V

Relena erased the chalkboard and wrote down the topic of the lesson as she waited for the students to arrive. She heard the bounce of a basketball and Wufei Chang, the A.P. Eastern Civilization teacher next door, scold Duo for making such a "dishonorable racket in the hallways while serious scholars were engaged in intellectual pursuits."

"My bad, Mr. WuCee, won't happen again."

Relena chuckled when she pictured the look of pure indignation Chang always had from the hated nickname. The students bustled in and she noticed the four boys on the basketball team come in with their shirts sloppily tucked into their pants, ties askew and their blazers flung over their shoulders. Their hair was wet too as if they had quickly showered before haphazardly throwing on their uniforms. She opened her mouth to tell them to march right to the bathroom and straighten themselves up like proper young men when Heero walked in with his shirt open to reveal a white vest underneath, sleeves rolled up to his forearms and his tie hanging around his shoulders. His dark brown hair was damp and even more untamable than usual. Relena found her eyes drawn to the lean outline of his chest and abdomen through his vest, to the muscles of his arms but she caught herself and swiftly turned around praying he didn't notice her ogling him. When everyone settled down she wondered out loud if all teachers allowed their students to attend class half-dressed.

A member of the team, raised his hand. "Sorry Ms. Darlian, drills were brutal today." Relena saw Heero recline in his chair, tilt his head to side and look at her with those Prussian blue eyes that lately seemed to hold her in place as they poked and prodded her and then released her as if she were dropped from a suspension. She saw thin evidence of a smirk on his lips as if he were amused but his eyes were oddly fierce and she awkwardly cleared her throat..

"Understandable," she said, "but please take more care before coming to class. You know how Vice Principle Un is with students upholding the uniform code."

"Yes ma'am," the boys echoed in unison. Relena began the lesson but she was uncomfortable the whole time. Oh God, when had she become such a pervert? Heero made no effort to button his shirt or open a textbook or do anything other than openly stare at her. When she walked around the class, answered questions and called on students she'd catch him give her a head to toe perusal, expression kept neutral at all times. She blushed considerably thinking he had noticed her not so innocent gaze when he had entered the class.

'He's making fun of me!' Relena thought fitfully trying to keep on track with the lecture. But the look in his eyes was anything but teasing and despite the inappropriateness of her feelings, she was excited.

'Get a grip, he's a student!' Yet there was heat in his stare and she didn't know when the tension had increased between them but he made it clear he wanted her and she'd never say it out loud but she wanted him too.

.

Relena paid little attention as she handed out test packets to the students. When she reached the last packet and Heero's desk she was nauseous. She looked down at her handwriting at the top of the paper and steeled her nerves. Relena held out the quiz to him and he took it without looking at her. She went back to sit at her desk and observed the students as they were hunched over their papers, the scratching of pens and the occasional cough the only sounds for the whole hour.

In the final fifteen minutes of class, students finished up their tests and got up to put it on her desk and she allowed them to leave. She knew Heero had completed the one-hundred multiple choice question in the first half hour of the class because he had raised his head to briefly glance at her and then turned his head to gaze out the window for the rest of the time.

A few students who needed the whole class time for the test finally handed them in and filed out the room. Heero then got up, picked up his book bag and placed his test on top of the pile.

He looked at Relena then, his eyes shaded and neutral. She unfolded her hands and slowly got up. His eyes followed her movement the whole time, even as she came to stand directly in front of him.

'Now or never,' she thought before she stood on tiptoe.

Even after she lightly kissed him on the lips, his expression did not change and he stood stock still. She waited anxiously for any reaction from him and her heart sank to the lowest depths when he made no effort.

"Was that what you needed to talk to me about?" Heero asked then, his voice hollow.

Relena felt her stomach drop and she frowned as her eyes searched his face. That was it? That was all he was going to say?

"I should think you would know what that means," she said slowly, as she desperately tried to keep her anxiety down.

She thought she saw something cross his eyes but it quickly disappeared before he turned away.

"Where are you going?" Relena asked and grabbed his blazer sleeve. He looked down at her hand before lifting his eyes to her face.

"You don't have to do this," he finally said before he pulled his arm from her grasp. "I know I forced you."

Relena stare at him in disbelief. "What are you talking about?" she said angrily, fighting tears. "After days of misery, of finally getting the courage to face you like this, you just turn around and tell me 'oh it's alright, forget about it?"

He said nothing in the face of her anger.

