Woke Up One Morning... Part 5
After waking, Heero and I made our shared bed as neatly as it had been before we arrived. Our rings are removed and hidden in our luggage that we know no one will look through. From there, my partner decided that he would take a quick shower before we headed out to watch over the meeting of 'The Assembly.'
So, I cleaned up my mussed braid, changed into a pair of camouflage pants and a black T-shirt and headed out to the massive kitchen where breakfast was waiting.
Quatre is the only one seated at the white table where there is an incredible spread of food. Looking up from the book that he's reading, he smiles brightly, "Good morning, Duo." He closes his book and removed the reading glasses from the bridge of his nose. "I hope that you slept well last night."
Oh, if only he knew.
"Never slept better," I grin widely. Taking up the seat across from him, I start filling my plate with a mix of eggs, fruit and a couple of pancakes. "You and the Maguanacs are ever the wonderful hosts."
With a small chuckle, Quat shrugs, "It's the least that can be done for my friends. I just appreciate that all of you took the time off to oversee the Assembly meeting on such short notice." Raising an eyebrow, he smirks at me, "Although Trowa and I are perfectly capable of looking after ourselves."
I raise my hands and snicker, "You don't need to tell me that, man. We all know you can handle anything. But what kind of friends would we be if we didn't give a hand? Besides, you would do the same if you were in our place."
My blond comrade sips from his tea and nods, "I cannot argue with that." Tilting his head, he changes the subject by commenting, "You and Heero seem to be wearing each other well."
It surprises me to the point that I nearly choke on the milk that I'm drinking with the image of us 'wearing' each other half naked in bed as we had the night before. Coughing as little as I possibly can, I blink my wide eyes and sputter, "W-what makes you say that?"
Grinning, Quat replies, "I just mean I've never seen you so calm or Heero so open with his feelings. It's nice to see." Chewing on the inside of his cheek for a moment, he adds, "Any idea if he's ever clued onto how you feel about him?"
Of all of the guys, my Arabian friend is the only one that I had ever shared that little secret with. It was pretty hard to hide since we spent so much time together after Heero had blown himself and his Gundam to kingdom come during the start of the Eve Wars. Staying at one of his mansions soon after, I was despondent for a long time.
Because his unique ability to sense emotions then was still strong, and already being involved with Trowa at the time, it did not take much for Quat to find that my depression was more than someone grieving a friend. When confronted about it, I was at such a loss that I didn't hold anything back. I confessed that I had been in love with Heero, even if he really didn't seem to tolerate me much at the time.
Little did I know at the time that 'Ro would come back from the dead. And what little crush I had then only grew the more I got to spend moments with him.
But Quatre was good to keep that little secret between us even to this day.
Clearing my throat, I use my fork to play with what little food is left on my plate. "No. Not really," I answer. And it's not a lie. Heero really doesn't know just how far back and how deep my feelings for him go. "He knows that I care about him more than anyone, but I would guess that's the most of what he understands."
Quatre saddens a bit and he questions, "Is that enough for you?"
I jut grin, "I would rather have him in my life somehow than not have him in it at all." Again, nothing but the truth. If for whatever reason this marriage thing doesn't work out, it's been a blast exploring new aspects of our relationship.
Finally, his smile returning, my friend nods, "Now, that I can truly appreciate. You're a good man for that, Duo." Smiling, I fight off my discomfort over the compliment and nod in appreciation before finishing off the last bit of melon I had left.
Trowa and Wufei step into the room at the same time with pleasant greetings as they took their seats. Sitting beside is lover, the tallest ex-pilot of the group leans in and kisses his lips gently. "Morning, love," he whispers with a smile before he starts filling his plate with food.
Damn. They're as cute as 'Fei and Sal.
I always used to be jealous of them. The longest-lasting relationship of any of us and they still only had eyes for each other. Now, I'm jealous for an entirely different reason... and I'm the married one of the bunch!
Just when I'm feeling a little too lonely, Heero steps into the kitchen and pulls out the chair to my right. Slipping into the seat, he peers out of the corner of his eye at me and gives a hidden grin. Instantly, my chest feels a hell of a lot lighter.
Maybe I don't have a reason to be jealous anymore, after all.
Chewing on his breakfast, Wufei announces, "Quatre, I've looked over the itinerary for the meeting that you gave me." His dark eyes focus on Heero and myself as he suggests, "If we want to have a look through the main gathering hall before the members of the Assembly arrive, we'll need to leave within the hour."
His plate filled and already enjoying his meal, 'Ro grunts an affirmative and I salute with a smirk, "Roger, Red Leader."
Snorting, 'Fei shakes his head in amusement and finishes his breakfast. We fall into a casual conversation until it's time to get ready and we all part ways from there.
Back in our shared room, Heero and I strip our T-shirts off to pull on our bullet-proof vests. Without even needing to be asked for help, my husband moves in to adjust the straps at the back for me so that it's nice and snug. His hands linger a bit when he's finished, his fingers running along my bare my bare arms in a way that shock waves run up and down my spine.
