"Realizations"
By Isis
Chapter 34
"I'm telling you I know what I saw!"
Marcolm Alstead sat at his tiny little desk, buried in one of the corners of the Mars Satellite docking bay and basically ignored the man in front of him. "I'm telling you you don't."
Behind the metal desk, he sat in a chair that no longer adjusted up or down and caught him nearly three inches below his knees. Due to the low gravity the desk was welded to the floor and the Foreman hadn't gotten the chance to cut it away to move it yet. As such, he ducked every time he attempted to sit down to avoid nailing his head on one of the low hung shelves that lined his little corner of the world.
This place had been designed by a dwarf. Considering the effort required to physically remove this subordinate, he opted to continue his paperwork despite the excitable man.
However, he looked up with a glare when the loading crewman slammed his hands down on the in and out bins at the front of his desk. "Why don't any of you believe me!"
Alstead sat and looked up at the man until he flinched backward.
Clearing his throat, he carefully tidied the piles of papers, and then calmly placed his hands back on the desktop without disturbing anything this time. "I'm not crazy," he stated emphatically. "I know that that's the same kid."
Leaning back, Alstead quietly shook his head and glanced around them. "I don't care what you think you know, Dumask. You keep ideas like that to yourself."
"Damn it, why won't you people listen to me!" he shouted again.
"Keep your voice down," Alstead gruffly admonished him.
"Look, I don't care what you think, but I know who he is. It never dawned on me until I saw him move. He sidestepped that marking wrench like he had a radar receiver in his head," he exaggerated, jabbing a finger at his forehead for emphasis. "He's the same kid." Leaning down lower to him over the desk, Dumask seethed, "I'm talking a damned Gundam pilot."
Alstead's eyes narrowed, but still he didn't move. "You're talking 'bout Queen Relena's right-hand man."
Dumask cursed and hung his head, "Why do you think I'm trying to get this through to you? I lived eighteen months on the Lunar base. I saw the tests those scientists did on those boys. I know what inhuman crap they were pulling. Hooking 'em into machines. Modeling some sort of super Mobile Dolls off of them. You don't get it!"
"I get that if you don't shut your mouth about this stuff, someone will do it for you," Alstead finally rose slowly to his feet.
"Huh? What the hell…?" Dumask looked up at him, betrayed.
"You're talking 'bout stuff you got no business remembering," he warned. "Really unpopular stuff. Queen Relena ain't going to be controlled by anyone, and don't you imply it."
"Who's implying that?" he defended.
Leaning forward, he made Dumask back up. "What that man was before ain't none of your concern. He's with the Vice Minister and you won't talk about her judgement like that." Lowering his voice, Alstead favored him with a look of friendly warning, "You don't have the right to out nobody. Same as the rest of us. That's what you'd better remember. No one here takes a liking to it."
Dumask balked, staring at him. "But… we're talking Gundam—"
"We ain't talking," he dismissed him. Sitting back down he went back to his work. "And you'd better learn that."
"You need me, Lady?"
"Come in, close the door."
Alstead stepped forward into the small HR office and let the door slide shut by itself. He was called here now and then for personnel issues, but this time it had been Lady Dorothy here to greet him. And he was well aware that she didn't make a habit of giving out good news.
Since she hired him and his crew on, he hadn't seen her much. She was on Satellite less and less these days, and he typically dealt with Director Huberts.
Huberts however wasn't nearly as understanding of their particular problems though.
"I hope I didn't inconvenience you, but I have a question," she began. Sitting on top of Huberts' desk, she casually crossed her legs and picked up a small folder. "How exactly does one of our employees end up with a cracked rib and a rather obscene amount of abdominal bruising due to… 'sleep walking?'" she read.
"The report I got was that he was found under one of the supply cabinets in the bay. His bunkmate stated that he tended to sleepwalk sometimes, bump into stuff around their apartment. Obviously this time he was trying to go to work."
Dorothy looked up at him with a bored expression. "And also obvious is that you weren't actually part of this or you would have come up with something far more subtle." She tossed the folder aside and sighed at him. "Is there an issue with this Mr. Dumask that I need to be aware of?"
"None I know of," he stated.
"None anyone knows of, right?" she insinuated.
Alstead nodded.
"Make sure this does not become a habit. The infirmary is liable to take this to someone higher than me who might actually care."
Again he nodded to her.
Tilting her head to the side, the blond betrayed a slight smirk. "So, are you going to let me in on it?" she lowered her voice with a sense of conspiracy, but Alstead stubbornly shook his head no. "Well, you're no fun," she pouted.
With a smirk of his own, he nodded.
Sighing in resignation, she picked up another folder. "Now about this replacement core you just outfitted our ship with."
"If you need the requisition permissions you'll have to speak with the Foreign Affairs Department," he gave his standard answer. Considering the number of bean-counters around here, it rolled off his tongue easily by now.
With a chuckle, the Lady shook her head. "If it would help to further this project, I wouldn't doubt if Miss Relena required you to fill all of space with pure oxygen. I'm merely here to tell you that the bills will be seen to. However, accountants are nervous creatures. Do try to your best to make them comfortable for a while?" she raised a distinctly forked eyebrow at him.
"Understood."
"Good. See how easy this is? Huberts is banging his bald little head off the wall. Poor man is going to give himself a nasty medical condition," she mumbled, and tucked away the folder again. "That's all, dear Foreman."
"Lady," he drew her attention back. "You know the Vice Minister, don't you?"
Dorothy blinked at him but nodded easily, "Far better than most are aware, I'll admit."
"That's why you're here," he challenged.
