SVX: Hey everyone I wrote a Trilogy! YAH!!! This one is a long story and the second pert will be a songfic, and I haven’t decided on the third but there will be a 3!!! Well this is 2xR of course cause all you regulars already know it’s my fave couple!!!! Well I hop you enjoy this!!!! This is for all those 2xR fans and authors out there!!!!!

Kismet

"I’m sorry Mr. Maxwell, we hit a complication and I’m terribly sorry," the old doctor watched as the young man in front of him crumpled into his seat, his violet eyes staring at nothing. "Is there anyone we should contact, family perhaps?"

"No there is no one," replied Duo as he stared at his hands fighting back his tears. Boy’s don’t cry, boy’s don’t cry, was all he repeated in his mind. The doctor nodded solemnly and turned leaving the boy to his miseries. Duo stood from his seat and walked to the receptionist desk. He had to inform some people of the loss. "May I use the phone ma’am?"

"Yes you may, dial nine then the number."

"Thank you." Duo picked up the receiver and dialed nine than the number as he was instructed to do. After three or for rings a nasally voice of a woman answered.

"Vice Foreign Minister Peacecraft Dorlian’s office!"

"Yes this is a Mr. Maxwell, I have some urgent news for the Vice Minister concerning a friend," Duo stated fighting the tears threatening to fall, Boys don’t cry! After a few moments the phone was ringing again and this time a softer more feminine voice answered.

"Hello?"

"Relena, it’s Duo Maxwell."

"Duo Maxwell! What can I do for you Duo?"

"Relena I have some bad news, Relena Hilde died during surgery today."

~~*~~*~~*~~

Relena Watched as they lowered the polished cherry wood casket in to the cold ground. Her vision blurred as tears cascaded down her face. She had become quite close with Hilde over the years and was shocked to hear of her death. She turned her gaze towards Duo Maxwell, Hilde’s long term boyfriend and ex-Gundam pilot. His head was hung low and his bangs hung limply covering his eyes. Relena’s heart ached for him as she squeezed Heero’s arm, which was linked with hers. She received a reassuring pat on the arm as Heero continued to watch the casket touch into the grave. Relena watched Duo stand from his seat and grab a fist full of dirt and toss it onto the polished wood. Relena followed him in the same motion whispering a good bye to her friend.

Relena had graciously agreed to allow the mourners to gather at her house after the funeral. There weren’t many people there, herself, Sally, Catherine, Noin, Lady Une, the ex-pilots and few others Relena didn’t recognize. She noticed Duo sitting in the corner staring outside the window at the rain that had begun to fall. Relena slipped her arm out of Heero’s reassuring hold and slowly moved towards the mourning man. When she finally reached him she realized there weren’t any tears in his eyes nor any signs there had been any.

"Duo?" Relena gingerly placed a hand on his shoulder. The man looked at her and smiled slightly for a moment before frowning again. "How are you holding up?"

"I’ll be fine Princess, but I think I’ll be selling the business, I don’t think I could keep it going with out her." Relena nodded and watched him wearily. True she didn’t know Duo Maxwell too well but this was not the Duo Maxwell she did know. His usually laughing violet eyes seemed dull and even his hair seemed lifeless and limp. Relena padded him on the back and headed back towards Heero throwing the suffering man no second glance.

~~*~~ Two Months Later ~~*~~

Duo stared at the small picture frame on his desk and sucked in a shuddering breath. He turned his gaze away from the picture of him and Hilde together and tried to focus on the computer in front of him. He checked all of his cases and finished writing his report on the previously finished assignments. A red light and small buzzer indicated he was receiving a call over the vid-com.

"Preventer Duo Maxwell here," he said plastering a smile on his face. Lady Une’s face filled the screen and she smiled slightly.

"Duo I would like to see you in my office please," her face disappeared and the screen went black. Duo sighed letting his forced smile fall and stood from behind his desk. As he walked down the halls he nodded his head slightly at different agents that were out and about. He noticed that a few were still giving him sympathetic looks and he couldn’t stand sympathy. He sped up his pace and made a quick right into Une’s large office.

"You wanted to see me Lady?"