"Does that feel alright?" he asks and I have to smile at the question. Oh, if only he knew how that felt. Of course, he's referring to the vest.
Turning to meet his eyes, I grin, "Perfect." I wait for him to tug his own gear in place and return the favor in securing the back straps. As many times as we've done this, there's something a little more... intimate about it now.
Just checking to see if I'm the only one that feels that way, my hands act the same as Heero had. Slowly, they run over the back straps to see that they're tight enough then they travel up the shoulders and down his bare arms. I know I'm not the only one reacting when I feel his breath hitch in his throat the slightest bit.
More than pleased with that, I smirk, "How doesthat feel?" My answer comes in the form of my partner suddenly spinning around to pull me in for a long, slow kiss. Shivering, I just hold on tight and engage in the open-mouth wrestle.
Finally, he's gotten used of the idea to initiating.
Right about the time something else was going to become... tight, Heero pulls back with a smug smirk on his face. "Feels nice," he comments. Quickly, he captures a sweet, simple kiss and states, "It's going to be a long day of not being able to touch again. I have to make sure I get what I can in."
Needless to say, I'm thrilled that he took so much consideration into that and I am given one last kiss. Then, releasing the hold he has around my waist, he grabs his tossed blue T-shirt and pulls it over his vest.
I bend at the waist to grab my black top while forcing my heart to come back down... along with that something else. Honestly, I don't know how much longer I'm going to be able to go on like this without jumping his bones.
No... I know that I'll go on as long as it takes before we take things to that level. Much as I would love nothing more, I know that neither one of us is really ready for that just yet. And the last thing I want to do is jeopardize what progress we're making.
Returning to our luggage, we load up on pistols and switchblades to hook on our waists and arms. Finally ready to head out, I throw a black baseball cap on my head and grin, "Let's go keep the peace." Nodding firmly, my partner follows me out.
* * * * * *
Our walk through the massive, round gathering hall where the Assembly will be gathered went through smoothly. All exit routes were studied as well as the locations of the dozens of guards that normally came with the territory. Just as I had suspected, this is going to be a cake walk.
In the end, it was decided that when the meeting was underway Wufei would be stationed outside, Heero in the main entranceway and I would be one of the guards inside the actual meeting hall once its doors closed off the rest of the world. My being placed there was my husband's suggestion, no doubt because he is looking out for my own personal interest in the subject of the meetings.
When no one else was looking, I flashed him a huge smile and a mouthed, "Thank you." 'Ro just smirked and winked in response.
Then, it was time for the arrival of the Assembly members. Once the first stretch limo arrived, Wufei headed up to serve as a lookout from the grand marble balconies overlooking the city for the best vantage point. I stayed alongside Heero greeting the members of legislation, wealthy business sponsors and a variety of leaders through the Earth and space as they filed in with small nods.
Occasionally, someone of the Assembly would recognize us and be kind enough to shake our hands and exchange some polite conversation. Madame Krutza, one of the elder diplomats of the Assembly, kissed our cheeks said that she felt a whole lot safer knowing that there were former Gundam pilots looking after the meetings.
The crowd is somewhat thinning now as the last of the arrivals make their way for the gathering hall just down the hallway. "We have some company," Heero mutters under his breath and I look past the glass doors leading to the main stairway outside. Several reporters and camera flashes make the presence of the media known as a few guards do their best to hold them back.
Looks like the meeting is not going to be as low-key as we had hoped. Still, it should not give anyone looking to start trouble enough time to organize, even if the news of this meeting gets out right away. Questions are shouted at those men and women still entering the building, but they are mostly ignored respectfully by those addressed.
I hear several shouts of "Mister Winner! Mister Winner!" moments before Quatre and Trowa enteres through the doors. Smiling at us, they approach and our tall Latin friend asks, ""Where is Wufei positioned?" He shifts a bit and I can make out the lines of his bullet-proof vest beneath his red top.
"Outdoor balcony," Heero answers in that cool and in control soldier voice of his that I find so damned incredibly sexy. Aw, who am I kidding? Everything about the guy's sexy. "Five floors up."
Nodding firmly, Trowa replied, "Then I'll pay him some company there." Discretely, he kisses the top of his lover's head and whispers, "Have fun."
Quatre rolls his eyes and snorts, "As much fun as anyone can have at these meetings." Looking up to his partner, he says quietly, "Be careful." With a small smile and a wink, Trowa turns on his heels and heads for the elevators, disappearing in the crowd still hanging around.
Spotting a few of his fellow business associates, our blond friend smiles and waves. Quietly excusing himself, he grips his briefcase and heads over to his colleagues to catch up and go over the day's agenda together.
From outside, I hear a couple of reporters' voices shouting over the noise, "Foreign Minister Peacecraft!" along with a series of questions surrounding her own politics. Taking a deep breath, I prepare myself for Lena's entrance.
