~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The minute, Hilde returned home from work to see Duo perched on her couch, she knew trouble was ahead.

"Hilde! Old pal, old friend, old buddy," Duo practically sang out to her.

'Hmm, now I know there's trouble,' Hilde thought as she tossed her things into a corner of the living room. "Okay Duo, what do you want?"

"Hilde, why do you think I want something?" Duo flashed his 'who me?' smile at her, while trying to look like a wounded party.

"Call it an inspired guess. What's up, Duo?" Hilde smiled back with her 'yeah, you' look.

"Nothing much. Hey, how would you like to go out for some food. I've looked around here and I can see you haven't gone shopping yet. I'll treat," Duo said cheerily, while fiddling with his braid.

"Why not," Hilde smiled. 'Hmm, playing with his hair it must be something I'm _not_ going to like.'

The two had a nice dinner at the neighborhood restaurant they used to go to often in the past. Hilde would try to fish out why Duo was really there, but he remained elusive. Finally they returned to Hilde's small house, when she decided enough intrigue was enough.

"Ready to come clean yet?" Hilde asked.

"Sure," Duo smiled. "I didn't mean to keep you in the dark, but since it was a security matter, talking in a restaurant would have been a bad idea."

"Security?" Hilde quirked an eyebrow. "What's happened?"

"Nothing's happened."

"Okay, color me confused," Hilde laughed.

"Alright. I was doing some body guarding duty of Relena recently," Duo began.

"Okay ..." Hilde encouraged.

"She was telling me how she's never gets to go on vacation anywhere without cameras and and strange folks following her around," Duo continued.

"That would have to suck, sure," Hilde agreed.

"Well, you know me. I took it as a personal challenge to see if it is possible for her to get away from the press and have a good time," Duo concluded.

"That's nice of you, Duo," Hilde agreed. "Funny, I don't remember you being very friendly with Relena in the past though."

"Well, I've had to take on more guarding duties from Heero and I guess we decided we weren't enemies," Duo shrugged.

"So if this is a matter of security, why tell me?" Hilde asked confused.

"In order for my plan to work, I need someone to pose as Relena. The fake Relena takes a vacation somewhere where the cameras can take her picture, while the real Relena is somewhere completely different," Duo stated.

Hilde nodded, "I see, fake Relena is on a ski slope and the real one is lying on a beach somewhere."

Duo also nodded, "Yeah, something like that."

"Again, it brings up my question, why tell me?"

"I think the fake Relena should be someone I can trust. I think you would make an excellent Relena, ne?"

Hilde looked stunned for a moment, before she began to laugh.

"You're kidding, right? I look NOTHING like Relena, or haven't you noticed?" Hilde said, wiping away the tears from laughter.

"I think all you need is a wig and it shouldn't be a problem," Duo said.

"Let's see, she's got blue eyes and I don't," Hilde said.

"The cameras will never get that close," Duo assured her.

"So I would have to walk around with Pargan all day waiting for pictures to be taken of me, huh?" Hilde asked convinced that Duo had lost his mind.

"You won't be alone it's true, but you won't be with Pargan," Duo assured her.

"Oh, so it will be you and me?" Hilde asked hopeful. 'Well if Duo is going to be around at least she'll have some fun during the ordeal,' she thought.

"No, not me. I'll be guarding Relena. No, your escort will be Heero," Duo said waiting for the reaction he knew was coming.

Hilde's eyes went wide. "H-Heero?" she asked incredulously, as her thoughts of having any fun slipped away from her mind. "Why wouldn't he be guarding Relena? How did you even get him to agree?"

"Heero and Relena together somewhere would be too obvious. And since the press think of Heero and Relena as a couple, he gets the joy of being in the limelight with you," Duo said with a laugh.

"You are one sick puppy, Duo!" Hilde retorted trying to suppress a laugh. "So when did he threaten to kill you?"

"Well ... I haven't talked to him yet."

Hilde laughed. "You are in for a treat then."

"Will you do it?" Duo asked.

Hilde shrugged, "Ah what the hell! Sure. So where are we going?"

