Less Than Discreet Ch 2
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 11:18 pm
Less Than Discreet Ch. 2
Lady Une is evil in this story but keep in mind i put the glasses wearing Lady Une in instead.
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Chapter 2: Gundam wing isn?t mine.
Relena?s throat went dry. The man looked elemental and furious, quiet male and quiet angry. She was very aware of their suggestive position, of his weight around her legs. She was conscience too, of an odd feeling in the center of her being, a strange mixture of fury and excitement and some other elusive emotion she could not have known. His eyes skimmed down her, taking in the wet tight shirt that clung to her breast, she could feel his response to her body.
?Let go of me!?
?Not until I get some answers.? he growled back.
?Who the hell are you, and what are you doing here??
?I have every right to be driving through here. It?s you who is obviously up to no good, hiding in the dark, people firing at you. Release me now or you?ll be in even more trouble than you already are.?
?You?re hardly in a position to be giving commands.? he reminded her, a faint smile touched his lips.
If it wasn?t for her annoyance at him, his face should have been appealing to her but his amusement only infuriated her.
?It is obvious to me that you are scoundrel,? she said coldly. ?I suggest that you refrain from turning yourself into a felon as well.?
His eyebrows rose slightly. ?I scarcely need to remind you that without witnesses, it is hard to charge a man with a felony??
He paused, letting the threat of his words stink in, then said, ?Besides, I know of no felony that has been committed tonight. It?s hardly a crime to save a woman from a gang of men attacking her.?
?You know better than I that those men weren?t shooting at me.? Relena shot back. ?It was you they were firing at.?
His mouth twisted grimly. ?Maybe, but they wouldn?t have been if you hadn?t stumbled into the scene, shouting and waving a flashlight.?
?How was I supposed to know that you were engaged in underhanded doings? I was looking for help--a futile quest, obviously, but I wasn?t aware of your character then as I am now. I didn?t know that I was dealing with a thief.?
?I?m not a thief.? he grounded out the words. Apparently angry that she didn?t fear him.
?Right.? Relena shot him a scornful look. ?What were you doing hiding out there on a foggy night, then??
?That?s none of your business.? His mouth twitched to tell her to shut up. ?If you weren?t been such a blabbermouth we wouldn?t be in this mess.?
?I should?ve known that you were the sort to try to shift the blame. As if I were responsible for your cohorts or your enemies or whoever those people were.?
?Lord, you?ve got a wisp?s of a tongue on you.? Suddenly, swiftly, he stood up, hauling her up with him. Saying nothing else and grabbed her arm and began to walk her towards the car. Relena dug in her heels. ?Wait! I?m not going anywhere with you.?
?I think you would be far better off back in the car then out here with men trying to shoot you.?
?I didn?t say that I was staying here! What I meant was that you aren?t going anywhere in my car.?
He looked at her for a long moment, then dropped her am and stepped back. ?You?re right. It?s your car. Good-bye.?
He turned and started striding away. Stunned, Relena stared after him. Then she remembered that she had no idea where she was or how to get back to the local village. Plus, there were still lunatics around. If they saw her car, they would think the thief was still with her?
?Wait!? She called, and when the stranger didn?t stop, she took a few running steps after him. ?Stop! Please??
He turned and looked back at her, the same fierce yet emotionless expression on his face. ?Yes??
?Don?t go. I can?t drive the car back to town, I--I have no idea where I am.?
?Then it seems that you have a certain problem with your car. Good-bye.?
?Stop! I?m telling you that you can drive back to town.?
?You mean that you are allowing me the honor of working for you?? he asked sardonically. ?How kind of you. But I am afraid I must decline the honor. I?ll walk. One man in the fog is less noticeable than a car.?
?Cars are faster.?
He said nothing, just walked back and swung open the door, entering the car. Relena quickly climbed back in, and they set out again. It was fast enough to bounce Relena up and down on her seat, and she suspected that the awful man was doing it simply to annoy her.
With her body covered in mud, she dreaded the thought of what her family would say about her appearance. She blinked back tears. She refused to cry over this. If nothing else, her tears would leave tracks on her dirty cheeks, making it obvious that she had been crying. And no doubt he would think that she had been crying because of him. she grimaced as her thoughts turned to the obnoxious man who had virtually abducted her. He had treated her reprehensibly. She remembered the bold way his eyes had lingered over her breasts, revealed by the tin wet material of her blouse. She could feel a slight heat rising. It had felt so strange--almost exhilarating.
Within half an hour, they were turning into the local village. Relena signed in relief. Relieved that the stranger had not decided to take them deeper within the woods and strangle her. Now with a moan, she jerked open the door of the car and hurried to the inside of a bar. As soon as she stepped into the public bar, all conversation came to a halt, and everyone swiveled around to stare at her. Relena stopped short, dismayed at being the focus of so many sets of eyes. In her relief at reaching a public spot, she had forgotten about her state of appearance. No doubt she looked like destitute. A hand went to her mud-encrusted ringlets as she glanced down at her mud clogged shoes.
