Two Princes (1 OR 2 xR), 13/15

[Goldilocks]

There is a reason why I'm a day behind in posting. ^^;;; I ended up going out of town for the day on Sunday, and didn't think to post this before leaving. While I had access to a computer, I didn't have access to my fic file...so it just had to wait until tonight. ^^;;; I will post Chapter 14 on schedule on Thursday, however, so I don't plan on letting this bump me off too much.

Resolutions are reached, dilemmas are breached, and solutions are found...or are they? We're almost done, but the story is far from over! ^^

Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed thus far. It makes me very happy to know so many people have enjoyed this fic! Maybe I should post some of my other, older stuff that I was just going to keep buried. We'll see. ^^;;;

Two Princes
A pseudo-songfic, loosely based upon the song "Two Princes" by the Spin Doctors
by Sara
Pairings: 1 or 2 xR...is it just me, or does it seem as though Dr. J omitted the relationship problem-solving lesson from Heero's training?

Chapter 13

Saturday morning dawned clear and bright, with only a few clouds hinting that the weather might turn later on.

At the Maxwell and Schbeiker home, Duo was pacing through the kitchen. Hilde sat at the table, poking at her bowl of oatmeal listlessly, her eyes drooping with sleepiness.

"Duo, remind me again why I am awake this early on a Saturday morning," she growled sleepily.

"Because you're the only one who can help me practice this stuff before tonight," he explained patiently. Hilde, however, had no such patience.

She squinted her eyes at him as if she was having trouble focusing on his figure, her entire head turning to follow his pacing form. "Where the hell are you getting all this energy, Duo?" she snapped, her body telegraphing her irritation. "You usually are totally comatose until noon on Saturdays!"

Duo turned to face her. "Yeah, well..." He cleared his throat, obviously embarrassed. "I was having trouble sleeping."

Hilde blinked. "You were having trouble sleeping?"

"I was thinking about the ball tonight."

"You're not worried, are you? You've gone to high-society functions with Relena before."

"Yeah, but nothing of this magnitude!" Duo blurted, starting his pacing anew. "What if I screw up? What if they don't let me in, thinking I'm some commoner or something?"

"Duo," sighed Hilde. "To those people, you will always be some commoner. It sucks river rocks, but that's just the way it is. You know that."

Duo glared. "Maybe so, but you didn't have to say it like that!"

Hilde shrugged. "Yeah, it's harsh. But consider this. I'll always be just another commoner to these people, too, yet you don't see me getting all worked up about going with Heero tonight!"

"Yeah, but that's because you'll be with Heero! No one will dare kick you out if you're with him! They're too scared of him!"

"And you don't think they're equally scared of angering Relena? She's only one of the most powerful people in the world, for her age, and not too many people are eager to get on her bad side. Do you honestly think that a whole crowd of people will be lining up to piss her off?"

Duo didn't have an answer to that. Hilde's expression softened.

"Duo...I know that telling you to stop worrying won't make you stop worrying, but stop worrying already, okay? I'm sure everything will be just fine." She grinned. "Besides, once they see you in that outfit I helped you pick out, they'll be hard-pressed to call you a 'commoner'!"

Duo heaved a huge sigh. "I know you're right, Hilde," he said, "but I'm still going to worry."

Hilde just laughed. "Since when did you become a worry-wart?"

"Since I started dating a pacifist politician with ties to royalty," he said with a smirk.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," she muttered, stabbing ineffectually at her oatmeal, then picking up the bowl and walking over to the sink, rinsing it out and flipping on the garbage disposal. "So was that all you needed?" she said after the garbage disposal was done. "An early-morning pep talk?"

"Well, actually..." Duo stared at his feet for a moment, then looked back up, an impish grin gracing his features. "Which one is the salad fork again?"

"You...you little...argh!" Hilde whipped the dishrag at him, which he deftly caught and whipped back. "You woke me up for this??"

"But I need to know!" he laughed as she tackled him. He started tickling her ribs, and they toppled to the floor. When their laughter had subsided and they had regained their breath, Duo helped Hilde up off the floor and engulfed her in a hug.

"Thanks Hildey...for everything," he said. She stepped back and regarded him.

"Well, I couldn't exactly let you muddle through all of this on your own!" she said matter-of-factly. She picked up the dishrag and tossed it in the sink. "All right. Let me get the place-setting ready, and we'll go over this one more time, okay?"

Duo nodded, and cracked a huge yawn, the joints in his jaw popping. Hilde glanced at the clock on the stove. "And for heaven's sake, take a nap at some point in time today, okay? You want to make a good impression, you'll need some rest. You won't impress anyone by passing out from exhaustion at 10:00 tonight."

