A thing of beauty is a joy forever:
Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness.

- John Keats

~~~

            Heero’s lack of attention had bothered her earlier. Nicky had gone off, announcing that he would have to meet his so-called girlfriend. And when Hilde had closed the door and turned to seek his answer, he was still wordlessly staring at the door, as if the boy had not gone and she had not shut it. What did happen? She had thought.

            Placing her attention to her current intentions in mind, she approached Heero, who was still ignorant to her presence. She then nervously cleared her throat. This question was very unusual for her and she didn’t appreciate having to ask him such, but the idea of a rare dance really appealed to her. Yes, she, Hilde Schbeiker, German-raucous, violent gamine extraordinaire, wanted to…

            Darnit.

            “Um, Heero… can we, uh, go to the dance?” she stuttered, suddenly looking down to hide her face with her bangs. Heck, she was blushing. What in this world or the next caused her to consider such a thing? She asked herself immediately. It’s just a dance, an informal one at that. Just a wimpy dance… she told herself, still refusing to look up.

            But Hilde Schbeiker had never been to a dance, not once, ever before.

            She had never experienced playing with dolls and dressing them up, she had never gone swimming in the beach with inflatable floaters as a child. After all, the only dolls she ever had were for target practice, and she learned to swim at three. She had never gone to movies on warm Friday nights, nor complained about too much homework or killer tests. She had never gone to school, and had been educated in… different matters. Never had she gone shopping for gaudy dresses and prepared for dates; flirting was out of the question. Socializing had always been dangerous, limited to cussing at each other or simple phrases. She had been talkative, anyway.

            In short, Hilde had no normal childhood and adolescence. More simply put, she had an abnormal life.

            And she had never, ever danced.

            Maybe there was a semblance of normalcy during the past three years. After all, she had lived in a decent house, had stopped from fighting, and had settled in a stable life with the help of a business. She had done what normal people did, she lived… cooked, did the laundry, laughed with others. She respected other persons, and they did her. She liked them, and for once, people actually liked her back and worked with her. They even called her pretty. Some really cared. Yes, she had a normal life, and the greatest proof of that was that…

            …she flinched guiltily, she fell in love. She loved a mischievous, daring thief, Duo Maxwell. And he actually cared for her too. It was through him that she had that taste of life, through his love that she actually started melting, and being happy, and forgetting all the pain…

            And now, the past was back and more prominent than ever, and she was caught in between. Everything she had worked for, every joy and every achievement for the past three years, had to be thrown away, had to be forgotten so that she could set things right and keep them safe…

            Normal? No, maybe never.

            Duo had promised to take her to a dance before she left.

            Now?

            This is my last chance, she thought as she closed her eyes. Her only opportunity, it seemed, to feel normal, to be an ordinary woman, one last time before the storm settled in. It was her only chance to feel that same joy of knowing what others felt and being one with them before she would have to face the ghosts of her dangerous past.

            After all, it’s just a wimpy dance she repeated to herself.

            A wimpy dance she never had, and might never have. One that she had been forbidden to dream of when she was a child, one that she enviously saw others enjoy while patrolling secured cocktail parties and events, one that she wanted to have, no matter how stupid and overly-sentimental it seemed.

            I…she thought pathetically. Then her head snapped up, Heero hadn’t answered yet. He was still staring faintly at the door, lost in deep thought. “Heero?” she prodded, almost impatiently. She had pitied herself all the time, just to discover that he hadn’t listened to her earlier question, after all.

            He blinked, then turned to face her. There was a look of guilt and self-upset on his face, but his eyes gentled when they dropped on her. She almost faltered because of this unsettling image, but he immediately turned his Prussian eyes away, and his face returned to its firm demeanor. “What?” he asked so harshly that she jumped with surprise.

            “I-I,” she tried to begin in a weak voice as she tried to gather her senses, which had been scattered because of his silent act, and her important question. “I… asked you a question.”

            He regarded her impatiently as he crossed his arms, “What is it?” he asked gruffly, and she then wondered if the kind look on his eyes had just been her imagination. She suddenly felt intimidated. How could Heero be so confusing… so different?

            And how could she care so much for his reaction and answer? How could she care so much for him?

