Saturday had come and gone without a single call. Even though he knew she had family to keep her busy and didn’t NEED to call him everyday, he was still worried.

“Calm DOWN Quatre.” Relena repeated again. She snuggled a little more in one of the plush chairs in the library. She eyed his tense form as he paced with a bored intensity, watching as his clasped hands twitched to do something every so often.

“I CAN’T.” He anxiously replied once more. His eyes remained riveted on the carpet, as if waiting to see tracks appear from worry. He’d been at it non-stop for the past ten minutes. “What if she’s in trouble? Or hurt? She might need my help!” He suddenly stopped and looked around the room. “Why hasn’t she CALLED me??” He fretfully asked again.

Relena stood and gripped his arms, shaking him a little. “CALM DOWN QUATRE!” She fiercely ordered. His sight lowered to the floor sheepishly.

Her gaze softened. “I didn’t mean to yell at you, but you just need to RELAX! I DON’T think she’s in trouble or hurt. She’s with FAMILY, REMEMBER??” A small smile popped up, trying to ease his fears.

“Sorry.” He mumbled.

Relena let go of his arms and resumed her spot in the comfy chair. “It’s okay, I’m used to it remember?” She smiled, having told him more of Duo and Hilde’s behavior.

He gave a small smile before his eyes gravitated to a nearby vid phone. “I should call HER.” He muttered nonchalantly, leg muscles clenching to move him to the task.

“Will you take a CHILL PILL?” Relena asked, rolling her eyes. “She’s not GOING anywhere! She’s most likely at home and spent the day sleeping in or with friends at town. I’m ASSUMING she’s been a little busy.”

His shook head. “She TOLD me Friday night that she’d call Saturday.” His tongue anxiously darted out over his lips. “Diva doesn’t say she’s going to DO something than not do it.” Feeling worry and foreshadowing build again, he resumed the small circle of pacing.

Relena gave a small groan as her head lolled to the back of the chair. Her eyes closed as she listened to his footsteps. “This was NOT how I pictured spending my last afternoon OFF.” She muttered to herself.

She looked up to see if he heard, but his eyes were clouded over with some inner toil. A small worrisome upturn on his brow gave way to his thoughts. He was most likely running through why Divinity hadn’t called.

Dropping her head against the back again, she heaved a dramatic sigh. “That’s it!” She suddenly exclaimed, regrettably hopping from the comfortable chair. “We’re going OUT!” She snatched his arm and basically dragged him to the closest exit door, leading him through the hallway. “You NEED it as well as I do. I’m NOT spending my last free day watching you PACE.”

“BUT-“

“No BUTS!” She cut in. She let go of his arm once they reached the front door and faced him. “Do what you need to do to get us out of here. Call your driver; get your house keys...whatever. Just DO it.” She ordered, that authoritive tone in her voice.

He sighed, not really feeling like going out. What he wanted to do was call Divinity! But Relena had that stern look on her face that said she wasn’t taking no for an answer.

Sticking his lip out sullenly, he decided to comply instead of pissing her off. “Alright.” He quietly agreed, going to the kitchen to find a phone and contact his driver.

~*~*~

The night sky started setting on Earth, displaying the natural array of spellbinding colors to those doe-like eyes. Her arms wrapped tighter around her legs in her misery, feeling utterly alone. She felt so cut off to the one person she cared so dearly about. And there wasn’t a thing she could DO about it.

Her mind was completely thoughtful since she shimmied the rooftop of the Spanish-style house just before the sunset. She sat there partially out of anger, and partially out of sadness. Sniffling again, she looked down at the ground two stories away, feeling foreign tears build up.

Her eyes closed slowly. ‘NOW they come.’ She thought dully. She was unable to cry the day they arrived on Spanish soil for the funeral, and even throughout the fight. All her eyes could do was mist over, but no tears had yet to fall. It was like she was cursed to be unable to really cry and relieve all those bottled up emotions she SO longed to release.

‘God, please send me a SIGN.’ She urgently pleaded, opening those agonizing eyes to the sunset again. ‘HELP me somehow. Tell me what to DO!’

“This is SO unfair!” She sadly whispered to the sky, the quiet taking her words away. Indeed it WAS unfair, but she was still a child in the eyes of her father and the law, and there wasn’t one thing she could do about it. Her eyes looked to the tips of her knees morosely. “Of all the times to fight. It HAD to be during Martin’s birthday...”

“Hija, can I talk to you a second?”

Looking at her father with a confused brow, she nodded. “Sure papa.” She answered curiously.

Manuel’s head jerked for her to follow him. She followed to the backyard, Manuel closing the door moments later. The two stopped next to the playground equipment.