"I'm not sure yet. I have to do some investigating. Meanwhile, I'll bring by a wig and some clothes and we'll see what we need to make you the former Queen of the World," Duo smiled. "I should probably get going. Thanks for doing this Hil."

She walked him to the door and accepted his hug. "Duo, there's never a dull moment with you around. See ya."

*************

Hilde sighed as she tried on one of Relena's suits. She didn't wonder how Duo managed to get one of Relena's real outfits. She knew Duo could talk anyone into anything. She was going to be doing this wasn't she?

"I told you this wouldn't work," she told Duo. The skirt part of the suit was fine but the top was too big.

"Well, I think we can fix that," Duo said sheepishly.

"We can't alter her clothes Duo, I'm sure she would like them back at some point."

Duo handed Hilde a bag. "Try those."

Hilde looked perplexed but opened the bag. "You have GOT to be kidding!" In the bag was a padded bra and a set of two clear saline bags. "Tell me these aren't falsies!" Hilde flushed.

"They are suppose to be undetectable. Try them," Duo said equally as flushed.

Hilde shook her head in amazement, but took the bag to the bathroom. When she returned the top of the suit looked more form fitting.

"See you look great!" Duo enthused. "Now try the wig."

***********

She wasn't so sure about doing this "mission". It was one thing to parade around, but the falsies made her sweat and that wig was also hot and uncomfortable. 'Why did Relena let her hair get so long? Geez, it's almost as long as Duo's,' Hilde thought suddenly having real sympathy with people with long manes.

She was still wearing the wig, trying to get use to it when the videophone chimed. Without thinking she answered the phone.

Prussian blue eyes glared at her in surprise for a second before resuming their usual look of indifference.

"Relena, I presume," Heero said.

Hilde pondered whether he was joking or not. Since she never remembered him having any sense of humor in the past, she merely shrugged and said, "Not very convincing, ne?"

"No."

'Boy, a week with him is going to be a dream come true ... Not,' Hilde thought. "So what's the game plan Heero?"

"I will be e-mailing you an encrypted itinerary. Are you sure you won't be missed for a week at your job?" Heero asked, bored.

"Being the boss, makes it not a problem. So tomorrow's the big day, huh," Hilde replied, thinking the next week would be agony. 'Oh, Duo WILL pay for this.'

"Hn." Heero said, almost like he could hear her thoughts.

*************

Day One.

Hilde arrived at the boat slip, in full Relena gear of tasteful pink capri pants and a short-sleeved striped pink and white top. The big wide brimmed hat and sunglasses were suppose to "disguise" to the world that it was 'Relena'. She climbed on the deck of the yacht, when Heero appeared from the cabin of the boat.

"Heero!" Hilde said in surprise.

"You're late," Heero intoned.

"Gomen, but slipping in one place as Hilde only to emerge as Relena isn't a quick and easy conversion."

"Let's go," Heero said, not acknowledging her explanation one way or another. "We need to set sail and be at the designated coordinates in forty-five minutes."

"No crew I see. Are you going to sail this boat? You do know how to pilot a boat?" Hilde asked.

"The fewer people involved the better. As for sailing, I've read up on the subject," Heero huffed as he moved to untie the boat.

"I must admit, I know nothing about boating, but I'll help you if you tell me what you need," Hilde said cheerfully.

"Relena wouldn't 'help'. Neither should you. Just go below deck. I'll call you when I need you," Heero said.

Hilde tried not to take offense and headed below deck. 'Duo, you are SO dead!' Hilde quietly fumed. The quarters were small but pleasant. She as she sat down her hand reflexively went to her wig to take it off along with the hat, when she thought better of it. 'Forty-five minutes eh? If everything Duo has ever told me is true, we'll get there in forty.'

Thirty eight minutes later, Heero came down to the cabin to seek out Hilde.

"Showtime. Are you ready?" Heero asked.

"What do we do?" Hilde asked, suddenly nervous.

"Stand around and wait for them to finish with us, I guess," Heero said.

Together they walked on the deck. The helicopters buzzed annoyingly overhead.