            She realized that she wanted him to be with her in this dance as much as she herself wanted to go. Deep inside, she felt that Heero needed this as much as she did. They were both so similar sometimes, she thought as she shook her head. And she cared… And now was not the time to back down.

            “Will you come to the dance with me?” she unwillingly croaked out. By Deutschland, did she have to sound so pathetically aggressive? And Hilde was even more despaired by his reaction.

            He had a confused look on his face, and disturbed was more like it. As if that was the last thing he expected to hear from her at that moment. “What?” he repeated in a clear voice. “You’re asking…”

            “You heard me,” she moaned out loud as she stomped her foot. Goodness, this was embarrassing, yet was so glaringly important to her.

            “Why?” Heero asked, the bewildered look still on his face. She sighed, suddenly wishing to wipe that look off his handsome face. Struggling for an answer to do so, she mentioned the simple words that came to mind. “I… wanted to dance.”

            He looked insulted by that answer, as if it triggered his normal hostile self. He staggered back, as if delivering the answer to his brain to fully comprehend it. He then froze for a moment, as if deliberating on his answer.

            But as her fears expected, he just turned back to her, an irate look on his face that seemed to berate her for wasting his time, and answered in a strangely soft voice. “Is that so? Well, I don’t want to…dance.”

            And with that, his deep eyes just levelled at her, judging her gaping face. Without another word, he swept away and went back to the dining room.

            Hilde had watched him as he walked away. He could say ‘no’ that easily? And she actually thought they were making progress.

            And that was when she started fuming. Keeping her control strong, she followed him into the dining room and tried to find other ways to convince him. After all, Heero was Heero, right? It would just take some time to convince him… you don’t even know if he’s ever been to a dance before, dumm, she told herself. But Heero couldn’t just throw her offer away, could he?

            She slapped her forehead. He could.

            But why did that tick her off so immensely? She could easily ask someone else.

            No way. It should be Heero, she told herself, wondering why she was so determined and so… affected.

            She dashed to the table, where he was concentrating on his laptop. “Please, Heero. Just once.”

            He didn’t answer. He didn’t even give her a look, and was still typing furiously on his computer, where she noticed him doing Gundanium computations to get some dimensions. She sighed, knowing that she was disturbing him but was still desperate for his consent.

            “Heero, we could always do what you’re doing now. I’d even do it for you. But please… let’s go tonight. It’s the last break I’d ever ask of you.” It’s definitely my last break, she thought sadly. “I truly know about how focused we should be right now. Trust me, I do, but we let’s relax for now… time would permit us what you’re doing. We could finish that later. Please, just one last time.” She urged.

            His eyes narrowed, but he kept on typing.

            She flopped down on one of the chairs, feeling more and more depressed. She dropped her head on the table. “Heero Yuy, you need a break.” She muttered quietly.

            He sighed angrily, “I’ve had enough of breaks today. Maybe what I need a break from is you.”

            She snorted and ignored that.  Was he looking for an argument? He was certainly being disagreeable… That answer was out of line. She struggled with the annoyance rising within her.

Raising herself, she turned to him and tried to speak in a levelled voice. “Heero, you can easily go. You won’t be recognized, what with the number of people present, and we have each other. We can go. And besides, you have the clothes,” she suggested curtly, thinking of the clothing articles she had bought for him. “And you certainly don’t look bad.”

            He ignored her this time.

            She suddenly couldn’t take it anymore… everything - the sudden, overly emotional need to go to this dance, the even more confusing need to have it with Heero, and the frustrating strong hurt because of Heero’s cold negativity. It was unexplainable, but no matter how much she quickly tried to avert her feelings, the sudden confusion wouldn’t go away. She shook her head to clear her thoughts.

            Not now. She whispered one last time, now in a voice that was more desperate and tired than she wanted him to hear, “Please, Heero.”

            He didn’t even waste another second to consider it. “No.”

            His strong word thudded glaringly into her ears.

            “No.”

            She tried to cower away from the man watching her so intently. Clutching her knees to her chest, she shifted farther from him, moving to the side of the bench. She refused to speak any longer, yet the way she shivered at his gaze obviously brought him pleasure, for the fire in his gaze seemed to intensify at every painful second.

            He laughed, a deep, rich sound, it was a wonder how such a beautiful voice belonged to such a cruel being. “Heidi,” his melodious voice continued. “You will never be allowed to such things. Sie sind ein Narr *. A person like you is bound to this kind of life. The normal life selfish people enjoy because of their so-called peace is superficial and frivolous. You are not.”

