Upper Class 10/?

[Gundam Girl]

Wow, chapter ten! *mind boggles* When I started this fic, well over a year ago now, I didn?t know how long this would be, but something tells me I didn?t expect it to be this long. And I know I didn?t think people would like it that much, but it seems a lot of people do. Thanks so much, everyone. It means a lot to me, really.

Also, I?m very sorry for taking so long to update. Real life stuff has been happening, so it?s great that you?re back here reading. ^_^

And in this chapter, we actually get somewhere, so enjoy!

Disclaimer: Like I need one. Not mine.

Upper Class ? Chapter 10

By Gundam Girl

Wufei?s lip curled upward into a dark sneer as the big Russian man cast his greedy smile down at the Ivory Damsel?s fallen captain. Obviously, this was yet another person with a need for Relena?s presence. But what business on Earth could a middle-class Russian have with the sister of a British baron?

?You?re too late,? Wufei called to him, his voice purposely condescending. ?By about five hours, in fact.? He and the others took some pride in knowing something their attacker did not, and he gripped his katana more tightly.

Gaulron?s wide smile faltered, but only for a moment. Lies were common of pirates. They were like words of prayer to any of renounced goodness in themselves. ?Oh yes?? he humored. ?If that is the case, then where is she off to? Did she buy in for a ship here and go off on her own? I?ve heard the girl has strength, but no woman could hope to live by herself on the sea.?

Duo thought of Dorothy. ?Probably you?re wrong there, mate.? He cast a glance at Heero. His captain was still pale, but threat glinted in his eyes as the Japanese man stared up at Gaulron. It was that spirit that had first inspired Duo to become friends with the stubborn captain.

?Come now,? Gualron said, voice testy, ?there?s no time for this. I?ve got things to do, rewards to collect.?

Reward, thought Heero. How very aristocratic. Of course the governor and the baron would expect men to go off on a chase ? if enough money was dangled in front of the right noses. ?What?s it, then?? he managed to pant out. ?How much for Peacecraft?s sister??

?Oh, enough,? the Russian replied smoothly, staring down at him. ?It and the bounty on your heads would be enough to put up me, my children, and my children?s children for life.?

Hilde hissed at him. ?As though someone would care enough to bear a child of yours!?

Gualron only smiled at her, though his eyes seemed a bit impatient now. ?Try stinging me with words, girl. You?ll find me impenetrable.?

?Oh, I sincerely doubt that,? retorted Cathy, inching her daggers higher.

?Knife-throwing?? Amused, Gaulron gave a deep chuckle. ?I think you should go back to the circus. Or, if you want, we could treat you like the horses there.? He waved his hand slightly. From the sand below, one soldier took out a pistol and aimed it at Catherine. With no time to react, he shot; the bullet grazed her shoulder, and she called out.

?Cathy!? exclaimed Trowa. He ran forward as her sister?s knives clattered to the deck of the ship, and she slumped against him, clutching her arm. ?You bastard!?

?Words again. All right, this is it.? Gaulron held up his other hand, and the rest of the soldiers below readied there pistols. ?Give me something I actually want to hear, or each of you will die here and now. Speak, and I?m prepared to let most of you live.? His eyes darted between them. ?Where is Relena Peacecraft?!?

?You?ve probably never even heard of her,? Heero muttered.

?Her??

The captain continued, ?Dorothy Catalonia, the captain of the Belladonna.?

A flicker of recognition instantly came to Gaulron?s eyes, and Heero?s fists tightened. ?Catalonia?? echoed the Russian. ?Italian??

Heero watched him very closely; from his crew, he sensed shock and disbelief. All were no doubt wondering why he was indulging the monstrous invader. ?Yes.?

?Oh. Ohoho.? With the air of a cat who had just caught the canary, Gaulron chuckled deeply: ?Oh, this is too much. Too much!? Quickly, swiveled on his heel. ?Thank you very much, Captain Yuy. The tale you?ve told me has proved too amusing for me to just let you die. If we meet again, I do hope it will be under better circumstances.?