With a little giggle, she shrugged. "I like to helpful."
It didn't escape him that that wasn't actually an answer, but Alstead let it go. "She and her crew seemed pretty well informed," he opened.
The Lady watched him curiously, but obviously didn't see the point. "I suppose. This is as much her pet-project as it is mine."
"I meant about the ship's repair needs."
A bit surprised, she shook her head and looked away in thought a moment, "I'm not sure why. Miss Relena has never struck me as mechanically savvy. Her Preventers friends, though, would be."
Alstead nodded thoughtfully at the suggestion. "Captain Nustrouse noticed it when she spoke to the Agent with them."
"Our illustrious Agent Yuy?" she brightened. "Oh yes, you'll find he is especially knowledgeable about a good number of things."
"You know him?" he innocently questioned.
"Of course," the Lady smiled. "Why?"
Huh. She wasn't as loose lipped as he'd expected. "Wasn't sure I liked the looks of him," he confessed.
"Really? I find him terribly attractive," she purred, going a little dreamy-eyed. Alstead nearly made a face, but she chuckled and waved it off. "There's nothing that should concern you. Miss Relena has as good a taste in men as I do."
The smile that graced her lips made that comment seem completely innocent. But her eyes didn't.
He had recognized the girl as an instigator and troublesome the moment he saw her. He had even called her on it directly, unraveling her little game to weed out the amount of hopefuls for the position of Foreman. Alstead had discovered later that the Lady had already chosen him and only wanted to ensure he would be worth her faith. Even though he had pegged her correctly, he'd still underestimated her that one time.
The two had gotten along very well after they had come to understand each other. He kept the crews here in line as much as possible without the higher ups getting word of it. And she had a knack for telling him just enough about things he wasn't supposed to know about.
"Understood," he smirked.
It seemed the Lady Catalonia was a very well informed woman. And having been hand picked by her, he had no problem with anyone she considered to be just her taste. Were he a younger man he'd be flattered.
"How's Mars?"
"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" she smiled at the screen in front of her. Even though there was no picture, Relena was delighted that the call went through.
"It seems to be busier on your end."
"You just have it easier because no reporters can get a pass out there." That would just be the icing on her political cake. The last thing the pioneers on the Mars colony needed was a group of snoopy media getting in their way. "It has to be quieter."
"Some days," he answered.
Milliardo was never exactly talkative with her. Their conversations were far more polite than normal siblings. The lack of anything in common hindered the small attempts at a relationship that they were trying for. Still, it was nice to hear his voice. Usually, when she got a call to go through the interplanetary connections, she was lucky to find Lucracia with a spare moment or two to chat. She didn't even know how long it had been since she'd spoken to her brother.
"How's the election fairing?"
He kept track of her. She knew he did, but he always asked things like that. Relena wasn't sure if it was to hear her take on it, or just to keep the conversation alive. "According to the polls I don't even have to show up for the debate, but I have a personal score to settle with Mr. Pearl."
"Arrogance doesn't suit you," he stated, but she could hear the smile on his face despite the words.
"He's raised his questions, I intend to answer them," she responded. "All in all, he hasn't really been that bad. He's never resorted to personal attacks. Which is more than I can say for a good section of the media," she sighed, thinking over the last several months. "I never realized how interesting my everyday dealings are to the general public."
There was a lengthy pause, and she checked the indicator light to make sure they were still connected. "The public has always flocked to you."
Relena couldn't resist the smile. That wasn't what he wanted to say, and she knew it. "I guess I can't help it."
Again there was a pause as the two fought for something else to say. Relena was about to ask if he had seen the first IRIS crew, when he surprised her. "How's Heero?"
Relena sat with her mouth open, her unasked question stuck in her lungs. Had he really…?
Milliardo never asked about Heero. Never. Likewise, Heero barely acknowledged her when she talked about her brother in front of him. The two basically just ignored the other's existence and seemed happy with that arrangement.
Snapping out of it, she blinked and tried not to stammer when she responded, "He's fine." Trying to think, she pressed on, attempting to be casual with the unusual conversation. "I think he's tried of campaigning too. With the security measures surrounding me, it's ten times the amount of work considering I'm never in the same place twice these days," she chuckled.
There was no response for a second, and Relena leaned her arms on the desk in front of her. Giving the blank screen a soft smile, she mentally shrugged to herself. "He's been invaluable," she added, far more personally. "I don't know what I'd do without him. There's so much that I don't understand still, but so much I want to accomplish." She smiled, "He's a fantastic ally."
There was a snort of acknowledgement. "Stay on his good side."
She was fairly certain that was just a joke, and laughed at it regardless. "I do my best. It's not too hard these days."
"Make sure he keeps an eye on you."
"He promised he will," she softly admitted.
"Good."
Relena happily closed her eyes and shook her head, "You two." It wasn't much of an admonishment. Truthfully, this exchange was the closest thing to getting his approval of their relationship that she would probably ever get.
"Lucracia says hello," he stated, obviously changing topics.
It was alright. She was very experienced at reading between the lines. "Tell her hi too."
It was actually quite cute to watch the begrudged respect the two men had for each other when they had to deal with it. For whatever reason he chose to show it now, she was happy Milliardo had.
"Will do. Take care, Relena."
"You too," she signed off. When the line clicked and disconnected, she sat staring at the blank monitor a moment longer. "I love you too," she whispered.
Heero stepped out of the stairwell and onto the top floor of Preventers Headquarters. The lights were turned down to energy-preservation and the individual offices were dark. He needed a blueprint set for the auditorium that had been chosen for the Vice Ministerial debate and Commander Une had informed him she'd have it pulled together for him.
