You?ll do no such thing! I was given no notice, nothing to??
?Notice isn?t necessary,? he said mildly, flashing his own ticket when she handed hers to an attendant with a dazed mind. ?Don?t you know I?d likely be hanged if something happened to you on your way back to Earth??
?There are trained security guards on the shuttles,? she began.
He shot her a look. ?And they do half-assed jobs.? He practically threw her into a seat, plopping down immaturely beside her.
?You rude stalker!? she partially shrieked. ?You can?t just tell me you?re going to see me home.?
?Then I?ll say it.? He turned fully to her, head bowed in mock respect, a hand lying on his heart. ?I will see you home, Madam President.?
She had little to say to him, but what she did have didn?t work. ?You?re insufferable. You always have been.?
?For the good of others only, I assure you,? he replied calmly, buckling his seatbelt. ?In this case, for the good of you.?
?You want no good for me,? she shot out and immediately wished she hadn?t. Heero?s eyes hardened to blue stones.
?This isn?t the place,? he said softly. ?We?ll talk about that when we get to New Port City. Be prepared to say something, and damn it, be prepared to listen.?
She glared. ?I?ll listen all the hell you want.?
Heero raised his eyes to the ceiling. ?Good.?
?Good, yes.? Her fists clenched in her lap. ?We?ll see how much goddamn good it does you when I don?t believe a fucking word.?
Heero was surprised at her language but didn?t show it. Instead, he propped one leg up on his knee and settled in for the flight to Earth.
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