"Why, why are you like this? Did you mean anything you told me?"

She didn't give him time to answer and hastily grabbed her briefcase. She needed to get away from him; she felt like a world class fool.

"I meant everything," Heero said gruffly as he blocked her from leaving. But she didn't want to hear it, didn't want to hear anything from him and shoved him aside. Heero dropped his book bag and caused her to drop her briefcase when he grabbed her wrists as she struggled.

"Let me go you lying ass-."

"Did you think I would be satisfied with that?" Heero whispered roughly before he pulled her close and captured her lips. Relena tried to jerk her face away but he held on fast and despite herself she melted into the kiss. She gave into his mouth and his hands that trailed down her arms to wrap around her and haul her to his body. Her palms rested on his chest and his hand threaded through her hair and he ran his tongue over his lips and she pressed her closer, in a mad rush to taste more of him. No man had ever kissed her like that and she released every fear she had, cared little even if someone were to walk in on them and simply returned his kiss with the same fervor. It was as if he couldn't get enough of her and somewhere in the haze of it all she felt his hand stray down her waist and caress the curve of her hip. She knew they had to stop but she wasn't going to be the one to end it.

Relena was thankful Heero possessed more restraint and softly nibbled on her lip before he pulled away reluctantly.

"I-I'm sorry," he whispered, leaning his forehead against hers.

She felt her heart swell as she looked into the swirling turmoil of his deep sea eyes. "Don't be," she breathed against his lips. "I wanted it too."

Heero lifted his head back to fully look her in the face and she saw traces of uncertainty in his eyes.

"Is this what you want Heero?" Relena asked softly, using his name for the first time. She was ready to take the plunge with him but she wouldn't make a single step forward if she wasn't sure he was steadfast with his decision. After all he had set things in motion and in her heart she didn't want to be the only one willing to take a risk.

Heero was silent as he held her. He nodded then, his eyes warm, a faint smile on his lips. He dipped his head down, kissed her gently, his lips lingering over hers.

"Relena," Heero breathed her name. She inhaled his cologne and rested her head on his shoulder as he stroked her hair. If they were together like this, it would be enough, she believed as she raised her hands to clutch the back of his jacket. Despite the age difference, their relationship at school, if it was just between them it would be enough.

.

Relena clapped along with the rest of the audience as the graduating class made their way out of the assembly hall in a formal procession. She removed her cap and went to go wait outside while the students took pictures with family members. Heero was, not surprisingly, Valedictorian and took a while to come out. She stayed in the far most part of the lawn and Duo, Hilde and students from both of her AP classes and homeroom came up to take pictures with her and she obliged. Relena kept her eyes to the door though and finally saw Heero step out, Prussian blues narrowed as he scanned the crowd for her.

Relena smiled as he brushed past classmates and walked towards her. He quickly swept off his cap and she made a mock pout.

"Aw and you looked so adorable," she teased.

Heero rolled his eyes. "Don't. I had enough coddling from Ms. Po."

Relena smiled and reached up to straighten the honors cords that were pinned to the shoulder of his gown. "Are you finished taking pictures and being interviewed?"

"No," he said looking around, "but I want to leave."

"Oh? And have you somewhere to be?"

Heero smirked down at her. "I have a date actually."

"Really now?" she replied with a raised eyebrow. "And with whom?"

"A pretty blonde teacher," Heero said as he grabbed her hand and pulled her along after him. Relena hoped no one was looking as they walked quickly across the yard but all the students, teachers and parents were preoccupied so no one noticed when they disappeared around the building. Before she could speak, he took hold of her hands and kissed her soundly. He still wasn't too comfortable with the affectionate and physical aspects of their relationship but he had surprised her in the past month.

"Figured its still semi unacceptable to do that in front of people," he explained, cleared his throat and looked away.

Relena laughed and threw her arms around his neck. "Consider that your graduation present."

Heero pulled her into him and rested his forehead lightly on hers. "Have dinner with me?"

It wasn't the most romantic of invitations but it was enough coming from him. "Our relationship just became legal only twenty minutes ago," she said and pushed his messy bangs back from his face. "You can't wait until after the graduation dance?"

"I've already waited eight months," he said with a scowl.

Relena kissed his nose. "Then the next few hours will go by quickly for you," she said as she grinned and whirled around. "Race you to the gym!" And she laughed as Heero gave chase, her blonde hair flying wildly behind her.

.

And there you have it! HAHA Got that out of my system! Hope you guys enjoyed! =)