Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Stolen ❯ Rules of Engagement? ( Chapter 5 )

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

Chapter five


Quatre was confused. Was she inviting Heero along? Was she purposefully setting up their lunch in such a way that talk of their engagement would be impossible? Was she having second thoughts? Quatre tried to puzzle through the tactical possibilities of Relena's ever-political mind. Did she actually expect him to discuss their marriage in front of the man she loved? Yes, he was aware of Relena's feelings towards Heero--all of them. But she was the one to propose their marriage as a solution to his illegal relationship with Trowa. Since test-tube births were a long-standing tradition in the Winner family, no-one would be suspicious of their sexuality or the truth of their vows, if Relena never became pregnant. Her stated reasons for proposing the marriage were purely political. They were both prominent leaders in the post-war era, and each conveniently representatives of both Earth and Space. Their union could only bolster popular faith in the peace, as well as create wider networks of political alliances.


Quatre had a private sense, which he had not dared to voice to Relena, that she was also seeking the protection of marriage in order to avoid the ever-present Heero Yuy. Once living under the protection of two former Gundam pilots and a community of ex-Maguanac soldiers, Heero could have little excuse for tailing her every waking moment. Quatre knew his friend's heart better than she thought. She was convinced that she could only achieve her dream of peace for all mankind if she offered her own happiness in sacrifice, and Heero's lingering presence only made her sacrifice harder to bear. He wasn't sure that she was wrong to believe that such atonement was necessary. In his experience the noble and brave were always steeped in tragedy.

She was looking at him, a brittle smile locked in place. He remembered the question she'd just uttered.

"Yes, of course, I'm certain we can still make it there in time for our reservation."

It was a rhetorical question with a ridiculously pat reply. There was no need for either of them to ever make a reservation at Toscana's. Since it was Quatre's favorite restaurant in the city, he'd obtained a standing reservation for a private room upstairs, complete with a view through bullet-proof glass.

Relena turned to face Heero again, visibly bolstered by their polite, unthreatening chatter. In perfect politician mode, mask of etiquette in place, she placed a gentle hand on his arm and told him not to worry, that with Quatre's protection, she wouldn't be needing a bodyguard for lunch. Quatre could feel the waves of emotion pouring out of Heero--desire, envy, fear, hatred, pain, hope. Poor Heero. He'd survived torture, blood and terrible battle only have his heart torn apart by a woman who was too noble to love him in return.

"It was nice to see you again, Heero. I promise I'll keep Relena safe."

For a moment of fear, Quatre saw murder in Heero's eyes. Does he know about the engagement? No, not possible. We've only discussed it once, and it was in my office. Heero moved closer, invading his personal space.

"See that you do."

Luckily, Relena chose that moment to sling her purse across her shoulder and usher them out the door.

*****

Two minutes after Quatre and Relena entered the restaurant, Heero entered an apartment across the street, directly across from the private dining room where they sat looking at menus. With the aid of a pair of binoculars, Heero was able to read every word that passed their lips.