            He drew near, so near… then sat down beside her on the bench. She tried to move away, but his hand immediately caught hers in a tight grip. She gasped and cursed, but it was all muffled when he placed his arms around her and drew her in his embrace.

            “Heidi…” he whispered. That is not my name. “When will you learn the very thing your stubborn mother refused to accept? There is no other destiny for you except to be mine.” He suddenly hissed. “You are within my grasp, you won’t escape. She loved another, and she bore you.”

            His icy eyes glittered as he ran a hand through her cropped mane. “You would never do those. No. You won’t be her mistake. You will pay for her debts.”

            It was getting dark, and she felt cold. She wanted to leave, and she struggled from his grip. He simply laughed and released her. Trembling, she turned to walk away, and was eternally grateful when she heard her Instructor’s voice calling for her. She ran to the voice.

            But the man she left behind spoke one more phrase, one that would disturb her for life. “After all, you are no fool.”

            She gasped, suddenly lost in the painful memory. Hilde staggered backwards, then had to place an arm on the chair to balance herself. Heero’s face replaced her vision, and she choked out a small, “No?”

            For a split second, Heero seemed to hesitate, but she took no notice. His face was as placid as ever, his eyes sterner than she had ever seen them. “If you’re so excited about a meaningless dance, why don’t you ask someone else?” he asked directly in a clipped voice.

            Hilde looked down, her breath uneven, her heart pounding wildly. But her surroundings were numb, and her thoughts were unfocused. She gazed at her hand and found it shaking.

            Moving, unable to stay still… because of fear.

            Her eyes narrowed slowly as she comprehended his words. Yes, why didn’t she think of that? Why Heero? Why bother with the dance at all? She would never, ever experience something like that, something forbidden from her all her life, so out of reach…

            The realization was nothing new, yet it hurt. It hurt so much. Even Heero…

            Is this all that I am? All that I could be?

            Sie sind ein Narr.

            “You’re right,” she whispered, her voice hollow.  So tired…

            “After all, it’s just a meaningless dance, right?” she asked herself, but her uncontrolled voice reached past him. “And what am I doing, wasting my time again, right? It’s all right, Heero.”

            The sudden turn of events left her shaken, so vulnerable and weak, and she had no desire to continue doing so. Not in front of Heero, not after so many years of trying to forget and be strong. She unsteadily tried to leave the room. She felt Heero’s eyes watch her every movement, yet she didn’t care… didn’t notice the uncertainty in them, the genuine concern being masked by his cold words and actions.

            She turned towards the doorway, yet caught sight of her reflection in the mirror.

            Hilde’s eyes widened. The person in the mirror was no longer an impulsive, immature girl whose life revolved around rebelling, besting others in shots and being promoted. She was no longer the girl who fed everything given to her and followed every handed order, and her life no longer revolved around the fear of a man. Now, the person who stood before her had bright eyes. She had maturity in them, a glow that only experience could provide. There were the scars, but they had long ago been healed by courage, then by faith, hope and love. The woman who stood before her had already experienced so many pains, but she had also learned to laugh and smile genuinely. She had grown, and she was going to face her past.

            Then something rose within her. I am not a fool.

            Hilde had always been supported by a strong sense of good-natured pride, and now, that same sense of self-accomplishment blossomed within her. She could live her life anyway she wanted. She was in control of what she wanted to do. If she wanted to have so much as a taste of the normality she had never had, then she would do so. And the memories from her past wouldn’t stop her.

            And Heero, for whatever reasons he had, wouldn’t stop her either.

            “If you don’t want to go, fine.” She began slowly, her frame gaining strength as she continued watching herself in the mirror. “I’ll go myself.” Anger started to rise from within her, she didn’t need his scrutiny, or his sarcastic rejection. She no longer wanted to involve herself in the confusion that was their relationship with each other.

            She cared for him, but she couldn’t allow his rejection to ruin her plans, or her courage, as well as her control over herself.

“Heck, I don’t need you, Heero.” She whispered from beneath her lips.

            Yet she felt…

            She didn’t look at him as she walked out to the doorway, but muttered quietly before she left. “But am I going to let you ruin this dance? Not. Bloody. Likely.”

            And without waiting for another acerbic comeback, she left the room.

            She was back to normal, and Heero Yuy was definitely a mean, coldly arrogant, saucy-tongued, cynical Prude.