“Hija, I have a question to ask you. Answer it TRUTHFULLY.” He darkly commanded.

Her brow furrowed even farther from her father’s strange behavior. “Of COURSE papa. You know I would never lie to you.” She smiled.

His expression didn’t waver. If anything, the anger and betrayal he felt increased. His eyes narrowed slightly. “Are you dating el jefe?”

Her eyes widened and her mouth gaped open in shock. How did he KNOW?? She hadn’t told ANYONE on Earth she was dating Quatre, knowing how much her father hated office relationships. Even though he didn’t have a problem with Quatre as her FRIEND, the ACTUAL relationship had been kept quiet.

Her lips pressed together and guilty eyes darted to the dirt under her feet. He wanted honest; she would have to GIVE honest... “Sí...” She whispered.

Hands nervously clasped together, twisting self-consciously. NOW what would happen? A small secret, not even a TRUE secret, had just been laid in the open. She hadn’t lied, nor kept it a secret; she just hadn’t told him.

Manuel’s jaw clenched until it was almost painful. His hands tightened to extremely tense fists, trying to keep his anger to a minimum in front of his only daughter; his baby. “You’re not allowed to see him hija; from this moment on!” He darkly ordered, eyes flashing.

Her eyes shot open to his face, fighting a grimace at the look. He looked BEYOND mad, even for her dating. He didn’t really care about her dating other boys, as long as all her dates behaved themselves and were honorable in their intentions. But THIS instance, she KNEW crossed a line...but she didn’t CARE anymore. She just wanted to be with him so bad, even though she was home with family.

She suddenly realized how much her priorities changed in the matter of only a few months. She’d been away from home for four months, dated him for little over two, but her ways were opposite what they originally were. She knew he wormed his way into her heart.

She swallowed harshly, realizing the depth of his words. He meant to keep her away from the one person she felt so strongly about. They hadn’t been going out for very long, but she knew they connected on a deeper level.

“¡Papa...papa NO!” She pleaded, taking a beseeching step forward. Her brow upturned in sadness. “¡NO papa! ¡No HACE este!”

“It’s too late for pleading hija.” He gravely continued, waving her off. He looked at the yard, keeping his eyes off her to not see her face. “I’m putting my foot down on this matter. You are not an adult yet, so you will abide by my rules.”

She exhaled a shuddering breath, taking another small step forward. Her heart was in pain, her head screaming its agony. ‘HE CAN’T DO THIS!!’ She meekly thought.

He brought up a VERY good point; she was still underage, not a true adult. She couldn’t make decisions on her own without running them by her father first. She was allowed a LOT of leeway to make her own decisions due to her mother’s condition and moving so far away for the job. Her father was basically in the dark on her love life.

No more it seemed. She wondered how he found out and thought back to when she called on Friday. It was the only time she called; there HAD been no other time.

Saturday was hardly over, but she hadn’t phoned yet, nor had she said a word to her brothers. Although they were known to be tattle-tails in the past, she knew they’d keep something so important to themselves. Especially when they knew how their father felt.

“But...but papa! WHY?! Can’t you let this one matter slide? For ME?” She pleaded, nearly at an arm’s length.

“HIJA, it’s BECAUSE of you that I’m standing firm. I don’t want something to go wrong with the perfect job you have. By DATING el jefe, you will possibly encounter a downfall. That will almost guarantee you unemployment. Conoce este mi hija; bosses are fickle when it comes to their employees.”

A finger wagged in her face. “You know this from what I’ve told you in the PAST. I thought you KNEW better.” He sadly accused.

“But,” Lips fretfully pressed together as her hands tightly rung, “you don’t know what he’s LIKE! Quatre’s not LIKE that! He wouldn’t do ANYTHING to hurt me, OR fire me!”

Her tongue darted out over her lips in agitation, knowing she had to persuade her father to waver on this matter if it took all DAY. She COULDN’T let him forbid her from seeing Quatre! He COULDN’T!

Manuel’s arms crossed as he resumed a rigid stance. “I know what bosses are like hija. I’ve MET him and he SEEMED nice enough, pero gente cambia. You know this firsthand from the mechanic shop on Earth.” He scowled. “You’re not getting OUT of this. And if I have to have you come back HOME, I WILL.”

Her eyes widened frightfully as she looked at him in utter alarm. “NO!!” She nearly screamed, feeling urgency. Her breath started coming in panicked breaths. “No papa!” Her head rapidly shook as she tried thinking of SOMETHING to defend Quatre with.

