Alarms can be broken.

[heero]

She really did try to hard. He dropped her compact, the mirror having been useful in breaking the laserlock on the apartment window. He stepped over a buzzing pager and shook his head at the PDA flashing on its charge stand. The President's face lit a vidphone."Never changes does it?"

[relena]

The newly appointed foreign minister shuffled through the apartment trying to remember where she last left her phone while stirring a cup of tea. Fuzzy pink slippers padded on the carpet as she made her way to the window where Heero had broken in and accidentally answered the phone. She could hear the President practically screaming "Hello" and rushed in front of the vidphone before he hung up.

"Good evening, Mr. President, I'm so glad you found a moment to return my call. Now, you and I both know that Senatorial elections are drawing near, and your party needs more than a little boost in public opinion to stay in power. Since your election in office I have pushed for one particular bill to finally be put to a vote, but your senators continue this charade of keeping it in committee. Need I remind you, people hate bureaucracy, and more than 53 percent now support my bill, and furthermore, anything with my name on it is golden."

"I do recall that it was YOUR terraforming project which brought this situation upon us in the first place, and it's been some time since you were Queen Relena, and public opinion is quite a fickle thing. I merely called as a polite gesture, at the behest of one of my secretaries, Mr. Roseland-- I believe you two are acquainted. I thank you for your concern about my party's chances, but there are other issues more pressing to the general public which we intend on resolving in the near future. Do try to be more OBJECTIVE, Miss Peacecraft... I'm sorry... Miss Darlian. You do make it awfully hard to remember that you've broken family ties. Now I simply ask that you cease aggravating my office and those of my colleagues and put this whole thing to rest. I look forward to seeing you at the state dinner next week. Goodnight, Miss Darlian."

[heero]

The pilot scowled. "So Mr. President. At the dinner are you going to be the one on the table with an apple in your mouth?" Sarcasm was something you picked up after putting up with a Maxwell.

[relena]

The image on the vidphone turned to black as the President hung up, still glaring at Heero. Relena sighed heavily and plopped on the bed spilling a few drops of tea onto the nightstand.

"No one really understands. This world needs to do more than hate weapons to become a peaceful place. People need hearts, real compassion for their fellow man, regardless of the state of their soul. The President doesn't get it, there is more to maintaining peace than snuffing out 'possible insurgencies'. In fact, I think he's giving people a terribly good reason to revolt. He's giving very dangerous people the need to fight for their lives. Not to mention the greater underlying injustice which SOME people might find particularly insightful."

She placed the cup of tea down and began rubbing her temples. All of this was still causing her to lose sleep, and faith in her efforts. She needed strength, and that was why Heero was always welcomed with open arms. She got up from the bed and wrapped her arms around his neck, practically bearing him to the ground. A single tear dropped from her eye onto Heero's shirt; she was tired and feeling a bit lonely, powerless, and unfit. And, again, she hated herself for relying on him so. His actions toward her always seemed to guide her decisions and tonight would be no exception. If she took a wrong stand, he would assuredly keep his promise to kill her. If she wasn't strong enough, she'd die.

[heero]

His hands were still awkward as he tries to pat her back."He'll be out of office soon enough."

[relena]

"And there will be an identical buffoon to replace him. The political system is slow to change, and too afraid of taking any action which might cause disapproval. Everyone believes democracy will fall tomorrow and they're all on pins and needles. I hate it. I wish everyone would stop worrying about the fate of the government and start worrying about the fate of its people!," she chocked and finally jumped off her soap box. "I just want to sleep," she finished and rested her head in the curve of Heero's neck. "Will you at least stay until morning this time?" she pleaded, needing the company and assurance.

[heero]

"I thought you said you wanted sleep."

[relena]

"Just because you're spending the night doesn't mean we have to have sex. You could be more than just my fuck buddy."

[heero]

"You always say that."

[relena]

"No, I don't," she replied before plastering him with kisses.

[heero]

He let it slide, falling back onto the bed, slipping handgun under pillow.

[relena]

Relena awoke to the sound of her vidphone ringing loudly in her ear. She crawled out from Heero's embrace and slapped the phone right off the bedside table. "It's too early..." she mumbled shoving her face into the pillow and screaming. The phone finally stopped ringing, and Relena heaved a sigh of relief. Only then, her blackberry began sounding an alarm to wake the dead which indicated a new message. When she didn't get up to answer that, the vidphone began ringing again. Relena decided it had to be something important and leaned over the side of the bed, bare chest cold against the metal frame, and grabbed the machine. It was going to be one of those days.

[heero]

A groan echoed from under the nest of covers that was the G-boy. "You..know those things can be put on "silent""

[relena]

Relena rolled her eyes and ignored the pilot before adjusting the blankets around her and answering the phone. The familiar face of Geoff the receptionist smiled up at her.

"Secretary Roseland says it's urgent; Got a minute, sweety?" the almost goofy, fruity voice escaped from glossed lips.

"Don't I always?" Relena replied. Geoff winked at her and transferred her to the secretary.

"Good morning, Snickerdoodle. Glad to see you look well rested. I have good news..."

Relena's eyes lit up, after the phone call last night good news was the last thing she'd expected. "What'd you do now, Muffin-cake? Am I going to have to call off our engagement because you seduced the President?"

"President Robersen is still hopping mad, but someone must have gotten to the Vice President. He's calling Senator Bukhari's bill out of committee, though everyone is still putting your name on it."

"Gary I love you so much. Where is it on the agenda? You have to come over and watch with me, bring Champagne and chocolate, and I'll wear that dress you like. YES!!!" Relena exclaimed before kissing the vid-screen and hanging up. "I love my life." She ended while stretching her arms out and falling back against the pillow, hitting Heero in the process. "Oops, almost forgot you were there. Did you hear, the quarantine will finally be lifted?" She said cheerily while lifting up the covers to see Heero's face.

[heero]

He had already untangled himself and was looking about for his pants,avoiding her eyes. "I heard something. I don't know if it was about the quarantine, but it was something."