~~~

            She was going to enjoy herself tonight, whether Heero wanted to or not.

            She had been upset earlier, and was in a flitting rage after their encounter in the kitchen in fact, but was stubbornly determined to attend. Everyone in Tirrill was invited, which meant Heero and her as well, and she wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity. She wanted to prove to herself many things by doing just that. But she hadn’t meant to lose her temper around Heero, which was what she hated and avoided the most. But Heero’s blatant negativity had pushed her, and all the strains on their relationship for the past two days had also kicked in. Or maybe it was because she was scared by the fact that she felt too much.

             No, that can’t be it, she had insisted.

            “Jerk!” she had muttered when she went downstairs to leave hours later, not bothering to check on him.

            Maybe.

            And now, here she was, standing before the Park Square, nervous as a criminal facing conviction, and not liking it. She sighed, it would have been so much better if Heero had come with her. She didn’t like what transpired between them earlier, and more so about the unnerving flashback. Then she tugged at her beret - yes, she wore it today, along with her dark coat, which covered a light lilac gartered dress underneath. It had a special significance to her, and she wanted it to at least be present, not necessarily worn, as she made her first dance.

            She took a deep breath and reserved a table in the outdoor restaurant bordering the square, which was already filled with people. Smiling to herself, she straightened and promised to make this a night to remember for her. She then lifted the beret and revealed her hair nicely tied up with a lavender ribbon. Removing her coat, she had a final look at herself in a glass display. Her hair was beginning to curl up prettily at least, and her eyes weren’t exactly a bad color she comforted herself, looking for at least something to admire. The dress and the matching sandals had been a gift to her by one of Duo’s Sweeper friends, an aged man she affectionately called Mac. Apparently, he thought she should start acting like a woman, the thought caused her to grin suddenly with sentimental warmth.

            Stop feeling insecure. She commanded herself. Prove to yourself, and prove to him, that you can make it. She then sighed, wishing again that her argument with Heero didn’t happen. After all, he had done enough by accompanying her and warding off Nicky during the day. She then realized that despite all her efforts, she still hadn’t discovered the reason for his moodiness… Why did he always bother her thoughts? Oh bloody heck; forget him for the moment!

            She straightened herself. She was going to push him out of her much-too-confused mind. And with that, she then strode towards the square, confidence in her stance. If they didn’t like what she was, she didn’t care, she told herself, her grin curving even more, she was going to enjoy herself.  

Save the Best for Last by Vanessa Williams

            A slow song started playing, and she stopped in her tracks when the instrumental started trickling through the crowd, causing them to separate into twos. It really was a beautiful song, she thought, meaning to ask someone about it later. But before she could further think her plan, she saw a man approaching her. She smiled right away.