With care not to seem urgent, Heero called after him, ?You know of her then??

?Know of her? Captain, I worked for her father, Arturo Catalonia. Oh, indeed, I watched her grow.? Gaulron?s grin was wide and he moved away from the Ivory Damsel, motioning to the men from the Navy to head back to their own ship. ?Feel pleased you?ve met her, will you? She?s caused what?s probably the largest scandal in all of Italy. And now, to think that she?s actually a pirate and kidnapped Baron Peacecraft?s sister? When I meet, I shall have to partake in a bit of gossip, I think. Farewell, pirates.?

As soon as Gaulron and his men were out of earshot, Heero grabbed onto the mast of his ship and dragged himself up its length until he was standing. His men and women wasted no time in hurling questions that were more like accusations at him.

?Heero, what the bloody hell?s wrong with you?!? demanded Hilde, his lively eyes currently sparking with rage.

Her husband seemed equally perturbed. ?Was it your intention to sell Relena out to the British pride, buddy?? Duo punched the palm of his right hand with his left fist. ?Or was that the blow to the head screwing with your judgment??

Sally added, ?How could you, Heero??

?This is unjustifiable!? bellowed Wufei.

?No, it?s not,? Heero growled. ?Sally.? He lifted his eyes to the light-haired Asian woman. ?I?m going to need some looking after. But see to Cathy first; dirty soldiers seemed to?ve done a number on her. Trowa, leave your sister with me and Sally, and get this ship moving. In the meantime, Cathy.? He stumbled over to help Catherine walk with her own injury. ?I need you to think back on old London gossip.?

---

?Oh, Miss Relena, please!? Dorothy?s voice was tipped with impatience as she held out the apple to her captive. ?Eat. I can?t have my charge starved half to death when we return to England.?

Relena regarded the gleaming, red fruit with frosty indifference. ?It?s more than likely poisoned.?

The sharper-tongued woman sneered, her elegant eyes narrowing into slits. ?Don?t flatter yourself. I?m not a wicked witch, and you are not Snow White, sister to a baron or not.? When she saw that her words did not have the enraging effect Dorothy had desired, she tossed the apple over the side of the deck. ?I don?t understand why you?re so distrusting, Miss Relena. Yes, I did kidnap you, but as of yet, I?ve allowed not a bit of harm to come to you, have I??

?I think that may depend on what you see as harm.? Keeping her gaze steady on the horizon, Relena continued, ?You live as a free woman, Miss Catalonia, and yet you are quite intent on keeping me prisoner. Your way of life seems somehow hypocritical.?

?Here you go, all high-nosed and aristocratic!? sighed Dorothy. ?This is exactly why I became a free woman, Miss Relena. So I don?t have to perform, so I don?t have to think of what five-syllable word is going to suit my situation best. Don?t you want the same??

?I think we all do,? murmured Relena, puzzled by the other woman?s sudden outburst of honestly.

?Well, how in the world can you be free if you die of starvation?? Dorothy smiled coyly. ?Or, if Heero Yuy comes to save you, do you really want to look like a near corpse?? Satisfied by the color that slowly seeped into Relena?s cheeks, she went on. ?I promise you; you?ll be free again soon.?

Relena finally turned to her. ?What is it you want from me??

?Nothing. This whole arrangement has very little to do with you, in fact. It?s more about me,? Dorothy replied honestly. ?Well, me and money ? but mostly me.?

?Captain!? Mueller?s voice dropped down from the lookout like a vertical wind. ?There?s a ship approaching us quickly!?

?What?re its colors?? she called back.

?England! But it isn?t the Navy! It?s not even a traveling ship!?

?Really? That?s a shame. I could?ve used a bit of fun.? Dorothy stepped up to the platform by the helm. ?On your guard, gentlemen! We?ve a mystery building up.? She looked down at Relena. ?Aren?t you a little interested as well??

?No,? the baron?s sister lied. There was plenty of curiosity inside of her.

