AN: Hey it's THURSDAY....haha no I didn't plan it. Sorry about the shortness of the chapter but I had to finish the night out. I do not plan on writing day by day chapters as I have been doing just working on setting everything up so the story can keep moving along. I know since I don't have a summary you guys are pretty confused on what this story is about and where it's headed. I think in about two more chapters it will be a little more clear.

In case your wondering, I'm bringing in Relena's mother. Now calm down and stop what you're thinking. It's not going to be what you think...I have some...amusing plans for that woman.

RedLion2:: I have to completely agree with you. It wouldn't make sense...I don't understand when people write Relena pining for Heero years later when he's been out of her life. And to answer your question about Trowa...maybe a mild interest. Any attempt will be halfhearted as I don't want to break that poor mans heart.

Also I received a review from a no name on Relena's twelve steps and they are also reading this story. I've decided to continue on without a beta...I will start working on it soon and I will update once completed and when I am further along with this story.

Please review if your reading, they give me the warm and fuzzy's

CHAPTER FOUR

He was a fool, his own personal torturer. The span of time had completely dissipated when he met her eyes for the first time in almost a decade. Where he had carefully kept her ever present in his own life—she made it painfully clear she'd ripped him from hers.

If he was being completely honest with himself, he was surprised. It was his own ugly pride that had gotten him through that first year. He'd been sure she couldn't stay away, she would find him. She could always find him—it's what she did.

The more time that past he found himself making it easier. The same apartment though rarely used at times on the L1 colony, keeping his number listed and staying in contact with mutual acquaintances. It took him almost a full two years to realize he'd been left.

To someone who is used to doing the leaving—it left a bad taste in ones mouth.

The fact she ran meant he wasn't the only one with unresolved issues. In what some people might call sick and twisted he couldn't help but feel a bit...hopeful

'CRASH'

"Great idea Yuy," Wufei turned from the catastrophe, "that'll teach her."

They all turned to view the damage. Relena was kneeling down and cleaning the remains of a pina colada and fried onion rings off of the lap of a preventer. Despite the mess, he didn't seem to mind.

"One of you should at least help her," Trowa glared. "She has no idea what's she's doing."

"It's good for her," Heero said nonchalant keeping his emotionless mask in place. The scenes were getting harder to observe.

"Heero, she's practically fondling one of your customers," said Quatre who's color had yet to return to his face, "he seems pretty happy about it but..."

"Sadly, not her biggest problem," Duo sighed. "Heero wants her to work Sunday...and I'm inclined to agree."

Trowa laughed without humor. "That doesn't seem right. She doesn't want to be here...she's a nice person," his eyes fell on Duo, "and you shouldn't use Hilde to guilt her into staying."

"Again," Wufei glared at Heero.

"It's bad enough she's back there in the kitchen," Duo whined. "Not only am I down a waitress I'm going to have hire a new cook soon...might I remind you I am alone in the hiring process."

"You don't like the waitresses I hire," Heero defended himself. The ones he hired were competent.

"They were ugly," Duo said slowly, "and had your personality...they were scaring off the customers. No one wants a three hundred pound war vet bringing them cocktails."

"Hn."

Heero's eyes surveyed the damage. It didn't look like he would loose anyone. Most of his customers were male, with the exception of a few dates here and there, they seemed to enjoy the cute blond bouncing around with a wide grin messing up their orders and spilling the drinks. A few were exchanging dishes and glasses from different tables and booths—when she wasn't looking of course.

Heero smiled despite himself. Her clumsiness was absolutely endearing.

"You forget, she's not speaking to us," said Wufei. The honorable thing would be to walk over and assist, not that he had the experience...however , he was being partially blamed for something he had nothing to do with. He was sure the princess wasn't past biting all their heads off.

"She'll probably leave first thing in the morning too," Quatre added a bit sad.

Duo shrugged. "Who knows, she might stay?"