Heero grabbed her hand and pulled her closer. "Pretend that we don't notice the copters. Look out at the sea and pretend to enjoy the view."

Hilde did as she was told. Mentally she hoped the helicopters wouldn't get so close that her wig would blow off. But looking out at the sea, she didn't have to pretend about the view. She could make out a lush island several kilometres from where they were.

"The scenery is really nice, Heero," she said in mild awe.

Heero looked at her like she grew a second head. "Is it?"

"Yes, ba- Heero, look!" she said as she turned his head in the direction she was looking. She didn't feel comfortable yet to call him a baka. She glanced over to her "bodyguard" to note that he did finally seem to see the beauty she saw.

"Hn," Heero said with mild appreciation of the scenery. Then he looked above. "They seem to be gone. Are you ready to go back in?"

Hilde shook her head, "No, I want to stay out here for a little while. You go ahead."

Heero released her hand and walked below deck. Hilde hadn't noticed until he left that he had held her hand for so long. 'Interesting' she thought, surprised that she missed the strong warmth of his hand.

The evening was rather uneventful. Hilde made dinner. The booth-like seats pulled out into single beds. Heero went above decks to make sure they were anchored for the night and Hilde got dressed for bed in the miniscule bathroom. By the time, Heero had made his checks Hilde sans wig was fast asleep.

Day Two.

Heero had risen early and before Hilde had awaken, they were once again sailing to another designation. Hilde wore a rather conservative one piece swimsuit (pink, of course) with a flowery cover up. She decided to fashion a long braid out of the wig once she put it on. 'Hm, I was right, it is almost as long as Duo's,' she thought as she joined Heero above.

He glanced at her and did a doubletake when he saw the braid.

"Morning, Heero," Hilde said.

"Relena would never wear her hair that way," Heero said.

"'Good morning to you Hilde, did you sleep well?'" Hilde mimicked in a near Heero monotone. "Heero, when a person is on vacation they are allowed to change their hair or act stupid or whatever," Hilde admonished.

"Not Relena," Heero said.

"No variety, geez no wonder Relena wanted a break from the fish bowl. I bet right now she's got her feet up, wearing cut-offs and eating whatever bizarre food Duo has found wherever they are," Hilde laughed.

"I doubt it," Heero replied.

"Okay sport, where do we go today?" Hilde said giving up on the fact that Heero would ever 'loosen up'.

"We are near the coordinates now," Heero said.

Hilde looked and saw another far off island. "Do we ever get to land anywhere?"

"No," Heero replied, "It would be too easy for someone to get too close to take a picture."

"Dammit, Heero! I'm not a fish! And being on a boat for six days is not my idea of fun!" Hilde yelled. "Come on you're a smart guy! Surely, you can find a semi-deserted alcove or something so we can touch land for a little bit. Please?"

"It's not on the itinerary."

"Screw the itinerary, Yuy! I'll go nuts if I don't touch some land soon!" Hilde screamed as she began to storm off. The helicopters arrived right on schedule.

"Where are you going?" Heero asked.

"That's a damn stupid question, don't you think?" Hilde retorted.

"The reporters are here."

"Fuck the reporters!" Hilde groused, as she flipped the bird in the sky.

Heero rushed over to her and grabbed her arm. "What the hell are you doing?"

"Having a tantrum! Now let go of me so I can stew alone for awhile!"

"But the ..."

"If you point those vultures out to me one more time, I will bop you one! Now. Let. Me. Go," Hilde said in a threatening voice. Heero let her arm go and she stormed below decks. He began to pull the anchor. He was angry.

'She's even WORSE than Relena! Relena would have at least obeyed instructions. No wonder Duo fled that relationship!' He thought, forgetting about the helicopters. 'Does she think I'm having any fun here floating around like a baka?'

He looked at the maps he had, then plotted a course.

Hilde was trying to massage the pounding headache in her brain. 'God! I bet he thinks I'm as spoiled as Relena,' she sighed.'I wished I had brought more books or anything to do. It's not like Heero will let me help him. Damn, this is dullsville.' She gave up on her sulk and fell asleep.