            He really was a nice-looking guy, with sandy blonde hair and blue-green eyes, and when she smiled back to ask if she could help him, he looked temporarily confused, so Hilde just shook her head at him. Why else would he approach her?

            To dance, you dolt! Ran across her thoughts. And her eyes widened, then she chuckled at herself. She didn’t notice the other man taking note of this and running his hand through his hair, but she simply asked him her question to open a conversation. “Excuse me, can you tell me what song** this is?”

            He grinned immediately, “Actually, I’m not sure about its name, but it certainly sounds sentimental. I think it’s another one of those favored songs from decades ago. You like it?”

            She returned his welcoming smile, “It sounds wonderful… sweet but solemn, sad but romantic.” Then she looked away, losing herself in the wonderful tune. And when he didn’t reply to that, she realized that he seemed to have lost interest in her, so she turned back to excuse herself and leave. Yet, she was surprised to find him staring at her with a friendly look in his eyes. She promptly started blushing.

            “So, are you new from around here?” he asked her casually, walking nearer.

            Finally, a good conversation, she prayed thankfully, if not a bit nervously. She wasn’t too sure about giving information about herself so quickly. Shrugging, she crossed her arms and gave him a thoughtful look, “Yes, I just moved in last month-Auch!”

            Strong arms pulled her swiftly from her position, and before she could react or think straight, she found herself settled before a strong chest, quickly being led away.

            She gasped, and her eyes widened. She didn’t have to look at who he was.

            Heero. It was definitely him. After all, only he could get away with plucking her from elsewhere without making much of a ruse. It was only him who dared take her like that. Only him.

             “You always make me do stupid things.” he whispered into her ear before he led her to the dance floor.

            Hilde finally looked up at him. He was wearing the clothes she picked earlier, and he was cleaned and freshly prepared. His hair had been left alone, but it still gave him that rugged look. He had donned a long-sleeved shirt and jeans, making his hard chest somewhat more prominent and defining the muscles in his arms. He smelled good too.

            He was handsome, she realized that all too quickly. She ducked her head. And he was here… in this dance. With her… He had…

            He was dancing with her, held within his embrace - yet earlier, they had their coldest exchange ever. He had been rude, and she, too persuasive and sensitive. She stiffened, but he drew her closer and swept her away.

            She suddenly felt guilty. He had done all of this for her. Had she really been that mad? Despite their argument, he still went out to accompany her in this dance. Her only dance… he didn’t leave her. He had done so much… She raised her head again, and felt that incredible urge to touch his face as she began, “Heero - I would like to say sorry-“

            But he cut her off as he moved her to another direction, then sighed. His deep eyes glowed faintly in the streetlight. “If it’s that important to you…” he began just as softly.

            And she gave a watery laugh, suddenly feeling more sentimental than ever before. She tried to give him a straight look. “It’s my first dance, Heero.”

            He gave her an incredulous look, but before he could reply, she rested her head on his chest and sighed. “And it might be my last too. Yes, Heero, it’s that special. I can say I’m sorry for imposing such a thing on you. But I’m glad… I’m happier you came.”

            She wondered what caused her to admit that much to him, but her ponderings were cut off when he tightened his hold on her, as if struck by her words, but she couldn’t care more. It was his sacrifice to join her this night that struck her. Somehow, she felt really grateful, more than anything or anyone. Call her a sentimental fool if others wanted, but what he was giving her that night meant so much to her, more than his training her, or his putting up with her.

            Heero.

            She felt tears rising to her eyes. What was happening to her? She was being too emotional… a mindless Narr. But a happy fool indeed. All her ill feelings towards him, all the pains she had because of him - all of them disappeared. What was happening right now was what mattered.

