Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Every Breath You Take ❯ Every Breath You Take - Complete Fic in one Chapter ( Chapter 19 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Every Breath You Take
By Lady K


Chapter 1

Beginning of Endless Waltz:

"Where are you going?" Duo asked.

"Relena has been kidnapped." Answered Heero, as he ran out.

"Anything for the one you love!" *He, he, the poor guy has it bad.*

Duo looked at the computer and wondered, How did he know Relena had been kidnapped?

******
About a year and a half later

Quatre looked around in satisfaction; the surprise birthday party that he had planned for Relena was going exactly as planned. Most of the guests had already arrived; Wufei had been the first one, frowning and complaining about the trip. Sally had accompanied him and had a long-suffering look to her. Next were Trowa and Catherine, Catherine went to talk to Sally and Trowa immediately went for the pool. He was doing one of his expectacular jumps from the diving board on the pool right now. Quatre smiled seeing the expressions of his sisters' faces, they looked as if they wanted to gobble him up. Catherine and Sally had sat down together on a small table and sipped cool drinks.

"Great party! Where's the beer?" Was Duo's greeting.

"Duo!!" Hilde reprimanded.

"Duo! Hilde! I'm glad that you could come! I was afraid you weren't going to make it. Now we only need Heero and we will be ready for the birthday girl."

"Aren't they coming together?" asked Hilde.

"No, Wind and Noin were in charge of bringing Relena," answered Quatre.

"Hey, I see the party machine coming up!" laughed Duo as he saw Heero walking toward them.

"Heero! I'm so glad…," Quatre began.

"Where can I set up my computer?" Interrupted Heero.

"Oh, um… well I'll show you," said Quatre as he guided Heero towards the library.

Duo and Hilde looked at each other and shook their heads. "Poor guy," whispered Hilde as she walked towards the other girls.

*What's with the computer?* Thought Duo. *This guy is too obsessive. Oh, well let's look for the beer and a good seat to check out the chicks. Quatre sure has a lot of cute sisters.*

*********
Heero frowned at the computer screen and adjusted his earpiece. *Stupid reception, I can hear shit, Relena should have arrived by now. Deep breathing, --s h e i s w i t h h e r b r o t h e r -- the stupid jerk should know how to protect her. Hmmm, well I should join the others before Duo's curiosity gets the better of him and he starts pestering Me.*

Heero walked through the open French doors that joined the library with the pool terrace and sat down on a lounge chair. *The party is not that bad, Relena needs this kind of relaxation.*

"Hey, Heero, what's happening!"

*grrr.* Duo's cheery voice always seemed to rub the wrong way with Heero.

"The usual"

Ha, ha, "with you nothing is 'usual'," smiled Duo, "Well, tired of caring for Relena? I wouldn't mind switching with you for a while," smirked Duo.

*Over my dead body, philandering jerk!* "I don't think you have what it takes to protect Relena," Heero answered coldly.

"Hey, that hurts! I would take veery gooood care of her," taunted Duo.

Heero tensed and suddenly stood up and starting running out.

"Heero! Wait, I'm sorry, I was kidding! Where are you going?"

"Relena needs me." Shouted Heero as he jumped the fence and got in his motorcycle.

Everybody stared at him with different levels of concern as he sped away.

*How does he know that Relena needs his help?* wondered Duo, once again. *Hmm I wonder if I could take a peek at his computer.* Duo's face was covered with a devilish grin. *Yeah! This is my chance.*

*******
Why the little perv! He has cameras and hearing devices all over!! No wonder he knows everything that happens to her. Hmm I wonder if I can transmit these access codes to my computer… yes, that works… great!! He, he now I can see what he sees. Oh man, this is going to be fun. I just know I can use this to get under his skin.

*******

One hour later Heero, Relena, Noin and Zechs arrived. Zechs seemed angry, Heero unperturbed, Relena and Noin happy.
"Surprise!!" Shouted everyone. "Happy birthday, Relena!"

"Oh!!" Relena seemed genuinely surprised, "Thank you, this is so very nice of you all." She looked at Heero but he just frowned and went to sit on the lounge chair he had previously occupied.

The rest of the group surrounded Relena, kissing and hugging and giving their felicitations. Duo saw the by play between Heero and Relena and thought *boy this guy IS cold*. After awhile the group settled down, the girls formed an animated group and started gossiping. The guys formed their own group and started to play jokes on each other.

Zechs did not join on the jokes but walked towards Heero. He stood beside him and whispered harshly, "You're help was not required! I was handling the problem…"

Heero narrowed his gaze and stood up, "You were more occupied with kissing Miss Noin than with Relena's safety."

"I was not!! You think you are the only one qualified to…" the argument continued but instead of raising their voices they lowered them in a more menacing way, so Duo could not overhear the rest of the argument.

*******
After more than a few beers Duo started to feel kind of mellow and his brain started to jump from one idea to another, as to how to use his new found knowledge to play a great prank on Heero.

Nobody can get to the guy; this would be so sweet. Maybe I could kidnap Relena, nah already been done, I can could get in serious trouble. It has to be something legal but that would annoy Heero. Hmm, I wonder how would Heero react if someone started to hit on Relena? Me, nah, too obvious, he would probably try to kill me outright. Mmmm something more subtle… Quatre!! Yeah, that's the right guy, yeah… and then Trowa, yes, yes I can see this, maybe Wufei later… nah too unbelievable, and then finally me… the piece of résistance, he, he. How to get Relena and the rest of the gang to cooperate? He pondered for a moment, LIE!!

Duo wondered towards Quatre who was getting more drinks. "Hey, Quatre-man, this was a great idea! Relena sure needs the support."

"What do you mean, Duo?" Quatre fell into place.

"Well, what with the tension between Heero and Relena…"

"They're having problems? I didn't know." Quatre frowned.

"Yeah, you saw the way he congratulated her. Pss, what a cold jerk. You know Quatre I think you should invite Relena to stay for a few days, she needs the R and R, plus the knowledge that WE care for her." Duo hinted.

"Hmm, I think you're right."

*He, he, now for the next step. Gain Zechs' support.*

**************

Heero frowned looking out of the shuttle's window and into the retreating colony. *Damn, something doesn't feel right. Why did Quatre invite her? He better protect her well. And that stupid brother of hers thought it was OK, like he had taken such good care of Relena in the past!* He leaned back, closed his eyes and told himself, *She_will_be_ok. Quatre is a smart guy plus he has the Maguanacs serving as security detail. She does need to relax for awhile…*

"Hey, Heero, mind if I sit with you?" Sally interrupted his thoughts.

Heero raised an eyebrow in question.

"That MAN is sulking again; I need to get away from him for a while, before I clobber him!"

Heero smirked and signaled the empty chair beside him.


________________________________________________________ ___________________



Every Breath You Take
Chapter 2

Relena awoke a little disconcerted, *Where am I today?* She yawned and looked around. *Ah, Quatre's house. Wasn't it sweet of him to invite me!* She looked at her teddy bear and smiled

"Well Yuy it looks like I get to be a regular person for a while."

*She talks to her teddy bear?! Well I talked to Deathscythe… hmm that bear must be a present from Heero, what a sneaky guy, a bear with a hidden camera plus a listening device.*

Relena moved out the camera's range for a moment and returned holding a necklace, she hooked it behind her neck and slipped it under her shirt. Duo frowned at his display, *Hmm another Heero gift, this one has a locating beacon plus a listening device, how thoughtful. I'll now where she is and what's being said, but I won't always be able to see.* Duo pondered. *This could actually work against Heero, he, he.* He smiled, the possibilities running through his mind.

Duo watched and listened for a while and started to get bored. She was just going through her morning rituals, and he hadn't even been able to have a peek at some skin. She slept with PJ's and dressed out of the stupid camera's range. *Injustice! That's what Wufei would said, but then again the guy was to 'honorable' to be doing this.* Duo felt a pang from his conscience, but quickly squelched it, *I'm not doing anything wrong, just having a little fun.*

**********
"Good morning, Quatre."

"Oh, good morning, Miss Relena, you could have slept some more if you wanted to."

Relena gave him a gentle smile, "I can't, I'm so used to waking up early that's nearly impossible for me. And Quatre, please, call me Relena."

"As you wish, come join me for breakfast." They sat in companionable silence and started eating.

"Relena, would you like to accompany me on a tour around the colony? I'll take you to my favorite spot."

"As long as there aren't a lot of people around, I need some peace myself."

*Booooriiing.* Thought Duo, *I'm going down to work.* Duo placed an earpiece similar to Heero's in his ear and went out to the yard to work. *I better hurry before Hilde catches me goofing off.*

*******
Quatre drove Relena around for awhile and ended at a park. The park was like a large garden with fountains, meandering lanes, and artificially created hills. It had been a gift from the Winner family to the colony, designed to give the colonists a taste of the Earth. Quatre had called in the morning to close down his favorite area. His security detail had gone through it with a fine comb and were now strategically and inconspicuously placed. No sense taking risks, Heero might be having problems with Relena but he didn't doubt that if something happened to her, Heero would have his head, without mentioning the mountain she had for a brother.

Quatre took Relena's hand to help her out of the car and didn't let go of it while they walked through the park. He needed the human touch and apparently so did Relena, who didn't make a move to disentangle herself. They walked in friendly companionship up a hill, where they sat down on the grass to enjoy the view.

"This is very beautiful Quatre, thank you for bringing me here."

"I'm glad you like it, I come here frequently to meditate."

Relena smiled, "Do you bring your girlfriends here too?"

Quatre blushed, "Don't tease Relena, the rumors of my many girlfriends are vastly exaggerated."

"Really? The most eligible bachelor in space having love problems?" Relena laughed.

Quatre looked thoughtful, "Don't laugh, is not easy to bear that title. Women throw themselves at me, for the money, power, because I was a Gundam pilot, fame… you name it; anything but for my true self. I'll admit I liked it at first, I'm human, but now it just feels empty."

Relena pondered for a while, "I know how you feel, a lot of men try to win my favor in hopes of influencing my opinions, to gain power… or because they feel that in me is the hope for peace. Sometimes… some times I wish… I could be free. Free from the responsibility, free to be a young woman, free to know that those around me truly care for me… not what they think I represent."

Quatre looked at her sad eyes and thought he knew what the problem with Heero and Relena was. Relena felt that Heero was with her just to protect the peace, and maybe she was right. A great sadness filled him.