Heero sailed the boat while still miffed at Hilde's behavior. 'She will cause this mission to fail.' He was so angry that he had sailed to their next destination hours ahead of schedule. With nothing to do, he set anchor and headed below decks ready to have it out with "Relena". He calmed down when he saw that she was asleep.

She looked ridiculous. Her wig was askew and she would absently swipe at the annoyance that was the stray strands from the wig. But she looked peaceful and Heero didn't mind quietly observing the woman. He knew she wasn't a stupid woman, he remembered she bravely risked her life in the past to get information on Libra to Duo and the others and told them of Relena's whereabouts during the war. Duo even told him that she used to be a soldier for OZ, and they didn't accept just anyone. Heero looked at his watch, the helicopters won't be there for at least another hour, maybe a nap would be a good idea. His eyes slid close and soon he was asleep.

Hilde tired of swatting whatever kept tickling her face opened her eyes in a flustered groan. Discovery that the mystery pest was strands from her wig didn't make her happy. As she pushed the strands away she looked across from her to see Heero asleep. She quickly looked out of the small window to make sure they were sailing without someone at the helm. There was no movement, 'Heero wouldn't be stupid enough not to anchor us before falling asleep.' She decided to watch the sleeping youth across from her. He really wasn't a bad looking man. He someways he was sexier than Duo. 'Which is why Duo was so enamored of him. Hell, who could blame him?' Hilde smiled.

Prussian blue eyes opened suddenly. "What time is it?"

Hilde jumped. She quickly looked down at her watch. "It's 3 o'clock."

"We need to get out there," Heero said getting up and running a hand through his unruly hair. "You will behave this time, yes?"

Hilde flushed a little. "I'll try, Heero. Sorry about earlier."

"Hn. Let's go," Heero said not convinced.

As they made it to the deck they could hear the helicopters. Heero didn't take her hand this time. This time he stood a good distance away from her. "Heero? Why are you over there?" Hilde asked confused.

"That's your fault. Remember you threw a tantrum this morning. They will assume we are still angry at each other."

"It's a reasonable assumption, but wouldn't it make more sense, if we made up in the time the helicopters left the first time around?"

Heero shook his head no. "It doesn't make good press to have the make up done off-camera."

Hilde looked at him in disbelief. "You're kidding right?"

"I don't kid," Heero said seriously.

So they continued to stand apart, glaring at each other.

"How much longer do you think we have to stand out here?" Heero asked irritated.

"I don't know, probably a few more minutes. This wig is fucking hot, and I won't EVEN go into how annoying these falsies are," Hilde grumbled.

"The things we do out of friendship, ne?" Heero asked, suppressing a smile. He was still irritated but he knew Hilde had it worse. She had to impersonate Relena. He guessed at a distance she could pass for the former Queen of the World.

"Oh screw it, Heero," Hilde said walking towards Heero. "Let's give the reporters something to print, ne?" She kissed him.

Heero was slightly surprised before finding this move very logical. The fight was public record, the "making up" should be too. He also thought he'd have a little fun. He flicked his tongue over her lips seeking entrance. He knew she was distracted playing the game for the cameras, but he thought he'd play a game of his own at least for the cameras.

When she gasped at acknowledgment of his bold move he made an even bolder move and slipped the tongue inside her surprised mouth. While kissing her, he was unbraiding her hair and gently caressing her back. She surprised him by pulling him closer to her body. Overhead helicopters long forgotten or even heard for that matter, the air from the copter blades blew Hilde's wig in all directions but mostly it seemed to form a protective curtain around the former Queen of the World and her Knight in white armor. They pulled out of the kisses surprised at the passions that were boiling beneath the joining of their lips.

"What the hell was that?" Hilde asked breathlessly.

Heero was at a loss for words. He suddenly noted they were alone again. "Our visitors have left," he said, trying to slip back into his professional mode. He knew the moment he said the words that they were the wrong words.

Hilde's eyes flickered from breathless lust to hurt confusion. "So they have," she said in a clipped voice. "Excuse me, I need to do something below deck." She ran down the small stairs.