It took all of twenty minutes for the passing ship to be in discernable distance. Dorothy glanced half-heartedly at the flag, then turned to find a glass of wine.

Three seconds later, she ripped around to look at the flag again. ?God in heaven!? she exclaimed. ?That?s the baron himself!?

?What?!? Relena burst from her seat on the floor of the ship to race across the deck to starboard. The flag of the approaching ship bore her family?s crest ? the white silhouette of a dove in flight on a crimson background. Her gaze drifted to the men on board, and her eye was instantly caught by a mane of long, platinum blond hair.

Her heart stopped; her brother!

?Milliardo!? she cried out in instinct. ?Milliardo! Mill??

Dorothy?s long-fingered hand slapped over her mouth. ?Silence!? she hissed menacingly. ?It isn?t he I?m working for!?

But the Italian woman?s warning had come too late. For on the deck of the governor?s and baron?s ship, everyone?s attention was drawn to the larger vessel.

?That?s the Belladonna,? informed Quinze from the helm. ?An Italian.?

?That,? Milliardo cried out with terrible shock, ?is Relena!?

Quatre?s eyes were strapped to the pair of women on the side of the Belladonna nearest them. One was tall and lean, with hair pale, pale yellow, the other slim and fair, her face half-covered by the first?s hand. But he knew those wide, determined eyes in an instant. ?Relena,? he breathed. He forced himself to look at Milliardo. ?What can we do??

?Exactly what I paid these men for.? Milliardo turned to Kurz Webber and seized him by collar of his jacket. ?I?m putting you in charge. Get on that ship and bring my sister to me!?

?I?um?what?? stuttered the German youth. ?You want me to lead??

?Call it leading, call it anything, just do it!? barked Milliardo. ?And do it now!?

?Well?aye, sir!? Running on instinct, Kurz motioned to three other soldiers, and the four of them climbed to the runner of the sails and grabbed loose ropes. On his hoarsely-voiced word, they jumped off and swung over to the deck of the Belladonna. Kurz figured he?d been praying hard enough for everyone to make it there.

?You,? he gasped, fear squeezing his heart as he pulled a pistol from his belt and aimed it at Dorothy, ?are under arrest for the capture and holding of a citizen of England.? I thought Heero Yuy had her, Kurz thought with confusion.

Around them, the other three were aiming swords and pistols at the majority of the crew. With their captain in such a dangerous situation, there was no one on the Belladonna willing to retaliate.

Dorothy slowly smirked. ?Well, would you look here, Miss Relena. Your help has arrived. And,? she added with an intake of breath, ?so has my defeat.?

?Captain!? called Mueller in despair. ?What should we??

?Nothing,? interrupted Dorothy pleasantly. ?Take it like men. But really, sir,? she asked Kurz, ?your crew is small compared to mine. Do you really expect to hold all of us the rest of the way back to England?? When Kurz?s stony expression faltered, she went on. ?You only need me and the lass here. Why not leave my men to go on their way??

?Because they?re pirates,? explained Kurz with the simplicity of someone unused to great trial.

?Aye,? Dorothy said, ?but they?re pirates who can slit your throat in less than ten seconds, if need be.?

Swallowing, Kurz nodded. ?Fine then. Miss Peacecraft, please follow my man.? He pointed to one of the others soldiers, who held a hand out to Relena. ?As for you, Captain??

?Catalonia,? she smiled widely.

?Captain Catalonia,? he nodded, ?come with me.? He closed his hand around her arm.

?Better be more secure than that, lad,? laughed Dorothy. ?Only difference in me and you is what we got or don?t got. I could whip you any second.?

Utterly embarrassed, Kurz changed his position and grabbed her around the waist. ?Down we go, then.? With her pressed to his side, he leapt from the side of the Belladonna back onto the governor?s ship.

God, he hoped he?d never have to do anything like that again.

?Relena!? Milliardo rushed to where the soldier was carefully lowering her onto the deck and gathered her immediately into his arms. ?Oh, I was so terrified! I?m so sorry, Relena, so sorry you went through this!?