"Relena… would you do me the honor of accompanying me tonight on a date? Just two regular people on a night out…"

Duo grinned under the scrap he was working on, *A date! Things are looking up!*

************
Heero sat around a table, surrounded by Zechs, Noin, Sally, Wufei and Lady Une. Lady Une was speaking.

"… but it's the Preventers job to do exactly that, to prevent. We can't just wait for some psychopath to start making trouble, we have to be able to pinpoint the possible troublemakers. I know that the information that we'll be compiling will be dangerous politically and it might in a way infringe on the privacy rights of many people. That is why I have chosen only this small group to do the investigation, no one else will be involved, you are the only ones that I can trust not to use this information for you own purposes."

Everyone remained silent for a moment, pondering the information.
"I don't have a problem with this." Heero said softly.

Lady Une smiled gratefully at him and looked around the table, everyone looked serious but they all silently accented. Lady Une let out air in relief and started to divide the workload.

Heero looked at his and smirked, he wouldn't mind dishing some dirt for some of these. Suddenly he tensed, *What the hell! A date! Quatre…* he growled inwardly, * you better not be thinking what I'm thinking.*

Every Breath You Take
Chapter 3

Reeeleeena! Hubba, hubba! I didn't know you had it in you! Yeah, baby!! I hope Quatre decides to dance something more than a Waltz tonight… Hey!! What's going on? Who turned off the lights? This stupid connection… what happened to that camera, why can't I see anything? Damn, damn… Let's see… ok this other camera works… Hmm, I wonder… let's go check on Heero.

Duo tapped some keys and got the camera's view of the Preventer's Meeting Room, where Heero, Wufei, Noin, Zechs and Sally sat, each with his own computer. He fiddled some more and got the view of two cameras, one was angled so that he could see Heero's face and the other one allowed him a partial view of Heero's computer screen. He zoomed in on the screen but could only see Quatre. But his suspicions were confirmed, Heero could see through that camera.

That selfish prick is blocking any access to that camera.

Ah, but the expression on Heero's face was priceless. He looked liked someone was poking him with a hot poker, red faced, eyes bulging and the mouth looked liked it could grind gundaniun.

He, he, the sufferings of the damned…

>>>>>>>>>>>>> >

Quatre felt overheated and started to pull on his shirt neck.

I'm doing this to help her, I shouldn't put the moves on her, she is off limits, she is off limits, she is off limits…, Oh Allah help me get through this night!

"Would you like something to drink? Champagne?"

"Yes, thank you."

Quatre called the waiter and asked for a bottle of champagne. The waiter, who recognized Quatre by sight, hurried to find the best of the house.

"Quatre, am I making you nervous?"

"No, no… well actually, yes!" stammered Quatre, "Don't take it wrong Relena but I guess that I still see you as Heero's girlfriend."

"I don't see why, Heero has never claimed me as his girlfriend, has he? Besides I don't think Heero would object to our friendly outing."

"Sorry, I guess your right. Would you like to dance?"

"I would be delighted," answered Relena in a humorous over polite tone.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>

Heero was choking. Not my girlfriend? Dammit we have an understanding! Not object? Grrr.

He tried to put things in perspective. Yes, technically she wasn't his girlfriend, but she loves me, dammit, she said so. Ok calm down, deep breathing, she just wants to have a little fun and relax. That's ok, it's okaaay. Quatre is a levelheaded guy, he won't do anything stupid… but that dress is going to the shredder as soon as I get my hands on it!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Duo was loudly guffawing in his room when Hilde passed beside his door.

"Duo! What are you doing in there? Are you reading does stupid comics again?"

Duo laughed even harder. "Yeah, Hilde you know how they crack me up!"

"Baka," murmured Hilde and continued to her room. When will that stupid idiot notice that I'm around?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>&g t;>>

After Quatre and Relena finished eating, they danced some more, until Relena was breathless with the effort and Quatre breathless from watching her.

They sat down, and Quatre stared at Relena's flushed happy face, at least he tried to stare at her face, her heaving flushed chest was even more inviting.

"That was great! You're a great dancer Quatre!"

"I get a lot of practice," he answered modestly.

"Ha, ha, you mean from all the debutantes you take out?" Relena teased.

"Something like that," his face flushed.

"Wow, I feel hot, let's go outside, I need some air."

Quatre stood up and offered his hand to Relena, once again they walked holding hands. They walked towards the gardens outside the restaurant. They had been designed to replicate the look of an ancient Roman temple, in keeping with the theme of the high class restaurant. The moon shone brightly and it's rays reflected from the small fountain besides which they stood, still holding hands. They stood in silence for awhile enjoying the beautiful view and the cool, fresh breeze.

Relena looked down at her reflection and almost did not recognize herself. Could this happy woman be her? When was the last time she felt so free?

"Thank you, Quatre. You have given me a very precious gift tonight."

Quatre looked at her with understanding and pulled her close to be embraced in his arms. "Believe me Relena, it has been my pleasure."

He kissed her hair and whispered, "You smell delicious."

Relena tensed and Quatre, chagrined, tried to step back but Relena took hold of him and wouldn't let go.

"I'm sorry…" Quatre began.

"It's not that… Oh just close your eyes…"

"What?"

"… It's my dress, it slipped down…"

Quatre felt himself go hot and cold.

____________________________________________________________ __________________________


Every Breath You Take
By Lady K

Chapter 4

>>>>>>>>

"AAAAAAHHHHHH! NOOOOOOOOOO!" Duo howled inside his room, "How could I've been so stupid!! Arg! I could kill myself!" He finished throwing himself headfirst unto his bed in utter frustration.

Duo, baby, you're slipping… this peace is making you soft. He berated himself. I should have seen that one coming and placed cameras outside. On second thought, maybe I couldn't have seen that one coming. Arg! … wait, Heero!!!

He jumped out of bed and went to take a look at Heero.

>>>>>>>>>

"Quatre!!!" cried Heero as he violently stood up overturning his chair and startling the rest of the room's occupants. Heero looked wildly around him as if searching for a target.

"Heero!! What is the matter with you?" Lady Une questioned him with urgency, afraid of the look that had come into his eyes.

Heero tried to regain control and to open his clenched mouth. "We need Quatre to come and help us right away." He spoke slowly and menacingly.

"Why? I think we're doing pretty well," answered Zechs in confusion.

Who asked you? Whispered Heero to himself, as he glared at Zechs for his interference.

"Why? Quatre owns half the colonies, he has access to all kinds of vital information."

"That's right Heero, but I didn't ask him to come, because I knew he was going to be busy taking care of Relena. If we ask him to come, who will watch over Relena during her vacation?" Lady Une asked calmly, as she tried to penetrate through Heero and understand his sudden outburst.

"Trowa, Trowa can watch her," replied Heero without thinking, as he rushed to grab the phone and call Quatre.

>>>>>>>>>

Quatre closed his eyes and tried not think about what was pressing against him. Think about what Heero would do to you if he ever found out. He felt his shirt being pulled out of his pants, Sorry, Heero, this is too much, I'm human dammit.

"Relena why are taking my shirt off?"

"I can't pull the dress up! It seems to be stuck." Her hands wandered trying to find the problem. But Quatre just felt her hand on his stomach and chest, the inevitable male reaction started to assert itself.

"Relena do you want me to help you?" he whispered huskily.

"No! Don't look down!" Relena's nervousness made her clumsy but she finally found the problem, one of Quatre's shirt buttons had become entangled with the decorations in front of the dress. She tried to pry it loose, but they were so close together and the dress was so tight that she couldn't. "On second thought, you better help me. Noo! Don't open your eyes! Just reach in my back and pull the zipper down."

Quatre's trembling fingers searched for the zipper and slowly like a caress slipped the zipper down. Relena involuntarily shuddered, her body wasn't as unaware as she wished to their position.

"Beep! Beep!"

"Damn! It's my comlink." Quatre reached into his pant pocket and retrieved the comlink while his other arm still embraced Relena.

"…. Heero!?" he said his voice strangling.

______________________________________________________ _______________________________

Every Breath You Take
Chapter 5

Quatre and Relena drove back in silence. Relena was still blushing in embarrassment and Quatre was trying to recover from the shock of Heero's untimely call. But perhaps it hadn't been untimely after all it had saved him from doing something that he might have regretted later and the emphasis was in might. Yes, it was better this way, he could tell by Relena's reaction to the name Heero that whatever problems they were having she still had feelings for him and he had his own feelings for someone in the past to settle first. He had lovers but their relationships were never too emotionally involved, with Relena anything would have to be very serious. This was one girl he couldn't play with.

When they arrived, Relena rushed to her room and Quatre went to the library for a drink to calm his nerves.

Relena entered her room and tried to contain her desire to cry. It had been so embarrassing, and then Heero's call had shaken her. What had she been about to do? She went inside the bathroom, drew herself a bath, undressed, took her necklace off and left it over the sink. She stepped into the tub and sank into the hot relaxing water.

She had felt Quatre's desire and this comforted her in away. I can be desired and loved. She knew that Quatre didn't love her at least not in that way. But he had desired her. Why can't I elicit that response from Heero? She closed her eyes and tried not to think.

>>>>>>>>

Relena tried to sleep but could not. So she decided to get some milk, she put a robe and wandered around in the mansion looking for the kitchen. She finally found it but in it was Quatre sitting on a small table drinking some tea. Quatre stood up and wandered if he should leave and avoid embarrassing Relena any further.

Relena stared at him for a moment and then her face started to twitch.

"I'm sorry… I'll go.."

Ha, ha, ha.. Relena started to laugh uncontrollably, "no… don't…. he, he, he, oh Quatre, it's ok. I don't feel embarrassed anymore. He, he, it was very funny if you look at it from a certain perspective."

Quatre smiled nervously at first but ended up being caught up in Relena's laughter.

"It certainly was a memorable night," commented Quatre, making Relena laugh even more.

"…Heero's call, oh god," she gasped, "I thought I was going to die when I heard you say his name!"

Quatre laughed harder. "Nooo! The one who was in fear of being killed was me!! I almost had a heart attack."

They kept going like this, for awhile, remembering and guffawing about the different events.

When they both calmed down, they felt incredibly relaxed.

"Quatre, thank you, it really was a great evening."

"One we both won't forget, that's for sure."

They both grinned, hugged and said their good nights. Relena returned to her room and saw her necklace on the bathroom sink. She took it in her hands, stared at it and whispered, 'Oh, Heero, I wish… someday…" She sighed, put the pendant on and went to sleep.

Meanwhile Quatre conferred with Rashid and made a special request.

>>>>>>>>>>

Duo wondered how to best tackle the present problem. The circus had no security cameras and he would only have the few glimpses from the bear and the sound from the necklace. But he wanted images.