Down the hall a couple doors there was a solitary office with its light on, and Heero threw the open doorway a look. Either Wufei or Sally was still working tonight. Perhaps one of them had been charged with finding the schematics for him.
Rounding the corner past his office he continued down the hall, and silently paced up to the door. Without pausing, he took one look into the office and backpedaled two steps before turning around and heading straight into his own office.
Without a sound, he shuffled through the piles and found a manila folder that contained a description in Commander Une's own handwriting, and a data disk. Taking it, he slipped out of his office and down the hallway to the stairwell again. Careful to make the door close as gently as possible, he continued down the stairs towards the ground level and out the front doors.
With a smirk he figured whatever case Wufei and Sally were working on wasn't going to be solved while she was kissing him.
"We'll see what happens as the weeks tick down to the election, Jim."
"Indeed. Some close races to watch around the L3 cluster for sure. As we wind down this section of our program, we turn to possibly the least contested race still being waged around the Sphere. The bid for the ministry positions in the Foreign Affairs Department is anything but close. The young Richard Pearl and his uncle are trailing so badly in the recent polls that he is quickly becoming an enemy of the State by pursuing this bid any farther."
"Neither are winning any support anymore, Jim, but Richard especially is still throwing all out attacks against Miss Darlian and the Mars Terraforming project."
"In an interview just last evening, Mr. Pearl admitted that he cared very little about the final election numbers, but wanted to continue to press the issues he says are 'being overlooked by a number of popularity-blinded voters.' Strong words from someone who is being booed more often than cheered during his public appearances."
"You have to admit he's brave."
"Or idiotic, which seems to be the opinion of his uncle, the senior Pearl on the ticket. In a separate appearance, where he stated he would be declining the opportunity for a formal debate against re-election hopeful, Minister Wellington, he admitted that he wasn't sure what his nephew was hoping to accomplish, but shrugged and stated 'the boy's not one to give up.'"
"The senior Pearl has certainly tipped his hat to the re-election of the two most popular candidates in the pot."
"Otherwise, we will look forward to what promises to be a pointless, but entertaining, Vice-Ministerial debate scheduled for this weekend."
"And this is the perfect lead in to our fashion segment, Jim."
"How so, Angelique?"
"Well the 'what does the Vice Minister wear to a political debate' question, of course."
"I have a feeling you're going to tell me."
"I wish I could, but sources haven't leaked anything of interest yet on the exact outfit for the occasion."
"I'd suggest black, because it seems she intends to bury her political rival."
"If Miss Darlian hadn't always been so found of the pastels I would agree with you, Jim. However, interesting to note is yet another fashion change centered around the very young politician. We watched as her typical pantsuits gave way to skirt suits earlier this year. Of course fashion experts made all sorts of interesting theories on why she went for the more effeminate touch. But now it seems that she has opted to take that even further, sporting a chiffon skirt set during her latest appearance on L1. With a lettuce leaf hem, and a pleated back panel, it was a far cry from the infamous pink pants. Completing the ensemble was a tailored jacket with, get this, a lace neckline."
"Now, for those of us that don't have a clue what you're talking about, what's the verdict?"
"Beautiful! This was a knockout design in classic elegance. It's the first time we've seen the girl's collar bone outside of a formal ball gown since she took office."
"Trying for a few more male votes?"
"Don't think she has a problem there, Jim. Actually, my honest opinion is that she's moving towards a more regal look. She seems to really be stepping up her appeal as former European royalty. But as a young woman, I think we're seeing her decide her own attire and trying out some more flattering styles. Yet again, she doesn't stray far from the pretty pastels that we've always associated her with."
"So what does this mean for the average working woman, Angelique?"
"Long chiffon skirts are perfectly acceptable for boring team meetings, Jim."
"Perfect. And on to fashion news of the… edible?"
"Oh wow…."
"Pink or blue?" Relena asked, holding up the two suits in front of her.
Heero continued his work without sparing a glance. "Pink."
"Really?" she blinked and then turned back to the mirror to look at them. "I was thinking the blue one."
"Then why ask?"
"Because I like to have your opinion," she threw a smile back over her shoulder at him.
"Why?"
"Well, why not?" she chuckled. "Everyone's opinion counts for something." Walking back to the closet, she hung up the pink suit and pulled out a white one, still in the delivery bag. Holding it up next to the blue one, she turned towards him again. "Blue or white?"
"Blue."
"Really?" she narrowed her eyes at him when he still didn't look up at her. "Your reasoning for that, Agent Yuy, is…?"
"You haven't worn the white before, and it takes you approximately ten minutes longer to get dressed when it's a new outfit."
Relena gaped. "You made that up!" she cried indignantly and was rewarded with a slight smirk from her boyfriend. "Heero!" she snapped, tossing both outfits over the desk chair and hopping onto the bed to crawl towards where he sat against the headboard. "You just think you're funny," she chided, attempting not to laugh at the absurdity of that statement.
"Approximately," he tried to sooth her, the smirk sticking in place.
"You're lying," she chuckled. Crawling up to his side, she faced him as much as possible, pinning him in place with her arms on either side. Blocking his view of the laptop, he finally looked at her.
"My opinion doesn't matter," he countered.
"It does too."
"Then why aren't you wearing the pink one?"
Relena tried to maintain a level of dignity, even in her current position. "Since you showed such a lack of interest, I didn't expect you to be heartbroken that I didn't take your advice. Your opinion is still duly noted."
"What interest should I have in what you wear?"
With a snort she gave up, "Probably to see how well I can run in it."
"It's a legitimate concern," he blinked.
