<b>Midnight Chimes and Pink Roses</b>
by the Black Rose
AN: The italicized 'scenes' are Relena's POV - from her journal. Thank you for reading! Love, Rose
Chapter 3
The 'holiday' party moved at a slow, leisurely pace. People here were on vacation, not to discuss business. The lighting was much less bright than other diplomatic affairs he had attended with her. Candles adorned the tables; the only chandelier shone down on a wood dance floor set up in the middle of the marble tile. The place was far too dark with too many inscrutable corners to be adequately secured.
Heero felt stiff and awkward in the navy blue dress Preventer uniform, but since he had no other suit with him, and he was partially there on official business, he had little choice. Relena made the comment that it looked distinguished on him. But distinguish him, thankfully, it did not.
In fact, even though his name had been announced on the same card as hers as "Ms. Relena Darlian and Mr. Heero Yuy", it had taken photographers and gossip mongers alike quite a while before they had figured out: he was her date. Once that happened, he saw the gloved hands move up to their faces as people began to talk 'behind Relena's back'.
Heero shrugged it off. He didn't know if what they had to say was good or bad, and he didn't much care. The part he did care about was the photographers. Their questions were annoying.
And they were suddenly beyond interested in the pair.
He found himself in the middle of a collection of them. How they had ensnared him into their little huddle, he didn't recall.
"Miss Relena! Who is this handsome Preventer agent?" Asked a slim lady with short, brown hair and a smile that was much too wide.
Relena stood to his left, wearing a full-length ivory gown that was too puffy at the bottom, and too fitted at the top. It made him want, but not be able to get close enough. She smiled a shy smile and answered in a clear voice: "This is my good friend, Heero Yuy."
"Just friends?" The wide-smiling woman asked.
Heero frowned. "No."
Relena's eyes widened. "Heero!"
"Ah, so the cat's out of the bag!" A man with sandy blond hair chuckled. "How long have you been together?"
"Ah--" Red crept into Relena's complexion and she looked a little flustered.
"Off and on for three years."
"So this is on?" The male reporter asked. He, too, had a grin that was too much to be real. Heero had to suppress the urge to roll his eyes.
"Affirmative."
Relena smiled, but shot him a look out of the corner of her gaze.
"Doesn't look like the lady agrees. Perhaps he's over possessive, Relena?" The woman reporter pressed his date.
"No. He's telling the truth, but--"
Heero cut her off. "That's all we have to say. Take your pictures and go back to the party."
"Awwww." A collective groan sounded from the group of reporters and cameramen. But his glare was enough to silence them all and send them on their way.
The pests finally gave the couple some breathing space. Ignoring the stare Relena leveled in his direction, Heero extended his hand and asked her to dance.
She gaped at his upturned palm for a moment and appeared genuinely hesitant to accept it. Her date closed his eyes and asked again.
"If I promise you I'll be here tomorrow, will you dance with me?"
He heard her sharp intake of breath, and felt like he was holding his. Until soft, delicate fingers slid into the palm of his hand. Her skin was cool and her touch timid, like she might change her mind if he gave her the chance. Heero tightened his fingers around her hand and pulled her close.
"Heero..." Her voice murmured as he wound his left arm around her waist. "It's a waltz."
"I don't care," he said into her ear. She must not have been too concerned about it; either that or she knew better than to argue with him - more likely the first option than the second - because she didn't struggle. Instead, she laid her head against his shoulder and swayed with him to some non-existent beat he was sure neither of them heard.
* * * * * *
<i>When I opened my eyes again, most of the other guests had already gone. I had no idea how long we danced like that, him just holding me, like no one else in the world existed, or if they did, they certainly didn't matter. Despite the fact I was upset that Heero had confirmed our relationship to the media...
Let me explain.
I was not ashamed to admit my feelings for him. I was not concerned with what anyone would think. I was loathe to announce our relationship, much less our living arrangement, for one reason and one reason only:
I didn't know if I could pretend I was okay.
So, despite being upset at Heero for his unusual candor, which I couldn't help but think, or perhaps hope, was done for a reason - and not just to spite me - I had enjoyed dancing with him so much. I couldn't help but remember the first time he held me in his arms, and compare it to this evening.
He was taller. I could lay my head on his shoulder by just leaning forward. He held me closer this time than the first time we danced; his grip on my waist was tighter. I could hear his heart pounding in his chest, just below where I lay my head. We didn't speak. I didn't ask him silly questions, and he didn't answer them the way he was ordered to.
We had both grown up so much.
So why did I still feel like I was a child? As soon as he took me in his embrace, I was fifteen again, and practically giddy in love. I was awkward and hormonal. I wanted him to take me back to his room...