"Yes Duo, Heero has not come into the office for the past three days, would you please run over to the Peacecraft home and pick up his folders." Duo nodded and stood from his seat turning to leave when Une stopped him. "You wouldn’t know where he is would you?" Duo looked at her for a moment then shook his head ‘no’. He walked out the door and a conversation he and Heero had, maybe a month ago, popped into his head.

Flashback

"I don’t know Heero I always suspected I would never have a normal life, and when Hilde died I knew it was true." Duo took another sip from the bottle in front of him then closed his eyes in frustration. "I’m doomed to watch all my friends lead normal lives and know if I just let one person get to close they’ll…die. I let Hilde get to close." He felt a lump form in his neck but he forced it down with his beer.

"I know how you feel," Duo looked at Heero in surprise but then he narrowed his eyes.

"How could you possibly know how I feel, your life is almost as normal as normal can get, you have a steady job, I wonderful girlfriend who is more like a wife, you even live in her ‘MANSION’ for Christ’s sake!"

"But I don’t feel like I belong in that life, I just don’t belong there." Duo looked at Heero for a moment then went back to nursing his beer but not before putting in his two cents.

"Your one crazy, lucky, son of a B Yuy."

End Flashback

~~*~~*~~*~~

Duo walked up to the mansion doors and sighed heavily before knocking on the door. After a moment he rang the doorbell waiting patiently for an answer. Soon he heard commotion form behind the large French doors. When they opened Duo found himself staring at a distraught Relena.

"Relena?"

"Duo, he’s gone he just left, no goodbye, no nothing, why, why, why," Relena cried into Duo’s shirt soaking the fabric. Duo just stared at the woman stunned not able to speak. All he had come over for was to pick up some documents that Heero had and found a weeping Relena. After a moment he shook his head slightly and wrapped his arms around her rubbing her back.

"Shh Relena it’s okay, please calm down," Duo cooed softly to the girl not quite sure what to say. Duo had only gotten to know Relena through Heero and…Hilde. His relationship with Relena was basically non-existent but both were friendly towards each other.

"He’s gone Duo, Heero left leaving a note that well I don’t really know what it means," she said thrusting a peace of tear soaked paper into Duo’s hands. Duo stared at the smeared writing that was unmistakably Heero’s.

Relena,

I can’t let go of what I know, and the way to live, I’m sorry!

Heero

Duo shook his head slightly knowing what the ‘perfect soldier’ was talking about. Normal wasn’t meant for Gundam pilots at least not all of them. Duo had hoped that he was the only one whose life would never be quite right, but Heero had forced abnormality onto himself. Duo became aware of Relena when he heard her crying again.

"Duo I don’t want to be alone tonight, I can have the servants, make you up a room but please say you’ll stay the night?" Duo looked down at her tear stained eyes and sighed. He didn’t really want to go home to his empty house, so this would work out.

"I’ll stay, don’t worry Relena everything will be okay," He said hugging her as she collapsed into tears once again into his chest.

 ~~*~~*~~*~~

Relena looked at Duo as he unpacked a small duffel bag onto his new bed for the weekend. "Thank you Duo for staying with me."

"Don’t worry about it Princess, all I was planning on doing was sitting in an empty house, and this sounds a lot better than that." Relena stared at the man she only slightly knew and felt a sense of gratitude. She knew he was also probably still mourning the loss of Hilde, but he still came to help her.

"If you need anything Duo don’t hesitate to ask," Relena said as she headed out of the room feeling the tears once again start to form.

"For one Princess you can stop trying to hide your tears," said Duo not even turning around to see her face. Relena looked at him puzzled at how he knew that’s why she was leaving. He stood and turned to face her. She ran to him and began to once again cry into his shirt. He gently stroked her hair as she cried harder and harder.

"Why did he leave me, I thought he was happy, why, why, why?" Duo didn’t know how to answer her.

"He probably needs to work some things out, he does love you Relena he’ll be back." He felt her sobs slow and her shoulders began to still to a normal breathing pattern instead of quick shudders. She pulled away from his tear soaked chest and looked up at his face smiling slightly.

"Thank you Duo, thank you," with that said she stood and left the room trying to dry her eyes. Duo watched her leave and sighed taking off his wet shirt and changing into a dry one.