Relena knew he was playing with her and she wasn't sure whether to be thrilled or upset with him. They really didn't get enough time just to themselves. Speaking of…. "Are you busy?" she relented, trying to crane her neck back to see what was on his computer.
Regardless, he shook his head no. She knew by now that that meant there was nothing pressing or required immediate attention, not that Heero Yuy had actually run out of things to do.
"Good," she half cheered, and moved to sit next to him. Snuggling in against his side, she laid her cheek on his shoulder and looked up at him. "After this is over, I think we deserve a nice weekend away. Could we sneak off to Mother's?"
Turning back to his computer, Heero called up her schedule, and Relena quietly rolled her eyes. She knew she didn't have anything planned that she couldn't change for the opportunity to get out from under the election pressure. She wouldn't have asked otherwise.
Finally determining that their workload was clear he nodded with a, "Hn."
"Just some peace and quiet," she hummed to herself. Closing her eyes, she leaned against her boyfriend and just daydreamed for a minute.
"The house is still routinely being monitored by the media."
Blinking her eyes open, she turned her head to look at him oddly. "How do you know that?"
"Pagan updates me as necessary."
Relena sat and looked at him and he simply regarded her back. "Pagan?"
He nodded as though that were an actual question.
"My Pagan?" she confirmed and managed to gain a slightly confused look from him. "When exactly do you two chat?" she smirked at the idea.
Again Heero turned back to his computer and pulled up his email messages. Quickly running through them, he opened one to reveal a message from Pagan, giving a couple sentence update that the house was still being staked out from time to time by the associated press, but that they weren't causing any mischief. It was signed "Thank you, and take care. Pagan."
With a chuckle Relena shook her head, "What would I do without all you guys watching over me?"
"It would make it difficult."
She hadn't needed an answer to that. It was an understatement anyway. But instead of arguing she simply nodded to him with a smile and snuggled back in. "Do you think that would be too much of a risk if they knew we were there?"
"We should be able to arrive unnoticed."
"Oh?" she raised an eyebrow. It wasn't too often these days that Heero suggested they just slip by under the radar. He'd explained that having the media as a constant witness would be somewhat of a deterrent to the right group. As such, he planned accordingly, and she just tried to remember where they were going to be when.
"Hn," he nodded.
Well, she supposed with Pagan on the inside to tell them the movements of the news crews, it may not be too hard to slip by. The reporters probably had no idea they were the ones being watched. Relena had to admit she was rather happy that the two were in cahoots.
"Whatever you advise, Agent Yuy," she conceded as though she would ever be one to go against his better judgements. Well, too often anyway. Contently she closed her eyes again.
"You don't seem concerned," he quietly interjected.
"About?" she questioned, not moving from her comfy position.
"The debate."
With a hum she acknowledged that. She'd dreaded it for several months now as the campaigning went on. But now that Richard Pearl had been backed into a corner and his complaints were falling on deaf ears, she was through playing nice with him. She didn't expect him to bow out gracefully at the last minute. He was honestly concerned about a number of issues that she admitted should be resolved in their time.
But Mr. Pearl had implied innumerous times that she held this position only because of her name alone. She intended to prove that that was not only inaccurate, but an insult.
"I'm not sure I care much at this point what Mr. Pearl ends up thinking of me," she mused out loud. "I'll make my case and he can take it or leave it." She felt Heero shift and opened her eyes to meet his. Quietly he regarded her, and Relena smiled at her dear partner. "I can't save everyone, you know."
He nodded mildly to her and she saw the smile in his eyes. He knew she didn't really want to believe that, but when she was solely up against the opinions of others there's wasn't much room to maneuver.
But when it came down to the most important matters, she was ready. She had made her vows that she wouldn't fail those that trusted her. And as she shifted to steal a kiss, she knew she had every means to achieve that goal.
"Have you decided yet?" Alli's call came from the sitting area outside her guestroom.
Slowly breaking away, she giggled. "The white one," she called back.
Heero almost sighed.
"I should have started smaller. Run for Governor maybe."
"You're not running for anything ever again," his wife informed him from her chair.
"Aw, it was sort of fun," Melton Pearl chuckled to himself as he continued skimming the paper.
"Rich wouldn't appreciate that."
"That boy's digging his own grave. I told him better."
"Doesn't matter. You got him into this. He likes to finish what he starts. Now you have him all worked up like anybody's listening to him."
"Touchy kid, didn't expect him to take it so personally," he complained.
"Next time Wellington says he's having trouble running for office, write him a check," she stated, glaring at him over her reading glasses. "I don't want any more of this foolishness. Heaven forbid you two had actually been elected. I can just imagine the mess you'd cause."
"Should have taken you for my partner, Martha," he grumbled. "Nobody'd get a word in edgewise."
"What was that?"
"Nothing, dear."
"You'd better pull your nephew back by the ear," she continued instead. "If he says something crass to that girl he'll never get married. No good woman would have him."
"Oh, Martha," he waved it off. "He ain't stupid. He's just… high strung."
"Bad breeding if you ask me," she snickered to herself.
"What was that?"
"Nothing, dear."
"Not a bad crowd," Ry mused, peeking through the back stage curtains of the large, college auditorium.
"Everyone's scanned coming in, a quick background check on anyone with a ticket, this is the best setup we've gotten all year," Alli mumbled from her spot beside him, peeking through the same seam in the backdrop.
Delano watched them from beside Relena with a look of abandon. "I don't get those two," he mumbled to himself for the fourth time that she could remember. "One minute they're yelling at each other, the next they're the best of friends. This week their dating, next week they'll hate each other…."