She locked herself in the tiny bathroom to collect herself. 'Don't let yourself get carried away, dummy. This is Heero we're talking about. He kissed you like that for cameras nothing else!' That thought didn't comfort her very much. That fact that her body felt on fire from the kisses and light touches didn't make her feel any better either. 'Great four more days. What the hell am I suppose to do?'

Heero watched her run for below decks and felt guilty. 'Why did I do that? Now she's mad at me, not that it should matter, but it does matter.' He realized he kissed her that way to get her back for the tantrum that caused so many problems earlier in the day. He didn't expect his body or for that matter hers to react that way. 'What are we going to do for the next four days? We're going to have to work something out, I don't want the real Relena to feel like she has to cut her vacation short because we screwed up. Duo would never let me hear the end of it!'

When he felt brave enough to go below decks again, he saw that Hilde had made a simple meal for the two of them and was quietly reading Heero's manual on sailing. She looked up briefly to say, "I've made dinner, get yourself some, I've already eaten."

"Hilde--"

"We'll talk later. Eat first," Hilde smiled before turning back to the book.

Heero did as he was told. As he put away his plate, Hilde remarked to him, "Don't you find this sailing around incredibly boring Heero? How do rich folks do this all the time?"

Heero shrugged. "They are usually pretty liquored up wouldn't you think?"

Hilde laughed briefly before sighing and said, "I'm sorry about earlier. I shouldn't have stormed off, like you really can storm off in such a small boat. As for the kissing thing, I'm sorry about that too. I guess we got carried away or something. It won't happen again."

Heero stared at her. "Duo never warned me that a 'bored Hilde' is almost as bad as a 'bored Duo'," he said.

Hilde laughed. "Yeah, I guess. But nothing is as scary as a bored Duo though!"

Heero laughed briefly. "One time he thought Quatre's gundam was too staid, so he lined the inside of Sandrock with every picture he could find of Trowa without a shirt on."

"Surely Quatre wasn't upset," Hilde smiled.

"No, but Trowa was wondering where Duo found all those pictures!"

They both laughed. "I'm sure it was Duo with a hidden camera in the shower, right?" Hilde asked.

Heero stared at her, "You do know him! That's exactly what he had done." Finally he sighed, "Hilde, I'm sorry about the kissing thing. I was trying to get you back from the public tantrum earlier, I just didn't expect it to ..."

"It's okay. We'll just forget about the whole thing," she smiled, while inwardly she didn't want to forget a thing.

"We have to get through the next couple of days," Heero explained.

"I know. Don't worry, all will be fine," she said as she gathered some clothes. "I'm really tired, I'm going to get dressed for bed."

As she left the room, Heero frowned. 'How can she want to forget the whole thing?'

She returned from the tiny bathroom wearing a black t-shirt and a pair of Duo's plaid boxers. Heero raised an eyebrow.

"Why are you wearing Duo's boxers?"

She looked at him like he was crazy. "These are my pajamas. These were my favorite pair of boxers that Duo owned so I talked him into letting me have them when we broke up. They are great for sleepwear. What's the problem?"

"Why did you break up with him?" Heero asked, knowing full well it was none of his business.

"Honestly? We were too good as friends. Besides he was in love with someone else," she shrugged.

"Who?" Heero asked.

"God, you are a baka, aren't you? He was in love with YOU, Heero. He pretty much thought of me a little sister. It hurt at first, the fact that in his mind I wasn't worthy of lust, and the fact that he was gaga over you, but I took the graceful way out and told him I thought of him as a brother as well. Man, that was a tough time," Hilde sighed. "Are you going to tell me you didn't know he was in love with you?"

Heero stared at her for a moment before answering. "I knew he was constantly flirting with me. I figured he was just trying to get a reaction from me. But over time when he started flirting with me less and less, I kind of missed it."

"He's not flirting with you much these days?" Hilde asked curiously.

"No, he's not, why?"

"That's just weird. If I didn't know better, I'd say ..." Hilde laughed and shook her head, "That can't be it."