I've got it! I'll place cameras all over the circus, no sense in repeating last night's mistake. But what's the point if I see and Heero doesn't. I won't be able to torture him like that. Hmmm… I could tell Heero about the cameras, but how? without incurring into some suspicion. And how can I place the cameras without Trowa's noticing?

He was confident in his stealth skills, but Trowa wasn't a Gundam pilot for nothing, he would notice. And then the solution came to him, he would tell Trowa about the cameras and say it was Heero's idea and he would tell Heero about the cameras and say it was Trowa's idea. He, he, aren't I a little devil.

Duo waited until Heero had called Trowa telling him about his new duties, then he took the next shuttle to L3. He didn't get any sleep. He hoped Trowa did something worthwhile he was going to a lot of trouble for this.

In the morning he called Heero.

"Good morning Heero!!" he tried to sound as cheery as possible. "How ya doing?"

"What do you want, Duo?" mumbled Heero, who hadn't slept much either.

"Just wanted to inform you that I complied with Trowa's request and placed security cameras all over the circus."

"Security cameras?"

"Yeah, to make sure of security for Relena."

"I see. What's the access code?"

He, he, hooked!! "Worried about security?"

"I'm in charge of her security, it's my responsibility."

"Sure, sure. Ok, the code is …"

>>>>>>>>>

Quatre took Relena in his private shuttle to L3. They talked companionably during the trip making the time pass quickly.

When they arrived a limo, that Quatre had ordered, was expecting them. Trowa was also expecting them, leaning on the limo.

Before they joined Trowa, Quatre took Relena's hand and held her back.

"Relena, you have thanked me for the time we've spent together. But is I that should be thankful. I have a gift for you but I want you to open later, when your alone." Quatre produced a small wrapped box and placed it on the hand he held.

"Oh, Quatre," Relena hugged him, "Thank you."

They went to greet Trowa who stared at them in some confusion. Duo had told him that Relena was having problems with Heero, was she now getting involved with Quatre?

"Well, Trowa, she is now your responsibility, if you don't take good care of her, it'll be your head on Heero's platter." Trowa understood the implicit message. They were not involved, Relena still belonged to Heero.

>>>>>

Trowa and Relena rode the limo in an uncomfortable silence. Relena felt like an unwanted package that had been passed to an unwilling receptor. Trowa wondered what he was supposed to do with her.

What was Heero thinking? A circus is no place for a princess. She'll bored out of her mind after watching the show twice. And what am I supposed to do with her between shows? What kind of vacation was this?

"You know Trowa, I could go somewhere else… I know this is an imposition. And I really don't want to be a bother."

Trowa considered how to respond without offending, not knowing how, decided to be blunt. "You're not unwanted here Relena, it's just that I don't know how to keep you entertained. I'm sure you'll enjoy watching the show once or twice but after that… well there aren't many surprises. And between the shows we have a lot of work to do, practicing, cleaning, etc."

Relena considered this for awhile and decided, "When I was a little girl my adoptive parents took me to the circus and I remember wishing I could go with them, it seemed so exciting. I won't mind staying if you're sure I won't be a bother. As a matter of fact, I'd liked to help, maybe even participate if you show me how to do something."

Trowa looked at her incredulous. "You! Participate? I don't think that…"

"I was the captain of the gymnastic team at my school, I'm not completely useless you know."

"That's not what I meant, I mean… Heero wouldn't like it."

Relena glared at him, "Heero IS NOT my boss. Besides he doesn't have to know."

Trowa thought about the security cameras Duo had installed and wisely chose to remain silent.

>>>>>>>>>

Relena sat inside the tent that she would share with Catherine and opened Quatre's gift. Inside she found a heart locket, intricately designed in what seemed to be Arabic symbols. She opened the locket to discover a small picture of Quatre smiling and a shirt button glued to the other side with the inscription "To a Memorable Night". Laughter bubbled out and she found herself laughing alone like loon. She removed the necklace that Heero had given her and saved it on her small jewelry box. Then she took the heart locket and placed it around her neck.

Duo saw the interchange of the necklaces, he couldn't understand the reason for Relena's laughter but he quickly understood something else, now he would be able to see but not hear. Damn you, Quatre.

In Preventer HQ, Heero had a stronger reaction to the visuals. He had been replaced. Quatre, your dead.

>>>>>>>>>

Heero's patented deathglare was in evidence for the next week and Quatre promptly developed a sixth sense to Heero's presence and managed to avoid him for the most part. Guilt feelings had stopped him from talking to Heero but he finally decided to end the animosity. It was obvious that Heero had managed to learn some part of what had happened and was out to get him. And in the best interest, of his hopefully prolonged life, he had to let Heero know that he had no designs on Relena, as long as she was his girl that is.

Heero, for his part, had managed to calm down some, he couldn't hear what Relena was doing but he could see her. And her activities were mostly harmless. She had been practicing some gymnastics, rope balancing, helping around on the circus, and other boring stuff. To his surprise, she had managed to integrate pretty well with the circus and no one seemed to recognize her. And Trowa, not like some other back stabbing soon to be dead ex-friend, was not putting the moves on Relena. He would have been completely calm if it wasn't for the fact that Relena kept wearing that stupid locket.

The confrontation came that afternoon, Quatre had finished practicing his fencing with a junior Preventer officer and had started to take the guards off when Heero entered. Quatre paled, this was not the place he had hoped to use to settle his differences with Heero.

"So, Quatre did you enjoy your date with Relena?"

The conversation did not start very well.

"Heero… I… ah…," Quatre struggled to find the words to defuse a potentially lethal situation, "Look, I don't know what you saw, heard, or well, was told but the date was just a friendly outing. Relena is a beautiful, intelligent, young woman and I'm not going to lie and say I was not attracted to her but our friendship is more important, I would not do anything to jeopardize it. I know that she loves you and apparently you love her too. I wish you both the best."

Heero remained silent and Quatre sweated for awhile, wondering if he should flee, beg or fight. Finally something seemed to have been resolved in Heero's mind and he nodded to Quatre, turned around and left. Quatre sighed in relief. My life span has been extended.

Heero walked away wondering where he had failed when he gave the necklace to Relena. She had seemed very happy at the time, why then had she replaced it so easily. Was he losing ground? Arg, this should not matter to me. It will not matter!

>>>>>>>>>

Duo's week was riddled with frustration. All that work for nothing! Trowa is colder than Heero. Come on Relena, work you charm! Go buy another one of those dresses, I deserve another chance to watch it slip!

He had gotten so bored that he had stopped monitoring Heero's action. He had hoped for a big blow up between him and Quatre but had been disappointed, this miscalculation made him miss the confrontation at the fencing gym. But life was soon to get better for Duo.

>>>>>>>>

After a week of helping in the circus, Relena started to get comfortable in her role. Trowa and Catherine had helped her disguise herself somewhat . A change of hair style, different clothing and nobody recognized her as Relena Dorlian, Vice Foreign Minister. Nobody would have connected a circus worker with the former Queen of the World.

It was just another night after a performance when they would sit in the trailer, talk, play some board games, and give Relena another headache. She was tired of the subtle jibes between Catherine and Trowa. It was obvious they had feelings for each other. But they seemed to keep trying to get into each others nerves with the Sis and Little Brother stuff. So, that night, Relena followed Trowa out of the tent and talked to him.

"Trowa, is Catherine your real sister?" she innocently asked.

"No, she gave us that relationship as a cover when I had amnesia."

"Oh, but why do you guys keep calling yourselves as such, do you like her as a sister?"

"Relena, are you trying to make a point here?" The questions were irritating Trowa.

"Well there's no point in being subtle! Was the matter with you? If you like her, tell her! I know how it feels when you love someone and that person is oblivious to you."

"It's not as easy as you think. She's the one who has placed these barriers between us. I don't know if she's afraid I'll leave, our age difference makes her uncomfortable or she simply loves me as a brother and feels sorry for me. What do you want me to do?"

"Well… you know, I've always wondered if I could make Heero finally expose his feelings towards me if he got some competition but I've never seemed to manage. Any guy that comes near me Heero manages to intimidate with just one look. But this might work for Cathy, maybe if we pretended to have something she would react. What do you think, is she an emotional person?"

Trowa considered the idea and remembered the time Catherine had punched him. She was a strong woman, this could backfire, but hey, what did he have to loose? Then he remembered the cameras and grinned inwardly, well if it didn't work for him it might work for Relena. He looked at Relena, and once again considered if he should tell her about the cameras. Nah!

>>>>>>>>>

_______________ ___________________________________________________________________

Every Breath You Take
Chapter 6


Catherine looked around the corner, what is that hussy talking about with Trowa? Since Relena's arrival the tension between Trowa and herself had increased, and this worried Catherine. For the first time Catherine worried about their age difference. Is he interested in that girl? It was obvious that Relena was interested, the way her eyes had glazed when Trowa had gone shirtless had given her away, Catherine had wanted to smack her. She had hoped that Miss High Class would soon feel uncomfortable and leave, but her wishes hadn't come to pass, on the contrary, every day she fitted better. And now your following MY guy. Grrr. "Relena want to help me with target practice?" Catherine whispered in a sugary voice and smiled at the prospect of having Relena on her sights.

>>>>>>>>

The next morning, Trowa and Relena spent the day close together, Trowa started teaching her a high wire act, in which he walked the high wire while holding Relena. Relena kept making Trowa lose his balance and they would fall to the net below, fortunately the net was close and instead of being scared Relena found it amusing. Every time they fell, Trowa would protect her with his body and carry a giggling Relena out.

Relena found that flirting with Trowa was no hardship, the guy had a great body and beneath his usual solemn expression, he had a great sense of humor. Heero, only taller and with a great sense of humor, came the unbidden thought.

Trowa found Relena refreshing and was surprised to discover her wicked sense of humor. No, it certainly wasn't a hardship to flirt with her or feel her womanly body pressing him every time they fell. Knowing that Heero was watching just added the cherry on top of this delicious banana split.

Catherine's take on the situation was not so benevolent, She's falling on purpose! She kept throwing knives to the blank target area picturing Relena there.

>>>>>>>

Better, but not good enough. Thought Duo when he had the chance to escape and take a peek as his computer. Hilde had gotten on her female brain to reorganize the shop and was giving him little time to keep tabs on Relena/Trowa and Heero. Not having the sound link was a great disadvantage, but he did not have an excuse to go back and place one. Come on! Trowa you can do better!

