Kismet or Chaos? Chapter One
Posted: Fri May 26, 2006 9:31 am
Kismet or Chaos?
Chapter I
After All This Time
?What do you mean, broken ankle?? Hilde practically screeched over the vid-phone.
?I?m afraid so,? Relena sighed.
?Well how did you manage to do a thing like that??
?I tripped down the stairs.?
?Which stairs??
?The big ones.?
Hilde rolled her eyes. ?Relena, all the stairs at your place are big.?
?Yeah, but I mean the big stairs? The ones that lead to the grand hall.?
Hilde practically fell over, partly because there had to be at least fifty steps on that particular flight, and also because she couldn?t get over the way Relena said ?grand.? The word rolled off her tongue with a long vowel, just like any royal would pronounce it. She was also puzzled as to how someone with Relena?s natural poise, grace, and generally good coordination could just trip down a flight of fifty stairs. It sure didn?t seem befitting of the famous Vice Foreign Minister and former Queen of the World Nation to take an everyday tumble like that. Hilde posed the question to Relena.
?I was really tired,? was the weak explanation Relena offered. ?And I wasn?t watching where I was going.?
?Yeah, right,? Hilde scoffed, ?like I buy that. You must?ve been really distracted. Did you think you saw Heero or something?
?No, no,? Relena giggled. ?Not at all.?
Hilde was still skeptical. ?Okay, if you say so. So, how bad is it??
?Fortunately, it?s only a stress fracture. The doctor says it should heal on its own, so I don?t need to wear a cast.?
?That?s good. We?ve got a wedding to plan here.?
?Oh, don?t worry,? Relena said breezily. ?My ankle should heal in plenty of time for that. But just in case, you should pick a bridesmaid gown that will cover my feet!?
Hilde laughed. ?Okay, I will. So how long do you think it will be before you can come up??
Relena exhaled, blowing her bangs off her forehead. ?I?m not sure. This month is going to be really hectic.?
?What else is new? You?re the busiest teenager on the planet!?
?Not for long,? Relena said with a smile. ?Soon, I?ll be the busiest twenty-year-old on the planet.?
?Which makes you even busier than normal, since now you have to plan your birthday party, too!?
?When will I find the time? I have to work on some paperwork, then I?m leaving for Japan tomorrow...?
?Japan? Cool! What?s in Japan?? Hilde interrupted.
?An ESUN conference for pacifist diplomats.?
?Interesting...? Hilde sounded bored already. ?So, did you pack yet??
?I haven?t had...?
?The time!? Hilde finished with a giggle. ?No wonder it?s called a stress
fracture!?
?Ha, ha,? Relena said playfully.
Hilde stopped laughing long enough to say good-bye. ?I?d better let you get back to your all-important paperwork. And don?t forget to pack!?
?Why bother? I can just buy some new clothes when I get there.?
?Oh, it?s so hard, being a princess,? Hilde teased. ?I hate you.?
?I know.?
?Bring me back one of those cute kimono things, ?kay??
?I will.?
?Bye! Have fun!?
?Bye!? Relena heard the receiver click. With a sigh, she fell back on her bed. When will I find the time to get anything done? She glanced at her watch. It was late at night on Hilde?s colony, but the day was just beginning for her. Yesterday she?d been chagrined to discover that all of her paperwork for this week?s annual ESUN conference had errors, and it was up to her to make the corrections. That was before she fell down the staircase. The doctor ordered her to stay off her feet no matter what, but how was someone as busy as her expected to do that? She sighed again, thinking of the mount of papers stacked on her desk and planning the quickest route to take to her office via her uncomfortable crutches. Yes, the Peacecraft Castle was that big.
Looking at her injured foot clad in a clunky ?air cast? that looked like nothing more than a Velcro-ed space boot, Relena wondered when she?d gotten so clumsy. She absentmindedly pondered what her adopted mother would say. The two had parted ways almost five years ago, after the death of Relena?s father led her to take his place as Vice Foreign Minister. Mrs. Darlian had understood and admired Relena?s decision to take the title and return to her birthplace, the Sanc Kingdom, but opted to stay behind. The Darlians had a gorgeous residence in Southern California, and though Relena had loved growing up there, she felt it was time to return to her roots. She had been at the Peacecraft Castle ever since.
Thinking about her mother made Relena wonder if she should call her; they hadn?t spoken in a while. There was really no reason why not; after all, Relena had called Hilde in the colonies, and calling long distance to another country wasn?t nearly as expensive as calling off the planet. And it wasn?t as if Relena didn?t have things to talk about, either. There was Hilde and Duo?s wedding, the conference she was preparing for, and, of course, her broken ankle. Relena decided to continue ignoring her paperwork and picked up the phone once more. As tired and stressed as she was, she knew she had the rest of the day ahead of her, whether that was enough time or not. I suppose I could just work on it some more on the plane tomorrow morning, Relena thought. She?d never been much of a procrastinator, but just thinking about spending the rest of the day limping around on her broken ankle made Relena even more tired, and a little sick to her stomach. After dialing the number, Relena leaned back on her pillows and shut her eyes, listening to the phone ring on the other end.