Her heart was clenching and contracting with such pain that it was almost hard to breathe somehow. She could tell her fearful appearance was affecting her father, but she knew that wouldn’t be enough to influence him. He needed facts, not emotions.

Tears came to her eyes, a foreign object she hadn’t experience in months. She felt like falling to her knees and begging, but knew that wouldn’t change his mind.

They had the same mindset; once they set their minds on something, they didn’t waver without a VERY good excuse. One reason why she didn’t want to give in so easily. Even though she was a minor and normally followed her father’s wishes, something was telling her to fight this with every fiber she had. Emotions in her heart were making this all the more excruciating. She never thought this would happen.

An unfamiliar fluttering in her heart surfaced, rendering her almost stupefied. Her stomach gained a queer feeling above the panic and horrification. She didn’t want to assume anything until she knew, and she wasn’t going to say anything else. Before she could classify the feeling, it was gone.

Falling to her knees, she looked up at her father with severe forlorn. “Why papa? He makes me HAPPY. Why change it?” She sadly asked, resting useless hands in her lap.

Manuel’s jaw clenched at the aching look in those deep brown eyes. “Porque hija, I don’t want you messing up your life. You’ve been through too much as it is and you should let everything settle for a while before trying anything ELSE.”

Not wanting to argue or look into her face, he walked past her, stopping shortly after. “My decision still stands. You are not to talk to or see su jefe until you go back. I will have you talk with him about a few things. If I need to go WITH you to L-4, I WILL. I know your demeanor hija...one reason why I think you should QUIT.”

Wide, sad eyes looked emptily at the ground momentarily as she digested his words. He didn’t want her to EVER see Quatre again. If she QUIT, she would be forced to move back home to save their mysterious fortune, if she was unable to find another job at L-4.

Her eyes quickly squeezed shut. She knew she would NEVER find a job as good as the one he gave her. Not only would the companionship never be the same, but the wages and atmosphere could never be recreated!

Feeling her heart clench again, her upper body whirled around as he continued walking to the house again. “¡PAPA!” She pitifully cried, one arm tossed between their bodies. She leaned over the other, as if trying to reach out for the hand he wouldn’t give.

Manuel stopped in front of the back door, his hand going for the knob. “NO Divinity.” He firmly answered, opening the door.

She tried to swallow through the painful tightening in her throat, finding it nearly impossible. In one of the windows, the curtains fluttered. Her brothers, probably ALL of them, had eavesdropped on their argument.

After the door quietly closed, her body flopped down onto the dirt. Both hands scrunched into useless fists, pounding on it. The anger and pain was indescribable, but wouldn’t go away. It was tenfold what she felt upon Enrique telling her that her mother was dead. Her body huddled up on the ground, arms wrapping around herself in a protective manner.

A thought struck. Her father left her outside, alone, to deal with this. Since she was still alone, he probably kept any of her brothers from comforting her. As if it was her fault she liked someone and dated him. Like she should be PUNISHED for the actions of her heart...

Anguished eyes looked at the dirt as it blew with the wind. She stared at it blankly, mind as dark as when she closed her eyes. All of a sudden, NOTHING mattered. She ALWAYS valued something in life, but now, NOW...she just didn’t CARE. She was forced to lose the one thing she valued in life just above her family.

She swallowed harshly, blinking slowly. “But papa...” She meekly said, “I can’t HELP how I feel...”

Feeling like she was going to break down or go into a frustrated rage, she quickly but carefully stood up on the roof. Eyes fixated on the ground. Her mind was suddenly struck with a thought after being blank for so long after the horrible memory. Her father never minded her seeing Angel.

Her eyes widened minutely, lips slowly opening in realization. An idea formed. ‘He won’t let me call, but that was at the HOUSE. If I leave home, I’ll be able to go use ANGEL’S phone and call Quatre.’

Her gaze turned thoughtful as it looked at the remainder of the sunset. ‘It’s worth a shot. I’m assuming he’s very worried about me...’ A small, kind smile appeared. Knowing her novio, he was BOUND to be worried since she hadn’t called today or yesterday.

Shifting to the edge, she shimmied back through the window and looked around her room. She knew leaving without telling her father would be downright suspicious. Not only that, but telling him she was going out would be blatantly disbelieving as well. She wasn’t speaking to her father and hadn’t since he left her outside yesterday.

A hand cupped her chin as she quietly paced the short area. “It’s GOT to be obvious, but still laced with enough hurt and hate to be believable.”

She knew being purposely hateful to her own father was rude and underhanded, but she HAD to call Quatre to let him know she was okay. She NEEDED to let him know what was going on so they could find a way to change her father’s mind!