~~*~~*~~*~~

Relena rubbed her soar eyes trying to keep them from blurring. Her head ached and her eyes burned from hard work and tears. It had been almost a week since Heero had left and Duo said he still hadn’t found anything. Relena wasn’t expecting him too. If Heero didn’t want to be found then he wouldn’t be found. Her head whipped up as she heard a knock on the door. She smiled slightly as Duo walked into her office holding something behind his back. Relena cocked an eyebrow and folded her arms across her chest, "What are you up to Duo?"

"Hmmm nothing…" His grin became wider and even more mischievous. Relena began to grow a little uneasy wondering what the American was up to. He suddenly whipped his hand from behind his back and tossed whatever was in his hands towards her. She caught with ease and stared at the metal object. It was a small key; she looked at Duo quizzically.

"What’s this to?"

"The hallway closet next to your room."

"And your giving this to me because…"

"Because I want you to go look inside the closet." She looked at him before sighing and pushing away from her desk. As she walked past him she paused for I moment to look at his face. He grinned and nodded his head towards the door enticing her to go. She shook her head and walked out the door towards the closet. As she inserted the key into the hole she held her breath preparing to open the closet. She gasped as she saw one of the most beautiful bathing suits she had ever seen. It was whit with a sheer shine to it and a sheer light blue rap around skirt hanging next to it. A pair of stylish sunglasses lay near the suit and Relena turned to look at Duo. He smiled at her reaching into the closet and handing her the outfit. "You work way to much Princess, here go put this on." Relena opened her mouth to protest when Duo raised his hand to silence her. "Now don’t try to argue with me your going with me to have some fun if I have to change you myself!" Relena sighed and grabbed the articles of clothing and headed off to her room.

After she had finished changing she stepped out of her room and looked for Duo. She spotted him sitting in a chair with his arms folded behind his head. He was wearing black baggy shorts and a button up black and red silk shirt with the top few buttons undone. He wore rayban sunglasses and black flip-flops. He saw her and smiled standing from his seat. "Well Princess you ready to go?"

"Yes but first tell me where we are going!"

"I think the wardrobe is a big hint Princess, come on we’re wasting time," he said grabbing her wrist and pulling her with him. She gave in and followed him outside the mansion and into a red mustang convertible.

"Where did you get the car?" Duo looked over at her as he opened the passenger door to let her in. He shut the door walked around the front of the car and climbed into the driver’s seat.

"Well Princess, selling the scrap yard left me quite a bit of pocket change, figure I’d buy something with it." Relena smiled as he started up the car. Before they could head out they heard a shout from the front door. Both teenagers looked to see Milliardo Peacecraft ascending the front steps.

"Relena, what the Hell do you think you’re doing you have work today, Dammit Maxwell this is your influence. Come on Relena get out of the car and go change." Relena began to reach for her seat belt when suddenly Duo slammed his foot on the gas and the raced out of the gates at breakneck speed. Relena screamed in both fear and joy as she watched Milliardo’s chasing form disappear behind them.

"Duo Maxwell, your insane!"

"I told you Relena, your are going to have fun today, with or with out your brother’s permission." She started to laugh for the first time since Heero left.

~~*~~*~~*~~

Relena smiled as the cool water of the ocean washed over her foot and the sand dissolved under her weight. The breeze was slight just enough to keep the suns rays from becoming unbearable. In other words it was the perfect day for a day at the beach. She looked around the secluded cove and sighed thankful for the privacy and freedom. She turned and looked at Duo who was reading a book thoughtfully while lying on a beach towel. His braid and bangs drifted in the small breeze giving his position an even calmer stance. Relena smiled grateful for his friendship. They had spent the entire day at the cove, enjoying the day in the ocean and on the beach. The sun was in its first stages of setting and the sky was turning a breathtaking pink as the sun began to dive into the calm turquoise ocean. She carried a small smile on her face as she remembered the sunsets she would watch with Heero by her side, protecting her from the cold with his arms. She forced the thought out of her mind wanting to enjoy this day. She turned back to look at Duo but found him missing from his spot. She furrowed her brow slightly looking around the empty cove from the American. Suddenly strong arms wrapped around her waste and her feet were lifted into the air. She squealed as Duo carried her into the ocean kicking her feet playfully.