Heero Yuy glanced at his watch. Almost noon?time for his lunch break. He turned his pager on and headed out the door and down the street to his favorite deli. Some people were too intimidated to live in a place like New York City, but Heero didn?t find it any different than all the other places he?d been. Heero could live anywhere, even the most dangerous cities, as long as he was cautious and looked out for himself. He was simply living from day to day, enjoying freedom while he had it, praying that peace between the earth and colonies would last, doing his job and minding his own business. That was all anyone could do, really.
Although being a Preventer sometimes required him to stick his nose in other people?s business, especially when he had to go undercover. Heero and the other former Gundam pilots had no qualms about doing that. Heero was used to always having an alias, and he usually just used the names of his friends as a joke between them. Lately, however, things had been a little too quiet around Preventer HQ for Heero?s tastes, and he knew that something must be cooking somewhere. He half-expected to get a call while he waited for his hero sandwich. As he ordered ?the usual,? he calculated how he?d respond to the ?Here?s a hero for Heero!? he received every time he ate here. He?d been coming here for the past four years, and he and the owner, Patrick Riordan, had struck up an offbeat friendship. Pat, a man in his late fifties, was a little intimidated by Heero?s no-nonsense attitude at first, but met it with an equally gruff one. Now the two teased each other often, which seemed a little uncharacteristic for Heero. The people closest to Heero, however, knew that he had a soft side under his tough exterior, and he would always be that way.
Heero watched as the girl behind the counter made his sandwich and then wrapped it up and placed it into a paper bag. Heero paid and was about to head out the door when he heard Pat?s voice booming from the kitchen: ?What d?ya mean he ordered it ta go?? Heero cracked a tiny smile and, sure enough, Pat came storming out of the back.
?Hey punk, you sit right down and eat that sandwich here. You got time. And what are you doing with that little thing? Heroes need more than just heroes.? He paused to laugh at his own joke. ?Ah, that?s a new one. Hey Marta, pour Heero some chili?the man?s gotta eat!? Heero caught himself before he could laugh out loud at Pat?s antics.
?What?s the matta?? Pat pretended to glare at Heero. ?Ya don?t like chili? What?s the matta wit ya? Everybody likes chili! Even Japanese kids gotta eat chili. It?s a heckuva lot betta than that sushi crap they try ta feed ya over there.?
Heero rolled his eyes at Pat, and accepted the extra food placed before him.
?So what?s shakin?, pal??
?Nothing.?
?Ya doin? anything exciting??
?No.? Heero bit into his sandwich.
?Bustin? any bad guys??
?No.?
?Kissin? any women??
Heero swallowed. ?No.?
?Come on, I know you Preventer kids are always up to something. No calls today??
?Not today.?
?Hmm,? Pat scratched his chin thoughtfully. ?I bet you?ll get one. Probably before you finish eating! That?s the way people like to do things. They never consider other people first.?
Heero liked Pat. All he ever did was chatter incessantly about everything and nothing at all while Heero ate. Once Heero finished, Pat would give him more food. Pat admired Heero?s dangerous job and told Heero stories of times the deli had been robbed, hoping Heero would identify. He seemed to think of Heero as more of a police officer than anything else, which Heero found amusing.
Heero finally finished his meal and his visit with Pat and was about to head out the door when, sure enough, his pager went off.
?Hah!? Pat?s staccato laughter rang throughout the small restaurant. ?What?d I tell ya??
Heero checked the pager. ?It?s Sally. Gotta run.?
Pat nodded to him. ?Catch ya later, Hero Boy.?
Heero laughed inwardly but gave Pat a mockingly stern glare. ?Whatever.?
Pat grinned. ?Punk.?
Heero just nodded his goodbye and headed back down the street to the Preventer?s office. He found Sally there, waiting for him.
?You sure respond to your pages quickly, something the other guys should?ve learned by now,? Sally said with a smile, shaking her head. ?Then again, that?s why you?re captain of the force. You?ve earned it.?
Heero accepted her compliments and just nodded his thanks. By then, everyone knew him well enough to know that he nodded for just about everything, and could interpret a nod?s meaning based on the situation.
?You got a job for me??
?I certainly do.?
?Where??
?Paris.?
?When??
?Now.?
?Okay.?
Sally grinned. She was used to these single-sentence conversations and got a kick out of them.
?Who??
?A new political group. They say they?re absolute pacifists, but you know how that sort of thing goes. Their chief representative was attacked, and they want someone to investigate.?
Heero sighed. ?Isn?t that what the police are for??
?They want the Perfect Soldier. Everyone does.?
?Hurray. I?m famous.?
?Like I said, you?ve earned it. Well, they actually want you to protect the leader and his daughter, but we want you to look into the group?s activities a little more. You can never be too careful.?
Heero nodded, confirming his understanding. Over the years, many groups and factions tried unsuccessfully to start another war between the earth and the colonies, even groups that hid behind a shroud of pacifism. But this particular job was more of a bodyguard situation, which Heero was more than used to handling, especially when it came to Relena.