>>>>>>

Et tu Brutus? Will my best friend hit on Relena too? Who does he think is watching the vidlinks? Heero tortured himself in silence. After the debacle with Quatre he had regained his exterior control, but his insides where more weary of any moves made by his 'friends' towards Relena. What do they think this is? Open season for Relena hunting?

>>>>>>>>

After they got tired of 'practicing' the high wire act, Trowa asked Relena to accompany him to the Lions cage.

"Oh, Trowa they are so beautiful, but is so sad that they are caged. I guess they can't be released."

"I'm afraid not, they have lost the instincts to survive in the wild. Sometimes I'm afraid that something like that will happen to me."

"What do you mean?"

"That I will lose my instinct to fight."

Relena considered his words and wondered if this could be true. "Would, not fighting, be so bad."

"Do you want to go inside the cage and touch them?"

"Huh? Me?"

"Are you afraid?"

"Yes!" They stared at each other.

"Do you trust me Relena?"

"Yes…"

Trowa unlocked the cage and extended his hand towards Relena. Relena placed her hand in his, Trowa gave it a gentle squeeze and they both entered the cage. Relena tried to remain behind him but he pulled her beside him, as he slowly propelled them closer to the lions. With his free hand he touched his old friends, then he pulled Relena's hand to touch the lion.

"Oh, Trowa!"

Trowa sat down on the cage's floor, still holding on to Relena's hand. Relena looked at the dirty floor and scrunched her nose in disgust.

"You can sit in my lap if you want to," smirked Trowa.

Relena looked at him, "Are you daring me?"

Trowa shrugged uncommitted and to his surprise Relena sat on top of him. His hands instinctively went around her waist to hold her to him. Relena smiled in triumph.

Maybe this hadn't been such a good idea! Catherine was always hovering, he couldn't get to her but she didn't let him get to anyone else either. Having a beautiful, friendly, young woman in his lap was beyond tempting. He tried to think about something else, like the cameras that could be watching and Heero's temper.

"Do you want to fight, Trowa?"

"No, but I don't want to end like my friends here with no freedom. Do you think that fighting is always wrong."

"No, I believe in avoiding useless fighting but I have learned that sometimes you have to fight no matter how much you try to avoid it."

"You've grown up." And in more ways than that, thought Trowa ruefully, feeling her delicious derriere on top of him. He raised his hand to his hair and caressed it. "You're right, sometimes you shouldn't fight, in others fight and in others still you should just surrender."

I'm sorry Heero, I surrender, his head closed the distance between them and Relena met him halfway. The kiss was more sweet than passionate but they both left it a little breathless.

Silent tears rolled down Relena's eyes and Trowa gently wiped her soft cheeks. "Shh, it will be okay. It will be okay."

"I know Trowa, don't worry… it's just so sad… we both love other people and yet we find ourselves alone and in need of a loving gesture."

Relena stood up and Trowa followed. They exited the cage and walked holding hands and in silence to the main circus tent.

>>>>>>>

Duo arrived to watch the screens and found an interesting scene.

Whoa! What did I miss? What's Relena doing in Trowa's lap? He, he, finally some action! Oooo… they're kissing! Where are you Heero? He searched the different Preventer cameras but couldn't find him. Damn, what's the point if you're not watching. Hellooo!! Get back to your computer Heero, your friend is kissing your non-girlfriend! Arg, Quatre! This is your fault, why couldn't you give her a bracelet or something!

Duo went back to the circus cameras and looked for the lovey pair. "Shit!! Shit!! Heero where the fuck are you? Shit! Relena is in danger!!!" He stared impotently at the screen as a group of six big guys surrounded Trowa and started throwing punches. "Yeah! Trowa kick their ass! Watch it, watch it!! Oh shit! Yeah, yeah, that's it kick him, kick him! Whoa, Relena be careful!" He watched as Relena took what appeared to be a pipe holding the side of the tent stiff, and swung it at the back of one of the attackers. "Good for you Relena!" The fight was soon over and Duo sighed it relief. He watched as Trowa walked away limping and leaning on Relena.

>>>>>>>>

"What the HELL happened to you?" yelled Catherine.

"We were attacked by six trouble makers…" began Relena.

Catherine rounded on Relena and kept yelling, "This is your fault! He was protecting you, wasn't him? You should go back to your fancy life and leave him alone!"

"Catherine! That's enough!" Trowa scowled at Catherine. "This is certainly NOT her fault, they were just some drunks looking for trouble. As a matter of fact Relena helped me, which is more than what you're doing right now!"

Catherine looked close to tears so Relena, ever the diplomat, interfered, "Catherine, we can discuss this later, but Trowa needs to put that foot in ice to stop the swelling…"

"I know what to do!" Catherine huffed and left in search of ice. At her return, she bandaged Trowa's cuts and placed the foot in ice. "Well, I guess our show is ruined tonight."

" I could take Trowa's place in the knife throwing act, I don't have to do anything, just stand there."

"No!" said Trowa.

"Yes!" said Catherine, yes, definitively yes!

_____________________________________________________________ ______________________

Every Breath You Take
Chapter 7


Relena rushed out of Trowa's tent to find a costume to wear for the act.

"Catherine… don't forget who she really is."

"I wish I could!"

"I'm responsible for her safety."

"Are you accusing me of something? Do you think me capable of hurting her?!" Catherine's voice kept escalating.`

Trowa's voice remained level and reasonable, "I'm just saying that your animosity towards her has been obvious and I wouldn't want a slip of the fingers in a fit of jealousy."

"I'm not jealous!" Catherine stormed out.

Trowa smiled to himself. Why are you so angry then? You can't excuse this with concern for my life! Catherine… could it be that you love me too? Hmm., if this was Catherine's reaction, I wonder what's Heero's, I'm sure he saw the kiss. Trowa looked at his watch, hmm, he should be arriving in about an hour after the show to kill me. The thought of this did not perturb Trowa but made his smile widen.

>>>>>>>>>

Relena wondered about the wisdom of putting herself in this position, she was spread in eagle and looking down at a very angry woman, who seemed intent on killing her. It had seemed so easy when Trowa did it! But her stomach was tied up in knots, I don't wanna die like this! Dressed like a clown and in front of a crowd! Oh, Heero where are you when I need you?

Another knife whisked impossibly closed and stuck close to her right hand. Catherine's grin made Relena want to cry. She knows I'm suffering!

Catherine was giddy with the exhilaration, Oh, yes! Nothing can beat throwing knifes at your competition! She didn't really mean to hurt her but she was sure enjoying torturing her, the fear in her eyes was balm to her wounded pride.

An then the last knife was thrown, falling so close to Relena's face that the crowd was stunned into silence. When locks from Relena's hair fell to the ground the crowd came out of itss stupor and howled in appreciation.

Relena felt as if she was about to faint, she didn't think she could walk and curtsy, her legs felt like jelly. Catherine took her hand, pulled her to the spotlight and curtsied. Relena just stumbled after her and could just barely stand, forget about the curtsy. The ringmaster could see that the girl was shaken so he quickly took the spotlight for himself and announced the next act.

Catherine felt a little guilty, at least enough to help the shaken Relena back to the trailer.

>>>>>>

Trowa felt his presence immediately and opened his eyes to greet his visitor. He stood up, but that wasn't a good idea, the visitor just closed on him and punched him in the stomach, hard. Trowa grunted and the fight was on. When Catherine and Relena arrived they were wrestling on the floor. Trowa was in disadvantage, after all he hadn't the time to recuperate from the last toss up.

Catherine rushed to the scene, grabbed a stool and hit the attacker in the back, he quickly slumped.

"Trowa! Are you okay?" Catherine then ran to Trowa and tried to help him back to the bed.

Relena remained in shock until she recognized the attacker, "Heeeroooo! Catherine, how could you?" She sank to the floor and cradled Heero's head to her chest. Heero opened his eyes and glared at Catherine.

"How could I? How could I? You… you…," she pointed at Heero, "Trowa gets hurt protecting YOUR girlfriend and then you dare to come here and attack him? Arg! Take her and get OUT of here!!"

Heero considered getting up and continuing the fight, but he felt too comfortable nuzzling to Relena's chest, besides strategically his mission had been accomplished, Relena had rushed to his side not Trowa's, who was in worst shape. Yup! This was a mission complete.

>>>>>>

After Relena had taken a leaning Heero out of Trowa's trailer, Catherine rounded on Trowa, "YOU, you were fighting for her, weren't you? Are you nuts? She is not one of us! Where you planning on leaving with her? And now look at you! You won't be able to work for a week…"

Trowa stood up grabbed Catherine and kissed her hard.

Catherine sputtered, "What? What are you…?"

"Shut up, Catherine," he kissed her hard again and pushed her towards the bed. He kept kissing her while he sat astride of her. He slowly lifted her hands and tied them with one of the silk scarves that he had for magic tricks. He then tied the scarf to the top of the bed. Catherine's emotions were in such turmoil that she didn't realize what he was doing, until he stopped kissing her and quickly moved to grab one of her ankles, which he tied too, following with the next one.

"Catherine… you have been a naughty girl… I think you need to be punished…," whispered Trowa in her ear. Catherine's eyes widened in a mixture of fear and passion.

>>>>>>>

Relena gently helped Heero to lie down on the bed. "Don't worry Heero, I'll change and pack up quickly. I want to get away from that loony too."

Heero remained still with his eyes closed. Relena softly kissed him in his brow and went to change. She started to strip behind a screen, Heero peeked under his eyelashes watching with interest the silhouette formed on the screen. After changing, she quickly started throwing her clothing inside her suitcases.

When she got to her jewelry box she hesitated for a moment. She sat down in front of the dresser and took off the locket that Quatre had given her, she opened it and smiled at the memory and then gently put it the jewelry box. She took out the necklace that Heero had given her and put it on.

Heero who had been spying through his eyelashes felt victorious once again. Yes… mission complete.

>>>>>>>>>

Once in the shuttle, Relena thought for a while and asked him, "Heero, why where you fighting with Trowa?"

"He wasn't protecting you adequately, those ruffians shouldn't have been able to get so close."

"Hmm, I see." She pondered this for some time.

"How's the job going? Any problems?"

Heero relaxed, obviously she had believed his explanation. "No, no problems, just a lot of boring research," he reassured her.

"Oh!" Relena smiled a little, "Heero?"

"What?"

"How long does it take to fly from the Earth to this colony?"

Heero sensed a trap, but couldn't put his finger on it. "About three hours."

"I see… then how could you tell that Trowa wasn't taking good care of me, the fight with the ruffians was about two hours ago, you would have been in mid-flight?"