The double glass doors are held open to her as she enters. Dressed in a very professional, emerald-colored business suit with a black knee-length skirt for the bottom and matching heels, the Vice Foreign Minister is as beautiful and perfect as ever. Her blonde hair pulled up in a clip, not a damned wisp is out of place.
Flanked by a couple of her personal bodyguards, Relena searches the room until her brilliant eyes fall on Heero and me... well, more on Heero than on me. Pausing in her step, she turns and heads in our direction with a brilliant smile. All around, eyes are watching her approach and greet the one many thought would have been her Prince Charming.
Hell, it took months to get the tabloids to stop announcing that the two of them had been engaged when the wars were over! When the truth went out that the two had not even been involved in any way, there were many crushed people. Yet another fairy tale that was not meant to be.
Not hesitating as she neared, Relena wraps her arms around my partner's neck and kisses his cheek. "It's wonderful to see you, Heero," she says as he returns the embrace. I chew on the inside of my cheek, a little less than sure of myself all of a sudden, and lower my head a bit.
They really do look like they would make the perfect couple.
Pulling back, my husband nods kindly to her, "Good to see you also, Relena. You seem well." Really... there's nothing for me to be jealous about. It's just a reunion between friends that haven't seen each other in months.
But I still can't keep my stomach from knotting.
"Oh, busy as usual, but I am fairing well these days," the young representative giggles a bit. Finally turning to face me fully, she gives me a sincere smile as she greets, "Duo. Always a pleasure." Not a hint of malice is behind her words or her smile... but there is still that 'something' a bit awkward over her seeing me.
I just grin back and nod, "Thanks, Lena. Same to you."
Focusing back on my partner, she states, "As many times as we all run into each other like this, maybe you should reconsider being part of my personal guard." There is nothing to tell me that the comment was made in anything but good humor- a simple joke that she held no weight to. Still, it... bother me.
Heero smirks and shakes his head, "Good luck with your meeting, Relena. We'll catch up more when it's over." Giggling again, she takes that cue to bow her head slightly and waves as she heads for the gathering hall with her guards falling back so she can converse with the other dignitaries around.
Now that I feel like I can breathe again, I swallow roughly and watch her walk off. An arm wraps around my lower back as my husband leans his head close to whisper, "I already promised- you have nothing to worry about there."
Turning to meet his blue eyes, I smile and nod shortly. Not entirely trusting of my voice at this moment, I hope to get my appreciation across. The arm around my waist squeezes me close before it releases.
And almost instantly, I can feel whatever doubt I had up to that moment fade away. If Heero says that there is nothing to worry about, then he means it. Even though I know I had been wrongfully over exaggerating what may or may not be between them, it's nice to hear that reassurance from him.
Once those still gathered in the main entrance room have had a chance to reunite, the mass of forty-plus files through the main gathering hall's double doors.
When the last of the arrivals bring up the end of the line, I turn to my partner while setting my ear-piece in my right ear. "Show time," I grin. "You may have to keep talking to me so I don't fall asleep in there."
Chuckling deeply, Heero replied, "Besides your own personal interest on what goes on in there, why else do you think I suggested you be the one stationed in there? I know how much fun the red tape with politics can be."
I roll my eyes and snort, "Great. Thanks." Punching him in the arm, we just smile at each other before I all but run after the last guests of honor. The two guards at the hall double, wooden doors close them behind me.
Inside, the massive space is in the shape of a honeycomb with one massive balcony wrapping around the walls. Quickly, I find the stairs up to that balcony to take my place above the many tables shaped the same as the room only growing smaller and smaller as they move in. At the center of the room is a single table with a podium for the appointed Speaker who will oversee the meeting.
As the men and women of the Assembly take their seats, I gaze around to the experience, woven paintings that hang throughout the room. Their red and gold trims match the deep red and gold-embroiled carpeting on the floor of the hall and balcony. I really have a hard time thinking that even palaces have rooms this nice.
For every twenty feet of the entire stretch of the balcony up here, there is a guard standing watch along with myself. I'm the only one not dressed in a black suit and long hair.
Several of the goons around give me a look over, not at all covering the fact that they're not happy to have a Preventer stepping in. For those glancing in my direction, I flash a smug grin and wave to piss them off all the more. My efforts earn a few red faces and glares; much to my pleasure.
Finally, the Speaker takes his place behind the podium. From this distance, it's hard to see the tall man's face very well, but his voice echoes off the walls, "Ladies and gentlemen, this meeting is now in session." Those few still jabbering and standing take their seats and silence falls on the room.
Shoulders rolling back, the Speaker begins, "In the matter of what areas will be receiving our assistance next, there are some representatives here that will have ten minutes each to address the Assembly and have the voices heard of the Colonies they represent. From there, we will have a vote to choose which three of those areas we will help."
As simple as it sounds, everyone knows that the prospect of narrowing down who everyone finds the most needy is going to take forever. These open forums always do.
Rubbing the back of my neck, I sigh, "Shit."
It's going to be a fucking long day.
TBC...
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