"What?"

"Duo's in love. The amount of kidding, flirting and goofing off diminishes in relation to when he's involved with someone. I wonder who it is?" Hilde pondered.

"Quatre would probably know," Heero offered. "We'll ask him when we get back. I'll go check above to make sure everything is secure. Good night, Hilde."

"Good night Heero," she said as she started to settle into sleep. The stray thought that bounced in her head before sleep claimed her was what if Relena was the object of Duo's desire?

The days flew by. Day three, Heero did find a small desert alcove for Hilde and himself to swim in and touch land. They both discovered that boats are fine for short trips but extended vacations in them sucked. After that day, Heero made sure he could find some landfall for them to touch if only for a little while.

Morning of the fifth day, Heero awoke to the sensation that they were moving. Hilde wasn't below deck. He quickly threw on his spandex shorts and tank top and ran above. "What the hell are you doing Hilde?" he growled.

If she was scared by the voice, she made no show of it. "You were tired, I thought I'd get us headed to our destination."

"How do you know where our next destination is?" he asked checking the various dials and things to make sure they were even headed in the correct direction.

"It's not like they were hidden. You keep meticulous notes," Hilde huffed standing aside so Heero could check her handiwork, "Besides, I figured I could see if I could sail by only reading the manual alone like you. I'm not stupid you know. I was a soldier! I can read a map and everything!"

Heero relaxed when he saw there was nothing to get worried about. "What if you messed this up?"

"I would have gotten you. You would have bitched me out while correcting the problem. Next gripe?" Hilde yelled.

They both heard the helicopters arriving on cue. Hilde smiled evilly. "Just for being such a jerk, Heero," Hilde said sweetly, "I'm going to have to do this!" While Heero was still standing at the controls, Hilde glomped him from behind, holding on tight.

"What are you doing?" Heero squawked.

In a singsong voice that could rival Relena's real voice, Hilde said, "Oh Heero, you are so wonderful!"

"Are you trying to make me sick," Heero shuddered at the voice while trying to break out of Hilde's tight grasp.

Suddenly, she let go, spun the bewildered Japanese man around and kissed him hard. She pulled back and said in a Relena like voice, "Oh Heero, ai shiteru! Let's get married!"

Heero started to laugh. "You are crazy, you know that?"

Hilde pulled him closer to her, where she grabbed a spandex covered buttock and remarked, "Oh Heeerrrroo!" then pulled him in for another overly dramatic kiss.

Heero decided to play along with the kiss before clamping a hand on one of her false breasts. "You are hellbent on destroying Relena's reputation, aren't you?"

Hilde leaned back as if she could feel his hand which she couldn't because he was only touching saline, "No, just yours you hentai!"

The helicopters pulled away quickly thinking that their audience might be too young to handle the groping couple below. When the copters were gone, Hilde pinched Heero's bottom. "Well, that was fun! We'll have to do that again soon. Say around 4 when they come back?"

Heero jumped at the pinch. As she walked away, he swatted her bottom. "Who's the hentai again?"

After their four o'clock showing, where they were on better, non- perverted behavior, Heero let Hilde sail them to another deserted beach. Heero made a picnic lunch that they put in a waterproof ice chest, as they swam for the shore of the beach. After setting their supplies on the beach they went back into the water to splash for a while.

Returning from the swim and ready for food, Heero opened the ice chest and made a little startled cry to see blonde hair in the ice chest.

"Sorry," Hilde said as she took her Relena wig out. I didn't want to swim in it for fear of losing the damn thing. And since it's always too hot to wear I figured it could cool off some." She put the wig back on her now almost dry black hair.

They ate in near silence and had settled down on a blanket they brought with them. Hilde turned to Heero and said, "I've had a better time than I thought I would on this trip. Thank you."

"This wasn't nearly as traumatic as I thought it would be either. Duo was a fool to let you go," Heero said.

This statement caught Hilde by surprise. "Duo has always thought of me a sweet girl, who should never get involve in war or militaries. A girl who should be cooking, cleaning and taking care of ... him," she laughed. "I was too boring for him."

