You're so beautiful.

It was a funny thing to have to call a man, but it seemed Relena could find no other way to describe him, as she watched his serenely sleeping face.

A mischievous smile on her face, Relena started to brush her fingers against his forehead, down the bridge of his nose, his sculpted chin, to his neck and his chest. She glanced at his face, found a smile there that he was trying to hide in the guise of sleep.

She giggled, making him know he had been caught watching her.

In seconds, he had grabbed her busy hand and rolled on top of her, giving her a kiss on the forehead, down to the bridge of her nose and to her lips.

"I'm a light sleeper" he said.

"I know" she said.

He smiled. Kissed her again, before they pulled away from each other and just…stared.

"Heero," she said softly, "when I wake up tomorrow, I want to find you gone."

"Relena--"

"I mean it" she said determinedly, "No goodbye's, not anything. Just…say good night like you'll still be around tomorrow. Say it like it doesn't mean anything."

He understood. Somehow, he did.

"Good night, Relena."


He was true to his word, to her slight regret. Come morning he was gone.

Heero was called to Julianna's room early in the day.

He could immediately tell she was angry, from her stance and the ice in her eyes.

"You spent the night away from your chambers," she said flatly. It didn't seem to be a question.

"Yes," said Heero, seeing no point in the lie.

"It is not to happen again," she told him, averting her gaze. "I've made arrangements. The wedding is going to be in three days."

It wasn't so hard to avoid Relena, after that.

While both parties involved had a hand in it--namely, Yuy and Darlian--the rest of the world, too, conspired in keeping them apart.

It was by the very order of Colonel Une, straight from the mouth of the President to make sure they didn't cross each other again, in the name of Peace.

Dress rehearsal.

The press officers, Heero reflected, were the same no matter which side they worked for.

Already, it seemed Princess Julianna's press officer was working well with that of United Earth Nations. The two women were presently giving him reminders that just went in one ear and out the other.

"This will be televised everywhere!" one said, "so you have to look like, really, really in love."

"Can the Commodore act?" asked the other, "we can get a coach at the last minute--"

"The kiss has to be really deep and really passionate--"

"Some tongue would be in order--"

"Oh, yes, tongue. Definitely--"

"The priest wouldn't mind--"

"Or we can talk to him beforehand--"

"Your hand has to go to her elbow--"

"Gentlemanly behavior--"

"Like a Prince--"

Heero stifled a groan. Julianna was standing beside him, looking bored. On Heero's side, Duo stood too, as the best man. His eyes drooped, as if he was going to fall asleep on his feet. Beside Julianna was the one she chose to be her maid of honor: Relena. Julianna had a taste for irony. Relena looked miserable, head hanging and eyes downcast.

Or maybe she's asleep, Heero thought fondly.

to be continued....

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