?Milliardo,? she murmured, her cheek pressed against his chest. ?Thank you, brother. But I?m fine, honestly ? I?m not hurt at all. I was treated well.?

?Treated well?? he repeated incredulously. ?By whom? Your kidnappers??

She noted the sarcasm in his voice and retreated slightly. ?They did nothing wrong to me. They gave me meals and even a bed.?

?A bed,? Milliardo said with coolness, suspicion etched deeply into his eyes. ?Whose bed was it??

Relena was sure she would have flushed if the sudden hand on her shoulder hadn?t distracted her. Turning, she met a pair of emotional, aquamarine eyes. Golden bangs fluttered across a proud forehead, and her entire body went cold. ?Quatre.?

At first, it didn?t seem that Quatre had any idea what to do with himself. He merely stood there, fingers pressed lightly into the shoulder of his fianc?e, for nearly a full minute. Relena could do nothing but stare and wait. And then he surprised her deeply.

He surged forward and pressed her to him, dropping his mouth onto hers and kissing her with an almost mindless passion.

Relena froze; every muscle locked, every nerve spiked. She was defensive; her eyes were completely wide, although Quatre?s were squeezed shut. She didn?t move the slightest bit, afraid of responding.

And she realized?

Quatre hands were trembling on her upper arms, slick with perspiration and worry. She then felt a sudden deep and troubling sadness for him.

And she knew?

With relatively no speed, he pulled away from her, his eyes prying themselves open to meet her own. They were clear, nearly glassy. Relena could see herself reflected in them, and she looked shaken and calm at the same time.

And she was certain?

She didn?t love him. More, she understood that she couldn?t love him. But then, he looked so hopeless. Relena glanced down, anywhere that wasn?t those eyes, those pleading, hopeful, kind eyes. She saw the emerald on her left hand.

Her stomach gave a little jolt and she realized something else.

She didn?t want to be here, on this little ship with her brother and Quatre. She didn?t want the city of London, with its tall buildings and its lamp-glowing streets. She didn?t want this orange sunset that burned with such a fire, she felt she might be consumed by it for her current thoughts.

She wanted a starry, moonlit sky, a gentle sea, a soothing wind? She wanted to see it from the lulling deck of a rocking ship.

And, to her horror, she wanted one more thing.

She wanted Heero Yuy.

----------------------------------------------------------

Review please!

[Eienvine]

Ha! Of COURSE you want Heero Yuy! Tee hee. I am so excessively amused by this story, I can't even say. Poor Quatre, though. Relena doesn't want you. But maybe he will find love somewhere else? Anyway, another excellent chapter. I can't wait for the next one.

[takisha16]

Hey! I already read it in FF but it was still great to see you posted it here!
I really like this episode, finally Relena gives in to Heero's charms!
I can't wait for them to see each other again!
But I wonder how will Heero get her back???
hmmm....
I'll have to wait for that one!

[Gundam Girl]

Thanks, you two! And don't worry...plans are in action. Bwahahahaha.

[lilac310]

whoo...it took me two days to actually get around in reading this fic 'cuz I had work during the weekends..I just don't have the time anymore...anyways, I'm really glad that u still somehow decided to update this fic....I thought Chapter 9 would be the last of it....Great job!....I can't wait for her to be back with Heero.....teehee....gotta go..i don't wanna be late for class....cheers!!!!

[Gundam Girl]

Be rest assured, lilac. I have yet to abandon ANY fic I've ever written and hope very dearly that I never shall. So always remember that, ok? And thanks! It's always great hearing from you.

[Aristale Wolf]

ur really cruel GG, ya know that??? leavin it at a place like that....how coule u???? .....hopefully ull have the rest up soon....very soooooonnnn.....ppppplllleaaaaaassssseeeee....... :evil:

[lilac310]

WE DEMAND AN UPDATE!!!..PRONTO!!!...teehheee...i just can't wait!