            Heero Yuy may be a jerk, but he was also a controlled, kind and patient man underneath. He could be so silent, but he was also encouraging, considerate and compassionate. He was a grudge… but he was her grudge. He helped her and healed her, and he accepted her and made her grow. He was a hero, as his name sounded, though he would probably never admit it. An angel.

            And he was her first dance.

            “Heero…” she began as the two of them continued in the solemn rhythm. “I…”

            “Don’t mention it, Hilde,” he cut her off quietly, if not a bit huskily.

            But she didn’t have to say the words to remember all that he had done for her. What began as a quiet gesture of kindness from her turned into him assisting her always. He had done so many things for her… he had saved her from the man following them despite his injuries, he had decided to join her in her mission, but had accomplished more than that. He gave her the answers she needed and the training she was required to have. He had been patient enough to assist her through everything and believe her.

            And most of all, again and again, he accepted her. He didn’t scorn her. Whom she thought to be an unfeeling, perfectionist assassin turned out to be a kind, silently wonderful friend. One who didn’t have to say a lot to make her feel better, one who put up with her moods and tantrums, one who knew of her past mistakes, but was still willing to be there.

            And now she knew why she was so affected by him, so weak and sensitive whenever it came to him.

            She cared for him, more than she would ever admit. She needed him.

            And she knew that even if he had not done all of those things for her, she would still feel the same for him. Because she had already seen him, saw what he was really like and had a glimpse into his soul.

            And his soul was beautiful.

            If only…

            “Thank you…” she whispered, but he didn’t reply.

            And the night was magical, as they stood there, slowly swaying to the beautiful music. A soft breeze comforted them both as they remained locked in the passionate embrace. The people around them didn’t matter, for the moon rising high in the purple sky, half in the arms of clouds was enough.

            And she forgot, buried away the fact that she was a former mercenary running away from her past, and him, a cold assassin. She forgot that she was in danger, that she was far away from home, that she loved someone else, and that he had different engagements and pains. She didn’t recall their arguments, and misunderstandings, and they didn’t pay heed to the impending future.

            A loud beating of drums drew her attention from him, and Heero’s arms released his tight hold on her when they realized that a different song was being played. It was a traditional Mexican song, and the guitars strummed quickly to follow the beat.

            Hilde laughed when she saw other couples scrambling to position their selves. They then danced according to Spanish tradition, using moves that were beautiful and seemingly complicated but easy to imitate. She pointed to a man lifting his beloved to join the music, then turned her about. Immediately, everyone in the dance floor followed as a part of the cultural dance routine.

            “Hold on,” she heard Heero’s steady voice. And she looked at him, her eyes incredulous. Heero’s demeanor had changed drastically as well, but what he was implying astounded her “No way, we can’t dance to that!” she breathed, but her eyes were glistening with excitement. Heero had a slight grin on his face!

            “You were always so proud of your abilities, weren’t you?” he challenged her, and she raised an eyebrow. “Surely you can do this, too… it would be a shame if you couldn’t.” he finished.

            She placed her hands on his shoulders. “I didn’t know you could dance, too, Heero.”

            He smirked, “Then why did you ask me?”

            She gave a brilliant smile. “I need you.” And then she stepped away from him and bowed in the way the other women did as they welcomed their partners for the dance. He only gave her a look with that, and stopped all formalities as he grabbed her. “You can do this?”

            There was actually laughter in his eyes, and Hilde felt it herself. She nodded, then remembered the part where the males had to carry their feminine partners to spin them. “I can, Heero, as long as you’re here. Just don’t let me go.”