Duo mock-saluted. "Yes sir, ma'am, sir!" Hilde soft-punched him in the stomach, causing Duo to double over and groan. "Aww, what was that for?"

"No more jokes, all right? I want to take a nap before tonight, too, because you woke me up so early. Let's get to work!"

. . . .

At Relena's estate, Heero paced the breakfast nook while Relena pored over her planner, carefully setting in her mind the schedule of events that she would remember to do before meeting Duo for dinner that evening. She picked up a piece of toast and bit into it, absently brushing crumbs off of the planner page.

It took several long moments before Relena became aware of Heero's nervous activity, and longer still to finally pull herself away from concentrating on her schedule. The nagging fact that Heero was actually acting nervous eventually nagged at her conscience so much that she sighed and looked up.

"Heero, what's wrong? Why are you pacing like that?"

Heero stopped, startled out of his thoughts. "I..." Should he tell her? It certainly would be a good idea...Relena was talented at solving conflicts. Perhaps she could help him out. "No," he said, resuming his pacing. "It's nothing."

"Are you sure?" Relena's expression made it very clear that she wasn't buying his excuse.

"I'm sure."

"Is it about the ball tonight?"

"How did you--never mind. It is of little concern."

Relena sighed. "Heero, I know I've told you this before, but this time, I want you to take this advice to heart, and actually heed it. I know Dorothy came to you about the ball tonight."

Heero stopped in his tracks. "How did you know?"

"Because she was pestering me about who I was taking to the ball a while back, when we first got the invitations, and I told her that if she was so nervous about you not having an escort, she should ask you herself."

Heero shook his head. "I should have guessed," he muttered.

"And I take it you'd already asked someone else by the time she reached you?"

Heero just stared. Relena continued.

"And Dorothy wouldn't take 'no' for an answer." Heero just nodded his head in mute agreement. Relena sighed.

"Heero, I'll give you a little advice for this. One thing I've learned in my dealings with other people--especially Dorothy--is to never allow yourself to be coerced into doing something that goes against the moral fiber of your person."

Heero just watched her. How could she know so much without him having uttered a word of his problem to her?

"I have great faith in you, Heero," she said, her expression earnest. "I would not trust you with my life, if I didn't. I know that you will be able to find a way out of this situation that satisfies all parties involved. And if that means knocking Dorothy down a few pegs, so be it." She huffed. "I'd say it's high time that someone did that!"

Before he could express his shock over Relena's comment, she glanced at her watch. "Oh...I'm going to be late for my manicure appointment, if I don't hurry." She stood up, gathering her planner and snapping it closed. "I'm off," she said. "Think about what I told you, all right?" She gave Heero a peck on the cheek as she walked out of the nook, heading toward the front doors of the estate.

Heero stood in the nook, slightly surprised at the kiss. Had it meant something? Or was he imagining things? It really wouldn't help things if he were to get it in his mind that Relena wanted to be with him. He shook his head slightly.

Regardless, her words had touched something within him, and he knew she was right. He shouldn't have to feel bad about telling Dorothy no, right? Of course, there was the fact that she had made herself conspicuously scarce all week, as if afraid that if she saw Heero, he would tell her he wasn't going to the ball with her.

Heero grumbled under his breath. Well, if she wanted to play dirty, two certainly could play that game. After all, he certainly had no obligation to be kind to Dorothy Catalonia.

. . . .

Instead of taking action, Heero had spent a greater portion of the day in contemplation. As much as his rational mind tried to convince him that it was too late for a relationship with Relena, the small kiss she had given him that morning had shaken his resolve. Perhaps it had meant something.

Or perhaps he was imagining things. After all, wasn't she quite happy with Duo? He knew how she seemed to simply glow whenever she talked about Duo, had seen that slight smile that graced her features whenever Duo's name came up in conversation, and had noticed how her eyes lit up whenever Duo was in the same room as she. She certainly had some attraction to the young man, even if Heero couldn't quite understand why.

But then his thoughts turned to the fact that she had been after him for many years. Why hadn't he noticed before?

Or perhaps he had noticed, and had decided that he wasn't going to pay attention, since he had always considered protecting Relena and the continued peace of more importance than anything else. Mentally, he kicked himself. He was such a fool! If he had only made some move earlier....

But he shook his head. That was all in the past. There was nothing he could do about that now. He'd had his opportunity, and had blown it. He had no one to blame but himself for this turn of events, and he knew it. But perhaps, if he were lucky, he would be able to set things right.