"I'm not sure we'll ever get a finally answer on those two," Relena confided with a mild sigh of her own.
"With friends like that we'll never be bored," Del gave her a smile.
"I'm never usually bored," she agreed.
Turning, she caught sight of her aid, Dawna, hurrying over to her. The woman was charged with keeping track of the set debate topics, and making sure they were all on the same page. Careful to slip by the curtains without being seen she hurried into their corner of the stage and flashed them both a smile. "They've finalized the set of audience questions. No changes, so if you have time left for questions they shouldn't be any problem."
"Isn't that cheating?" Del asked.
Dawna simply shrugged, "It's normal."
"That will be fine." The only real thing that Relena didn't know how to prepare for in advance was what Rich had in store for her. And that was exactly what she was looking forward to.
Focused, she didn't really notice when she reached up and slowly began twirling her pendant as they waited. Over the top of the backdrop curtains, the gap allowed her to see the balcony seats that skirted the back of the auditorium. Heero had already taken his position there to watch as the audience filed in.
She wondered if he'd found it odd when she asked exactly where he would be tonight.
At this rate they wouldn't be getting to any of the audience questions.
Relena stood at her podium, straight and poised. Her answers were calm and rational, and usually shorter than she had practiced them. Richard was direct and courteous, but as expected he didn't shy away from anything. She listened interestedly to his points and even graciously recognized when she agreed with him.
Her natural tendency to be a peacekeeper came through no matter how much she wanted to just tell him he was mistaken. Somehow it was less about the two against each other, and more about her defending him against the general public watching.
His ideas weren't necessarily wrong, simply misplaced or without sufficient backing.
It was more than apparent that Richard Pearl had no interest in winning this election. He was here to remind her of a whole list of items that needed to be taken care of sooner or later. And doing it in front of the entire Sphere forced her into an obligation to work on exactly those issues or they would be fair game six years from now if she tried getting elected again.
Relena didn't have to like him, but she did respect him.
"We're taking extreme amounts of resources away from the Sphere itself. I find that the project is noteworthy, but the time-frame and means are impossible," he closed his statement on the question of Mars.
It was probably the hottest topic tonight, and the one she cared the most about. As such, he had taken his time in shooting it full of holes.
"Miss Darlian," the moderator turned the floor to her.
"Our greatest resource is our people," she opened, not caring if this was going to be a popular statement or not. "This topic is not simply about our neighboring planet. What we face now is something that no one wants to talk about. The fact is that we have thousands of people who are still displaced, out of work, and without home or family. We have veterans with nothing to do with their lives anymore. The 'resource' is here, right in front of us. What we don't have are projects befitting this notably ingenious class of citizens. The Mars Project, as I have been pushing for it to be, is not impossible... it simply needs to be handled by the people capable of it. I am not a slave-driver out to raise some monument that I can stamp my own name on. I am simply more willing to see the amazing drive and resolve in the men and women who are taking up this task."
Again, the shortness of her answer caught the mediator a bit off guard as he turned back to ask if Mr. Pearl wanted time for a rebuttal.
Without even acknowledging the man at the table in front of them, Richard leaned casually on his podium and looked over at her. With a mild chuckle, he seemed to find something amusing about her. "Are you proclaiming yourself a war General instead of a pacifist now, Miss Darlian?" he gave her a smile.
This whole thing was nothing but a game to him. Resisting the urge to be upset as the poor taste of the question, she too ignored the moderator trying to keep them in format and pointedly met the eyes of her opponent.
"My beliefs remain the same. No weapon or division should stand against true peace. I will never lead a war front, Mr. Pearl. But if anyone wishes to follow me, my only stipulation is that they be willing to devote themselves to something constructive. And I trust each and every person to decide what that is."
Richard seemed to be listening with rapt attention and Relena turned back to the audience. "I'm tired of seeing people living in fear of trusting each other. There are scars on this generation that will never heal. I'm not blind to that," she stated sincerely. Carefully she thought through her next line, and her eyes drifted towards the balcony, high in the back of the hall. "But I have a mission for them."
"What qualifies you to lead a 'resource' of former soldiers?" Rich sidestepped the given protocol and interjected.
Turning her eyes back to him she realized he didn't understand. It was same thing that Relena herself didn't want to believe before the previously unnamed Neal Goodman dropped to his knees in front of her on the Satellite deck. "Because it seems I'm the one they trust," she answered bluntly.
To an entire population of people, she would forever be "Queen Relena." And as much as power like that scared her, she'd discovered that she had no recourse but to use it. She was here in a political debate before public voters who would elect her democratically, but she was a monarch and a figurehead to a large section of the population.
She stood on stage in a long skirt and Elizabethan jacket, her hair pulled back at the sides with a small, sparkling barrette. But to those who believed in her the strongest, it was a gown and a tiara. Proudly displayed around her neck was a piece of a Gundam given to her by the soldier that she loved with all her heart. She was a living contradiction, but everything she had in her life made her determined to stay the same path that she was on.
And she wasn't about to let anyone who didn't understand that try to stop her.
No matter how often he'd found himself in this position, it was always the same feeling.
From the closed off overlook centered between the two banks of balcony seating, Heero stood watching her the same way he had many times before. The picture of innocence and yet so strong that people flocked to trust and support her.
As the audience below rose to their feet in a standing ovation, he watched Relena look out at them with a bit of surprise showing through her controlled demeanor. It was her words and her abilities that the people believed in and followed, but it was her humility that made them adore her. Even in that unshakable determination that he was accustomed to there was something so gentle in her.
He'd come to understand that from positions like this over the years.