The keeper of the Inn, a large, bluff man, started toward her from his post. Concern in his eyes as he asked about her condition. Relena asked for a private room where she could hopefully wash off and the man nodded repeatedly. Putting his hand on her sleeve as if to aid her steps, he directed her to a room in the rear, then as he reached for the door knob, he stopped. ?Oh, dear, no, there?s a man inside already.? He took another glance at Relena beside him, muddy and disheveled and struggling to hold back tears, then at the rest of his customers, all staring earnestly.
?Well,? He said with a sign, ?there?s nothing I can do. All the rooms are full. You can?t stay out here, that?s for certain.?
He rapped sharply on the door to the private room and pushed open the door when a man?s voice inside answered.
?Excuse me sir,? said the Inn keeper, ushering Relena inside the room. ?I?m sorry to disturb you, but we?ve got a bit of a problem here. There?s a lady here, well, it wouldn?t be fitting for her to wait in the lobby with her current state.?
Relena looked across the room, fighting to contain her tears. The man sitting beside the fireplace had spiky brown hair that was off to one side covering one of his eyes. He rose to his feet, his eyebrows lifting in wonder. He was at least 6? 3? tall. He took one swift look at Relena?s muddied state and said, ?Precisely. You?re right. The lady must have the room. The only thing is, I?m expecting a visitor--Ah, there he is now. And looking as if he had shared this young lady?s adventure.?
Relena swung around at his words. ?You!? she exclaimed with loathing.
There, in the doorway, stood her tormentor.
The man gave Relena a look that left little doubt that he shared her feelings.
?What are you doing here?? the man asked roughly. ?Am I ever going to get rid of you??
?I might say the same about you.?
?I take it that you two have met,? said the man by the fireplace.
The stranger from the ?adventure? grunted and moved into the room. Relena said icily, ?I am afraid that we were not properly introduced.?
?Ah--Heero.? The tall man sighed. ?You are forever lacking in manners.? he moved forward toward Relena. ?Allow me to correct his oversight. I, my dear, am Trowa Barton. And this is, ah, Heero, uh??
?I am pleased to make your acquaintance Mr. Barton,? Relena replied formally, trying to ignore the absurdity of the polite greeting in contrast to her grubby state of dress. She cast a flashing glance toward the other man. ?I?m sorry I cannot say the same about meeting Mr. Heero.?
Trowa opened his mouth to speak, then closed it. He cast a grin toward Heero. ?I see you have made your usual charming impressions.?
Heero?s only reply was a noise resembling a growl. He turned away from both of them, striding over to the fire and holding out his hands to warm them. Trowa ignored him as he spoke to the Innkeeper. ?Well, sir, I think what we need here is a hot punch. Why don?t you bring us a bowl of it? And some alcohol perhaps.?
?Of course.?
The innkeeper reluctantly left the room. Relena knew he had been hoping to hear the details of what had happened to her and Heero.
Trowa turned toward Relena. ?Now, Miss???
?Forgive me. Here you have been so kind, and I haven?t even told you my name. I am Relena.?
?Miss Relena. It is a pleasure to meet you, even under such deplorable conditions. Please come over here by the fire and warm yourself.? he guided her toward the fire and into the chair beside it.
Relena sank into the chair, grateful for its softness and for the warmth of the fire. She leaned forward, soaking up the heat. Heero looked at Relena, and his mouth twisted in a grimace. He withdrew to the other end of the fireplace, turning away from her and planting his elbow on the mantel. Trowa glanced from him to Relena and back again, but he made no comment. The silence stretched out awkwardly.
At last there was a knock on the door, and the Innkeeper bustled in, followed by a maid carrying a tray of cups, a punch bowl, and several liquid ingredients. They set the load down on the coffee table and the Innkeeper fussed around for a bit before Heero pointedly opened the door for them and gestured a dismissal.
?Now, then,? Trowa said, advancing on the punch bowl. ?This will fix you fight up, Miss Relena.?
He began to mix the ingredients into the punch bowl and handed her a cup full of the warm liquid.
?Thank you.? Relena took the cup gratefully. Taking a few sips of the warm drink and relaxing somewhat.
?Now, Miss Relena, tell me how you happened to meet Mr.,?uh, Heero.?
Relena cast a stormy look toward that individual.
?He almost raped me.?
?Oh, God,? Heero said callously, turning his back to the fire to warm it. ?Not that again.?
?I was almost killed,? Relena added.
?Heero?? Trowa questioned.
?She exaggerates. The only reason we meet was because she was lost.?
?Lost? Then you must have had a terrible day.? Trowa said towards Relena.
?You?ve no idea.? her voice roughened, and she stopped, trying to blink back tears. ?I think--I think this is the worst day of my life.?
And suddenly, surprising herself, she burst into tears.
Trowa stared at Relena, uncertain as to how to handle a sobbing female.
?Don?t?I?m sure it can?t be that bad.?
?Oh it is!? Relena cried, covering her face with her hands. ?You just don?t know. It?s too awful!? Tears poured down her face.
?Well, it?s not a tragedy,? Heero pointed out brutally. ?I?m sure you?ve been lost before, and will be again.?