"Duo Maxwell don’t you dare!"

"I’m afraid Princess that your words aren’t going to convince me like they do those delegates," with that said he swung her a bit before chucking her into the calm water. She screamed as the cool liquid rushed over her head. When she surfaced she was glaring bullets at the teenager in front of her who only smiled and laughed. Suddenly she dived under the water and Duo smirked wondering what she was up to. After a few minutes and not so much as an air bubble he began to panic.

"Relena, Princess, RELENA-AAAAUURGH!" Duo screamed as someone knocked the footing out from underneath him and he went crashing under the surface. When he emerged he found himself staring at a satisfied Relena with a few strands of orange and green seaweed stuck in her hair. She began to laugh as he struggled with his own hair and the ocean fairing plants. "Har, har, har, funny Princess," he said still tugging on a stubborn strand of green. She smiled at him and wrinkled her nose giving her a cute innocent expression. Duo paused for a moment and stared at her features. Suddenly he felt a feeling in his chest he hadn't felt since Hilde had died. An aching feeling that didn’t cause as much pain as it did joy. He smiled back trying to fight the dizzy feelings running through his whole body. She turned and stared at the sky which was now a vibrant Orange and the sun seemed to sigh as it began its decent deeper and deeper under the ocean. Relena sighed and then turned back to Duo.

"We better be getting home, Milliardo is probably furious by now." Duo nodded in agreement and followed her back to the shore. They promptly gathered their stuff and headed towards the car. On their drive home neither said a word but just enjoyed the scenery and the wonderful breeze that dried their salty hair.

~~*~~ Five Months later ~~*~~

"Princess you better hurry, I’m not going to wait on you forever!" Duo grinned as he held a large bowl popcorn in his hand and a videotape in the other. His long black cotton pants touched the floor covering his bare feet from sight and his dark gray T-shirt clung snuggly against his toned chest and arms.

"I’m coming," Relena appeared at the top of the stares in lavender silk pajamas and a small teddy bear that she clutched to her chest tightly. "What movie did you rent?"

"Well you complained about the horror film I got last time so I decided on a complete and total chick flick, it’s old but it was…" Duo choked slightly on the name but forced himself to say it, "Hilde’s favorite." Relena’s face softened when she heard him pause at Hilde’s name. Hilde had past away almost a year earlier from complications in a surgery. Her organs had been severely damaged after the attack on Libra so she had constantly needed transplants and surgeries. During a liver transplant they found a hemorrhage and she bled out on the table. Relena knew Duo had never recovered from her death and was glad he had agreed to stay with her only a few months after her death. Relena sighed and began to hop down the stares reminding Duo of a little girl on Christmas morning. On the last step Relena lost her footing and fell forward shrieking in surprise.

Duo reacted automatically dropping the popcorn and running to catch her. As she fell into his arms Duo lost his balance and they both fell to the floor. Relena lay there for a moment trying to calm herself down. She soon realized she was lying on top of Duo as he moaned softly rubbing his head.

"Oh my God Duo are you alright, I’m so sorry!"

"Don’t fret none Princess this pauper doesn’t have the delicate skin of a noble such as yourself." Relena giggled and slapped him playfully before catching his eyes with hers. She felt a flash of emotion hit her and she couldn’t move her stare from his violet orbs. As he sat up he remained in complete eye contact with her. "How about that movie Princess?" Relena nodded slightly coming out of the trance his violet eyes had put her in. Duo helped her up from the ground and they headed into the living room. Duo grabbed the popcorn bowl from off the floor and what was left of it. As they settled into the couch Duo pressed play and waited for the previews.

After about half way through the movie Relena was already on her hundredth tissue. Duo chuckled at how she got so wrapped up in these sappy romances. It was something that always confused him. Man meets woman, both fall in love, woman gets in danger, man saves woman, man dies saving woman. A simple plot line but man did it get the girls going.

