Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Touch ❯ Chapter 5

Author Note: Sorry for the lack of updates, I've been hella busy these past weeks (work, work, work, work, work...) but hopefully I'll have some time off for the holidays. At the moment here's a double update. Hope you enjoy it and don't forget to review. Love, Maggz.

Oh, I almost forgot! I'd like to thank L-chan for the wonderful artwork she's drawn for this story. If you want to take a look, here are the links:

http://www.mediaminer.org/fanart/view.php/181687
http://www.mediaminer.org/fanart/view.php/183777

Chapter 5

"Heero, can you wait for me at the door? I'll be right out. I just need to grab a jacket and my walking stick.", she smiled as she let go of his arm and started for the stairs. He watched her as she walked up. She didn't appear helpless in any way and he found himself admiring her more and more. It was obvious she was a very strong and determined young woman.

"She's a gem, Heero.", Mr. Darlian said as he walked up to stand beside Heero at the front door. "She's been the light of our lives and we thank God for her every day. We've missed her so much this past year. Normally, she comes to stay summers with us but since she finished school last year, my grandson and his wife started taking her with them on their journeys.", he explained. "I'm sure she loved it for awhile, but she missed Tessa and I greatly.", he said.

"She is lovely, Mr. Darlian. I agree with you there.", Heero said.

"She's never been spoiled or catered to, Heero. She's very strong emotionally and mentally. She's been blind since she was a child, that's why she's so at ease with herself, I believe. It's all she knows. But she's been given every opportunity to educate herself; thank goodness my grandson is quite well off. He's been able to give Relena every available resource to stimulate her mind. She's a firecracker, Heero! She'll keep you on your toes, that's for sure.", he said fondly and Heero smiled. It was obvious that Relena meant the world to her grandparents.

"I probably should've let her tell you in her own time about herself but I just thought you deserved at least a little background.", he explained.

"That's ok, Mr. Darlian. I understand and I think Relena would come forth on her own time as well. But it's nice to know a little more about her from you.", he said.

"Ready, Heero?", Relena spoke from the top of the stairs.

"I'm ready when you are.", he said.

He walked to the bottom of the stairs to wait for her and touched her elbow when she got to the bottom one. She had her walking stick in one hand, touching each step as she went down lightly and had pulled on a leather bomber jacket over her sweater.

"Thank you, Heero.”, she smiled up at him and he smiled back.

They went out the door with a goodbye to her grandparents and started up the walk for their stroll about the neighborhood. It was already dark but not very cold and Heero felt very comfortable just enjoying the walk with Relena. She was silent for a bit and he looked down at her, watching as she walked with him, her steps matched to his.

She looked up at him after a moment and smiled. "What is it, Heero? I must warn you now; I can tell when you are looking at me. I just sense it.", she laughed.

"Is that right, well then I'll remember that, Relena, and watch my step around you.", he chuckled.

"Heero, you must forgive my grandmother if she seems quite the matchmaker. I hope she didn't embarrass you, the poor dear. She tends to think I'm a prize to be given to the highest bidder and right now, she holds YOU very dear!", she smiled.

"I can see where she'd feel like that about you, Relena. You seem very special to them.", he said softly.

"THEY are very special to ME, Heero. Without them, I'd be lost. They keep me grounded and have taught me so very much. I'm really gonna enjoy spending time with them this spring.", she said. "Especially now!"

Heero grinned. Relena was quite the little flirt.

"Wait, Heero. Please. One moment.", she said and stopped walking. He stopped himself, and looked down at her. "Are you very tall as compared to me? I don't think you are. We seem to be able to match strides and your voice sounds very near me.", she said.

"I'm not very much taller than you are, Relena. Here.", he said and reached for her hand, pulling it atop his head. "See?", he smiled and then felt her fingers move through his hair. She had raised her other hand to his head also and now both hands pulled through the length of it.

"What color is your hair, Heero?", she asked him.

"Dark brown.", he said softly, looking down into her face as she let her fingers slide gently to the back of his neck.

"It's nice. Soft. Long. Your hair is long, Heero?", she smiled and continued to run her fingers along the nape of his neck, pulling at the curls that rested there.

"It's really too long. I've put off getting it cut for a bit now. Will have to go soon. I've just been so busy.", he said.