Heero?s thoughts wandered momentarily. As long as he was in Europe, he might as well stop by to see her. She?d appreciate that, he knew. Neither of them ever had time to pursue a relationship together, but over the years he?d devoted all of his free time to visiting her. She came to New York once in a while, but it was much easier for him to drop in and surprise her than for her to arrange a trip to see him. He?d never once called to tell her he was coming, and sometimes he missed her, but usually he found her working at her desk.
He was just wondering what she was up to when Sally cleared her throat, snapping Heero back to attention.
?Don?t worry; you?ll have plenty of time to see Relena. They want you in Europe for quite some time.?
?Good,? Heero said, then tried to cover it. ?I mean...? He just nodded gruffly. ?I?ll go get my things. You got the plane ticket??
?Right here.? Sally held it up between two fingers, and Heero snatched it on his way out.
Heero examined the ticket, then looked up at Sally. ?When do they expect me??
?Tomorrow morning.?
Heero nodded and started to head out the door when Sally stopped him.
?Why?? she teased. ?Where will you be tonight??
?Where do you think??
Sally raised her eyebrows and smiled. ?Should I call Relena and tell her to expect you??
?No. She?s used to being surprised.?
?Oh...? Sally thought for a moment, her smile widening. ?Have you ever thought of giving her a different kind of surprise??
Heero?s eyebrows shot up as he gave Sally a what-on-earth-are-you-talking-about look.
Sally pretended to sigh impatiently. ?You know, the sparkly, expensive kind that come in little velvet boxes??
Heero caught on right away. ?And follow in Duo?s footsteps? No thanks. I think Relena would feel the same.?
?You never know until you ask her.?
?Whatever.? Heero almost seemed annoyed. Sally decided she?d better let him go. She patted him on the back as he exited.
?See ya, Heero,? Sally said with a smile. ?Good luck in Paris, not that you?ll need it.?
?Later.? With that, Heero headed up to his fifth floor apartment to pack.
Hours later, Relena was sitting at her desk, typing up her paperwork corrections. She had skipped lunch and dinner in order to make time for all she had to do. Talking with her mother on the phone earlier had been encouraging, and Relena was determined to have as good a work ethic as her father did when he was Vice Foreign Minister. Then again, Relena thought as she typed, he never left any time for family. She brushed the thought aside. Well, it doesn?t matter. It?s not like I have a family to spend time with anyway.
She didn?t plan to, either. Here she was, almost twenty years old, with no prospects for getting married and no time to start a family. Helping with Hilde and Duo?s wedding got Relena thinking, but she just couldn?t picture herself married?especially to Heero. Even though she knew she was the only girl he was interested in, the two of them both seemed destined to be loners for life. She wondered how Heero felt about this, but chided herself for letting her thoughts wander so much. After all, she still had a lot of work to do.
Relena was growing tired and her ankle started to hurt. Maybe I should get up and take some more pain relievers. However, she was too sore to move. Oh, well. I?ll just wait it out. The pain will have to subside sometime. She continued working, so focused that she didn?t even notice the figure at the door.
?Is this a bad time?? A low voice boomed.
Relena was so startled, she practically fell out of her chair. ?Heero? What are you doing here??
?You seem excited to see me,? Heero intoned sarcastically.
Relena had to smile, but she made no move to stand and greet him.
Heero eyed her strangely, then made his way over to her. ?Are you too busy to give me a proper welcome?? Heero motioned to the pile of paperwork as he headed across the room. ?It?s not like I?ve seen you recently.?
?Well, as much as I?d love to jump up and throw my arms around you...? Relena gestured toward her right foot. Heero leaned over the desk to see Relena?s foot clad in an air cast, along with a pair of crutches lying next to it.
Heero frowned. ?What did you do??
?I fell down the stairs.?
Heero raised an eyebrow. ?Which stairs??
?The big ones.?
Heero rolled his eyes. ?Which stairs??
Relena sighed. ?The ones leading to the grand hall.?
Heero shook his head. ?What were you thinking??
Relena glared at him. ?It was an accident! Why doesn?t anyone seem to think I?m capable of having them??
?Because you?re supposed to be the perfect ethereal goddess we all worship.?
Relena lightly punched Heero?s arm. He ignored her and nodded at her paperwork.
?Well, your injury doesn?t exactly help ease your workload.?
?No, not a bit.?
Heero frowned. ?Have you been resting??
?I don?t have time to rest. I have to have all of this done by tomorrow morning.?
?What?s tomorrow morning??
?I?m going to a conference in Japan.?
?Oh.? Heero almost looked disappointed.
Relena looked up at him. ?You... didn?t come all the way out here just to see me, did you?? He rarely did that. Heero always had an excuse for why he was in the area and was dropping in to visit.
?No, I?m leaving for Paris tonight. I have a job there.?
?I see. Can you tell me, or is it top secret??
?No.? Heero sat back on Relena?s desk, facing her. ?I?ve been hired by Myles Donovan to protect him and his daughter.?
?Ah, you just have an affinity for protecting pacifists, don?t you?? Relena playfully batted her eyelashes at Heero.
?You like to think so.?
?That?s because I?m right.? She gave him a smug smile.
Heero looked thoughtful. ?Do you think Donovan would be going to the same conference as you??
?It could be. He wasn?t there last year, but you never know. We just might run into each other.?