But even with their devotion, these people had no idea how much she would give for them. The very struggle that she had finally come to terms with proved that she wouldn't be dissuaded. She didn't want to be the next pacifist leader who these people would fall apart without. But she was.
She wanted people to think for themselves, to be strong enough to make their own decisions, because it was simply the right thing to do. But she didn't have that option. She was right, the generation they belonged to was scarred and weak.
They didn't want the option to decide for themselves. They were reliant and dependant, letting someone speak for them as long as they had that luxury. They trusted more than they were prepared to protect.
And he had been just as wrong once. That was exactly why he stood here. Heero knew exactly what he was protecting. A woman with the heart and ideals to make the impossible come true. Who never stopped believing in the best possible outcome no matter how impractical it may seem at first. Someone who would never forgive herself for betraying the trust of a single person that believed in her.
Or even someone that she believed in despite what he was.
Relena laid her emotions out in full view and used them accordingly. It was a strength that Heero knew he would never fully understand no matter how much he tried to follow it. But watching her like this once again, he knew it had gotten easier.
It wasn't a matter of learning or teaching, it was simpler than that. Relena was the measure that he now held himself up against because… he wasn't alone. He'd come to realize that he trusted her with everything he was. The realization now was that he was actually standing here, between her and anyone that would harm her, because he trusted her with what he would become.
He'd never bothered to look at the future. It didn't pay to leave your mind in the past or the future. But he had no intentions of ever leaving her side, and for once he thought he understood what she meant by offering people a "home."
He stood at the balcony railing, a notable smirk to his face as he watched her. For a moment he absorbed the feeling of pride in him. She hadn't done this on her own either. He should have believed her when she told him that she needed his strength, but he hadn't understood what she could gain from someone like him. Yet there it was. He'd heard his influence on her come out in her own words.
He would keep her watchful and guarding of the soldiers. And he would keep her safe, her life more valuable than any other. More than that, he would be the knowledge and experience that she would never have. He swore that above anything else. He would be exactly what he'd never let her become, no matter what happened to them.
…He loved her too much. For once, he didn't have any other word for it.
He would protect her from anything he could. The rest of the time, he would help her as needed. There didn't need to be any other reason than that… he could. He was perfectly suited for this mission.
Scanning the crowd below, Heero pushed himself back to the task at hand. But that feeling didn't leave, and he didn't mind.
She didn't even care enough to make a statement about her "decisive victory." It wasn't worth rubbing Mr. Pearl's nose in it.
"My congratulations, Vice Minister." Relena stopped and turned back to him as Rich offered her his hand. "Contrary to the media's belief, I haven't been out to simply torment you. What I said in the beginning was accurate. I do admire you."
With the debate ended, she hadn't expected to see him backstage but he'd sought her out. And with a smile, she shook his hand. "Thank you, I appreciate that," she answered gracefully. "And please do believe that I understand your concerns and will work for their resolution."
"I'm sure you will, Madam," he stated, a good-natured smile still locked in place. "Good luck to you and the Minister."
"You too, Mr. Pearl," she acknowledged and watched as he nodded to her politely. Tucking his hands in his suit pockets he walked off, seemingly not the least bit phased by their debate.
She supposed he probably wasn't. After all, mostly likely he had expected this from the start.
Relena flipped through the files on her datapad which held her notes about the election. Topics raised, people seen, answers, thoughts, questions, all of it. Slowly, she closed each one and moved them to an out of the way folder. She had no intentions of deleting any of it yet.
Looking back at it all, Relena would say that she was better off for the way he had handled himself. Better off for the whole experience actually. Richard Pearl had not been a push over opponent. He'd thought through his moves, played the topics introduced, and criticized everything equally.
Perhaps she should take up Dorothy's amused suggestion to offer him a position in their department. She assumed her friend was kidding, but the idea did lodge in her brain for a while regardless. She wasn't sure if he'd find that a compliment though. They had parted on polite terms; that was enough for her.
The debate had been a crowning moment in public image. The polls hadn't changed much. Their lead was still shaping up to be an overwhelming landslide. It had been a basically pointless exercise, but it finally pitted their personalities against each other. And the "face to face" results had been splashed across headlines already.
Headlines that had turned up on her mother's doorstep even before she and the others had.
Glancing over, she snuck a peek at Heero as he lie beside her. He'd come in and sat down at the foot of her bed more than an hour ago. Now he laid back, his knees still hanging off the edge. His laptop had been forsaken after they had gone through the corrections she'd made to her schedule already this morning.
She felt she had no reason to continue with the pace she'd been running. In just under four weeks the polls would open, and it would be over. Relena had canceled three minor appearances, all of which were off world. She was tired and no one would be particularly hurt if she eased down to a normal number of appearances again.
Heero hadn't ventured anything on the subject, either not caring, or not finding any reason to doubt her judgment. Of course, he rarely ever commented on her schedule, leaving that up to her.
She sat at the head of the bed, her pillows collected around her. She'd been here since she'd started the nostalgic task of cleaning out her datapad. Her mother had another engagement this morning, and she hadn't gone down for breakfast. Apparently Heero had slipped upstairs when they others got up, after having appointed himself to what was left of the night watch. But always thoughtful, Pagan had sweetly brought up a couple plates for them.
Reaching over, she snagged the last piece of toast off of the tray and tossed another look at her boyfriend to see if he'd notice it was actually his. Still he didn't move and Relena resisted the urge for the second or third time to reach down and brush the unruly locks of his bangs out of his face. Taking a small bite she waited to see if he would half-heartedly accused her of stealing his breakfast. She knew he hardly ever ate toast anyway.