"No, he can’t not after all the trouble of saving her…no look out he has a gun," she screamed before shielding her eyes as the hero was shot jumping in front of the woman. Relena watched as the heroine cradled her loves dying form promising eternal love forever. Relena’s swelled up again with tears and she let out a tiny sob as they rolled freely down her face. Duo couldn’t hold the laughter in anymore; he began to chuckle softly at first until it grew to a healthy laugh. Relena turned to look at him and glared daggers. "Duo have some respect a man is dying." With this statement Duo began to laugh even harder. Relena puffed up slightly and scrunched her features before giving his arm her hardest punch.

"Ow hahaha hey hee that hur-hur-hur-hurt," Duo managed between laughs. Relena only glared and slapped him again only softer and with a more playful manner. She smiled as he yelped again at her slap. Soon the movie ended and Relena let out a longing sigh. Duo looked at her and raised an eyebrow, "What?"

"Hmm, oh nothing it was just such a romantic and sad movie that’s all, I think that if all men were actually like Joshua the world would be better for women." Duo gasped and put on a hurt expression.

"You mean I’m not the kind of man every women is looking for," he said in playful shock. Relena looked at him and smirked giving him a friendly nudge on his knee with hers.

"Oh that’s what I meant Duo," she said with a sarcastic tone and a role of her eyes.

"All right that’s it Princess my honor has been insulted I demand satisfaction," with this said he lunged at her attacking her with tickles. She shrieked with laughter as her stomach and sides were attacked by quick moving fingers. Both teens rolled off the couch attacking each other back and forth both howling with forced laughter. Soon Relena yelled ‘Uncle’ and Duo quickly stood on his feet and raised his arms in triumph.

"That’s right I am the champ, fastest tickler in the west." Relena smiled and stood from her spot on the floor and wrapped her arms around Duo’s waste and squeezed. Duo was shocked but soon put his arms down and wrapped them around her shoulders. "What’s this for Princess?"

"For being lovable Duo Goodnight," With that said she planted a lingering kiss on his cheek and headed up the stares towards her room. Duo placed callused finger on his cheek and watched her leave. He had known for awhile he had feelings for Relena but tonight had confirmed them. He was in love with the young diplomat but knew it was something that would never happen. She loved Heero and not him and with these thoughts bouncing in his mind he headed for his own bed for the night.

~~*~~*~~*~~

Relena fidgeted with her black elbow gloves that sat in her lap as she inspected her reflection. She had been convinced by Duo to let him pick out her outfit.

Flashback

"Come on Relena you always show up looking like your still fifteen," he said as she inspected the dress her brother had chosen for her.

"Duo Milliardo is very picky about my clothes, but maybe…"

"Ah ha I hear a shadow of doubt in that sentence, you want me to pick you out a winner huh?" Relena looked at the baby pink frilly dress in her hands and then looked at Duo who was waggling his eyebrows.

"Mmmmm well…fine but I am coming with you, I don’t want to show up looking like Trixy the French prostitute." Duo laughed and looked at her while he helped her into her coat.

"Don’t worry about that, she only wears lime green and it’s not your color."

"What?!"

"It was a joke Princess only a joke…she wears orange." He smiled again and they walked out of the door and headed for Duo’s convertible.

After visiting seven of the most expensive shops Relena had finally found a dress that they both approved of and she hugged the bag close to her protectively as they drove back home.

End Flashback

She stood from her princess chair and stood in front of the full-length mirror. She bit her lower lip worrying about what her brother was going to think. She stared at how the strapless maroon bodice pressed her boobs giving them a luscious cleavage. The chiffon skirt fell around her like a bell enhancing her figure in a more subtle way. She smiled admiring herself; she didn’t care what her brother thought anymore. "I don’t care what he thinks all that matters is what I think," she paused for a moment as she stared at herself again. She only took her eyes away from her reflection when a knock came at the door. "Come in!"

"Hey Princess your humble date has arrived," Duo looked at her as she turned to face him. He let out a long whistle and moved his eyes up and down her figure. "Wow you look great Princess, aren’t you glad I talked you into it," he said gazing down at the pink frock lying on Relena’s bed. Relena smiled at him as he walked over towards her and hooked his arm. Relena slipped her black gloved hand through his arm and let him lead her out the room and down the stairs. She nervously watched as Noin walked out from the dinning room as she heard the two coming. Her dark blue eyes widened at Relena’s appearance and her mouth opened slightly to comment when Milliardo appeared behind her.