            And there was a stirring quality in his voice as he whispered back in a voice that was so fierce that it sent tremors of warmth within her. “Never.”

~~~

            He’d never felt so alive in a moment other than struggling to survive in the middle of a battlefield. But this felt different, and he knew that every little detail would forever remain in his mind. Heero perceived everything all together and sensed the warmth in every movement. There was a flame within him that grew stronger by every second.

            His blue eyes narrowed. In defeat.

            He could never deny her anything.

            Not Hilde Schbeiker with her broken voice and bright smiles.

            He felt himself idly stroking her hair. Weak. It was so different with her, with the way she made him feel, how she made him react and how she would always drive him to distraction. He never wanted to go here, had no intention of doing anything for her after realizing how out of center he was with his emotions. It seemed rather easy; after all, of all people, it was he who was the expert at driving people away. It was he who could easily intimidate.

            But Heero knew that his resolve had immediately weakened when she paused in her speech earlier. She was all too persuasive, half-serious in tone, but the way her eyes shone was something he dared not to understand. They were pleading, and were not something that could help his situation.

Why would he want to go to a stupid dance? And who was she to be thinking of such frivolous things at a time like that? He had flat feelings about attending the event. No, especially not with the memories the dance floor gave him, about a beautiful woman with dark blonde hair who asked to dance with him just after he pointed his gun at her. He was trying to forget, but what he feared most was an ironical repeat of that scene tonight. And he didn’t want that, most certainly not with Hilde.

            So why had he found himself walking to the park to see her?

            Was it that slip when he finally said ‘No’ that had caught him? That all too brief moment of vulnerability in her open eyes, which suddenly grew wide, terrified to no end? He recalled seeing her shiver as he waited for her answer, and when she suddenly staggered backwards, he realized that the dance was more than it seemed.

            It was almost a regret, seeing her falter and weakly try to leave the room. She was not going to let him ruin her dance, she had said, in a voice that was more determined than ever, one that mirrored his own. What she had said confirmed his suspicions.

            Why he ever decided to go was a mystery on its own. Maybe it was because of guilt, maybe because he saw more than he wanted to see when he had rejected her offer. Perhaps it was the pain in her eyes, normally bright and teasing. Maybe it was the same pain that reflected within him at that very same moment - for unwillingly disappointing her, for making her remember something she had no desire to recall. Maybe… he hadn’t been strong enough to survive seeing her like that.

            Yes, it was blatantly going against himself; it was a weakness Heero despised.

            Yet he had only wanted to check on her, to see if she was fine, by all means possible. He knew she was upset, and had no intentions to rectify his mistake. They were both in too deep with each other to allow more vulnerability. He did it to see if she was still upset, and probably to find out what the cause of her mood swing had been.

            And it was that cursed sight of her, standing at the edge of the crowd, blossoming through the night in that dress that ticked him off. What had been hidden from him before, or what took him so long to notice, was revealed and shown at his sight. It was that heart-rending, yet innocently entrancing beauty she held on her own, with the way she moved, or the way her smile curved, and the way her dark eyes brightened fully. Or probably how suitable her hair was as her crowning glory, and how the way she moved so gently yet proudly was so catching. His sudden ire grew when he noticed how some men were staring at her, and when one dared approach her.

            He didn’t know what his ‘ire’ had turned into the moment that happened, but before they both knew it, Hilde was in his arms, and he was stubbornly determined not to release her. Heck, now was not the time for her to start socializing - not when she was involved in a very complicated issue that thus endangered her life! She was not supposed to be smiling at some man, or dancing with other men -

            What was that getting to?

            He cursed under his breath.

            “What’s wrong?” Hilde asked, looking up at him. Her flushed face left him breathless, but the challenge in her eyes spurred him on, “Are you tired of dancing?”

            He smirked, “Are you?” And she half-choked, but winked at him, “Never Heero. Not this time.”

            It was then when Heero realized that a part of him was upset because Duo had not succeeded in such a simple task as taking her to a dance before. And there was that male instinct within him to excel where the other had failed. It was such a simple thing, yet Duo had never done anything about it. But along with that, there was this unexplainable, yet undeniable strong sense of pride and fulfilment. He was her first dance.

            It was strange, yet pleasing at the same time.

            And that night, they danced united, together in a song, and he felt her hold on to him as if he was the only person she knew. He had permitted himself to dance. To cling to a person, after so many years of loneliness and isolation, to laugh after having cried alone as a boy, to feel after locking up all emotions. He was holding her close, and she laid her ear above his heart.

            And throughout their movements, he had felt her tremble, could almost feel the watering of her eyes. And there was the time when her emotion-tight voice had whispered his name, as if needing to tell him something. His name. The way she said it with such feeling.

            He knew, right then, that he didn’t regret his actions.

            And he realized, exactly the same moment, that she needed him.

            Just about as much as you need her?

            His eyes narrowed.

            You fear.

            He tightened his arms around her.