Every Breath You Take
Chapter 8
>>>>>

Heero understood the trap completely now, he couldn't say that there had been problems at headquarters - he'd already said that everything was ok. And obviously he had been in route when the fight was in progress…

"Err… , you know Relena I have a terrible headache I think I'm going to drink some painkillers and take a nap."

Heero moaned when he stood up and stumbled a little, Relena immediately stood up to assist him. She help him reach the cabin, helped him to bed, covered him with a blanket and went to fetch the painkillers and a glass of water. She gave him the pills with the water and Heero drank them. He closed his eyes and restrained himself from any expression when Relena leaned over and kissed his brow.

*That was close!* He congratulated himself on the avoidance of a dangerous subject. *Might as well take a nap, now that I can sleep with no worries of some 'friend' helping Relena.*

*Poor Heero, he must have a terrible headache after Trowa pounded on him, and then that psycho Catherine bashing him with a stool. What does Trowa see in her? I wanted to help him get the girl, but gads maybe that wasn't such a great idea.*

Relena left Heero alone and went to sit on the control room while she reviewed in her mind the events of the last two weeks. There was something nagging her, some detail that she wasn't seeing, it eluded her for most of the trip. When she finally felt that it was becoming clearer the shuttle's computer announced their proximity to the Earth's atmosphere and Heero immediately appeared to take control of the shuttle. Whatever picture she was forming flew out of her head as she admired Heero's dexterity in managing the shuttle's entry and landing on Earth.

>>>>>>>

*Headache, my ass! Oi, Relena he deserves this, the way he suckers you! Agh!*

But Relena wasn't the only one considering the events of the past two weeks, Duo was also considering what his next move should be or if there should be a next move. He didn't get to see or hear the fight between Trowa and Heero but he could well imagine it. Heero might be exaggerating but he had received his helping of blows, that was obvious, and Trowa couldn't be in better shape.

*Poor Trowa, I guess Catherine must be nursing the poor guy, they haven't come out of that tent in hours. Well, he asked for it! What could have possessed Trowa? He knew there where cameras everywhere!*

*Now what should I do? I don't want to end bludgeoned by Heero! And by now he's not only in the defensive but in the offensive against anyone getting close to Relena, I don't have an excuse for going over there… hum… besides I'm kind of obvious, maybe I should let the guy rest for awhile, yeah! Let him get overconfident again and then wham! Hit Relena with my irresistible charm. He, he, that's it.*

>>>>>>>>

Relena got settled on the Preventers HQ, the first few days where interesting but now she was bored mindless. *What kind of vacation is this?* But the forced inactivity gave her more time to observe the behavior of others and to consider once again that nagging feeling at the back of her mind.

Heero seemed to be trying to keep her away from Quatre, and Quatre was avoiding her like the flu. Why? At first she felt hurt by Quatre's seeming rejection but soon realized that it was Heero's fault, he would glare at Quatre whenever he came between ten feet of her. Could Quatre have told him about the dress incident? Not possible, Quatre was a gentleman he would never comment something like that, specially not with Heero.

And then the pattern took meaning.

Quatre had received a sudden call from Heero needing assistance. Heero was angry with Quatre and wouldn't let him get close to her.

Heero had gone to pick her up without an explanation, why? He had fought with Trowa, why? He had known about the drunks attacking them, how? Had Trowa told him?

Heero always knew when she was in trouble…

*Heero has been spying on me!! Arggg!!! But how?*

Relena knew she needed help with this, but who could she trust? Her brother? Nah, he might be involved, he was kind obsessive with security too. Wufei? Not approachable. Lady Une… yeah! She wasn't one to comment, and she might know about Heero's spying if not, she would know how to get the info.

>>>>>>>

"Lady Une is there a secure room in this building?"

"A secure room? I'd liked to think every room is secure here."

"No, I mean a room where you go to discuss the most sensitive stuff, a room with no bugs."

"Every room is continually swept for bugs but… I think I know what you mean. We have a room that blocks any transmission in or out. Is that what your asking?"

"Yes, that's exactly it! I need to discuss something with you of a very secret nature and I want to be assured of complete privacy."

Lady Une stared at her for awhile, "I see. Well follow me."

>>>>>>>

The next day Lady Une had news for Relena. "Relena would you please accompany me to the 'secure room.'"

Relena nodded and silently followed her. Once inside the room Lady Une sat opposite Relena and wondered how to best impart the news she had. She had already decided to tell her, she owed her the truth, she owed her many things. She inhaled deeply for strength and began.

"Relena, I don't know how to best tell you but I have confirmed your fears, Heero does spy on you but that's not all. I followed the links, he has a transmitter on your person, probably in a piece of jewelry, that one transmits your location and any sound it senses. There is another that captures images, sound and location. That one seems to be in your bedroom, specifically in your bed."

Relena cringed.

"There's more…"

"More?"

"Yes, I did complete search of the system and it seems that someone else has broken into Heero's surveillance and is also receiving the sound and images."

"Who?"

"Duo Maxwell"

"Duo? Duo is in on it with Heero?!"

"I wouldn't say that, is more like Duo is spying on you AND Heero. I'll show you, Duo saved some of the images."

Lady Une took some pictures out of an envelope she carried, and spread them on the table.

"I organized them by date and time, you can see it at the bottom of the picture."

Relena looked at the pictures and blushed. The first one was a picture of her on the restaurant taken from above and displaying a large amount of her chest. The next one was about two hours later of Heero's enraged face. She blushed again remembering the dress and the garden.

*Oh god! Heero knows about that! No wonder Quatre's on his death list.*

Then came the picture of her sitting on Trowa's lap and kissing. *Shit! No wonder he was pounding on Trowa!*

"Relena, what do you want to do about this?"

"I need to analyze this, Lady Une. I can't reach a decision right now but for now let's continue as if nothing has happened."

"Very well. But I want you to consider that even though I know this must have upset you, my analysis of the situation is that Heero has a surveillance on you to protect you, and from his reaction to these past few weeks, I'd say that he has personal feelings towards you too. Duo… I just think he's doing this for some perverted sense of humor he has, not to harm you."

"Thank you, Lady Une. I will consider your words." Relena walked stiffly away to her room.

*Heero! I'm going make you pay for this!*


Every Breath You Take
Chapter 9
By Lady K

>>>>

Relena excerpted a large amount of self control to keep herself from flinging on the bed and sobbing. Knowing that the traitorous teddy bear was there helped too. She walked with deliberation to the vanity, sat on the upholstered chair, and stared at herself in the mirror. She slowly put her hand on the back of her neck and unhooked the necklace storing it on her jewelry box. She then went to the bathroom and opened the shower in hopes of drowning any noise. And then she gave in to her tears.

*How could you? I loved those gifts so much… I thought you had given them to me as a show of affection, but they were just another ruse for you to keep tabs on me… Oh Heero!*

She opened the tub's faucet and closed the shower. *Might as well give myself a good soak in hot water to relax, besides I do my best thinking in a tub.*

She added some smelly salts, rose oil, and sank in the comforting foam. *I talked to that stupid bear and told him all kinds of secrets!* Relena's self-pity started to evaporate in the presence of a mounting anger. Heero knew all her secrets, the jerk had listened to her most intimate conversations, she had told the bear about her love for Heero… *Grrr… Heero I'm going to make you sorry!* He must have laughed his ass off listening to her. And Duo! How long had that perv been looking in too! *Shit! How many times have I undressed in front of that stupid bear!! You're so going to pay for this!*

But how, how to make them pay? She had to find a way. After an hour soaking in hot water that had turned lukewarm by now, Relena had a pretty well formed idea as how to get her revenge on those two jerks. But she was going to need some reinforcements and she knew the right person for the job.

>>>>>

"Hey Duo get up! I made you breakfast!"

"Duo!! Will you get_up!! If it gets cold, you'll be sorry!"

"Hold your horses, I'm coming!"

Hilde served him a plate of chocolate chip pancakes.

"Yummy!! My favorite! Oh Hilde you're a doll!" Duo started eating a little too enthusiastically.

Beep, beep!!

"I'll get it," said Hilde as she gradbed the phone, "Hello! … Oh, Hi! How you been? … Yeah, everything's ok over here… no… really? … sure I would love to go with you… well, I'll ask Duo… sure… thanks for inviting me…bye."

"Who was that?" mumbled Duo, with his mouth full.

"Duo don't talk with your mouth full! It was Relena she is inviting me to accompany her on her vacation. She seems to be bored. I wouldn't mind having some time off myself."

Duo frowned trying to analyze any negative repercussions to his little scheme. But he couldn't find any holes in it. Hilde might inadvertently help but just in case he better go with her.

"I think your right Hilde, we both need some time off. Pack your bags baby we're going on vacation."

"Err… Duo, Relena invited me."

"What are you saying, you don't want me to go?" Duo stared at her with wounded puppy eyes.

"Duo, it's just… it's a girl thing."

"Humph, I wasn't planning on hanging out with you, I wanted to spend some time with MY friends."

Now it was Hilde's turn to feel hurt, but she tried to disguise it, so she turned around and went for the fridge. *Yeah, I know Duo, you just keep me around for the work I do. I really don't mean anything to you, you just feel sorry for me…* Hilde wished that someday he would notice her as a woman but she couldn't make the first move, it wouldn't be fair to pressure him into something out of pity.

*Damn, that came out wrong! When will that stupid woman notice me. I'm cute, charming, funny, manly, handsome… hey, I'm a great catch! Shit, I wish I could let go and make a pass at her.* But Duo felt that he couldn't take advantage of her in that way, she might leave and that would be even worse. He had decided to wait until she made a move in interest. *Damn, it's hard to be noble!*

>>>>>>>>

"Hilde! I'm so glad you came! Duo! What a surprise!" *Yeah right! I knew you wouldn't be able to stay away, you snooping jerk!*

"Come on, I'll show you your rooms."

>>>>>>>>>

Relena knocked on Hilde's door. "Hey Hilde want to go to the pool with me."

"Come in Relena, give me a sec while I change."

Later inside the pool…

"This is great! Thanks again for inviting me, Relena."

"Hilde I want to talk to you about something, you must promise that you won't say a word to anyone. Only Lady Une knows about it. And you must also promise to keep your face neutral." Relena whispered.

"What?"

"Shsh… Someone is spying on me, but here in the pool they can only see us."

"I see," Hilde whispered back trying not to look around, "But who?"

"Heero and Duo."

Hilde had to work real hard to keep her expression serene, "You're kidding!"

"I'm afraid not, apparently Heero started and then… "
………

"I can't believe it."