Come to think of it, he had moved for a while. Relena paused, watching him carefully for a moment. Had he actually fallen asleep? Blinking, she pushed her eyes back to the datapad in her lap as a smile slipped slowly onto her face. Quietly she returned to scanning the material, determined not to wake him.
He hadn't gotten any sleep last night. They had snuck off late in the evening and drove to her mother's before any media outlets thought to collect here looking for a reaction. They had slipped in without anyone noticing as Heero had predicted.
"Doesn't look like anyone beat us to the punch!" Ry called from the other car as the groups piled out.
Relena closed her door softly, knowing her mother and Pagan would be asleep. The early morning hours were blisteringly cold and the air froze in her nose for a minute. She curled her coat around her shoulders, not bothering to put in on for the short walk into the house.
Heero had already popped the truck and pulled out their bags. Waiting for him, she tipped her head back and waited for the sting of cold tears to blink out of her eyes. The stars were brilliant, sparkling in all their crystal clarity on a night like this. It was wonderful to be in a place where you could actually look up and see them again.
Closing the truck, Heero tossed both bags over his shoulder without offer hers to her, and she smiled at him even if he didn't notice. Moving past the car, she stepped up from the driveway to the side walk and towards the front steps, noting that there were actually small patches of snow between the front landscape plants. Had she missed it snow here? That was really a shame, she—
What she had mistaken for a shadow on the sidewalk was in fact a thin sheet of that same snow refrozen. She managed to gasp before one foot went out from under her and she caught herself on the other knee. Off balance she teetered towards her side as she tried vainly to get her hands free from the tangling coat to catch herself.
Before she could tumbled all the way to the cement an arm grabbed her around the shoulders and jerked her back upright. She sat for a second until she got her senses back and realized she was sitting in a rather undignified position. The knee she'd fallen on was curled under her, her other leg projecting outward. Her coat was somehow swathed around her and a sleeve was tossed around her neck like a scarf.
Letting out a laugh, she reached up and touched Heero's arm to assure him she was alright. Well it was a good thing she hadn't done that in front of a news crew.
"Miss Relena?"
"I'm fine," she called to the others who stood only a few feet away and probably still wondering how she'd ended up like that.
Alright so she was tired. She had a right to be a little clumsy; it was three in the morning.
Heero released her and she tried to untangle herself from her coat and her skirt to get her feet under her. Stepping in front of her, he offered her his hand which she took as he tugged her up.
"Watch—"
Too late. Her helpful caution turned to another gasp as she watched Heero's footing slip on the same icy patch.
Seemingly in slow motion she watched him fight for balance and she instinctively clamped onto his hand in hers. But the sudden jerk as he tried to use his arms to steady himself yanked her off balance once again. Pitching forward, she tried to grab onto him before she knocked him over but ended up snagged one of the bags which he still held instead. Before she knew it something smacked against her shin just before her knees both connected with the concrete.
Once she'd finished falling, she tossed her head up and gushed, "Are you all right?"
Heero looked back at her, a visible mark of worry in his eyes even through the dim lighting. "You?"
Taking an inventory, she nodded, "Fine."
Upon closer inspection, she realized that she'd fallen over on top of him. Relena was somewhat crouched at his side and lying over one leg. His other knee was bent up against her hip like he was still trying to support her from falling any further.
Mortified she stared at him as he propped himself up on an elbow to lean towards her face. "…S-sorry," she mumbled.
"Sir?" Delano questioned, coming up next to them, although avoiding the slippery patch.
She slowly looked up at his standing height. And she was praying it was dark enough they couldn't see her blush.
With a quiet sigh that she only caught because she was this close, Heero carefully moved to shake his hand free of hers. She hadn't even realized that she was still clinging to it for dear life.
But before she could figure out which way to move to get out of this mess, he wrapped his free arm around her shoulders and actually pulled her down so that they were both flat on the concrete.
"Dismissed."
It was the same commanding tone he always used, and Del obviously decided not to object before the confused comment came out. "Yes, Sir," he said instead, followed by a distinct snicker. "You two don't freeze out here now," he mothered as he turned and began shooing the other two up the steps to the front door.
Relena finally just burst out laughing. What else could she do?
Heero protectively wrapped both of his arms around her tightly and even moved her wayward coat a little to cover her better. "Are you all right?"
It was sweet that he was worried. "I'm fine. Just not my most shining moment."
"Hn."
"You weren't supposed to agree with me."
There was a noncommittal hum to that.
She chuckled at him and buried her face against his chest, trying wishing this away. "Sorry."
One of his hands smoothed over her hair and tenderly brushed it back from her face. They heard the front door shut and she realized that it was still very cold here. She didn't get the chance to suggest he allow her to regain her dignity she felt him softly move his face to rest against the top of her head. "I love you."
It was barely even a whisper, but she lie there, studying the patterns her breath was making. "I love you too," she whispered back in much the same way. But quickly a smile tugged at her lips, and once again she let out a laugh and curled against him tighter. "I love you too," she repeated for good measure.
No matter what, he never really lost that intensity. Even when he whispered the sweetest words to her that he could ever say. Even when his touch was gentle and his expression tender. And even when he was asleep.
She tried to keep her eyes on the datapad in case staring at him would wake him by itself. But it was difficult.
He had every right to nod off. It was just that it had never happened before. Out of all of their travels and the hectic schedule she had dozed off a number of times in front of him. But she'd always woken to find him working quietly on something. She had marveled at how he did it more than once. But perhaps this was a safe enough location and time that he didn't mind letting himself drift off.