. . . .

Relena glanced at her watch and scowled. It was a rare expression to grace the Vice Foreign Minister's face, but Relena was in a particularly foul mood that afternoon.

The day had started out amiably enough, but then her stylist's salon had been exceptionally busy, when she had gone in to have her hair done for the ball. That had not bothered her, not that much. Relena knew her stylist was in demand for her talent.

But then, on the way to the seamstress to pick up Relena's gown for the evening, they had gotten caught in heavy traffic. Relena had almost missed her seamstress, for the woman was locking up the shop as they pulled up to the curb. Only the fact that Relena was one of the seamstress' best customers allowed the lady to re-open the shop so that Relena could get her dress.

On the way home, they had gotten stuck in the heavy traffic again. Now it was nearly 5:30, and she still had to get dressed and ready to meet Duo at 6:30 for dinner.

Things were definitely not going according to plan.

Relena glanced at her watch for the umpteenth time, mentally calculating the time she had remaining, and how best to use it. She really was in the mood for a long soak in a hot bath. That would ease out some of the stresses of the day, and raise her spirits. She smiled slightly. As if being around Duo wouldn't be uplifting to begin with!

A frown marred her face once more. Perhaps it would be possible to bump their dinner reservations to a later time...There certainly wouldn't be a furor if she was a little bit late to the ball. Most of the people didn't start arriving until after 8:30, anyway. She nodded slightly. That's what she would do. As soon as she reached the house, she would call Duo and explain her dilemma to him. Not for the first time that afternoon, she cursed the streak of forgetfulness that had caused her to leave her cellphone at home when she had left that morning.

As soon as the car had pulled to a halt in front of the estate, Relena jumped out of the car, not even waiting for the chauffeur to open the door for her. She had far too many things to do. Hurriedly, she trotted up the steps of the estate and entered the house, heading for her bedroom and the bath beyond it. I'll find a way to contact Duo while I'm bathing and kill two bird with one stone, she thought. After all, isn't that why we have the cordless non-picture phone? For just such an occasion? Now, to remember where the handset is....

So intent was she in rearranging her schedule that she didn't notice Heero until he stepped out of a shadow near the bath, practically standing on her toes. Startled, she jumped back, a hand flying up to her mouth to cover her surprise.

"Heero! I...I didn't see you! What are you doing here?"

Heero shuffled his feet slightly. "I--we need to...can we talk, Relena?"

Relena glanced at her watch anxiously. "Can it wait, Heero? I'm rather pressed for time right now."

"Relena, I think we should go to the ball together," he blurted, inwardly cringing at his forwardness.

"What!?"

"I think we should go to the ball together. As we used to do. Only...only as a couple this time, not with me as your bodyguard."

Relena stood staring at Heero in shock for a moment, her jaw working silently. Finally, she found her voice. "W-what?"

"I think we should go to the ball together," Heero repeated. "Just like before...before lately. Just us two." He took both of her hands in his. "Please..."

"Heero, what on earth has gotten into you?"

He shook his head slightly. "I've been mistaken," he murmured softly. "This is all my fault. If I had been able to admit my feelings to you, you wouldn't have felt the need to turn to Duo for attention."

Heero had expected Relena's expression to soften, and for her to pull him into her arms and tell him that he was right. Instead, much to his surprise, she fairly bristled at his implication.

"And just what are you trying to say, Mr. Heero Yuy? That Duo is my second choice when compared to you?"

Heero could only stare in shock. "I..."

Relena's palm cracked sharply across his face. "How dare you!" she hissed, rubbing her palm against her other hand, favoring the hand that had slapped him. "That is the most arrogant thing I've ever heard. Do you honestly think the world revolves around you, Heero Yuy? That I would wait for you until the end of time like some moonstruck teenager? Well, guess what. The world doesn't stop because you have issues!"

Relena's eyes flashed with anger. Heero had rarely ever seen her so angry. "Did you ever stop to consider that maybe I am with Duo because I truly do care for him, and enjoy spending time with him? Not because I'm trying to make you jealous? You are so conceited!"

She began to pace her room, tugging things out of closets in preparation for the ball. "And to answer your question, no, I will not stand Duo up and go to the ball with you. I've made my plans to spend the night with MY BOYFRIEND," she said, taking careful note to stress the phrase, "and I am not going to change my plans just because the fish scales dropped off of your eyes. If you missed the boat because you were too busy being selfish, I am not backing up time to make things turn out better for you!"