"Oh, don't rush, Heero. It's nice, I'm sure.", she said softly. "Do you mind?", she asked as her fingers moved along his neck.

"No, you want to see me better, is that right?", he asked.

"Yes, if that's ok with you and please, tell me if it's not. You won't upset me.", she said before she moved further.

"This is fine with me, Relena.", he said and smiled.

She grinned and brought her fingers up his neck and to his forehead, to his brows, down his cheekbones. She touched his nose, went to his chin and stopped at his mouth. He waited, breathless.

"Heero.", she said, her face less than two inches from his own. "I'm not sure, I mean, is this OK? Are you uncomfortable at all?", she asked him.

"No, Relena.", he mumbled against her fingertips, causing her to laugh.

"You have a nice smile, Heero. My Grandma is correct. I think you are a beautiful man.", she said with a satisfied smile.

"You had your doubts, Relena?", he laughed.

"With my Grandma one can never tell. She likes a good joke as much as the next one.", she giggled and reached for his elbow once more and they started to stroll again.

"What color are your eyes, Heero?", she asked him.

"Blue.", he answered her.

"Ah, I see.", she said.

"Do you think yourself handsome, Heero?", she asked him.

"No, I mean, I'm not butt ugly, Relena, but I'm not pin up star handsome either!", he laughed.

"You're funny, Heero. You have a nice laugh, a nice smile. I think maybe you sell yourself short.", she said firmly with a nod of her head.

"How about you, Relena?", he said, turning the tables.

"Me? What about me?", she asked as she turned her head to him.

"Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?", he asked and she stopped in her tracks and held tightly to his arm.

"Heero. That's a lovely thing to say. Please don't feel you have to return the favor by telling me that.", she said.

"I'd never do that. You are quite pretty.", he said again.

"Well, thank you. I must remember to tell your mother when she visits that your manners are excellent!", she laughed.

They continued their stroll around the neighborhood, talking of school and church, parents and grandparents, family, travel, jobs and cars. She wanted to know all about Heero's musical training and background. Laughed when he told her about some of the ruckus he and his friends had gotten themselves into and clapped her hands with joy when he told her about the children he taught and some of the things he had to put up with.

Soon they were back in front of the Darlian's house and Relena turned to Heero, her hands on both his arms.

"Thank you, Heero. It was wonderful meeting you. I hope you had as good a time as I did.", she said.

"I'm sure I did. Oh, Relena, I nearly forgot.", he said and smacked his forehead lightly with his hand.

"What's that, Heero?", she asked, curious.

"The lessons. Are you interested in the piano lessons? ", he asked her.

"Oh, Heero. I would LOVE that. But I know how busy you are and now you're even taking on these extra students. I couldn't. It just wouldn't seem right.”, she said but he could see the excitement in her face. Her beautiful eyes shining brightly.

"Relena, I'd love to do it. It would give me a chance to get to know you better and vice versa. That is if you are interested at all. I'm not pushing you, you know.", he insisted.

"Oh, Heero. I KNOW that. Are you sure, though?", she asked.

"I'm sure. Come over tomorrow evening after dinner? Around 7?", he said.

"Sure, I'll be there.”, she said.

"Would you like for me to come by and walk you over?", he asked her.

"No, Heero. I can make it by myself. I'll see you then, ok?", she said.

"Good. That's brilliant. Have a nice evening, Relena. Thanks for the walk and dinner.", he smiled.

"I enjoyed it, Heero. OH! Don't go without your box of food!", she said suddenly and walked into the house. He could hear her talking to her grandmother and soon she was back with a box packed with leftovers from their lovely dinner.

"Here you go, Heero!", she said and held the box toward him.

"Relena, there's enough food in here to last me two weeks! How about we make a change of plans? Why don't you come over tomorrow a bit earlier? Say around 6? We can dine on leftovers and talk a bit. Would you like that?", he asked her.

"Oh, that would be grand! How lovely!", she giggled.

"Ok, I'll see you at 6 then.", he said and leaned down toward her, kissing her cheek.

"Good bye, Heero.”, she said as he walked down the drive toward his own place.

"Bye, Relena. See you tomorrow.", he said and turned to walk to his home.