Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Counting the Seconds ❯ Chapter One ( Chapter 1 )

DISCLAIMER: Me? Own Gundam Wing? <scoffs> I am not that rich.

Counting the Seconds

By Scilja

Chapter 1

Relena couldn't believe it. It was as if a cannonball had hit her chest. She wanted desperately to rub her eyes to make sure they weren't taking a break off and playing tricks on her. The air felt like it was being squeezed out of her lungs and then blocked out from re-entry. As she gazed into familiar blue eyes, it suddenly became difficult to swallow as past memories slammed into her mind. Flash after flash of reminiscences exploded within her head, and they all had something in common.

It involved the man in front of her.

If anything, he was still ruggedly handsome, or even more attractive than before. He had matured, but his body was still trim, hard, and powerful. She resented that fit build hidden by the charcoal-gray suit and soft blue shirt. He still possessed that air around him that was not sinister, but certainly was dangerous. It made women curious and wary, and she would be gambling her neck if she was left alone with him.

Hilde observed the two carefully. 'Whoa, did I miss something here?' She noticed Relena's hand curl into a fist, and then it disappeared as quickly as it had formed. She peered at her friend's eyes flash: anxiety?

"Heero, this is Relena Darlian, a dear friend of Hilde's and mine," Duo's voice snapped her back to reality. "Relena, Heero Yuy." She inwardly composed herself. 'Get it together, Darlian. Now is not the time to fall crashing to the floor.'

"A pleasure," he said, giving her a kiss on the hand as well.

"Like wise, Mr. Yuy." She was enormously thankful her voice didn't falter.

"Heero will be fine," he said with smugness as he assisted her in being seated.

She almost curled her lip in distaste by the look he gave her, but instead smoothed out imaginary wrinkles on her dress. 'Still as arrogant as ever, some things never change.' She took note that Hilde was to her right, and Duo sat to her left. That would leave Heero to be right across from her. She inwardly groaned, 'Why did he have to park himself there?'

She fiddled with her menu to avoid his piercing gaze. 'Dear God, it will be a miracle if I survive tonight.'

Her silent prayer was answered when a waiter came near to their table, awaiting their orders.

"We'll have one order of lobster and an oriental dish," Duo ordered for both Hilde and himself.

"Anything to drink?"

"A bottle of white wine," with an agreeing nod from Heero, the drink was confirmed. He then took down Heero's order and turned to Relena.

"And you, mademoiselle?"

She froze. Even with the menu in her hands, Relena was so preoccupied with trying to compose herself that she had forgotten to pick out her choice. 'Go back to the kitchen! I'm not ready!'

"Uh―"

"Barbeque duck palette," Heero filled in for her. "Is that fine?"

Relena could do nothing but nod to avoid making a spectacle. Once the waiter left, she silently fumed. 'How dare him! I can fend for myself! Humph, the nerve of that guy. I bet he's enjoying this. Is he smirking?'

All the while, Heero had a faint ghost of a smile on his lips. 'After all these years,' he cast a glance towards her furtively, 'she's right here.'

Sensing the heavy tension that traveled between his two friends, Duo decided to lighten the air, "So, Rel! Long time no see! What have 'ya been up to lately? Care to share the secret? I won't tell." He ended with a wink, in which Hilde whispered his name crossly, but her eyes showed amusement.

Relena appreciated her friend's zeal. He was always one to start things going swell, and she was glad to have him around for it made her relax and at ease.

"I've just been really occupied with a lot of things, Duo. Really, sometimes I think those suited men are waiting in line to get a chance to watch me slip up. It's rare for me to go out and breathe. Now and then I find that blinking is the only moment I get out of it all."

"That bad, huh?"

"Unfortunately so. That is why I am grateful that you've invited me here. I really needed a break."

Heero's heart stopped beating as he watched a smile bloom on her rosy lips. He had forgotten how powerful it can be, a radiance of serene and harmony just seemed to flow out from that one simple action. Heero realized that he must have been staring, since he felt three pairs of eyes suddenly fall upon him. He stole a fleeting look at Relena, and she quickly turned away.

Hilde jumped in, "How's the business going Heero? Duo has told me several things. He has especially been raving about an opening of a new franchise. If I remember correctly, a hotel, is it?"

In the mid of her sentence, two waiters brought a cart and distributed their platters. Relena's features softened at the aroma of the food. Their wine was hung on the side of the table in a cold bucket of ice to chill. Empty glasses were placed at the corner of each placemat. No invitation was needed to begin the meal.

"The current arrangement is the process of opening the new franchises to the public," Heero explained as they ate. "Locations have been set in several countries around the world and everything is in its place."

"Now all we need is to start off with a big bang," Duo finished for him.

Relena looked up from her plate and tilted her head to Duo, "You mean, like a grand opening?"

"You got it," he answered as he reached for the wine bottle. "Not just a grand opening, but one that would really bring people flocking once they hear about it." Relena mouthed a 'thanks' when Duo poured her glass. "We haven't really decided on how to do it yet. Until then, it's on temporary hold."

"Best of luck to both of you then," Hilde lifted her glass in a toast, and all around the table did the same.

The conversation eventually steered away from business and took on much lighter topics, such as opinions of the restaurant, small anecdotes, and a laughing matter here and there. Slowly but surely, Relena had found herself starting to unwind and settle down, despite the fact that a certain someone still tingled her nerves, she often joined in the chatter. 'Well, I'm here, so might as well make the best of it.'

It was not until a little later when their meals were replaced with deserts had the unexpected came.

Heero had raised himself out of his seat and surprise claimed her when he rounded the table to stand only a few feet away from her spot. He leaned forward and held out a hand towards her, "Would you care to dance, Ms. Relena?"

She peered into his eyes and tried to see what he wanted to get at; not wanting to ruin a perfect evening, she obliged. "Of course," she said placing her hand in his. All the while, she repeated to herself, 'It's just a dance Relena, only a dance.' At least she hoped it was.

She felt somewhat dizzy as his large hand gently curve around her small, slender one as they walked to the dance floor. At the moment, a slow waltz filled the air, and other couples stepped in to join the music. She was stopped abruptly when Heero had spun around and positioned his other hand at her waist, a traditional waltz pose. Hesitating at first, she rested her free hand on his shoulder, and they started dancing. What even shocked her more was when he brought their bodies closer when the tune went into a crescendo. Could he feel her heart thumping wildly at their close contact?

"Relena."

He loosened his hold just enough for her to look at his face.

"How are you?"

Thought it may appear as a simple question, she couldn't help but feel tongue-tied on how to answer that.

"You should know, Heero," she tensed her shoulders and shut her eyes briefly. "In a way, you always had, and always did."

His brow lowered with displeasure at her statement. "Is he still around?"

"Is who still around?"

"You know exactly who I'm talking about, Relena."

She suddenly found the floor to be very interesting, and didn't answer him. She couldn't. A small feeling of regret opened up inside of her for coming tonight. She could feel his eyes burning through her.

He then slanted his head and whispered against her ear, his hand pressed against her back, almost to ban her from escaping, "Why did you leave, Relena?"

She wanted very much to get away from this place. Away from the forgotten past that had appeared out of the blue before her right then and there. Away from answering those inquiring blue eyes that showed something akin to hurt. No. It couldn't be hurt. Knowing him, pity would've been more explainable. To prevent from letting her heart become smashed to pieces and trampled.

And most importantly, to get away from him.

"Excuse me."

Relena unlatched her hands from Heero and stepped away, leaving him once again, like she had done many years ago. If she had looked back, she wouldn't have missed the pained expression on his face.

TBC…