~~~

            I could lose my heart tonight, if you don’t turn and walk away.

            Hilde rubbed vigorously at her eyes. Why was she crying? It was so damned unreasonable! Oh great, she cussed, that meant she was losing control. Yet the arms that held her were so warm. And the person she was leaning on was so inexplicably wonderful. Heero was making this experience seem like a dream… it was all she had expected in a dance.

            His arms tightened around her, and she felt her own do the same around his neck.

            ‘Cause the way I feel alive, lose control, and let you stay.

            ‘I owe you so much, Heero,’ she thought as they continued moving together. It was this man who saved her so many times, who gave her hope. It was he who made her smile when the world seemed dark ahead. In many ways, he comforted her, helped her move through. He was the last person she expected to be there for her and accept her. Yet she had seen glimpses into his real soul, and he had captivated her.

            A great feeling of joy stirred in her heart, that which was a combination of happiness and sadness. She was feeling so complete, so fulfilled, as if she had found the place where she would belong.

            Then the song continued,
            Cause I could take you in my arms and never let go.

            Hilde shuddered, she needed him so much… There was the fear of being too attached to the magic of the moment. Tomorrow, they might still fight, in the future; he could leave her by herself. It was so painful to think of him leaving her now. Not when she was starting to feel -

            She shook her head, but “Hilde,” Heero’s voice interrupted her.

            “Yes?” she asked softly.

            “Arigatou,” his voice filtered into her ear, yet she couldn’t see his eyes. He seemed to be hiding his face from her, for he had placed a hand on the back of her head to keep her still, yet the tone in his voice didn’t prevent her from understanding what he meant. “For what?” she choked out.

            “For… everything.” Was all that he said.

            She smiled as she unconsciously clutched at his shirt and shook her head, “No, Heero. Thank you. Danke. You don’t know how much.”

            I could fall in love with you.

            “You should have worn the necklace,” she teased gently as she hooked her arms around him again.

            “Hn,” he grunted back as she tried to hold back her laughter. Then she looked up into his eyes then froze. They were stormy, filled with unwanted, yet strong emotions, those which he was trying to prevent. And yet they were soft and extremely tender when they landed on her. What surprised her even more was that the reflection of her eyes in his was mirroring exactly the same emotions.

            I could only wonder… But if I take that chance right now, tomorrow will you want me still?

            He immediately looked away, and she could only stare at him in wonder.

            So I should keep this to myself and never let you go.

            And yet his hand had not yet stopped moving from the base of her neck. “Heero,” she whispered to herself, but he had heard, and their eyes met once more. His hand slowly rested at her chin, tracing her jaw. “Hilde,” he said hoarsely.

            I could fall in love with you.

            Before she could stop herself, her other hand had reached out to his cheek just the same, as if forcing him to look at her. He had beautiful eyes; deep, ethereal orbs.

            And they stood that way and stopped dancing.

            Somewhere across the street, along the shadows of the buildings past the park, an old woman watched them, her sharp emerald eyes narrowing in triumph. She traced her weathered fingers through the crowd and pointed at them. Her eyes rested on Heero, then on Hilde. He had feared. She feared the same.

            But now, they wouldn’t be able to do anything about it.

            For the dark-haired girl was already in her angel’s arms. She already belonged in the arms of destruction.

End of Part Seven

(*) You are a fool.

(**) Save the Best for Last by Vanessa Williams

(***) I Could Fall In Love by Selena

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