Heero just nodded, then peered at Relena?s computer. ?How long have you been working on this??
?All afternoon,? Relena replied, staring at the screen.
?Do you think it will take you all evening??
?Possibly. I?m pretty tired.?
Concern was written on Heero?s face. ?You really ought to rest now.?
?But I can?t??
?Don?t give me that. You need to rest up for your trip tomorrow. And I want you to take it easy at this conference, too.? Relena sighed while Heero?s eyes scanned her. ?You look terrible, Rel,? he said in as gentle a voice as possible.
Relena glared at him. ?Gee, Heero, you sure know how to make a girl feel special.?
?I?m serious.? He brought his face closer to hers. ?You look like you haven?t slept or eaten in days. What about your low blood sugar? Are you taking care of that??
?Heero, you?re not my doctor.? Relena stood shakily, clearly annoyed. ?I can take care of myself.? She forgot about her broken ankle momentarily and stumbled back. Heero caught her by the waist, and she blushed sheepishly. For once she wished she could be right about something with him.
?You?re not doing the best job,? Heero said with a slight smirk. ?And you?ve lost even more weight since I saw you last.? He grabbed her wrist for emphasis, and Relena snatched it back indignantly.
?I have not! I?m exactly the same.?
?I don?t believe you. You look ten pounds lighter.?
?I?m telling you, I?m not!?
?Only one way to find out...? With that, Heero picked Relena up like she was an infant and carried her off.
?Heero! Put me down this instant! Where are we going? What about my crutches??
?You won?t need them.?
?Heero!? Relena saw they were headed in the direction of her
bedroom. ?I really don?t have time for this!?
?I?m making time,? He replied. Once inside her spacious suite, Heero passed her sitting room and opened the bedroom door. There, he deposited her on her bed, knowing she wouldn?t be able to bolt up with her broken ankle.
?What are you doing?? She demanded.
?Getting you some rest.?
?Heero, I don?t??
?Relena, I?m telling you that you won?t last at this conference. You need to stop worrying about those papers and get some sleep.?
Relena sighed. ?Heero...?
?I want to do what?s best for you. And if you won?t take care of yourself, I will.? Heero leaned forward and looked into her eyes intently. ?Just do me a favor and try to get some sleep, okay??
Relena matched his firm gaze, then sighed. ?Okay.?
?There,? Heero murmured, brushing her bangs back with his hand. ?I?ll be around if you need me.?
?All right.? Relena lay back on her pillows, and Heero pulled a blanket over her.
?Sweet dreams,? he spoke in his low monotone. The phrase sounded a little funny coming from him, which made it all the more endearing to Relena.
?Thank you, Heero,? she whispered.
?Don?t mention it.?
Relena smiled as her stoic friend shut the door. She decided that, just this once, she?d concentrate less on her work and more on her health. Besides, it was never a bad idea to follow Heero?s advice.
Heero looked at his watch, relieved that he had finished the last of Relena?s paperwork. It had only taken him a little over an hour to find the calculation errors and correct all of the copies. He printed the last one off and stacked everything neatly on her desk. He was glad he was able to get done so quickly what was taking Relena all afternoon to do. He wished he could accompany Relena to this conference so he could stay by her side and look out for her. Secretly, he was worried about her failing health and newly-broken ankle. He didn?t see how she kept going in her state, and he was worried to send her off to Japan while he had to stay behind in Europe. Heero made a mental note to come back to the Sanc Kingdom and check on Relena before he headed back to the States. It hit him that he didn?t know how long she?d be at this conference. He decided he?d come back in the next few weeks, and hopefully find her here, safe and sound.
Not wanting to disturb Relena, Heero went to the room she always had reserved for him and laid down for awhile, knowing he also needed rest. He regretted not spending the day with Relena, but he knew that her health was more important. Besides, I?ll see her when she comes back from Japan, he told himself. Heero glanced at his watch once more and knew he needed to get to the airport soon. First, he decided to jot Relena a quick note and leave it on her bedside table.
Relena,
Sorry I couldn?t stay, but I had a plane to catch. Don?t bother to get up after you read this. Your paperwork has already been taken care of. Have one of your maids pack your suitcase and stay in bed. And make sure you get something to eat. Have a safe trip and good luck at the conference. I?ll come to see you again in the next few weeks... God knows I can?t wait another three months.
Yours,
Heero
Heero silently debated whether or not to sign it love instead, but decided to leave it as it was. Relena wouldn?t be expecting that anyway. Quietly, he made his way back to her room, opening the door slowly and carefully. He looked in and saw that Relena was fast asleep. She still lay on her back, her broken foot propped up on a pillow. Her face was turned delicately to one side, and her chest rose and fell beneath the blanket. Her blonde, silky hair flew out all over the pillow, and her closed eyes were fanned by her dark lashes.
Heero lightly placed his note on her night stand and stood over the sleeping beauty. Then, ever so gently, he leaned down and brushed his lips against her cheek. He was tempted to kiss her lips, but the two of them had only shared a few kisses in the last few years, and he didn?t think she?d appreciate him stealing one while she slept. After that, he crept out of the room silently and prepared to leave the kingdom of his secret love once more.