?Oh!? Relena would have like to shout at him that she wasn?t silly enough to collapse into sobs because she had gotten lost, but she couldn?t stem the tide of her tears enough to answer. At any other time, she would have been ready to sink to the floor with humiliation at giving way like this in front of two strangers--especially when one of them was as obnoxious and rude as Mr. Heero. However, tonight, she was too weary and distressed to care.
?Shouldn?t have given her that rum,? Heero told Trowa. ?She?s bosky.?
?Don?t worry about it.? Trowa answered.
?I?m not. She?s emotional.?
?I?m not emotional!? Relena flashed, raising her head and glaring at him, her irritation at his rudeness cutting through her emotional outburst. She wiped angrily at the tears wetting her cheeks.
?I?m just tired and?overset. Everything is just?just ruined!?
Heero cast a sickened look. ?A party canceled? A lover marrying another??
Relena jumped to her feet, her fist clenched by her sides, letting out an inarticulate cry of rage. ?How dare you trivialize my?my?Oh, I hate you! I?m being forced to marry.?
And she burst into tears again and threw herself back into the chair. Trowa cast the other man an admonished look, and even Heero had the grace to look dismayed.
?My Dear,? Trowa began, going over to her and reaching down to take one of her hands and pat it. ?I?m so sorry. If there is anything I can do??
?There is nothing anyone can do,? Relena said when her jet of tears had subsided. ?My brother has been pressuring me to marry but I can?t. I don?t love him that way.?
?I?m sure he?s only thinking of your best interests.? Trowa said comfortingly.
Relena shook her head. ?He can?t be if he?s forcing me to marry. And I--I?ve argued with him over the matter constantly. It?s just --Oh, I?ve made the most awful mess of everything.? She gulped back her tears and raised large, beseeching eyes to Trowa. ?Truly, I didn?t mean to. I did it all for the best, but now?well, now I have to tell him the truth. All of them. And I am afraid he now will force me to marry.?
Trowa frowned. ?I?m sure it can?t be that serious.?
?It is. I--I lied to him, you see.?
At her words, Heero let out a noise of disgust and said with withering sarcasm, ?Naturally.?
Relena whirled toward him indignantly. ?I had to.?
Heero made a grump noise in response.
?Hush Heero. Ignore him, Miss Relena. Heero has a warped view of the human condition.?
Heero didn?t reply, and Relena turned back to Trowa, ignoring the other man.
?I had no other choice.? she reiterated. ?I couldn?t marry against my will, but I never thought he would tell Lady Une.?
?Well, of course not,? Trowa agreed, confused but sympathetic.
?But I haven?t been to see my brother, not since he first came back from outer-space. All because I can?t bear to face Lady Une. She will ask all sorts of questions, you see, and would want to know where he is. Which I won?t be able to answer. And now Noin is there, and of course she can?t carry the burden of lies. It?s not that she can?t lie to Lady Une, because Noin is capable of the most perfect deceit while looking completely innocent.? her tone indicated a wistful envy of the said Noin?s ability.
?The trouble is that she gets carried away by them and winds up saying so many things that she gets all jumbled up. So I had to come. I have to tell them the truth.?
?You aren?t making the slightest bit of sense,? Heero pointed out rudely.
?Heero??
?No, he?s right. I?m all mixed-up.? Relena put a hand to her head and sighed. She gazed at Trowa for a moment, then gave a little nod, as if coming to some sort of decision.
?I can trust you, right? I mean, you would never tell another soul, would you??
Trowa smiled thoughtfully. ?Of course not?But you shouldn?t tell me if it makes you uneasy.?
?No, I feel like I must tell someone. I?ve been thinking about it all day, driving down here. Actually, I?ve thought of nothing else these past few weeks. Truth is, I don?t know what to do, how to extricate myself from this tangle I?ve created.?
?You have my word, that anything you say will not leave this room.?
Relena cast an uneasy glace toward Heero, who had the same expression on his face as always.
?Trust me, I won?t be telling your girlish secrets to anyone.?
Relena hesitated, glancing toward the punch bowl. ?Do you think?Could I have another drink??
?Of course.? Trowa took her cup and ladled more of the spicy brew into it, also refilling his and Heero?s cups.
She took a sip of her drink, drew a deep breath and began. ?Well, as I told you, my brother has been pressuring me into marriage with someone I don?t love. Of course, I wrote to Sanq Manor as soon as I heard that he already had someone in mind for me.?
?Sanq Manor?? Trowa repeated, surprised. ?You mean?your brother is??
?Milliardo Peacecraft, the owner of Sanq Manor.? Relena nodded. She was looking down at her cup and so didn?t see the swift glance between the two men in the room.
?Therefore you?re Princess Relena Peacecraft.?
?A title should not be of any importance when it comes to determining one?s character.? She announced, her face suddenly serious.
?My parents died when I was very young. So I was raised with my brother. He?s married to Noin now. We all lived in Sanq Palace until my brother decided that a smaller Manor would be more enjoyable during the summer months in the country. Anyway, Noin called me a few weeks ago that he was arranging my marriage to someone if I didn?t decide on my own. And I couldn?t keep him from pressing me about marriage. He keeps saying I need a husband. Which is really the most foolish thing because I would?ve never imagined him telling me that. Besides, I?m quite capable of taking care of myself.?