"Hilde, will you help me to get back at them?"

"Count me in! What should we do first?"

Relena smiled evilly, "He, he, we are going shopping!"

>>>>>>>>

The next day they were prepared for their first step. Relena wore her necklace, she wanted Heero to hear.

"Come on Hilde, let's go, we both need a change of wardrobe."

"You're right Relena, I'm tired of wearing stained jeans and t-shirts."

"And I'm tired of all this dignified outfits of Vice Minister, I want some feminine stuff, at least for when I'm on vacation."

And so Duo's and Heero's torture began. Relena and Hilde shopped all day picking the most revealing and tight clothing they could find, high heels, makeup and some great looking underwear. They were preparing for battle as every woman knows how. They were going to hit them hard AND below the belt.

>>>>>>

Everyone was working at Preventer's HQ so Duo joined in to keep himself occupied. He sat facing Heero with a computer of his own. But he wasn't getting much work done, he was too busy following Relena and Hilde and breaking into the security cameras of the stores. He was getting a headache trying to control himself.

*My god! What kind of clothes are that? Hilde what are you doing? And why may I ask are you buying those sexy panties?* His imagination was running too fast down the gutter. *Never thought Relena could be such a bad influence on you. I shouldn't have let you come here.*

Heero couldn't believe his eyes, he had already destroyed the dress from the Quatre fiasco, but now she was buying a whole wardrobe of completely inappropriate clothing. Those supposed skirts hardly covered her panties, and the panties… *grr* And all the tops left half her breasts exposed, and the new bras weren't helping, on the contrary, they seemed to be trying to get them out of the shirt.

*Well, maybe she's trying to catch my attention,* Heero tried to console himself, *And that Hilde, never thought she would be such a bad influence on Relena. I'll have to find away to get rid of her and Duo.*

>>>>>>>>>

Relena and Hilde came back wearing some of their new clothes, to Heero's and Duo's chagrin. And to the delight of every other male in the vicinity, including Quatre, who couldn't find the way to close his mouth, until Heero looked at him, and then quickly found himself REALLY busy with his computer.

"Wow! We're beat! Come on, Hilde, let's take a relaxing swim in the pool." Relena gave Hilde the secret code for a private conversation, the pool being the only place she felt safe to talk without being heard of attracting suspicion.

"Sounds great, let me change." Hilde followed

At the pool…

"I think that went well."

"Well? I think it was great! I've never seen Duo look at me that way. He, he, I thought he was going to keel over! And did you see the look Heero gave Quatre? Ha, ha, poor guy!"

"Yes, it went very well. I think we're ready for our next step."

>>>>>>>>>


Every Breath You Take
Chapter 10
By Lady K

Relena entered the room where the Preventers where working, late in the afternoon. She was wearing a micro mini black skirt, leather boots, and a red halter top. Zechs was about to jump from his seat but Noin with a woman's intuition stopped him. Zechs glared at Noin but contained himself. *How dare she come in here dressed that way?* His gaze fell upon Heero's reddening face and felt better.

Heero felt that his hard earned control would be lost. *If she thinks I'm going to take her out dressed that way!! Well, she's going to get a…*

"Hi everyone!" Relena cheerfully greeted them, "Boy, you guys need to take a break!"

*Yeah, I need to take a break at your new wardrobe,* thought Heero with evil intentions.

Relena placed a hand on Duo's shoulder, "Well, what do you say braid-boy, wanna go out with me?"

The pencil in Heero's fingers snapped in two. Duo was too shocked to react.

"Well, do you want to go with me or not?" Relena pouted a little.

Duo jumped from his chair, "Suuure!! That'd be great!" *There is a god! He, he, I didn't even have to ask her. Must be the Maxwell charm working once again.*

Duo and Relena linked arms and practically skipped out the room.

The room was left in shocked silence. Noin, Sally, and Wufei smiled a little at the obvious set down that Heero had received but it took Zecks awhile longer to figure it out.

Heero was confused, *What is wrong with this picture? She was supposed to nag ME into going with her… hmm, did she think I was too busy?*

>>>>>>>>

Relena had wanted to go to a carnival and Duo had complied. Relena had screamed at all the roller coasters, ate candy, asked him to win stuffed animals for her, and Duo had enjoyed the thought of Heero listening. When they returned, Duo's hands where full of stuffed animals, Relena opened the door to her bedroom and Duo went in, dumping the loot on her bed.

"Thanks a lot Duo! I had a lot of fun tonight with you." Relena gave him a quick kiss on the lips and pushed him out of her room. She looked at her new collection of stuffed animals and considered the option of burying Captain Yuy under the lot.

Duo walked with his hands behind his head, whistling a happy tune. *Read 'em a weep, Heero. Maxwell charm will win any day over Yuy intimidation.*

>>>>>>

"You're sure you don't mind, Relena?"

"Ha, ha, of course not, Hilde, I want to be there to see Duo's face."

"Very well, let's get out of here and start working on Heero. You know, I'm getting kind of tired of the pool."

"I know, me too. But it's the only place we can talk without drawing suspicion."

"Actually, Relena, I could overcome Heero's security system and make him hear and see something different."

"You can?!"

"Sure, I'm not such a bad hacker myself."

"Hilde! You should have told me this before, I'm sure we can use that."

"Ok, but for now, let's just dry off and continue our little play."

>>>>>>>

The girls were in Relena's room, when the acting started.

"So, Relena, how was your date with Duo?"

"I think it went pretty well, I'm planning on inviting him again."

"Well, I'm glad things are working out for you. I didn't think you would go for a guy like Duo."

"Why not? He's cute, charming, funny, not too smart, but a lot of fun to be with."

"He, he, you're right he's not too smart! I rather like the strong, silent type for myself. You know the kind that protects you and doesn't bore you with tales of his exploits in battle…"

"Strong silent types are overrated, believe me. You start craving some feedback soon enough."

"Well, I'll probably find out tonight."

"Good luck!!"

"Oh, what a beautiful necklace Relena!"

"Here, you can wear it tonight if you want to."

"Sure?"

"Absolutely!" They both grinned.

>>>>>>>

Duo smiled and nodded as he heard his good qualities. "Cute, yeah, charming, yeah, funny, yeah, not too smart, yea.. hey! I'm smart! Oh, come on Hilde, you too! …. Strong, silent types? Who? Heero? Give_me_a_break!! Oi, that hurts, I thought she liked my battle stories!"

>>>>>>>

"Hiya Heero! Wanna take me out tonight?"

Heero gave Hilde an incredulous look. *So I'm the strong silent type, they were talking about. Wait a minute… Relena wished her good luck, with me!!*

"Ok! I'll take your silence as a yes." Hilde dragged Heero out of the room, while Duo silently fumed at the injustice of life in general. *You better not lay a finger on her! Ha, I hope he tells her about all his battles.* Duo considered the possibility of that and slumped in his chair. *Fat chance!*

"Don't worry Duo, Hilde will probably be bored to tears. You know Heero, the strong silent type." Noin tried to encourage an obviously depressed Duo.

"That's what I'm afraid of."

>>>>>>>>

Hilde took Heero dancing, she figured his lack of conversation would not hurt her on the dance floor. She just hoped that he could unbend enough to dance a little.

The outing went pretty well considering Heero was preoccupied and Hilde was in sole charge of the conversation. She made up with brilliant conversation and plenty of breathless, "Oh Heero!" to get at Duo. *Relena you owe me! If he doesn't talk back soon I'm screaming!*

*I can't believe Relena would consent to this. Does she want to get rid of me? Does she really prefer that baka Duo?* Everytime he looked at Hilde's neck, he would cringe. *I'm betrayed!*

>>>>>>>

Duo paced his room furiously, threw pillows, ripped the covers of the bed, and jumped on Heero's bed wishing it was Heero's body.

"Argg! I tried to be nice and honorable, and what do I get? She prefers that iceberg! Just you wait, I can be silent!! … shit! I can't! Oh Hilde, how could you betray me like this… Heero I'm going to kill you!"

Relena watched the security monitor and laughed herself to tears. *Yes, Duo, suffer!*

Every Breath You Take
Chapter 11

>>>>

A few days later, in the pool…

"I can't take it anymore, Relena! It's too much! He doesn't talk, doesn't dance and just sulks! And I'm running out of brilliant conversation."

"You think that's bad? At least you have some peace and quite. I can't get Duo to shut up! He keeps telling me these stupid battle stories, which he insists in retelling in all their gory details. Arg! How can you take it?"

"I happen to like his stories!"

"Okay, I know this is hard, but you have to like the results. I mean, I wished you could have seen Duo jumping on Heero's bed! He, he… I'm the one who's not getting a lot of response."

"Your wrong, I know Heero is not into showing much emotions, but all those broken pencils are a good sign."

"Hm… I guess your right. I'm going to try something different tonight, I need you to keep Duo occupied, I don't want him to watch."

"Why?"

Relena blushed, "It's kind of private…"

"Oooo, now you have to tell me!"

>>>>>>>

Wufei stared at the broken pencil in his hand and frowned, "Onna, can't you get me a whole pencil?"

"Sorry, you'll have to take it up with Heero, he's broken every pencil available." Sally shrugged and went back to her computer.

*What is wrong with everybody around here? Relena and Hilde are going baka, Hilde is no surprise after living with Duo for so long! But Relena?… she seemed like such a sensible girl before… hmm… must be Duo's influence, she keeps going out with him. And what with the guys… Duo looks like he's about to cry any minute, Quatre is avoiding everyone, and what the hell is wrong with Heero and those damn broken pencils?!* Wufei considered the wisdom of moving in with Sally, he was sharing quarters with the rest of these baka, and this could be contagious.

Quatre had a pretty good idea as to the why of the broken pencils, it was obvious to him that Heero somehow knew of Relena's every movement, and she was going out with Duo. He had wondered for some time if Duo had set him up with Relena, but Duo apparently believed that she was free, why else would he be risking his life to go out with her? *Duo… you are wrong… Heero and Relena still have feelings for each other… and if you keep getting in the way… well, chances are Heero will shoot you.* The girls' behavior was a little baka, but he thought he understood their motivation. They seemed to want to make them jealous, *He, he, they don't realize it! Wonder if I should enlighten them… nah! They deserve it!* A sudden realization came to Quatre, *Shit! I don't want to be around here when these two finally erupt!!*

Heero stared vacantly at the computer screen, he had found it hard to concentrate on his work for the past week. *What is wrong with Relena? Why is she avoiding me? What does she see in that stupid fool? Oh, god! How long do I have to take Hilde's inane conversation?* He couldn't find the answer to his questions. *I thought Relena would stop going out with Duo if I showed some interest in Hilde… I guess she doesn't care.* He looked at the broken pencil in his hands, *what's wrong with these pencils? They keep breaking.*

Duo fidgeted in his chair and furtively looked at Heero. *You heartless iceberg! That poor innocent girl is falling for you! I will protect her! Oi Hilde, why didn't you come to me?*

>>>>>>

Relena felt jittery all over, her legs were like jello, her stomach was a cramp of nerves, and her head felt light and flushed. *Oh god, I can't do this! Dammit, calm down! I CAN !!* She walked out the bathroom and the performance began.

