Dance of Hearts

written by: Calla

DISCLAIMER: I don't own 'em. *sob* And no money comes from this writing...and if there is I'm surely not recieving it...

AUTHOR'S NOTE:Poem at the end is also written by your truely...and Desiree is mine...or rather Quatre's, er, I made her up!

PG RATED WARNING: LIME!!! Does that answer your question? Umm...if you don't know what "lime" means then there is suggestive content within that may educate the younger more than want to be... Oh yes, and this fic is VERY angst.

A DANCE OF HEARTS

"Master Quatre, I believe we've finally found a suitable match." Rashid said.

As Quatre sat at his desk a flicker of dread passed across his features as he heard and registered Rasid's words in his mind. It was the moment he had feared and dreaded for six months now. He looked up at the tall Maganac tentavily.

"Who is it?"

"Her name is Desiree Lerach." Rashid informed, unsympathtic to Quatre's pouty look. This HAD to be done. Quatre was aware of it. He was born to privledge and with it came certain sad responsiblites. Especcially now. He had been putting this off long enough.

"What sort of background is she from?" Quatre asked trying to sound curious despite the fact that he felt like a tremendous weight had been dropped on his chest.

"Just as you asked. She is from a diffrent colony. Colony L-3. Not of a rich family. She's a peasant to put it bluntly." Rashid's displeasure was apparent as he informed his young master of this. Why he had insisted she be of the common classes was beyond him. He continued," As far as family goes it's safe to say she has practically none."

"What do you mean?" Quatre asked confused.

"Just a twin brother. But she isn't sure who or where he is, or if he's even still alive. She was raised an orphan after the war. She was aadopted, but both her parnets were killed in the Gundam Wars." Rashid read off from a paper in a file, then looked up breifly at the blond haired boy worriedly, then went back to the report." We've identifed her brother after running tests and such."

"Oh?" Quatre stated simply wondering if he should be especially interested in this. All he wanted was to be left alone to think about his situation. Rashid stayed silent. So in awkward interest Quatre raised his eyebrows."Do I know him?"

"Yes, Master Quatre, you do."

"Well?" Quatre prompted starting to lose patience.

"Her brother's name as she remembers it was Anthony Lerach. Today we know him as the Shinigami- Duo Maxwell."

"Duo has a sister?" Quatre asked raising from his seat amazed.

"Yes.." Rashid raised a hand in a stopping motion telling Quatre to take his seat. "...but Duo doesn't know it, and shedoesn't know it's HIM. So until they are actually face to face, I don't think it'll be wise to mention it."

"You want to keep this from them?" quatre asked confused again. Duo was now going to be almost family. Surely he should know it. "Why?"

"What she will be experincing as it is will be very tramautic for her, and for you. Neither of you will need unneccessary distractions. Things will be tough enough. AFTER all is well and good, then tell them." Rashid explained.

"Yes, in a way I can see your point of veiw. Thank you Rashid. Leave me her file, I'll look at it."

Rashid nodded, laid the file in front of Quatre on his desk and promptly left. For what only seemed to be seconds, but were really minutes Quatre stared at the file absently.

This was it, he finally said to himself after he realized he had let his mind slip away, thinking and feeling nothing. 'I can hide from, nor shirk my responsiblity no more. I'm of age, and the Colonies and peace DEMANDS it.'

He picked up the folder and opened it. The front page boasted of a photograph of Desiree. She had long brown hair, and violety blue eyes. Her face was heart shaped, and her frame small. She WAS pretty. If one looked close enough, one could see the resemblence she had to Duo.

Yet somehow, even the knowledge that she was pretty, and was related to a dear friend of his was no comfort. what he had to do; what SHE had been chosen for made him half sick. But the Colonies, Earth, and his postion itself obligated him to it. It was one of the reasons he had run away before, and in some ways wished he had DIED in battle. Closing his eyes,he swung around to look out the window behind him at the Colony's population below.