"Relena, what the Hell are you wearing? That is not the dress I gave you, now go back and change fast or we will be late." He said staring at his young sister with annoyance. Relena almost turned to leave when she felt a hand on hers and squeeze it gently. Relena looked at Duo who had a soft reassuring look on his face that convinced her to stay. "Hurry up and go change Relena, we need to leave in a couple of minutes and…"

"No."

"What?" Relena took a deep breath and squeezed Duo’s hand receiving another one back.

"I said no Milliardo, I will not go change. I bought this dress with Duo and this is what I’m wearing. Duo even was nice enough to change his wardrobe to match mine so I will not change." Milliardo looked over at Duo and noted his black suit and shirt with a maroon silk necktie. Duo raised his chin a little letting him know that he wasn’t going to let Milliardo win this argument with Relena. Milliardo’s face turned a deep crimson almost dark enough to match Relena’s dress.

"That damn street urchin influence…fine, go get in the limo."

"We are not going in the limo either Milliardo, I wanted Duo to take me in his convertible," she said as her and Duo descended the stairs. Relena walked past Noin who gave her a reassuring smile.

"You look so beautiful tonight Relena."

"Thank you Noin, we will see you at the banquet," said Relena as Duo opened the door for her. Before Duo headed out the door Milliardo grabbed his arm and whispered in his ear.

"Don’t you dare make a scene tonight this dinner is very important for foreign policy and you will not mess it up."

"Don’t worry, this street urchin does have some dignity," Duo said in a menacingly low tone. He jerked his arm out of Milliardo’s grasp and slammed the door behind him. Noin stared at the door and then back at Milliardo who was pacing wildly.

"You shouldn’t be so hard on him, he’s given Relena confidence and the glimmer of a normal life," said Noin crossing her arms in front of her. "Look I know you both have never really gotten along, but you have to see that Relena needs him at this point in her life." Milliardo looked up from his hands and glared at her.

"Relena has been misbehaving since he has been here, at least with Heero she knew her responsibilities to her country."

"And she still does, only she also has a little fun now and then, which is perfectly fine. Besides Milliardo I don’t think they are romantically involved."

"Damn right they're not, do you know that the media would have a frenzy, I can see the headlines now, ‘Princess Marries Pauper: World in Shock’."

"The world, or just you?" Milliardo looked up at her and shook his head before standing and escorting Noin to the limo.

~~*~~*~~*~~

"I want to apologize for my brother’s behavior Duo, he just doesn’t take kindly to not being in control."

"Don’t worry about it Relena, he’s just trying to do what’s best for you and your kingdom," said Duo keeping his eyes on the road. Relena looked at him frowned but soon smirked.

"Duo don’t pretend like he didn’t upset you, I know he did." Duo looked at her and smirked back at her with curiosity in his eyes.

"Oh and how pray tell do you know that?"

"Because you’ve been squeezing the steering wheel so hard that your knuckles are white," she stated touching her gloved finger on his bleached knuckles. Duo looked at his hands and immediately loosened his grip and blushed slightly.

"Don’t worry about it Princess, it’s not the first time I’ve been put in my place," with that he turned on the radio and the two drove all the way to the party in silence.

~~*~~*~~*~~

Quatre smiled and nodded at the Countess De Gouchie while taking a sip from his glass of champagne. He smiled as Trowa joined him who was soon followed by a very uncomfortable Wufei.

"I don’t see why I have I have to dress outside my clans’ garb onna," he spat as Sally placed a gloved hand on his shoulder. Sally only smiled and began to scan the crowd.

"Well there is Milliardo and Noin but I don’t see Relena," said Sally as she made her way towards the couple. "Milliardo, Noin, what a pleasure but where is Relena?"

"She should be here any minute with that Baka American," replied Milliardo gulping the last bit of his champagne. Sally smiled and began to have a long needed normal conversation with Noin. Soon the announcer announced the next couple.

"Vice Foreign Minister and Princess Relena Dorlian escorted by Preventer Agent Duo Maxwell."