Heero made a grunt, and Relena turned to glare at him.
?As I was saying, I can?t understand why he wants me to find a husband. I thought it was perhaps of the family fortune because I can only receive my inheritance if I marry, but I?m against it.?
?I can understand your predicament.? Trowa smiled faintly
She straightened, looking at him with narrowed eyes. ?My father was old-fashioned. He believed women should be taken care for, provided for. In his will, he wrote I must marry if I want my inheritance.?
?Maybe the inheritance isn?t the reason for his wish to marry you off, have you thought that perhaps he thinks the same as your father.? Trowa offered.
?That?s not like him. I don?t need a man to take care of me. Marriages in the aristocratic class are all for the benefit of men. I can?t marry because of that. I have property, I live independently, but still he has told me to marry. And now, Noin says it angers him even more. So I told him I was engaged.?
Heero let out a snort. ?The defender of women?s rights, pretending that she?s snagged a husband.?
?I was trying to keep him from worrying!? Relena snapped. ?Of course, you would never think of trying to ease someone pain and worry.?
?Whatever your reason,? he pointed out mildly, ?it?s still a lie.?
?Fine words from a thief!? Relena retorted hotly.
?I?ve told you before, I?m no thief.?
?Heero?? Trowa sent him a quelling look. ?Miss Relena, Heero is different from us ordinary mortals and our petty problems. It?s understandable why you might lie so that he might die more peacefully.?
?Thank you.? Relena smiled at him. ?You?re a very understanding man. I?m glad I told you. I didn?t want to lie but he was so please with me once I said I was engaged that he didn?t ask me much about the man or how we meet.? She smiled faintly. ?He wasn?t even bothered that the man hadn?t asked him for my hand in marriage. He seemed more at content afterward and I was so glad to not marry some fool. But the more Time past the more he asked about my supposed fianc?, and it became tricky. So, I had to make up everything. I couldn?t tell him the truth because I didn?t want him to marry me off. I couldn?t stand it any longer, so I fled. But then I kept getting calls from him asking me about my fianc? and when was I going to introduce them. I?ve been trying to think of a way out of this ever since.?
?Tell him the man left you,? Heero suggested. ?If your actions tonight were any indication, you would give any man adequate reason to break off an engagement, even with a princess.?
?You dare to blame me for what happened tonight? Anyway, my fianc? isn?t the type of man who would flee from an engagement, as you so vulgarly put it.?
He glared. ?That?s interesting, since your fianc? exists only in your imagination.?
?I meant that the type of man I told my brother about would never do such a dishonorable thing. I doubt you can understand that, since you clearly have no code of honor.?
?Heero, obviously she couldn?t tell her brother that he left her, he would marry her to someone that minute he found out.?
?Exactly,? Relena agreed, pleased someone understood. ?My brother?s always busy, so I kept putting him off about when Mr. Lowe would meet him.?
?Mr. Lowe?? Heero questioned?
?My fianc?.?
?Of course.?
?Would you let her continue with the story Heero?? Trowa asked. ?I still haven?t heard about of Lady Une.?
?Lady Une decided to she to influence Milliardo?s decision on candidates for my marriage, so she moved to Sanq Manor, both her daughter, son and herself. But I never thought Milliardo would tell Lady Une that I was engaged. When I told him, I didn?t expect him to tell anyone expect perhaps Noin.?
?What could she have to gain from your marriage?? Trowa asked
?Probably money. If her son marries me, she?ll become very rich.?
?Haven?t you told her about your philosophical view on arranged marriages?? Heero asked, his lips curling in an amused way that Relena found quite irritating.
?Of course I have, but she thinks I?m simply making excuses for never having boyfriends. She?s thrilled that her daughter hasn?t married before me. But she doesn?t believe that I?m engaged and keeps telling Milliardo that I?m lying about my fianc?.? Tears sprang into her eyes again. ?And she?s right. Noin?s told me that he?s still asking for me.?
?But what are you going to do?? Trowa asked
?I?ve decided to come and tell them all the truth. Even if I must be forced to marry.?
She stood up abruptly, setting her cup down on the coffee table with a clatter, and began to pace around the room. ?I have no other choice. I?ve been cudgeling my brain for days. All the way down here, I could think of nothing else.?
There was a long silence, then Trowa said quietly, ?What if I thought of a solution??
Both Relena and Heero swung toward him.
?What the hell--?Heero began.
?What?? Relena asked, hope rising in her face. She started toward him eagerly. ?Do you mean it??
He nodded. ?Perhaps. If you?re willing to risk it.?
?I would do anything!? she exclaimed rashly. ?Just tell me what it is!?
?What you need to do is arrive at Sanq Manor tonight with a fianc?.?
?What?? Relena frowned. Had he not understood what she had been telling him?
?How could I--who--?
Trowa smiled and nodded toward the other man in the room. ?Heero will be your fianc?