Almost giddily Relena just found that so cute. Pushing herself back into her work, she happily continued on.
She had double checked almost everything by the time she noticed his eyes slowly open. He didn't make a move or a sound different; she just caught the subtle movement from the corner of her eye.
No, that intensity never left him. That indefinable presence he always had no matter the situation. With a smirk, she reasoned that that was what had first drawn her to him. She supposed it was nice to know that it never changed.
"Good morning," she smiled, still flipping through items on her datapad.
For a second he didn't respond, but it didn't seem that she'd startled him at all. She heard him softly take a deep breath before he closed his eyes again. "You ate my toast."
Stunned she glanced at the empty serving tray that sat beside her and above his head, completely out of his line-of-sight. "How…?"
"I imagine you're happy to have it over," her mother suggested as they helped to clear the dinner dishes.
"Very much," Relena agreed. Tucked in the kitchen by themselves, she puffed out a sigh. "Are elections always this much work?"
"They can be worse," her mother advised.
"I'll take my victory then," she chuckled. Tossing the rest of the dishes in the washer, she turned and gazed out at the slowly disappearing sunset. It was always so much more peaceful here these days.
She'd never really noticed it when this was just home. That was probably typical. You never really appreciate things until you're forced to leave it behind. But this progression, this step-by-step walk that she called a life gave her little time to think back and compare notes.
It was nice now and then. Just to stand here and pretend things were as simple as they were four years ago. If that was selfish, she didn't mind. She'd take the opportunities she got to look back and see what she'd done, and how she'd changed.
"Congratulations."
She turned and blinked at her mother in surprise as she pulled a tea cup out of the cupboard. With a smile, she nodded. "Thanks," she chirped cheerfully.
"You've earned this position," she continued. Not really looking at her, she filled a small tea kettle and set it on the burner. "It is not an easy thing to gain the trust of so many." Turning towards her, she gave her a warm smile. Softly she reached over and brushed her bangs out of her eyes, her hand coming to rest on her cheek. "I'd expect no less from his daughter."
"Oh, Mother." Relena hugged her around her shoulders tightly.
Which of her fathers she meant, Relena didn't need to ask. She was hopeful that her mother had meant both of them.
Melton Pearl pursed his lips as he stopped in front of the TV for a second and read through the poll results listed. "Hum… I think we lost," he mumbled and then continued on.
Rich sat on the couch and watched his uncle walk off before he rolled his eyes.
"Don't you roll your eyes at me, boy."
"Yes, Sir."
No one was paying much attention to the election results as they updated on the television screen every eighteen minutes. It didn't seem to be the reason they were here, yet it was apparently appropriate to have the media think they were holdup in the Darlian estate to see the results come in.
What difference that made to the press, Heero didn't know. It had been an excuse to come back again, and Relena had taken it.
He didn't mind. She was always far more at ease here than she was anywhere else. Relena sat with Alli, Ry and her mother as they alternated playing a card game of some sort on the other side of the library. And it appeared her mother was winning.
"Gin."
"No!"
"Already?"
Delano was reading in a corner chair, and glanced up to catch the poll figures now and then. Heero had a set of files to look through for a case he was assisting on. Since he had recently finished his college replacement courses, he had requested additional assist case files to work on. They usually seemed straightforward enough. And with the prospect of more time spend on world and in office, Commander Une had hinted that he would be utilized better.
Relena paced by him and flopped down on the couch beside him, taking one of the pillows and holding it in her lap. "Are we still winning?"
"Hn," he nodded.
"I'm going to feel bad for the Pearls if they don't get a few more votes," Delano added as he flipped a page.
"I'm sure they'll get over it," she waved it off with a chuckle. She settled in to watch for a while, and Heero turned to look over at her. Catching his eyes she gave him a warm smile, "I guess it's over."
"For now."
With a knowing smile, she nodded to that. Turning back to the results she hummed to herself, "Let's see who else I'm going to be dealing with."
Nothing ever really ended. One situation progressed to another. An experience in one time or place would repeat itself in another. Nothing learned was ever really lost. And as she settled back and tucked her feet under her, he was sure she knew that.
Relena Darlian had never given up on anything she believed in. Peace, pacifism, humanity, Mars, any of it. With an interior smile to himself he watched the numbers for a moment as well. And that had always included him.
No, this wasn't the end of anything.
"It makes no difference how deeply seated may be the trouble, how hopeless the outlook, how muddled the tangle, how great the mistake. A sufficient realization of love will dissolve it all." – Emmet Fox
"Realizations" Finished March, 08.
AN: Yes, you read that correctly. For all of the devoted readers that have stuck with these two beloved characters so long, I've always said that I would persevere and grant you an ending. But of course, by our very nature as fan-fiction readers and writers, stories never really end, do they?
My sincere thanks to those who read through these works. I can not tell you how much I have enjoyed this, and how much I adore being able to hear what you think. This all started off as a new experience for me. Those I met along the way became inspiration (conspirators), incentive (by death-threat), and friends (who still won't lend me money). My deepest thanks for everything you have provided me. This story would never have been the same without the input I received all along. (Feel free to pat yourselves on the back.)
For those of you that are still reading Revelations too, I will be continuing on with that exclusively. And there's no telling if more hints about this feature couple won't pop up in there. I will also be doing some much needed editing on all of the posted chapters of this trilogy, since many of you were so kind to offer me your assistance (and I don't pay well).
In closing, dear reader, thank you for listening to my creative ramblings, forgive me my grammar mistakes, and most of all, God bless!
Isis
"I have never written a thing; I have only been privileged to be able to read a few things before anyone else."