I wanted so desperately to be his. I wanted to know that he ached for me even close to the way I ached for him every time he touched or looked at me in just the right way. He said he'd be here tomorrow, promised he would stay at least one more day.
So tonight...
For this one night...
I didn't have to be afraid that I would wake up to an empty bed.</i>
* * * * * *
Heero led her out into the hallway. The hosts were in the foyer, seeing off the other guests, and for a moment, he and Relena were alone.
He leaned back against the wall opposite the door to the ballroom. His date stopped a few feet away. "Heero?" She took a step towards him, and reached out one hand.
"Relena, this isn't working."
She froze. Her whole body stopped moving except for the outstretched hand. It trembled like a leaf in the wind, until her other hand caught and reeled it in. They folded together and rested on her waist. Her head bowed. "I understa--"
He wanted to pound his fist against the wall. "No. You don't."
Her head jerked up and his gaze met hers. Her eyes were wide and he had never seen them reflect so much fear.
"Relena..."
"What...what don't I understand?" Her folded hands dropped to her sides and she hid them behind her back. She must have figured out they were still shaking.
"You're pushing me away. I came back here..." Somehow or another, his voice was trying to fail him. So many things to say, but he didn't know just how to say them. "I didn?t come back so you could push me away."
"Heero..."
"I've been trying. I know it's something you want to hear. But I can't...I can't find the words, Relena. I don't know how to give what you obviously need from me right now."
"I don't need you to say anything. It's okay..."
"Then why--" He scowled at her. "Have you been trying to make a point?"
"Make a--"
"Because if this is how I made you feel two years ago--"
"No." She shook her head. "I haven't been trying to make a point. I don't want you to feel like I don't care. I do care." She reached her hand towards him again. This time it found his arm.
"Then why--" Her touch soothed his anger.
"I just..." She stared up at him, and it was more than he could stand. Gone was her unwavering faith. She looked like she was pleading with him. "It's not important."
"Why, Relena?" His voice came out sounding low, tired, almost defeated. "What did I ever do that makes you look at me like I could break you?"
She turned her head. He grabbed her chin and forced her to look at him.
"What did I do to make you lose faith in me?"
"You didn't. I just...I--"
"Oh there you ahre." A snobby female voice sounded from somewhere down the hall. An older lady appeared in the entryway, Heero recognized her as the hostess. "Albert was afraid you'd left already, but I told him that you were just enjoying your date. And who can blame you?" She winked at Heero. He was not amused.
"Your cahr just pulled around." The hostess's voice drawled out her a's into ah's in an overdone fashion that made everything she said sound false, pretentious, annoying.
"Do you want me to tell the dryver you'll be staying? You're certainly welcome to spend the night. We have a lovely suite down the hall, I think you and Mr. Yuy would absolutely love it. And it's very pri--"
"No. Thank you for your very kind offer, but we really should be going. You and Albert have already done so much, I'm sure you would rather rest than have to cater to guests another day." Relena took Heero's offered arm.
"Oh that's just nonsense. We absolutely adore having you. But at least let me walk you to the door."
The elderly lady continued to chatter as the three of them found their way to the door. Heero tuned most of it out. It was all politeness, and no substance. Beverly hadn't really been inviting them to stay; Relena obviously knew this, though he couldn't help but feel a bit...transparent that she had invited them to stay in the same room.
He helped her into the car and then walked around to the other side. Beverly winked at him again before he slid into the seat next to Relena. Despite the chill outside, the interior was warm - one of the perks of having a driver.
"Thank you for going with me, Heero."
Her date shook his head.
"Can we...put the past behind us for a while? Even if...it's just tonight." She scooted over next to him and slipped her left hand into his. Her head snuggled into his right shoulder as she leaned against him.
He closed his eyes and squeezed her hand.
"I don't know. Can we?"
* * * * * *
<i> We didn't say much for the rest of the ride home. I just felt comfortable and warm to be so close to him. When I first took his hand, and leaned against his shoulder, the muscles in his arm were so tense. But by the time we reached the house, it seemed like the tension between us had finally begun to slip away.
He helped me from the car and slipped his jacket over my shoulders when I shivered. Heero really could be a gentleman when he wanted to. I could imagine he didn't really have a lot of practice with such things, but he's always so full of surprises.
He kept hold of my hand as he led the way up the stairs. Even though the entryway and hall were cold enough to make me clutch his jacket tighter with my free hand, I was sweating underneath. I didn't think he was taking me anywhere other than escorting me to my room for the night. And I wasn't sure how I felt about that.
I didn't want to relinquish his hand.
I didn't want to spend another night without him.
And most of all...
I didn't want him to let me go. </i>