Lady Une is evil in this story but keep in mind i put the glasses wearing Lady Une in instead.
*******
Chapter 2: Gundam wing isn?t mine.
Relena?s throat went dry. The man looked elemental and furious, quiet male and quiet angry. She was very aware of their suggestive position, of his weight around her legs. She was conscience too, of an odd feeling in the center of her being, a strange mixture of fury and excitement and some other elusive emotion she could not have known. His eyes skimmed down her, taking in the wet tight shirt that clung to her breast, she could feel his response to her body.
?Let go of me!?
?Not until I get some answers.? he growled back.
?Who the hell are you, and what are you doing here??
?I have every right to be driving through here. It?s you who is obviously up to no good, hiding in the dark, people firing at you. Release me now or you?ll be in even more trouble than you already are.?
?You?re hardly in a position to be giving commands.? he reminded her, a faint smile touched his lips.
If it wasn?t for her annoyance at him, his face should have been appealing to her but his amusement only infuriated her.
?It is obvious to me that you are scoundrel,? she said coldly. ?I suggest that you refrain from turning yourself into a felon as well.?
His eyebrows rose slightly. ?I scarcely need to remind you that without witnesses, it is hard to charge a man with a felony??
He paused, letting the threat of his words stink in, then said, ?Besides, I know of no felony that has been committed tonight. It?s hardly a crime to save a woman from a gang of men attacking her.?
?You know better than I that those men weren?t shooting at me.? Relena shot back. ?It was you they were firing at.?
His mouth twisted grimly. ?Maybe, but they wouldn?t have been if you hadn?t stumbled into the scene, shouting and waving a flashlight.?
?How was I supposed to know that you were engaged in underhanded doings? I was looking for help--a futile quest, obviously, but I wasn?t aware of your character then as I am now. I didn?t know that I was dealing with a thief.?
?I?m not a thief.? he grounded out the words. Apparently angry that she didn?t fear him.
?Right.? Relena shot him a scornful look. ?What were you doing hiding out there on a foggy night, then??
?That?s none of your business.? His mouth twitched to tell her to shut up. ?If you weren?t been such a blabbermouth we wouldn?t be in this mess.?
?I should?ve known that you were the sort to try to shift the blame. As if I were responsible for your cohorts or your enemies or whoever those people were.?
?Lord, you?ve got a wisp?s of a tongue on you.? Suddenly, swiftly, he stood up, hauling her up with him. Saying nothing else and grabbed her arm and began to walk her towards the car. Relena dug in her heels. ?Wait! I?m not going anywhere with you.?
?I think you would be far better off back in the car then out here with men trying to shoot you.?
?I didn?t say that I was staying here! What I meant was that you aren?t going anywhere in my car.?
He looked at her for a long moment, then dropped her am and stepped back. ?You?re right. It?s your car. Good-bye.?
He turned and started striding away. Stunned, Relena stared after him. Then she remembered that she had no idea where she was or how to get back to the local village. Plus, there were still lunatics around. If they saw her car, they would think the thief was still with her?
?Wait!? She called, and when the stranger didn?t stop, she took a few running steps after him. ?Stop! Please??
He turned and looked back at her, the same fierce yet emotionless expression on his face. ?Yes??
?Don?t go. I can?t drive the car back to town, I--I have no idea where I am.?
?Then it seems that you have a certain problem with your car. Good-bye.?
?Stop! I?m telling you that you can drive back to town.?
?You mean that you are allowing me the honor of working for you?? he asked sardonically. ?How kind of you. But I am afraid I must decline the honor. I?ll walk. One man in the fog is less noticeable than a car.?
?Cars are faster.?
He said nothing, just walked back and swung open the door, entering the car. Relena quickly climbed back in, and they set out again. It was fast enough to bounce Relena up and down on her seat, and she suspected that the awful man was doing it simply to annoy her.
With her body covered in mud, she dreaded the thought of what her family would say about her appearance. She blinked back tears. She refused to cry over this. If nothing else, her tears would leave tracks on her dirty cheeks, making it obvious that she had been crying. And no doubt he would think that she had been crying because of him. she grimaced as her thoughts turned to the obnoxious man who had virtually abducted her. He had treated her reprehensibly. She remembered the bold way his eyes had lingered over her breasts, revealed by the tin wet material of her blouse. She could feel a slight heat rising. It had felt so strange--almost exhilarating.
Within half an hour, they were turning into the local village. Relena signed in relief. Relieved that the stranger had not decided to take them deeper within the woods and strangle her. Now with a moan, she jerked open the door of the car and hurried to the inside of a bar. As soon as she stepped into the public bar, all conversation came to a halt, and everyone swiveled around to stare at her. Relena stopped short, dismayed at being the focus of so many sets of eyes. In her relief at reaching a public spot, she had forgotten about her state of appearance. No doubt she looked like destitute. A hand went to her mud-encrusted ringlets as she glanced down at her mud clogged shoes.