Heero had remained silent throughout Relena's entire tirade. There were a thousand things he wanted to say, but he found that every single one of them was useless. Relena was right. He had well and truly blown it.

Relena finally turned to face him, her eyes studying his face. He looked up to meet her gaze. Relena, expecting a rebuttal, visibly steeled herself.

When he did speak, his voice was so quiet that Relena had to strain her ears to hear it. "I...I...you're right, Relena. All of it. I...I'm sorry."

Relena blinked with surprise. "You...are?"

He looked down at his feet. "Yes," he said quietly. "You're right. I could've said something a long time ago, and I didn't. This is all my fault."

Relena sighed, and walked across the room to face him. "So am I," she said softly. "But what's done is done, and I really am happy to be with Duo. He makes me feel..." She paused for a moment, and once again, Heero watched her entire face light up.

He felt a twinge of jealously. He would never see her face do that in reference to his own presence. But he had no one to blame but himself.

"He makes me feel as though I'm the only girl on the planet, that nothing else in the entire world is as important to him as I am," she continued. "It's the first time anyone has ever treated me this way, and it's wonderful," she sighed. Heero watched her, assuming his steel facade once more.

"You love him." It was not a question.

Relena paused for a moment, considering this. "Yes," she finally said. "Yes, I think I do."

Heero was quiet for a moment. "I hope he knows how lucky he is," he finally said. Relena sighed.

"Heero, just because I'm not your Number One fan any more does not mean I want nothing to do with you from now on," she said softly. "You're still an important part of my life. I just can't...I have to live my life, Heero. I just don't think we're meant for each other, not like I used to think."

Heero nodded, after a pause. Relena glanced at her watch again.

"I want to continue this later, Heero," she said, "but right now, I want a nice, hot, soothing bath, so that I can unwind before tonight. Will you be here later, when the time is right for that talk?"

Heero only paused for a moment before nodding. This time, he knew it was a promise he intended to keep.

~*~

TBC
As always, C&C is greatly loved and appreciated. ^^
--Sara

[Tobo Castit]

Another great chapter! I can't wait to see how you'll end this, even if I can guess who the couples will be! PUT THE NEXT ONE UP SOON!!!!!
Knocking Dorothy down... I can't imagine trying that...

[Kari]

Heh Thanks for the birthday present A new chappie

[Mellie]

haha! This chapter totally made my day last night! After a crappy day at work, it was so good to come home and read this! I had a smile on my face...but then I got all confused again :-? . Oh, well, can't wait to read more! Excellent work once again! The chapter was well worth the wait! (And it makes thursday's posting even closer! )

[lilac310]

I'm sort of pressed for time right now 'cuz I gotta leave so I'm just gonna say that I agree with what everyone said..Great job!..I just have to read this before I go!!!

[Cinthya_Dee]

Wow you had me scared for a moment. I truly thought that Relena would take him up on his offer. IN this story I prefer Relena with Duo and Heero with Hilde(hopefully).

Cinthya_Dee

[Goldilocks]

Another great chapter! I can't wait to see how you'll end this, even if I can guess who the couples will be! PUT THE NEXT ONE UP SOON!!!!!
Knocking Dorothy down... I can't imagine trying that...

*grins* Yeah, at this point, it is pretty easy to guess who will end up with whom. And Dorothy has been cruising for it through this entire fic...but will she get her comeuppance? I'm going to post the next chapter soon, so we'll find out! Thanks for reading! ^__^

[Goldilocks]

Heh Thanks for the birthday present A new chappie

Wheee! Happy birthday! ^__^ Then it was a good thing I was a day late in posting, wasn't it? ^^ Thanks for reading! ^__^

[Goldilocks]

haha! This chapter totally made my day last night! After a crappy day at work, it was so good to come home and read this! I had a smile on my face...but then I got all confused again :-? . Oh, well, can't wait to read more! Excellent work once again! The chapter was well worth the wait! (And it makes thursday's posting even closer! )

Yayay! I'm glad that this chapter brightened your day after a bad day at work. And hopefully, this next chapter will answer...well, most questions, anyway. ^^ And it DID make the next posting come sooner--I'm getting ready to post the next chapter as soon as I'm done responding to comments. Thanks for reading! ^__^

[Goldilocks]

I'm sort of pressed for time right now 'cuz I gotta leave so I'm just gonna say that I agree with what everyone said..Great job!..I just have to read this before I go!!!

Hee! Thank you!! I'm really glad that you've enjoyed the fic so much from start to finish. Thanks for reading! ^__^