Chapter I
After All This Time
?What do you mean, broken ankle?? Hilde practically screeched over the vid-phone.
?I?m afraid so,? Relena sighed.
?Well how did you manage to do a thing like that??
?I tripped down the stairs.?
?Which stairs??
?The big ones.?
Hilde rolled her eyes. ?Relena, all the stairs at your place are big.?
?Yeah, but I mean the big stairs? The ones that lead to the grand hall.?
Hilde practically fell over, partly because there had to be at least fifty steps on that particular flight, and also because she couldn?t get over the way Relena said ?grand.? The word rolled off her tongue with a long vowel, just like any royal would pronounce it. She was also puzzled as to how someone with Relena?s natural poise, grace, and generally good coordination could just trip down a flight of fifty stairs. It sure didn?t seem befitting of the famous Vice Foreign Minister and former Queen of the World Nation to take an everyday tumble like that. Hilde posed the question to Relena.
?I was really tired,? was the weak explanation Relena offered. ?And I wasn?t watching where I was going.?
?Yeah, right,? Hilde scoffed, ?like I buy that. You must?ve been really distracted. Did you think you saw Heero or something?
?No, no,? Relena giggled. ?Not at all.?
Hilde was still skeptical. ?Okay, if you say so. So, how bad is it??
?Fortunately, it?s only a stress fracture. The doctor says it should heal on its own, so I don?t need to wear a cast.?
?That?s good. We?ve got a wedding to plan here.?
?Oh, don?t worry,? Relena said breezily. ?My ankle should heal in plenty of time for that. But just in case, you should pick a bridesmaid gown that will cover my feet!?
Hilde laughed. ?Okay, I will. So how long do you think it will be before you can come up??
Relena exhaled, blowing her bangs off her forehead. ?I?m not sure. This month is going to be really hectic.?
?What else is new? You?re the busiest teenager on the planet!?
?Not for long,? Relena said with a smile. ?Soon, I?ll be the busiest twenty-year-old on the planet.?
?Which makes you even busier than normal, since now you have to plan your birthday party, too!?
?When will I find the time? I have to work on some paperwork, then I?m leaving for Japan tomorrow...?
?Japan? Cool! What?s in Japan?? Hilde interrupted.
?An ESUN conference for pacifist diplomats.?
?Interesting...? Hilde sounded bored already. ?So, did you pack yet??
?I haven?t had...?
?The time!? Hilde finished with a giggle. ?No wonder it?s called a stress
fracture!?
?Ha, ha,? Relena said playfully.
Hilde stopped laughing long enough to say good-bye. ?I?d better let you get back to your all-important paperwork. And don?t forget to pack!?
?Why bother? I can just buy some new clothes when I get there.?
?Oh, it?s so hard, being a princess,? Hilde teased. ?I hate you.?
?I know.?
?Bring me back one of those cute kimono things, ?kay??
?I will.?
?Bye! Have fun!?
?Bye!? Relena heard the receiver click. With a sigh, she fell back on her bed. When will I find the time to get anything done? She glanced at her watch. It was late at night on Hilde?s colony, but the day was just beginning for her. Yesterday she?d been chagrined to discover that all of her paperwork for this week?s annual ESUN conference had errors, and it was up to her to make the corrections. That was before she fell down the staircase. The doctor ordered her to stay off her feet no matter what, but how was someone as busy as her expected to do that? She sighed again, thinking of the mount of papers stacked on her desk and planning the quickest route to take to her office via her uncomfortable crutches. Yes, the Peacecraft Castle was that big.
Looking at her injured foot clad in a clunky ?air cast? that looked like nothing more than a Velcro-ed space boot, Relena wondered when she?d gotten so clumsy. She absentmindedly pondered what her adopted mother would say. The two had parted ways almost five years ago, after the death of Relena?s father led her to take his place as Vice Foreign Minister. Mrs. Darlian had understood and admired Relena?s decision to take the title and return to her birthplace, the Sanc Kingdom, but opted to stay behind. The Darlians had a gorgeous residence in Southern California, and though Relena had loved growing up there, she felt it was time to return to her roots. She had been at the Peacecraft Castle ever since.
Thinking about her mother made Relena wonder if she should call her; they hadn?t spoken in a while. There was really no reason why not; after all, Relena had called Hilde in the colonies, and calling long distance to another country wasn?t nearly as expensive as calling off the planet. And it wasn?t as if Relena didn?t have things to talk about, either. There was Hilde and Duo?s wedding, the conference she was preparing for, and, of course, her broken ankle. Relena decided to continue ignoring her paperwork and picked up the phone once more. As tired and stressed as she was, she knew she had the rest of the day ahead of her, whether that was enough time or not. I suppose I could just work on it some more on the plane tomorrow morning, Relena thought. She?d never been much of a procrastinator, but just thinking about spending the rest of the day limping around on her broken ankle made Relena even more tired, and a little sick to her stomach. After dialing the number, Relena leaned back on her pillows and shut her eyes, listening to the phone ring on the other end.