Heero was sitting in the bedroom alone, Quatre had left with some lame excuse, Wufei had seemed to have move his stuff to god knows where, and Duo was talking with Hilde, who had insisted on some important info they needed to discuss.

The vidlink he had on Relena was a small window in his computer screen, but when he saw her walk out of the bathroom… he did a double take, looked around to reassure himself he was alone and maximized the image to take the whole screen.

Relena was wearing a leather teddy with a thong back, her breasts were 'covered' up by an almost transparent mesh. She walked towards her vanity and leaned on it facing the mirror and looking at an imaginary speck in her eyes.

Heero almost swallowed his tongue, *What an ass!!*

Relena softly sat on the vanity chair, opened a bottle of cream, and started caressing her legs with the cream, she started with her left foot and slowly when up her leg… then gave the same treatment to the other leg…

Heero didn't seem capable of closing his mouth, he felt himself start to harden. "…Relena… what are you doing to me?"

Relena took more cream and caressed her arms, following to the top of her breasts then going up her neck… she sighed in pleasure…

"Arrg…" Heero felt like he was being strangled, he flexed his hands… he wanted those hand on Relena.

Relena's hands came back down from her neck to her breasts, she caressed them over the mesh… and finally took them out of the mesh and caressed them with more cream…

Heero entire body was pounding with the rush of blood, he was beyond hard now… he felt on fire…

Relena lifted the mesh back and covered her breasts… she languidly stood up and turned the lights off, plunging the room into darkness. She went to the bed and laid there… she sighed softly…

Heero closed his eyes in agony…

"oooh… Duo…" Relena moaned.

Heero's eyes flew open… "DUO?! DUO?!"

Relena smiled in the darkness. *Gotcha!*

Every Breath You Take
Chapter 12

>>>>>
After searching for Duo in vain for hours, Heero gave up and wandered to a local bar, frequented by Preventers personnel. He sat in one corner of the bar and ordered a drink. He nursed his drink while plotting his revenge on Duo. He spotted Zechs at the other side of the bar getting soused. Zechs looked up and wandered towards Heero.

Just what I need.

"Hey, what are you doing here? Trouble with Relena?"

Heero clenched his fists. "What is it to you? … And what are you doing here, trouble with Noin?" He unwittingly hit on the mark.

Zechs growled, "Damn woman! I don't know what's wrong with her, she has been acting strangely lately. Good heavens, she's become over emotional." Zechs lowered his head towards the bar top. "So what's your trouble, getting some competition?" he taunted.

"Hnn…"

Heero was uncommunicative for the first hour, but he soon caught up with Zechs' alcohol level.

"… Rrr… Rrrele… your sister is falling for Duo… that stu… stupid… fool…"

"errr… no way… she's obsessed with you…"

"I'm telling you… sh… she… is"

"Damn, he's even worse than you."

"Well… it seems your getting rid of me."

I have to do something! That idiot is far worse than Heero, Relena… what can you be thinking?
>>>>>>>

Hilde and Relena decided to meet in the secure room, suspicions be damned, they were tired of talking in the pool. They would look like prunes if they had to keep soaking in water every time they had to talk.

"What did you do with Duo?"

"Ha, ha, I gave him some strong sleeping pills, he passed the night inside Tallgeese."

"Tallgeese?"

"Yeah, I was sure Heero wouldn't think of looking there?"

"How did you get him up there?"

"I didn't, he did all by himself," Hilde grinned impishly, "I told him the Tallgeese had some new specs I wanted him to see, and then I gave him my sleepy cocktail, he, he, piece of cake."

Relena remained pensive for a moment. " You know Hilde, I'm worried that I might be overdoing it. If Heero had found Duo last night, who knows what would have happened."

Hilde frowned, "Your right, but how can we end this, without getting ourselves in trouble?"

Lady Une interrupted their musings. "Excuse me. Relena, your brother just told me that there is a official function tonight that he wants you to accompany him."

"I'm on vacation."

"I know but he was persistent, you can say no if you want to…"

"All right, I'll go. What kind of function is it?"

"Dinner, speeches, dancing, same old, same old."

>>>>>>>>

"You look great Relena, come on let's go."

Relena accompanied Zechs to the limo but when she got in, a surprise was waiting for her.

"What are you doing here?"

Heero remained impassive outwardly but inside he cringed in pain. Another sign of her cooling feelings towards him.

"I asked him to come, I'll be meeting Noin there and I didn't want you to be alone."
Relena bit her lip in regret. That hadn't come out right… Damn, it's not that I don't want him here it's just that…

>>>>>
Duo entered his room and found it empty. Where is everybody? He held his aching head. Damn, what happened to me last night? He tried to remember but everything was foggy.

Duo's gaze wondered towards Heero's computer. It was open, turned on and apparently running some kind of program. Curiosity, his steady companion, propelled him to take a peek. He stared at the screen for a while trying to figure out what it was doing. Duo suddenly froze, his stomach clenched in a painful knot, and his knees wanted to give out.

"Shiiiit!!! Shit, shit, shit, shit, oh shit." He started to peck at the keyboard in hopes of finding a way to stop the program. But all his attempts where in vain, he couldn't even turn it off.
"Damn!! I'm going to need some help, or I'm going to be dead meat tonight."

Duo went in search of a possible savior.

>>>>>>>

"Hilde, love, sweetheart, the cutest girl around…"

"What do you want Duo?" Hilde interrupted him with resignation in her voice.

Duo threw himself at Hilde's feet in a dramatic display of begging for mercy. He took her hands and looked up at her with imploring eyes. "Hilde you have to save me!"

"What did you do now?"

"Promise me you won't be angry." Hilde twisted her mouth in doubt. "Pleeease!"

"All right, out with it!"

Duo stared at Hilde's feet while he confessed, "Hilde… I've been spying on Heero and Relena…," he looked up again, "I know, I know, that wasn't a good idea… but, but, I just wanted to play a little joke on Heero. You know how cold he is! I mean… I'm sorry… I guess you kind of like him?" He hoped for her denial but she just stared at him. He took a deep breath and continued, "But the problem is that I just went into our room and found that he left a program running… and well the program is some kind of worm in his security system, when he comes back he'll know I've been spying."

Hilde started to laugh. "Hilde!! This isn't funny! Do you know what he'll do to me?"

"Oh Duo! Why didn't you tell me before? You could have asked for my help but now I'm already compromised with someone else."

"What? What do you mean? You have something going on with Heero?" Duo was outraged.

"No, I have something going on with Relena." Hilde smiled blandly at him.

"Nani?" Duo looked confused and then horrified, "You and Relena?"

Ha, ha… Hilde doubled up in laughter. "What I mean is that Relena knows about Heero's and YOUR spying, and she has asked me for my help already."

Duo felt some momentary relief but then realization struck. "What?? You mean you were going out with Heero to get at me?"

"Bingo! But I guess that didn't work… I just did it because Relena… it doesn't matter, I know you just see me as a friend."

"Hilde… do you mean you have feelings for me?" Duo looked at her hopefully.

Hilde pulled her hands out of Duo's and looked away. "Yes, you idiot! But don't worry, I'm a big girl you don't have to protect me or anything."

Duo grabbed her hands again and pulled them to his lips, "I'm an idiot? Hilde, sweetheart! We're both idiots, I have loved you for a long time."

"Oh Duo! Do you mean it?" Hilde threw herself at Duo, toppling him to the floor and kissing him.
A while later…

Hilde sighed in frustration as she tried yet another way of breaking into Heero's computer.

"Duo, I can't stop the program."

"I'm dead!"

"Maybe there's another way…"

"Disappearing? He'll find me, I know he will…"

"No, I was thinking more in the line of getting him to forgive you."

"Are you kidding? Heero forgive me?"

"Well.. if we find a way for him and Relena to finally declare their feelings towards each other. That will influence him and will give Relena a reason to defend you. And I'm afraid, she's the only one who will be able to stop Heero from tearing you to pieces."

"That's a lot of hope! Sweetheart, I'm afraid you have fallen for a man, who has but a few hours to live. What do you say we take advantage of my time left…" Duo smiled invitingly at Hilde.

"No, you baka, I have an idea…"

Duo listened to Hilde's idea. "Don't you think he'll want to kill me more afterwards?"

"Maybe, but I think it's our best chance to drive him over the edge."

"I thought the idea was to try to calm him down, not make him lose it!"

"Duo!"

"Ok, ok, we'll do it your way… But just in case, how about using my last few hours in a productive manner?"

Hilde stared loftily at him, "If you insist…"

"Yay!" Duo grabbed Hilde and threw her on top of his bed, "It's my turn to be on top!"
>>>>>

Every Breath You Take
Chapter 13
>>>>

What could have possessed me to listen to Zechs? This won't work… I've been to dozen of these stupid functions with her. I should have asked her out and taken her to some place like Duo did… or maybe some romantic dinner like Quatre.

The more Heero thought, the steeper the dive of his mood. His scowl increased, keeping all the guests at a wide berth from him. He crossed his arms and leaned against a wall, glaring at any man getting near Relena.

Relena couldn't understand why suddenly she found herself alone. She had been talking to a group of young officers, they would look somewhere in the distance and suddenly give their regrets and walk off. She turned around and found Heero's watchful gaze on her. Heero, are you protecting me for the sake of peace or for your own sake? Relena tried to find comfort in the memory of Heero's expression on the pics she had seen.

"Relena, will you dance with me?" Relena turned around again and found herself in her brother's arms.

They started to dance and Zechs took the opportunity to have his say. "Relena… I know your grown up… you been grown up for a long time actually… but what I'm trying to say is… I'm concerned about the relationships you develop. Lately you been going out with this Duo… and I'm not saying his a bad person but… do you think he's the appropriate man for you? You're a princess, a high officer of this government… and this Duo is too much of a clown. I would have preferred if you had found a deeper friendship with Quatre, he's more to your level. Hell, I'll even settle for Heero, you seemed to be fascinated by him, a while back. At least, I know that he will protect you, even though he scares most of the guests away, he behaves with a modicum of manners."