The keeper of the Inn, a large, bluff man, started toward her from his post. Concern in his eyes as he asked about her condition. Relena asked for a private room where she could hopefully wash off and the man nodded repeatedly. Putting his hand on her sleeve as if to aid her steps, he directed her to a room in the rear, then as he reached for the door knob, he stopped. ?Oh, dear, no, there?s a man inside already.? He took another glance at Relena beside him, muddy and disheveled and struggling to hold back tears, then at the rest of his customers, all staring earnestly.
?Well,? He said with a sign, ?there?s nothing I can do. All the rooms are full. You can?t stay out here, that?s for certain.?
He rapped sharply on the door to the private room and pushed open the door when a man?s voice inside answered.
?Excuse me sir,? said the Inn keeper, ushering Relena inside the room. ?I?m sorry to disturb you, but we?ve got a bit of a problem here. There?s a lady here, well, it wouldn?t be fitting for her to wait in the lobby with her current state.?
Relena looked across the room, fighting to contain her tears. The man sitting beside the fireplace had spiky brown hair that was off to one side covering one of his eyes. He rose to his feet, his eyebrows lifting in wonder. He was at least 6? 3? tall. He took one swift look at Relena?s muddied state and said, ?Precisely. You?re right. The lady must have the room. The only thing is, I?m expecting a visitor--Ah, there he is now. And looking as if he had shared this young lady?s adventure.?
Relena swung around at his words. ?You!? she exclaimed with loathing.
There, in the doorway, stood her tormentor.
The man gave Relena a look that left little doubt that he shared her feelings.
?What are you doing here?? the man asked roughly. ?Am I ever going to get rid of you??
?I might say the same about you.?
?I take it that you two have met,? said the man by the fireplace.
The stranger from the ?adventure? grunted and moved into the room. Relena said icily, ?I am afraid that we were not properly introduced.?
?Ah--Heero.? The tall man sighed. ?You are forever lacking in manners.? he moved forward toward Relena. ?Allow me to correct his oversight. I, my dear, am Trowa Barton. And this is, ah, Heero, uh??
?I am pleased to make your acquaintance Mr. Barton,? Relena replied formally, trying to ignore the absurdity of the polite greeting in contrast to her grubby state of dress. She cast a flashing glance toward the other man. ?I?m sorry I cannot say the same about meeting Mr. Heero.?
Trowa opened his mouth to speak, then closed it. He cast a grin toward Heero. ?I see you have made your usual charming impressions.?
Heero?s only reply was a noise resembling a growl. He turned away from both of them, striding over to the fire and holding out his hands to warm them. Trowa ignored him as he spoke to the Innkeeper. ?Well, sir, I think what we need here is a hot punch. Why don?t you bring us a bowl of it? And some alcohol perhaps.?
?Of course.?
The innkeeper reluctantly left the room. Relena knew he had been hoping to hear the details of what had happened to her and Heero.
Trowa turned toward Relena. ?Now, Miss???
?Forgive me. Here you have been so kind, and I haven?t even told you my name. I am Relena.?
?Miss Relena. It is a pleasure to meet you, even under such deplorable conditions. Please come over here by the fire and warm yourself.? he guided her toward the fire and into the chair beside it.
Relena sank into the chair, grateful for its softness and for the warmth of the fire. She leaned forward, soaking up the heat. Heero looked at Relena, and his mouth twisted in a grimace. He withdrew to the other end of the fireplace, turning away from her and planting his elbow on the mantel. Trowa glanced from him to Relena and back again, but he made no comment. The silence stretched out awkwardly.
At last there was a knock on the door, and the Innkeeper bustled in, followed by a maid carrying a tray of cups, a punch bowl, and several liquid ingredients. They set the load down on the coffee table and the Innkeeper fussed around for a bit before Heero pointedly opened the door for them and gestured a dismissal.
?Now, then,? Trowa said, advancing on the punch bowl. ?This will fix you fight up, Miss Relena.?
He began to mix the ingredients into the punch bowl and handed her a cup full of the warm liquid.
?Thank you.? Relena took the cup gratefully. Taking a few sips of the warm drink and relaxing somewhat.
?Now, Miss Relena, tell me how you happened to meet Mr.,?uh, Heero.?
Relena cast a stormy look toward that individual.
?He almost raped me.?
?Oh, God,? Heero said callously, turning his back to the fire to warm it. ?Not that again.?
?I was almost killed,? Relena added.
?Heero?? Trowa questioned.
?She exaggerates. The only reason we meet was because she was lost.?
?Lost? Then you must have had a terrible day.? Trowa said towards Relena.
?You?ve no idea.? her voice roughened, and she stopped, trying to blink back tears. ?I think--I think this is the worst day of my life.?
And suddenly, surprising herself, she burst into tears.
Trowa stared at Relena, uncertain as to how to handle a sobbing female.
?Don?t?I?m sure it can?t be that bad.?
?Oh it is!? Relena cried, covering her face with her hands. ?You just don?t know. It?s too awful!? Tears poured down her face.
?Well, it?s not a tragedy,? Heero pointed out brutally. ?I?m sure you?ve been lost before, and will be again.?