Heero Yuy glanced at his watch. Almost noon?time for his lunch break. He turned his pager on and headed out the door and down the street to his favorite deli. Some people were too intimidated to live in a place like New York City, but Heero didn?t find it any different than all the other places he?d been. Heero could live anywhere, even the most dangerous cities, as long as he was cautious and looked out for himself. He was simply living from day to day, enjoying freedom while he had it, praying that peace between the earth and colonies would last, doing his job and minding his own business. That was all anyone could do, really.
Although being a Preventer sometimes required him to stick his nose in other people?s business, especially when he had to go undercover. Heero and the other former Gundam pilots had no qualms about doing that. Heero was used to always having an alias, and he usually just used the names of his friends as a joke between them. Lately, however, things had been a little too quiet around Preventer HQ for Heero?s tastes, and he knew that something must be cooking somewhere. He half-expected to get a call while he waited for his hero sandwich. As he ordered ?the usual,? he calculated how he?d respond to the ?Here?s a hero for Heero!? he received every time he ate here. He?d been coming here for the past four years, and he and the owner, Patrick Riordan, had struck up an offbeat friendship. Pat, a man in his late fifties, was a little intimidated by Heero?s no-nonsense attitude at first, but met it with an equally gruff one. Now the two teased each other often, which seemed a little uncharacteristic for Heero. The people closest to Heero, however, knew that he had a soft side under his tough exterior, and he would always be that way.
Heero watched as the girl behind the counter made his sandwich and then wrapped it up and placed it into a paper bag. Heero paid and was about to head out the door when he heard Pat?s voice booming from the kitchen: ?What d?ya mean he ordered it ta go?? Heero cracked a tiny smile and, sure enough, Pat came storming out of the back.
?Hey punk, you sit right down and eat that sandwich here. You got time. And what are you doing with that little thing? Heroes need more than just heroes.? He paused to laugh at his own joke. ?Ah, that?s a new one. Hey Marta, pour Heero some chili?the man?s gotta eat!? Heero caught himself before he could laugh out loud at Pat?s antics.
?What?s the matta?? Pat pretended to glare at Heero. ?Ya don?t like chili? What?s the matta wit ya? Everybody likes chili! Even Japanese kids gotta eat chili. It?s a heckuva lot betta than that sushi crap they try ta feed ya over there.?
Heero rolled his eyes at Pat, and accepted the extra food placed before him.
?So what?s shakin?, pal??
?Nothing.?
?Ya doin? anything exciting??
?No.? Heero bit into his sandwich.
?Bustin? any bad guys??
?No.?
?Kissin? any women??
Heero swallowed. ?No.?
?Come on, I know you Preventer kids are always up to something. No calls today??
?Not today.?
?Hmm,? Pat scratched his chin thoughtfully. ?I bet you?ll get one. Probably before you finish eating! That?s the way people like to do things. They never consider other people first.?
Heero liked Pat. All he ever did was chatter incessantly about everything and nothing at all while Heero ate. Once Heero finished, Pat would give him more food. Pat admired Heero?s dangerous job and told Heero stories of times the deli had been robbed, hoping Heero would identify. He seemed to think of Heero as more of a police officer than anything else, which Heero found amusing.
Heero finally finished his meal and his visit with Pat and was about to head out the door when, sure enough, his pager went off.
?Hah!? Pat?s staccato laughter rang throughout the small restaurant. ?What?d I tell ya??
Heero checked the pager. ?It?s Sally. Gotta run.?
Pat nodded to him. ?Catch ya later, Hero Boy.?
Heero laughed inwardly but gave Pat a mockingly stern glare. ?Whatever.?
Pat grinned. ?Punk.?
Heero just nodded his goodbye and headed back down the street to the Preventer?s office. He found Sally there, waiting for him.
?You sure respond to your pages quickly, something the other guys should?ve learned by now,? Sally said with a smile, shaking her head. ?Then again, that?s why you?re captain of the force. You?ve earned it.?
Heero accepted her compliments and just nodded his thanks. By then, everyone knew him well enough to know that he nodded for just about everything, and could interpret a nod?s meaning based on the situation.
?You got a job for me??
?I certainly do.?
?Where??
?Paris.?
?When??
?Now.?
?Okay.?
Sally grinned. She was used to these single-sentence conversations and got a kick out of them.
?Who??
?A new political group. They say they?re absolute pacifists, but you know how that sort of thing goes. Their chief representative was attacked, and they want someone to investigate.?
Heero sighed. ?Isn?t that what the police are for??
?They want the Perfect Soldier. Everyone does.?
?Hurray. I?m famous.?
?Like I said, you?ve earned it. Well, they actually want you to protect the leader and his daughter, but we want you to look into the group?s activities a little more. You can never be too careful.?
Heero nodded, confirming his understanding. Over the years, many groups and factions tried unsuccessfully to start another war between the earth and the colonies, even groups that hid behind a shroud of pacifism. But this particular job was more of a bodyguard situation, which Heero was more than used to handling, especially when it came to Relena.
Heero?s thoughts wandered momentarily. As long as he was in Europe, he might as well stop by to see her. She?d appreciate that, he knew. Neither of them ever had time to pursue a relationship together, but over the years he?d devoted all of his free time to visiting her. She came to New York once in a while, but it was much easier for him to drop in and surprise her than for her to arrange a trip to see him. He?d never once called to tell her he was coming, and sometimes he missed her, but usually he found her working at her desk.