"Desiree Lerach, I guess, you have the honor of being my bride." Quatre said aloud, with only the slight breeze to listen.

~~~~*~~~~

TWO MONTHS LATER...

"Mr.Winner?" Quatre's secretary's voice sang over the intercom.

Quatre looked up briefly, hit a button, and resumed writing his report as he spoke. "Yes?"

"There's a Miss Desiree Lerach here to see you."

"Desiree?" Quatre whispered into the silence of his office. "Send her in."

He set hi pen aside and looked up at the door with a mixture of anticipation and wonder. They weren't supposed to meet until that night. A few minutes later the door opened to reveal the in person form of his fiance'. Quatre stood as he saw a timid expression on her face as she closed the door. She lingered in the shadows for a moment, then with a look of utter determination, yet fear in her eyes, she stepped forward into the light.

After a brief pause of silence between them she spoke. " Mr. Winner?"

"Miss Lerach." Quatre acknowlegded.

What was she doing here? They would have been meeting for the first time tonight anyway. They would be alone. Why was she here now? He looked at her more critically, and realized the photo he had been given of her did her an injustice. She wasn't just PRETTY, she was BEAUTIFUL.

"I just got in from the spaceport. I felt it best if I didn't postpone our meeting." she said in a business like tone.

"May I ask why?" Quatre inquired confused.

"So all the ...awkwardness will be gone of first introductions. After all it is a marrige contract we will be participating in, not a business meeting." she staed matter-of-factly.

"Yes. I see what you mean." quatre said with a slight blush. he mtioned to a chair in front of him. "Please sit down."

She came froward, seated and situated herself, then looked up at Quatre with a look of both shyness and displeasure. Quatre reseated himself as he exchanged another look of shyness and wonder with her. They sat in silence fo several moments. Both felt uncomfortbale. Absently, Quatre began to fidget with his pen. he looked up at her and racked his brain for something to say, as she she looked around the room, then past him out the windows.

"How was your flight?" he asked concentrating his gaze on his pen.

"It went well I suppose. I've only been off colony once before- when I was adopted and taken to L-3." she answered.

"Then it must've been sort of an adventure for you." Quatre commented completely unhappy with himself for not asking a more informal question.

"I've had enough adventures to last a life time." she said bitterly. The wars were still fresh in her mind.

Quatre blushed crimson. Was she accusing him of something? But then she was right. He'd seen his share too. "I understand" he whispered.

'No...no, he doesn't understand. HE is the reason my parnets are dead. HE had been a Gundam pilot. Wasn't it enough that I have forgiven ANOTHER of these cursed men who piloted one of those wretched machines? Wasn't it enough that I had come to..., no... I mustn't think of it. I must TRY to see beyonf the war...beyond it all. I am promised to him by FEDERAL law. I have no choice.'

She felt a tear begin to slide down her cheek as she realized Quatre was staring at her with concern. She looked at him breifly, and realized he had no choice in this either. If he was truely as gentle and sweet as shew had been told he would try to make the best of this,, and make her happy. Surely, she must TRY to see beyond the past and her own feelings.

"Are you okay?" Quatre asked standing up, leaning forward and placing a hand on her cheek.

Pulling away from the touch as if was painful, she wiped the tears from her eyes as she looked away, and said,"Yes. Fine."

Quatre looked down at this hand with a hurt look and sat back down. 'I always knew I would have to face this someday. Especially after the war was over, and I became Relena's Prime Minister of the Sanc Kingdom, Earth, and the Colonies. This young woman was never raised with the knowledge that her destiny was to marry someone she did not love. I wish I could set her free from this. But I can't. It's too late. The contracts are signed, it's been announced, all that is left is the ceremony and the concemation. How can I concemate our relationship in the manner that is demanded?

"I'm sorry you were forced into this." Quatre said swinging his chair around and looking out the windows. "You probably have many painful memories that won't leave you in peace." Quatre closed his eyes as before them, in his mind, he saw the Colony he had destroyed blow up in front of him as if it was just happening. His voice began to break as he spoke, " As do I. Some I can never even hope to see them die."

"I think I should leave. Go set up my belongings at the Winner estate." she said behind him, her voice absent of emotion, but Quatre knew there were still tears in her eyes.

"Yes. Perhaps it'll be a good idea. I'll see you tonight. We'll be dining at home, not out." Quatre said trying to mask his own voice over.

"Home...yes...I suppose I should start calling it home now." Desiree whispered to herself as she got up and began to leave.

She turned around, and saw a sight she never thought she would have from ANY former Gundam pilot, tears were falling from his eyes, streaming down his cheeks.

"Until tonight then." she called to him.

He wiped the tears away quickly as he picked up a pen and nodded while resuming the work on his report.

"Until tonight."

~~~*~~~~

Part 3

Quatre awaited hi dining partner at the large wooden table. All the platters were now served, it was time to begin and she STILL wasn't there. When he saw one of the servants pass through he stopped her.

"She DOES know that dinner is NOW, doesn't she?"

"Yes sir." she answered in a cheery voice.

"Then WHY isn't she down here yet?" Quatre inquired- his usual quiet tone diminishing with his patience.

"I don't know sir. Perhaps she's having problems getting ready." the servant offered by way of explanantion.

Quatre threw her a sideways glance as he turned to face forward and waved a hand in dismissal. He began to drum hi fingers on the table.'What was taking so long? Is she even coming?'

Just as that thought passed the dining room door opened, and Desiree slipped in silently, attired in a white evening dress that Quatre had bought her as a welcoming gift. Her long hair was bound up in a mixture of braids and curls. Around her neck she wore a sapphire necklace that contrasted nicely with the whitness of her gown. The sight of her took his breath away, and he forgot all about being upset with her. She was so beautiful.

"Please forgive my tardiness. I was having problems with my hair. Then I couldn't find the earrings to match my necklace. THEN my shoes decided to..." she tried to explain as she sat down catty-cornered to him, and placed her napkin on her lap. She stopped when Quatre held up a hand to quit.

"I get the picture. For what it's worth, you look very beautiful, and I am most pleased with the effort you took in your grooming." Quatre said formally. "You look like a jewel."

He rang a bell and servants brought in their plates- already fixed and still warm. Glasses of wine and water followed.

"Well your welcome to look I guess." Desiree said as she picked up a fork ready to dive in.

Quatre blushed at ther words, then grabbed his wine glass, and took a couple deep gulps of the liquid. Desiree eyed him suspiously.

"I thought Muslims didn't drink."

"Who told you I was a Muslim?" Quatre asked teasingly.

"Well your Arabian, aren't you?" she asked in an accusing voice.

"Yes, I'm an Arabian. But that doesn't mean I'm a Muslim." Quatre said, and took another sip of wine.