Relena listened dumbfounded at her brother. She couldn't believe what a snob he was.

"Milliardo Peacecraft!"

Zechs cringed, she only used that name when she was angry.

"First of all I must thank you for your concern but I must let you know that my personal relationships are my own. And no_one, not even you, will have a say in them. Second, Duo may be a little rambunctious but he does have manners, and he is a very good friend. I resent the comments that you are making of him. Thirdly, I will not be with someone just because they can protect me. And certainly not Heero who only sees me as some peace object to be protected. I want someone that loves me for me. Now, if you'll excuse me, I believe there are some guests that wanted to speak to me." Relena left him standing in the middle of the ballroom, while she elegantly strolled out to the garden.

Zechs walked towards Heero hoping to come up with some alternate plan. But when he looked at Heero's face he paused. Heero's eyes seemed to be on fire and his whole body seemed ready to pounce. Zechs backed one step, his warrior's instincts telling him to be wary.

"Zechs next time you want to help me, don't!" Heero grounded out and stalked off seeking Relena.

What did I do now? Wondered Zechs.

>>>>>>

Heero found Relena quickly, but he stood back, watching her and wondering how to undo the 'help' that Zechs had giving him. She stood motionless besides one of the garden statues, gripping her hands, a sure sign of her emotional turmoil. He had found that when she gripped her hands it was either to avoid crying or screaming in rage. Is she trying not to cry or not to scream?

He could hear the music playing and decided to try his luck. "Miss Dorlian, will you dance with me?"

Relena wasn't surprised to find him there, wasn't he always just around the corner from her. "Where you afraid I was in danger out here, Heero," she asked bitterly.

Damn you Zechs!

Heero decided to ignore the questions. He placed his hands on her shoulders and softly turned her around. "I remember a time when you liked to dance with me."

Relena looked at Heero's face and tried to decipher the strange expression she found. "Why are you here, Heero?" Relena insisted.

Heero decided to take the plunge, " This time I'm the one who wants to dance with you."

Relena's eyes narrowed, "You mean the other times you didn't want to?"

"Dammit, Relena! That's not what I said!"

"What are you saying then?"

"If I hadn't wanted to dance with you before, I wouldn't have. If I'm asking now, it's because I want to. Is it so hard to understand?"

A pregnant silent separated them, he made the gesture to break it by extending his hand in invitation. Relena placed her own in his and he pulled her in a close embrace… and they danced.

Heero danced fluidly, he had learned as part of his training but with the frequent practice he had at this type of functions he had acquired the finesse. Dancing with the one he loved just made it more natural and pleasurable. His lips softly touched her hair while inhaling her fragrance. Relena's head rested on his shoulder while she too inhaled his masculine scent.

"Relena," he whispered huskily. She looked up at him…

"Vice Foreign Minister," a man called her and Heero and Relena separated. Heero tried to get rid of the man with one of his patented deathglares. But the shadows prevented him from getting the desired effect, the man couldn't see his face. And the intimacy they had found was lost for the rest of the evening.

For the rest of the night, Heero prowled restlessly, promising himself that tomorrow he would speak with her. Tomorrow he would tell her and his torment would be over, one way or the other.

>>>>>>

Relena was exhausted when she reached Preventers HQ, Zechs and Noin had dropped them off and continued to their own home. Heero seemed to want to talk but looking at her, he realized her exhaustion and simply wished her goodnight.

She entered her room and quickly took her shoes off. "Arg.. my feet are killing me," she complained. Next off came the necklace, which she carefully placed inside her jewelry box. When she shut it close, she was startled to hear a masculine voice whisper.

"Hello darling!"

"What?! Who the hell is there?" Relena choked in fear.

"It's me darling, your loving Duo, don't you remember, you invited me?"

"What? Duo? What the hell do you think you're doing? Are you drunk?"

"Now, now, sweetheart, don't play coy. Well… you can play coy if you want and I'll play the mean pirate." Duo smirked and advanced on her. Relena tried to back away, but he was faster and quickly cornered her, smooching her with kisses while his hands roamed.

Relena tried to smack his hands away. "Duo, dammit!! Stop it!"

"Ahoy Mateys!! Prepare to be boarded!!"

Relena started to get seriously alarmed. "Duo, stop it!!" But Duo just laughed. "Duo, if you don't stop right now, I promise you that you will regret it!!"

"Oooh, yeah baby! Keep threatening me! I love it when you play rough!"

"That does it! You asked for it!" Relena reached over and opened the jewelry box, grabbing her necklace, "Heeeero!! Help me!" But her work had been unnecessary, the listening device on the bear had picked up the conversation and Heero was in the process of breaking down the door.

>>>

Every Breath You Take
Chapter 14

>>>>>>>>>

Duo's ear throbbed with Hilde's scream, "GET OUTTA THERE NOW!!!" He dropped Relena like a hot potato and looked apologetically at her, "Sorry, Lena!" He turned and sprang for the balcony doors.

The door to Relena's room crumbled under Heero's attack. "DUO!!!"

Duo didn't waist time looking back, he jumped down the balcony and ran for his life. Heero gave Relena a quick look over and tried to follow him.

Relena was trembling, a combination of fear, shock, and confusion but her instinct to maintain peace, kicked in. "Heero!! Stop!"

Heero ignored her and scanned the horizon trying to see where Duo had headed, the darkness impeding his search. No problem, I'll get the night vision.

"Heero, please… I'm okay… he was just a little drunk." She stood beside him holding on to the jacket of his tuxedo.

Heero looked at her coldly, "Drunk? He had pretty quick reflexes for a drunk!" He gripped her painfully by the shoulders, "Why are you defending him?"

"Heero, stop it! He's gone… I'm fine… and I'm sure that by tomorrow there will be a logical explanation for this."

Relena's teary eyes inflamed his anger even more and he shook her. "Why are trying to protect him?!"

Relena sobbed, "Heero, please stop…"

Heero pulled her towards him, resting his chin on the top of her head, he closed his eyes, and whispered harshly, "Do you love him?"

Guilt overwhelmed Relena, she had caused this… "Oh Heero… I'm so sorry…"

Heero released her and turned towards the door. "Good luck."

"Wait!!" Relena ran after him, it was her turn to grip him hard. "Stop it you fool! You know it's you I love, it's always been you!!"

Heero just stared at her, something nagged him, he looked at her right hand… she was still gripping the necklace. His eyes intensified, "Relena, why where you screaming at the necklace?"

Relena turned beet red. But she remembered how this had all come about and turned her back at him. "How did you know I was in danger?"

Heero considered the implications… "I see, you knew. Did you orchestrate this with Duo?"

"What?" She turned around and faced him, "NO! I don't know what that idiot was trying to do!"

How long has she known?

Anger quickly replaced Relena's fear and confusion. "You!" She poked his chest with her finger, "You've been spying on me all this time. I cherished does stupid presents!! It must have seemed hilarious to you… listening to me spill my heart out, to that… that… stupid bear! Well let me tell you something, Mr._Heero_Yuy, you had no right!! I'm not an object, I'm a human being with feelings. I have a right to my own privacy and you used my foolish feelings to manipulate me. I'm nothing to you but another target you need to protect to maintain peace…" Relena's tirade winded down. She turned and gave her back to Heero, gripping the dresser in an attempt to control her desire of bursting into tears.

Heero tried to come to grips with all the information, She loves me, she's angry, she's hurt, I must protect her, she thinks I don't love her…

He tried to decide which problem to address first… "Relena… your mistaken, you're not an object to me, I protect you for something more than just peace," he chose wisely, "if it was only peace… dammit! I don't know about these things… I don't know about feelings… but the one's that I have are yours. Everything I have learned to feel is because of you. You are the one who has awakened the humanity in me."

Heero held her shoulders while they stared at each other through the dresser's mirror. "I didn't think your talks with Captain Yuy, were funny, on the contrary they helped me to understand you more… Relena… they helped me to feel more for you."

"Are you trying to say that you love me?" whispered Relena as she turned around to face him once again.

Heero tried to be as honest as he knew how, "Relena, I don't know if what I feel is love. I'm not sure I can recognize that feeling… but I know that if something happened to you, a part of me would die. And I would rather die than see you hurt in anyway." His eyes darkened, "and if I catch any of my so-called friends anywhere near you, they're dead!"

Relena smiled softly at him, and her hand came up to gently push back his hair. "Heero Yuy, I think that's a pretty close description of someone who's in love."

"You think so?"

"I know so!" Relena's hands came to his chest and she stepped closer to him. Heero's hands embraced her, his head coming down to capture her lips in a searing kiss.

>>>>>

"Dammit! Hilde! Weren't you cutting it a little close? You should have given me a bigger head start! I thought I was going to have a heart attack!"

Hilde grinned unrepentant, "Sorry Duo, I tried to warn you before, but the computer crashed… and well, it took me a while to load it up again."

"Dammit! He was out to kill me!" He looked doubtfully at her, "Are you sure this is going to work?"

"It better… or you're a dead man tomorrow"

"Thanks for cheering me up!"

Hilde giggled, "Hey, wanna play pirate with me? I wouldn't mind getting 'boarded'"

Duo grinned happily, "Insatiable wench!"

>>>>>

Next morning…

Everyone stared in shock as Heero and Relena entered the mess hall holding hands. Duo sighed in relief, but his relief was short lived. After pulling up a chair for Relena to sit down, Heero walked towards him. Duo looked like a reindeer caught in the headlights.

"Heero! You promised…" Relena choked out as she tried to stop him.

Heero grabbed Duo by his shirt, pulled him up, and gave him a quick punch in the face. Duo slid to the floor moaning with a broken nose.

Relena rushed to help him, but Heero stopped her. "I kept my promise, Relena, I didn't kill him, but if you touch him… I swear to God I will!" Relena gave Duo a last pitying look and walked away. Heero bent down and whispered in Duo's ears, "if you ever get closer than 10 feet of her again… I promise you I won't be so magnanimous. And the spying… let's just say your private detective license has been revoked."

Heero walked away, took Relena's hand and pulled her out of the room.

Duo looked at Hilde accusingly, "You said this would work."

"I think it did. You're alive aren't you?"

THE END!!!!


Lemon Chapters are available separately for... (read them in this order)

Trowa x Catherine (nope, they're not brothers in this fic)
Duo x Hilde
Zechs x Noin
Wufei x Sally
Heero x Relena - more to their story in this one!