?Oh!? Relena would have like to shout at him that she wasn?t silly enough to collapse into sobs because she had gotten lost, but she couldn?t stem the tide of her tears enough to answer. At any other time, she would have been ready to sink to the floor with humiliation at giving way like this in front of two strangers--especially when one of them was as obnoxious and rude as Mr. Heero. However, tonight, she was too weary and distressed to care.
?Shouldn?t have given her that rum,? Heero told Trowa. ?She?s bosky.?
?Don?t worry about it.? Trowa answered.
?I?m not. She?s emotional.?
?I?m not emotional!? Relena flashed, raising her head and glaring at him, her irritation at his rudeness cutting through her emotional outburst. She wiped angrily at the tears wetting her cheeks.
?I?m just tired and?overset. Everything is just?just ruined!?
Heero cast a sickened look. ?A party canceled? A lover marrying another??
Relena jumped to her feet, her fist clenched by her sides, letting out an inarticulate cry of rage. ?How dare you trivialize my?my?Oh, I hate you! I?m being forced to marry.?
And she burst into tears again and threw herself back into the chair. Trowa cast the other man an admonished look, and even Heero had the grace to look dismayed.
?My Dear,? Trowa began, going over to her and reaching down to take one of her hands and pat it. ?I?m so sorry. If there is anything I can do??
?There is nothing anyone can do,? Relena said when her jet of tears had subsided. ?My brother has been pressuring me to marry but I can?t. I don?t love him that way.?
?I?m sure he?s only thinking of your best interests.? Trowa said comfortingly.
Relena shook her head. ?He can?t be if he?s forcing me to marry. And I--I?ve argued with him over the matter constantly. It?s just --Oh, I?ve made the most awful mess of everything.? She gulped back her tears and raised large, beseeching eyes to Trowa. ?Truly, I didn?t mean to. I did it all for the best, but now?well, now I have to tell him the truth. All of them. And I am afraid he now will force me to marry.?
Trowa frowned. ?I?m sure it can?t be that serious.?
?It is. I--I lied to him, you see.?
At her words, Heero let out a noise of disgust and said with withering sarcasm, ?Naturally.?
Relena whirled toward him indignantly. ?I had to.?
Heero made a grump noise in response.
?Hush Heero. Ignore him, Miss Relena. Heero has a warped view of the human condition.?
Heero didn?t reply, and Relena turned back to Trowa, ignoring the other man.
?I had no other choice.? she reiterated. ?I couldn?t marry against my will, but I never thought he would tell Lady Une.?
?Well, of course not,? Trowa agreed, confused but sympathetic.
?But I haven?t been to see my brother, not since he first came back from outer-space. All because I can?t bear to face Lady Une. She will ask all sorts of questions, you see, and would want to know where he is. Which I won?t be able to answer. And now Noin is there, and of course she can?t carry the burden of lies. It?s not that she can?t lie to Lady Une, because Noin is capable of the most perfect deceit while looking completely innocent.? her tone indicated a wistful envy of the said Noin?s ability.
?The trouble is that she gets carried away by them and winds up saying so many things that she gets all jumbled up. So I had to come. I have to tell them the truth.?
?You aren?t making the slightest bit of sense,? Heero pointed out rudely.
?Heero??
?No, he?s right. I?m all mixed-up.? Relena put a hand to her head and sighed. She gazed at Trowa for a moment, then gave a little nod, as if coming to some sort of decision.
?I can trust you, right? I mean, you would never tell another soul, would you??
Trowa smiled thoughtfully. ?Of course not?But you shouldn?t tell me if it makes you uneasy.?
?No, I feel like I must tell someone. I?ve been thinking about it all day, driving down here. Actually, I?ve thought of nothing else these past few weeks. Truth is, I don?t know what to do, how to extricate myself from this tangle I?ve created.?
?You have my word, that anything you say will not leave this room.?
Relena cast an uneasy glace toward Heero, who had the same expression on his face as always.
?Trust me, I won?t be telling your girlish secrets to anyone.?
Relena hesitated, glancing toward the punch bowl. ?Do you think?Could I have another drink??
?Of course.? Trowa took her cup and ladled more of the spicy brew into it, also refilling his and Heero?s cups.
She took a sip of her drink, drew a deep breath and began. ?Well, as I told you, my brother has been pressuring me into marriage with someone I don?t love. Of course, I wrote to Sanq Manor as soon as I heard that he already had someone in mind for me.?
?Sanq Manor?? Trowa repeated, surprised. ?You mean?your brother is??
?Milliardo Peacecraft, the owner of Sanq Manor.? Relena nodded. She was looking down at her cup and so didn?t see the swift glance between the two men in the room.
?Therefore you?re Princess Relena Peacecraft.?
?A title should not be of any importance when it comes to determining one?s character.? She announced, her face suddenly serious.
?My parents died when I was very young. So I was raised with my brother. He?s married to Noin now. We all lived in Sanq Palace until my brother decided that a smaller Manor would be more enjoyable during the summer months in the country. Anyway, Noin called me a few weeks ago that he was arranging my marriage to someone if I didn?t decide on my own. And I couldn?t keep him from pressing me about marriage. He keeps saying I need a husband. Which is really the most foolish thing because I would?ve never imagined him telling me that. Besides, I?m quite capable of taking care of myself.?