He was just wondering what she was up to when Sally cleared her throat, snapping Heero back to attention.
?Don?t worry; you?ll have plenty of time to see Relena. They want you in Europe for quite some time.?
?Good,? Heero said, then tried to cover it. ?I mean...? He just nodded gruffly. ?I?ll go get my things. You got the plane ticket??
?Right here.? Sally held it up between two fingers, and Heero snatched it on his way out.
Heero examined the ticket, then looked up at Sally. ?When do they expect me??
?Tomorrow morning.?
Heero nodded and started to head out the door when Sally stopped him.
?Why?? she teased. ?Where will you be tonight??
?Where do you think??
Sally raised her eyebrows and smiled. ?Should I call Relena and tell her to expect you??
?No. She?s used to being surprised.?
?Oh...? Sally thought for a moment, her smile widening. ?Have you ever thought of giving her a different kind of surprise??
Heero?s eyebrows shot up as he gave Sally a what-on-earth-are-you-talking-about look.
Sally pretended to sigh impatiently. ?You know, the sparkly, expensive kind that come in little velvet boxes??
Heero caught on right away. ?And follow in Duo?s footsteps? No thanks. I think Relena would feel the same.?
?You never know until you ask her.?
?Whatever.? Heero almost seemed annoyed. Sally decided she?d better let him go. She patted him on the back as he exited.
?See ya, Heero,? Sally said with a smile. ?Good luck in Paris, not that you?ll need it.?
?Later.? With that, Heero headed up to his fifth floor apartment to pack.
Hours later, Relena was sitting at her desk, typing up her paperwork corrections. She had skipped lunch and dinner in order to make time for all she had to do. Talking with her mother on the phone earlier had been encouraging, and Relena was determined to have as good a work ethic as her father did when he was Vice Foreign Minister. Then again, Relena thought as she typed, he never left any time for family. She brushed the thought aside. Well, it doesn?t matter. It?s not like I have a family to spend time with anyway.
She didn?t plan to, either. Here she was, almost twenty years old, with no prospects for getting married and no time to start a family. Helping with Hilde and Duo?s wedding got Relena thinking, but she just couldn?t picture herself married?especially to Heero. Even though she knew she was the only girl he was interested in, the two of them both seemed destined to be loners for life. She wondered how Heero felt about this, but chided herself for letting her thoughts wander so much. After all, she still had a lot of work to do.
Relena was growing tired and her ankle started to hurt. Maybe I should get up and take some more pain relievers. However, she was too sore to move. Oh, well. I?ll just wait it out. The pain will have to subside sometime. She continued working, so focused that she didn?t even notice the figure at the door.
?Is this a bad time?? A low voice boomed.
Relena was so startled, she practically fell out of her chair. ?Heero? What are you doing here??
?You seem excited to see me,? Heero intoned sarcastically.
Relena had to smile, but she made no move to stand and greet him.
Heero eyed her strangely, then made his way over to her. ?Are you too busy to give me a proper welcome?? Heero motioned to the pile of paperwork as he headed across the room. ?It?s not like I?ve seen you recently.?
?Well, as much as I?d love to jump up and throw my arms around you...? Relena gestured toward her right foot. Heero leaned over the desk to see Relena?s foot clad in an air cast, along with a pair of crutches lying next to it.
Heero frowned. ?What did you do??
?I fell down the stairs.?
Heero raised an eyebrow. ?Which stairs??
?The big ones.?
Heero rolled his eyes. ?Which stairs??
Relena sighed. ?The ones leading to the grand hall.?
Heero shook his head. ?What were you thinking??
Relena glared at him. ?It was an accident! Why doesn?t anyone seem to think I?m capable of having them??
?Because you?re supposed to be the perfect ethereal goddess we all worship.?
Relena lightly punched Heero?s arm. He ignored her and nodded at her paperwork.
?Well, your injury doesn?t exactly help ease your workload.?
?No, not a bit.?
Heero frowned. ?Have you been resting??
?I don?t have time to rest. I have to have all of this done by tomorrow morning.?
?What?s tomorrow morning??
?I?m going to a conference in Japan.?
?Oh.? Heero almost looked disappointed.
Relena looked up at him. ?You... didn?t come all the way out here just to see me, did you?? He rarely did that. Heero always had an excuse for why he was in the area and was dropping in to visit.
?No, I?m leaving for Paris tonight. I have a job there.?
?I see. Can you tell me, or is it top secret??
?No.? Heero sat back on Relena?s desk, facing her. ?I?ve been hired by Myles Donovan to protect him and his daughter.?
?Ah, you just have an affinity for protecting pacifists, don?t you?? Relena playfully batted her eyelashes at Heero.
?You like to think so.?
?That?s because I?m right.? She gave him a smug smile.
Heero looked thoughtful. ?Do you think Donovan would be going to the same conference as you??
?It could be. He wasn?t there last year, but you never know. We just might run into each other.?
Heero just nodded, then peered at Relena?s computer. ?How long have you been working on this??
