This is the Way it is

Chapter 2

Relena woke, finding her breakfast already on her bedside table. She looked to the spot where Heero usually sat watching her. But, he was no to be found. She glanced nervously around, trying desperately to find him. He was like a security blanket to her in the morning, always there to chase away the nightmares that followed her into the morning light. She turned slightly to find the balcony doors opened. Rising, she marched out to the balcony to see the morning. There she found Heero in only a pair of thin cotton PJ pants. She sighed. Heero turned to see her there, coffee cup in hand. "Morning, 'Lena," he whispered, moving to hug her as he did every morning when they were alone.

"Morning, Heero," she whispered back to him, hugging him. She loved the mornings alone with him because he was so open. He held nothing back. That was the Heero she knew and loved. "Are you escorting me to the ball tonight?" she questioned him. She searched his face for some sign to tell her yes or no.

"Of course I am," he whispered to her, still holding her close. They sighed in unison and watched the sun rise over the hills before retreating back into Relena's room for breakfast.

*******

Relena walked slowly to the kitchen to greet her brother and Noin as she did every morning. Heero followed her down at a safe distance. Zechs noticed this and mentally sighed. Though he didn't like Heero much, he did feel sorry for the pair. He knew what they meant to the other and he hated having to do what was forced upon him. Relena looked at her brother's distraught face and frowned. "Milliardo, what's wrong?"

"Hm? Oh, well... I have to talk to the both of you," he sighed. Relena mentally frowned at his reaction and Heero arched an eyebrow, noting the distress. The pair followed the older pilot to the study and took their seats. "Relena, I hate having to do this, but they've given me no other choice. The colony delegates made me agree to marrying you off to a colony delegate to, as they put it, 'Maintain Peace'. You will be meeting him tonight at the ball. I am so sorry, sister. I tried to stop them, but..." he trailed off. He noticed that she was not crying like she would have been. Heero rose and strode to her as she stood up. She looked between the two men and sighed.

"I will NOT marry someone I do not love," she pronounced every syllable with noticeable venom. Heero took her hand in his own and just held it there. He knew what he had to do. Kill those damned delegates, or become one himself...

*******

Relena sighed as she brushed her long hair back to put it in her curled updo for the night. She applied black/silvery eyeshadow and burgundy lipstick (the kind that DOESN'T go anywhere). She put the crown upon her head and pinned it into place. She then slipped into the dress Heero had bought for her. It was burgundy with an embroidered bodice and ball skirt. She felt like a million bucks in the dress. She slipped on the burgundy shoes and opened the door, revealing Heero. He held a necklace in his hands. Turning slightly he slipped it on her. As she looked in the mirror she gasped. It was a black and red rose choker. The roses made of rubies. He looked at her with love and passion. There was no way she was marrying that other man! No way in hell.

She turned and hugged him, he slipped his arms around her small waist and kissed the top of her head. She looked up at him, whispering, "Heero, I'm so scared." He just held her tighter and kissed her forehead. A lone tear slipped down his cheek. They turned and walked arm in arm to the ball room. "Let them do what they will. I won't be taken from you, Heero," she whispered. His only response was to squeeze her arm a little. The two stopped before the doors to the grand ball room. She leaned up and kissed him on the lips softly before entering.

As the doors opened, the congregation gasped and stood on in awe. The pair walked down the stairs, arm in arm, looking affectionately at the other. The room erupted in clapping and the whistling of Duo and the other pilots. The delegates mentally frowned at the pair. This couldn't happen. There was no way they would let her go THAT easily.

Heero and Relena entered the ballroom and walked to the table at which they were seated at. A young man around the age of 25 came up to Relena and bowed slightly, "My queen, would you care to dance?" he inquired. She looked at Heero and smiled.

"The lady is spoken for at this dance," Heero spoke up, eliciting a small gasp from the man. Heero reached for her gloved hand and she accepted graciously. The young man retreated to the colony delegates. The delegates watched with hateful eyes as the couple danced. Milliardo smiled to himself and Noin knew exactly what he felt.

Heero and Relena felt as if they were the only people in the world as they danced. Heero smiled so much more and she laughed as they twirled about the room. Duo cut in and took the young Queen for a spin around the dance floor. As soon as Duo finished, Trowa cut in, then Quatre, and then Wufei. When she finally returned to Heero she had wonderful stories to tell him. "Did you know that Duo plans on asking Hilde to marry him? Oh! And Trowa and Quatre finally set the date for the wedding, which is October 18. They seem so happy! And Sally is expecting their first child sometime in August. Sally thinks it will be a girl, Wufei doesn't care, he's just excited that Sally is carrying his child. Heero? Heero? Hhheeeellllllllllllooooo?" she rambled on, stopping seeing the longing look on his face.

"Hm? Oh, what was that about Wufei's child?" he questioned, popping back into reality. She asked him what he was looking at. "Oh, I though I saw one of the delegates smirking at us, like this wouldn't last... Relena, can I ask you something?" She nodded her approval. "Well, what if you have to marry one of them?" She sighed, leaning into his embrace.

"Then , my dear, that is the way it must be. But I will fight it all the way," she smiled up at him. "And when all else fails, I'll divorce him or annul it." Heero laughed at her. "Prove to me what you really want from us and MAYBE I will find a way out of the arrangement," she whispered, nibbling slightly on his ear. He groaned into her ear in acknowledgment. She smiled, "Very good."

Xavier Jackson looked on with noticeable hate in his eyes. This couldn't happen. Relena was supposed to be his! He was having her forced into marriage with him. But there she was with that... pilot! That common scum! Heero Yuy. 'Oh, here comes Zechs. He can understand where I stand...' "Oh, Zechs! Hello," he smirked. Zechs nodded and stood, waiting for the scum to say more to him. "Could you please bring Miss Relena here, along with her bodyguard. I think it is time I met them," he concluded, his smirk growing. Zechs nodded and disappeared, only to reappear with the two following closely behind. Xavier bowed before the queen. "Hello Queen Relena. My name is Xavier Jackson. I am the one the delegates have chosen to be your husband. How do you do?" he questioned, extending his hand.

She nodded. Oh yes, this was scum. "Quite well. Have you met Heero Yuy yet? He is my bodyguard and closest confidante. IF we do marry, he WILL be in the palace, personally guarding me. If you refuse, too bad," she said quite calmly. You could almost feel the venom dripping from the words she spoke. Xavier's smirk slipped from his face. He hadn't counted on Yuy moving into their home as well. He fumbled for an excuse.

"But I have guards. I could assign one of them to your care," he said, almost pleading with her to accept. She shook her head.

"No, Heero is the BEST and wouldn't you want the BEST for you wife-to-be?" she questioned. He nodded, defeated. He sighed a defeated 'Of course' and left to consult the other delegates. Relena sighed, looking up at Heero, "I don't like him. He's only after my body." Heero nodded. Zechs sighed, agreeing with the young couple. He never wanted this to happen to them. "Heero, can we go to the garden?" she asked with an exasperated sigh. He nodded his approval. The pair left the ballroom for the comfort of eachother's company.

She walked with her arm trapped comfortably in his own. As they reached the safety of the garden maze they freed themselves of care. Heero lifted his Queen into his strong arms and kissed her passionately. "I have wanted to do that for HOURS!" he spoke hotly. She giggled as his possessive side emerged. "And if you do HAVE to marry him, it is OK to cheat on him with your real lover," his eyes gained a predatory gleam. She sighed, pressing her slight, soft form to his hard steel body. She sighed into his chest.

"I wish we could stay like this forever," she whispered. He just nodded and kissed her forehead.

"I know, Love, I know."

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