As much as Wufei enjoyed being right, it felt ridiculous to point out the obvious. "We are not her friends."

Quatre looked crestfallen. "I thought I was maybe...at one time."

He'd never met the woman before yesterday so he found it hard to sympathize with his comrade. However it seemed a good time as any to ask the question on everyone's mind. "I demand to know why the innocent parties are be given the silent treatment, what aren't you telling us?" Wufei directed his questions more towards Duo, he was pretty sure Heero wouldn't be forthcoming.

Duo glanced at Heero and received a severe look of warning. He wasn't taking his chances. He had no qualms about sticking his nose in other peoples business, that's exactly why he'd taken it upon himself to eavesdrop nine years ago, but he'd been on the other end of Heero's gun one to many times to tread into unwanted territory. Whatever was going on between the two, could stay there.

-

After cleaning up the mess and receiving a strangely large tip, Relena headed toward the other room to see if there were any dishes that needed to be cleared.

She sighed inwardly, mostly it was to get away from the eyes burning holes into her back and desperately wanting to relax her face from the tight smile she'd been forcing.

So he had heard her confession and obviously it had affected him in some way. She had taken his statement for what it was and hoped that would be the end of it. He had a strange sense of humor and she had no plans on seeing exactly how much the perfect soldier had evolved.

"Probably just sideways into an ass," she muttered walking down the short hallway. She stopped abruptly to cover her mouth and look around. Had anyone heard?

Great, two night in a bar and she was using curse words.

She slumped against the wood paneling and fought the urge to cry. She said she would stay because of Hilde but if she was being honest...she knew he would follow her all the way to the hotel. Heero seemed pretty determined to have her stick around tonight and wouldn't put it past him to waltz right up to her room if it meant getting it out and over with. He was looking for some bizarre form of closure and she wasn't. Didn't old confessions of love have an expiration date?

Hopefully a few hours of menial labor would satisfy him.

"Stay till Sunday," said a deep voice she was newly reacquainted with.

"Why," she asked turning to face Heero. Fighting the urge to let him know exactly how unwelcome his presence was she bit down hard on her lower lip to silence herself.

"People order more food on Sunday's," he answered cocking his head to the side as if the answer should be obvious. "More people come in for games."

She was doubting his intelligence now. "I'm a horrible waitress."

"Yes you are," he said with a hint of a smile, "the others would like it if you left on better terms and while your here we could use the help."

She allowed her gaze to drift toward the four men sitting at the bar then back again to the man before her. As unreadable the mask he wore was, it was obvious there was something else. "I can't find it in myself to care."

"I would also like us to talk before you go."

"Whatever issues you have, work them out by yourself," she huffed. "As a former terrorist I find it hard to believe you couldn't have found a way to contact me."

This was new territory for him, he proceeded with caution. "Harsh words Relena. You weren't always so indifferent towards me, what's changed?"

The question threw her for a loop, what had changed? She hated the validity of the question and the fact he had every right to ask; it wasn't his fault she'd been so enamored by him in the past—done nothing to lead her on. She had known full well at the time his lack of romantic feelings...just supposed it wouldn't be an issue this far into the future.

"I can't answer that," she said softly. "I just know...I don't want to go digging for the answer."

That stung him more than he would have liked but despite her present feelings he felt himself even more curious than before. "Think about it, we'll talk Sunday."

"No," her voice was firm, "I am leaving tomorrow."

Heero smirked as the proverbial light bulb went off. Morally he was taking his chances at stooping so low...but old habits died hard and there was nothing as satisfying as a mission accomplished.

"You're afraid of me. Afraid you'll fall in love with me again," his tone was cocky. He was pretty sure he'd the nail on the head.

Her furious eyes burning into his revealed he'd accomplished his goal, she wasn't going anywhere.

"That will never happen," she snapped.

"Then prove me wrong."

Childish as his challenge might have been she'd never backed down from one before and had no intention of doing so now. "I'll do just that!"