?All afternoon,? Relena replied, staring at the screen.
?Do you think it will take you all evening??
?Possibly. I?m pretty tired.?
Concern was written on Heero?s face. ?You really ought to rest now.?
?But I can?t??
?Don?t give me that. You need to rest up for your trip tomorrow. And I want you to take it easy at this conference, too.? Relena sighed while Heero?s eyes scanned her. ?You look terrible, Rel,? he said in as gentle a voice as possible.
Relena glared at him. ?Gee, Heero, you sure know how to make a girl feel special.?
?I?m serious.? He brought his face closer to hers. ?You look like you haven?t slept or eaten in days. What about your low blood sugar? Are you taking care of that??
?Heero, you?re not my doctor.? Relena stood shakily, clearly annoyed. ?I can take care of myself.? She forgot about her broken ankle momentarily and stumbled back. Heero caught her by the waist, and she blushed sheepishly. For once she wished she could be right about something with him.
?You?re not doing the best job,? Heero said with a slight smirk. ?And you?ve lost even more weight since I saw you last.? He grabbed her wrist for emphasis, and Relena snatched it back indignantly.
?I have not! I?m exactly the same.?
?I don?t believe you. You look ten pounds lighter.?
?I?m telling you, I?m not!?
?Only one way to find out...? With that, Heero picked Relena up like she was an infant and carried her off.
?Heero! Put me down this instant! Where are we going? What about my crutches??
?You won?t need them.?
?Heero!? Relena saw they were headed in the direction of her
bedroom. ?I really don?t have time for this!?
?I?m making time,? He replied. Once inside her spacious suite, Heero passed her sitting room and opened the bedroom door. There, he deposited her on her bed, knowing she wouldn?t be able to bolt up with her broken ankle.
?What are you doing?? She demanded.
?Getting you some rest.?
?Heero, I don?t??
?Relena, I?m telling you that you won?t last at this conference. You need to stop worrying about those papers and get some sleep.?
Relena sighed. ?Heero...?
?I want to do what?s best for you. And if you won?t take care of yourself, I will.? Heero leaned forward and looked into her eyes intently. ?Just do me a favor and try to get some sleep, okay??
Relena matched his firm gaze, then sighed. ?Okay.?
?There,? Heero murmured, brushing her bangs back with his hand. ?I?ll be around if you need me.?
?All right.? Relena lay back on her pillows, and Heero pulled a blanket over her.
?Sweet dreams,? he spoke in his low monotone. The phrase sounded a little funny coming from him, which made it all the more endearing to Relena.
?Thank you, Heero,? she whispered.
?Don?t mention it.?
Relena smiled as her stoic friend shut the door. She decided that, just this once, she?d concentrate less on her work and more on her health. Besides, it was never a bad idea to follow Heero?s advice.
Heero looked at his watch, relieved that he had finished the last of Relena?s paperwork. It had only taken him a little over an hour to find the calculation errors and correct all of the copies. He printed the last one off and stacked everything neatly on her desk. He was glad he was able to get done so quickly what was taking Relena all afternoon to do. He wished he could accompany Relena to this conference so he could stay by her side and look out for her. Secretly, he was worried about her failing health and newly-broken ankle. He didn?t see how she kept going in her state, and he was worried to send her off to Japan while he had to stay behind in Europe. Heero made a mental note to come back to the Sanc Kingdom and check on Relena before he headed back to the States. It hit him that he didn?t know how long she?d be at this conference. He decided he?d come back in the next few weeks, and hopefully find her here, safe and sound.
Not wanting to disturb Relena, Heero went to the room she always had reserved for him and laid down for awhile, knowing he also needed rest. He regretted not spending the day with Relena, but he knew that her health was more important. Besides, I?ll see her when she comes back from Japan, he told himself. Heero glanced at his watch once more and knew he needed to get to the airport soon. First, he decided to jot Relena a quick note and leave it on her bedside table.
Relena,
Sorry I couldn?t stay, but I had a plane to catch. Don?t bother to get up after you read this. Your paperwork has already been taken care of. Have one of your maids pack your suitcase and stay in bed. And make sure you get something to eat. Have a safe trip and good luck at the conference. I?ll come to see you again in the next few weeks... God knows I can?t wait another three months.
Yours,
Heero
Heero silently debated whether or not to sign it love instead, but decided to leave it as it was. Relena wouldn?t be expecting that anyway. Quietly, he made his way back to her room, opening the door slowly and carefully. He looked in and saw that Relena was fast asleep. She still lay on her back, her broken foot propped up on a pillow. Her face was turned delicately to one side, and her chest rose and fell beneath the blanket. Her blonde, silky hair flew out all over the pillow, and her closed eyes were fanned by her dark lashes.
Heero lightly placed his note on her night stand and stood over the sleeping beauty. Then, ever so gently, he leaned down and brushed his lips against her cheek. He was tempted to kiss her lips, but the two of them had only shared a few kisses in the last few years, and he didn?t think she?d appreciate him stealing one while she slept. After that, he crept out of the room silently and prepared to leave the kingdom of his secret love once more.
....hope to read more of it soon...its sooooo sweet....just plain ol' yummy goodness...