Quatre looked up from his conversation with Trowa to practically spit out his champagne. Trowa saw the eyes of his friend widen and turned to look at the sight coming down the stairs into the ballroom. The usually child like girl he knew now descended the stairs dressed in a gown that proved that she was a woman not a girl. He raised an eyebrow as he saw her blush only slightly as people whispered at the darkly attired couple. Duo’s dark suit matched her dark dress and both had a very intimidating air about them. They made their way over to the three other Preventers and made their greetings.

"Miss Relena you look beautiful tonight," stated Quatre after moving away from a friendly hug. Relena smiled and smoothed out the material of her dress.

"Why thank you Quatre you’re to kind." Trowa nodded to the to who had just arrived.

"Hey Wu-man how have you been?"

"I was fine until I heard them announce your name baka," Wufei stated his arms crossed in front of his chest. Duo only made a sarcastic laugh and grabbed Relena’s hand leading her out to the dance floor.

"Duo, thank you for everything, you have been the most amazing friend to me these past months and…" She stopped as Duo placed a finger on her lips and began to dance with her slowly enjoying the sound of Beethoven being played by the full string orchestra.

"You don’t need to thank me Princess, you’ve helped me as well. I didn’t have you I would probably still be moping around." Relena smiled and laid her head against his chest and listen to the rhythm of his heartbeat. She sighed perfectly content with her company, and felt a strange feeling flutter in her stomach. She lifted her head and looked into Duo’s violet eyes and took a sharp breath inward. She heart threatened to leap from her chest and she quickly laid her head back to its previous place on his chest. When had it happened she wondered, when did she fall head over heels for Duo Maxwell.

~~*~~*~~*~~

Milliardo felt his fists get even tighter as he watched Duo lead Relena onto the dance floor. His face grew red as Duo gingerly placed a finger on his little sister’s lips followed with her head resting on his chest. They were both completely enthralled with each other whether they knew it or not. Milliardo heard Relena’s name mentioned to the right of him and picked up on the conversation.

"Who is that Princess Relena is dancing with?"

"That’s a former Gundam pilot, I’ve heard about him, a mere street urchin very uncouth."

"Why would she be with that man?"

"Well maybe our wonderful Princess isn’t all that special, I mean look at her dress ver scandalous, you know I heard that she…."

Milliardo didn’t want to hear anymore his anger had reached a boiling point and he stormed out of the room. Noin watched him leave concern etched on her face. She looked at the young dancing couple smiled wistfully and followed her husband.

~~*~~*~~*~~

Relena laughed as Duo pulled into the circular driveway and turned off the engine. He hopped out of his side of the car and walked around the back of the car. He opened Relena’s door and helped her out. "My feet are killing me," she complained as she put weight on her soar feet. Duo smiled mischievously and looked at her his eyes sparkling. "What are you thinking Duo?"

"Oh nothing just this," with that he lifted her off the ground and cradled her in his arms. "Your feet hurt allow me to relieve some of the weight." Relena giggled as he opened the door with difficulty and carried her up the stairs. As he placed her on the bed he sat down next to her and sighed exhausted from the night of dancing and champagne. He turned and looked at her a pleasant smile on his face. "What are you thinking?"

"Where Heero is right now and when he’ll get back," she answered before even before she realized what she was saying. She hadn’t meant to say that because it wasn’t true. What she was thinking was how beautifully Duo danced, and how beautiful he was in general. Duo’s smile faded for a moment before reappearing even bigger but definitely with no feeling behind it.

"I’m sure he’ll be back in your arms soon." With that he stood from the bed and headed for the door. He turned to look at her for a moment then said, "Goodnight Princess…and goodbye." He had said the last part so softly Relena had almost missed it. He walked out of the room and shut the door softly behind him. Relena watched the door hoping he would come back and explain what he meant by goodbye but it remained closed. She sighed and stood from her bed and went to change into more comfortable attire.

~~*~~*~~*~~

Duo pulled his jacket on and looked around the front of the mansion. He picked up his bag and placed it in his car. He was about to climb in when he paused, before he left he figured why not go on one last walk around the grounds and surrounding neighborhood he had come to call home in the past months. After that, well after that he would leave and not come back.

SVX: BUM BUM BUM Hurry and go to the next part which is a songfic!!!! I don’t have the third part out yet but intend to so I hope you’ve enjoyed this story so far!!!!