Heero made a grunt, and Relena turned to glare at him.
?As I was saying, I can?t understand why he wants me to find a husband. I thought it was perhaps of the family fortune because I can only receive my inheritance if I marry, but I?m against it.?
?I can understand your predicament.? Trowa smiled faintly
She straightened, looking at him with narrowed eyes. ?My father was old-fashioned. He believed women should be taken care for, provided for. In his will, he wrote I must marry if I want my inheritance.?
?Maybe the inheritance isn?t the reason for his wish to marry you off, have you thought that perhaps he thinks the same as your father.? Trowa offered.
?That?s not like him. I don?t need a man to take care of me. Marriages in the aristocratic class are all for the benefit of men. I can?t marry because of that. I have property, I live independently, but still he has told me to marry. And now, Noin says it angers him even more. So I told him I was engaged.?
Heero let out a snort. ?The defender of women?s rights, pretending that she?s snagged a husband.?
?I was trying to keep him from worrying!? Relena snapped. ?Of course, you would never think of trying to ease someone pain and worry.?
?Whatever your reason,? he pointed out mildly, ?it?s still a lie.?
?Fine words from a thief!? Relena retorted hotly.
?I?ve told you before, I?m no thief.?
?Heero?? Trowa sent him a quelling look. ?Miss Relena, Heero is different from us ordinary mortals and our petty problems. It?s understandable why you might lie so that he might die more peacefully.?
?Thank you.? Relena smiled at him. ?You?re a very understanding man. I?m glad I told you. I didn?t want to lie but he was so please with me once I said I was engaged that he didn?t ask me much about the man or how we meet.? She smiled faintly. ?He wasn?t even bothered that the man hadn?t asked him for my hand in marriage. He seemed more at content afterward and I was so glad to not marry some fool. But the more Time past the more he asked about my supposed fianc?, and it became tricky. So, I had to make up everything. I couldn?t tell him the truth because I didn?t want him to marry me off. I couldn?t stand it any longer, so I fled. But then I kept getting calls from him asking me about my fianc? and when was I going to introduce them. I?ve been trying to think of a way out of this ever since.?
?Tell him the man left you,? Heero suggested. ?If your actions tonight were any indication, you would give any man adequate reason to break off an engagement, even with a princess.?
?You dare to blame me for what happened tonight? Anyway, my fianc? isn?t the type of man who would flee from an engagement, as you so vulgarly put it.?
He glared. ?That?s interesting, since your fianc? exists only in your imagination.?
?I meant that the type of man I told my brother about would never do such a dishonorable thing. I doubt you can understand that, since you clearly have no code of honor.?
?Heero, obviously she couldn?t tell her brother that he left her, he would marry her to someone that minute he found out.?
?Exactly,? Relena agreed, pleased someone understood. ?My brother?s always busy, so I kept putting him off about when Mr. Lowe would meet him.?
?Mr. Lowe?? Heero questioned?
?My fianc?.?
?Of course.?
?Would you let her continue with the story Heero?? Trowa asked. ?I still haven?t heard about of Lady Une.?
?Lady Une decided to she to influence Milliardo?s decision on candidates for my marriage, so she moved to Sanq Manor, both her daughter, son and herself. But I never thought Milliardo would tell Lady Une that I was engaged. When I told him, I didn?t expect him to tell anyone expect perhaps Noin.?
?What could she have to gain from your marriage?? Trowa asked
?Probably money. If her son marries me, she?ll become very rich.?
?Haven?t you told her about your philosophical view on arranged marriages?? Heero asked, his lips curling in an amused way that Relena found quite irritating.
?Of course I have, but she thinks I?m simply making excuses for never having boyfriends. She?s thrilled that her daughter hasn?t married before me. But she doesn?t believe that I?m engaged and keeps telling Milliardo that I?m lying about my fianc?.? Tears sprang into her eyes again. ?And she?s right. Noin?s told me that he?s still asking for me.?
?But what are you going to do?? Trowa asked
?I?ve decided to come and tell them all the truth. Even if I must be forced to marry.?
She stood up abruptly, setting her cup down on the coffee table with a clatter, and began to pace around the room. ?I have no other choice. I?ve been cudgeling my brain for days. All the way down here, I could think of nothing else.?
There was a long silence, then Trowa said quietly, ?What if I thought of a solution??
Both Relena and Heero swung toward him.
?What the hell--?Heero began.
?What?? Relena asked, hope rising in her face. She started toward him eagerly. ?Do you mean it??
He nodded. ?Perhaps. If you?re willing to risk it.?
?I would do anything!? she exclaimed rashly. ?Just tell me what it is!?
?What you need to do is arrive at Sanq Manor tonight with a fianc?.?
?What?? Relena frowned. Had he not understood what she had been telling him?
?How could I--who--?
Trowa smiled and nodded toward the other man in the room. ?Heero will be your fianc?
The situation and the character interactions speak volumes while staying true to the original GW character personalities. Very nice adaptation! Keep up the good work 
This is going to be EXTREMELY cool, Fatimal!