'But not for me,' Heero thought, but let her statement lay where it was. He pulled her close to him and said, "He was still a fool." They fell asleep snuggled together on the blanket.

The rising sun woke Heero first. For a second he was disoriented. 'Where are we?' He looked down to see his sleeping Relena, again with wig askew. He shook her awake. "Hilde."

"Five more minutes," she mumbled seeking the warmth of Heero's body. Heero shook her harder.

"Hilde, let's go. We have to get back."

The woman beside him sighed. "Okay, dammit." They arose to gather their things and swim back to the boat. With everything aboard, they barely made it to their second to the last public appearance spot. By the time they made it back to the dock, Hilde was dressed in a nice conservative looking dress, with the big hat and sunglasses on again. Heero stood by her side.

"We are going to go through a slew of cameras and reporters. Don't speak. Just walk with me to Relena's limousine. Pargan will take us to Relena's mansion and from there we'll get you home. Understood?" Heero asked.

Hilde nodded. "Perfectly. So I guess it's showtime, huh?" Heero put an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close to him. "Yes, showtime."

Hilde was grateful that Heero explained what was going to happen. She was never claustrophobic before but the press of people and flashing lights were nearly overwhelming. 'Poor Relena. I hope Duo showed her a good time without all this ruckus.'

Pargan greeted the couple before opening the back door to the limo letting them inside. Once they were on the road and Heero did sweep to check for bugs or tracers in the limo, all relaxed.

"Hello Ms. Schbeiker, was your holiday pleasant?" Pargan asked.

Hilde smiled. "It had its moments. Is Miss Relena back safe and sound?"

"She is. She wishes to thank you for your services to insure her first real vacation since she was a child," he said as he drove on.

They arrived at the mansion, this time the reporters were on the other side of the gate unable to get closer. Once inside the mansion, and again, Heero running a quick sweep for bugs, did they relax.

Relena and Duo walked into the corridor from the study. "Heero! Hilde! Welcome back!" Duo said happily glomping on them. "Have a good trip?" Both Relena and Duo tried not to laugh.

Hilde and Heero looked at them puzzled. "Good enough. How was yours? Looks like you got some sun," Hilde remarked noting the tan that almost matched her own. 'Good at least no one would wonder how Relena would go from tan to pale in a day,' she thought.

Relena smiled, "It was great! Very relaxing."

"I'll bet," Hilde said smiling. She knew Duo well enough to know relaxation is never in Duo's plans.

"Heero, can I show you something?" Duo asked with a big grin. "Come into the study, you too, Hilde."

The four walked into the study where Duo pointed them to the sofa. Once everyone was seated, Duo pulled out a remote control and pressed play. "I only have one question, as I show you the highlights of Relena's vacation," Duo said while the images of Hilde and Heero kissing and groping each other played on the big screen. "When is the wedding?"

Hilde and Heero flushed at the images. As Heero began to rise to kill Duo, Hilde's hand touched his arm and stopped him. She decided to play a hunch. "When is yours?"

Duo and Relena both turned a lovely shade of red. Heero looked at Hilde confused for a moment before noticing the blushing people sitting near them. "You're not saying that Duo is ..."

Hilde shrugged. "Everyone knows what Heero and I were supposedly doing. Just what were you two doing? Huh?"

Relena suddenly left the room to get everyone some refreshments. Duo hemmed and hawed. "Hilde, you're evil, you know that, right?"

Later, Heero drove Hilde to her car. "How did you know that they were seeing each other?"

"I didn't. I just wanted to shut him up about what we were doing," Hilde laughed.

"I'm still going to kill him you know," Heero responded.

"You have my blessing," Hilde smiled. "There's my car over there."

Heero pulled up behind the small little car. "It was an experience."

"Yes, one we'll have to repeat next time Duo and Relena want quiet time, ne?" Hilde smiled. Heero pulled her to him for a kiss.

The kiss left both of them breathless. "Yes, it is an experience we'll have to repeat in the future, regardless," Heero said seriously.

OWARI

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Library