“There’s just no other way...” She murmured, heading to the door. Maybe an excuse that she wanted to spend TIME with Angel, go shopping with him...

Their eyes met as soon as she entered the living room. Her jaw instantly clenched at his questioning glance, feeling her nose upturn somewhat. “I’m going out.” She answered evenly, waiting for his negating answer.

His eyes narrowed in suspicion, just as she figured. “Where? Why so late?” He queried, putting the paper down a few inches.

Her eyes narrowed without the need of the guise, feeling anger bubble up again. She was a little over a year from being eighteen, but he still treated her like she was barely a teenager! She would’ve figured with all she’d GONE through since she found that job on L-4 proved she was more mature.

These were times when she wished to be an adult and do things like she WANTED. “I’m going to hang with Angel and maybe go shopping. WHY you ask? Because I don’t really want to be HOME right now.” It wasn’t really a lie; she didn’t want to feel the friction between herself and her father. It was starting to get to her.

‘I need to vent to Angel.’ She thought. ‘HE’LL understand, I KNOW he will!’ Angel was someone she grew up with and dated only a few years before the war.

Her eyes narrowed slightly. “I’m going to take the van. Is THAT alright?” She nearly spat out.

She watched the nearly unnoticed grimace on his face, but kept her cool gaze pinned to him the entire time. Part of her felt a little bad for almost lying to her father, but a lot of it was the truth. She really did feel as harsh as she was sounding.

“Yes.” He quietly answered, bringing the paper back up. It covered his face, ending the short ‘talk’.

Nodding slightly that her plan worked, she abruptly turned for the front door. After getting inside the driver’s side, she slammed the door as a small release. Some part of her felt a little better, but she wouldn’t feel WHOLLY relieved until the problem was resolved.

Brown narrowed on the road as she started the van. “This had BETTER get settled.” She darkly murmured.

Feeling frustration and hurt flare up once again, she pressed down hard on the gas, spraying dirt behind her as she shot toward the road.

~*~*~

After a mile of anger driving, she realized that it was the wrong way to get rid of her aggressions. Being behind the wheel of something that, if somehow wrecked, could squash you like a bug was not how she wanted to deal with everything. After a few deep breaths in the quiet, she forced down the emotions to make it safely to his house.

‘Afterwards all hell is going to be released.’ She vowed, narrowing her eyes. The deep breaths proved useless as her knuckles tightened almost painfully around the wheel, even though it didn’t do much good. What would help was beating the living daylights out of something non-living.

Going through part of the newer section of town, she stopped in front of Angel’s house half a mile later. She leaned back in the seat and looked at the house, suddenly feeling a little foolish for her whole dramatic episode.

The whole leaving and arrival was just an image in her mind; now that it was going to happen, she felt a little scared. There was no turning back after this; she would basically betray her father’s wishes by calling Quatre. Pursing her lips, a hand fiercely gripped the doorknob and harshly swung the door open.

“I’ll be damned to HELL if I let PAPA keep me from someone I care deeply about!” She angrily ranted, nearly stalking up the walk. Stopping before the front door, her fist sharply rapt on the wood, arms crossing. After two seconds, a foot started tapping before voices could be heard.

The porch light turned on before a curtain behind the glass moved. “DIVA??” He queried, opening the door quickly. “What’s WRONG?” He asked, head curiously tilting to the side.

Blazing eyes met his as she faced him. One hand shot to the screen door and yanked it aside. “EVERYTHING!” She growled out, stalking past.

Hands gripped her hair as she pulled in aggravation, heading directly for the kitchen. She could hear him following and started pacing as soon as she swung the door open. “HE’S NOT BEING FAIR!” She nearly shouted. Fists clenched as the urge to hit something became almost overwhelming.

Angel’s eyes widened at her emotional state. He quickly swallowed, taking a step toward her. “Diva,” He answered, “if you plan on hitting something, let’s go to my room and you can beat the mattress all you want.” Her eyes met his and she quickly walked past him. He hurriedly followed her.

She pushed the door open to his room; swinging it so hard against the wall it nearly put a dent in the plaster. Her eyes locked on the bed and she stopped before it. Fists tightened even more as everything from the past few days ran through her head.

She was nearly seeing red as it was, but the pain from being told she couldn’t see Quatre and the frustration that she couldn’t DO anything about it was going to make her explode. Nearly flinging herself on the bed, she sat down and leaned forward, her fists constantly hitting the blankets. They hit with such intensity that her hands hurt, even over mattress and blankets.

She hadn’t really kept track of each time her fists slammed into the mattress, but she was quickly getting exhausted. All the array of emotions, save for the pain and sadness, rushed from her arms.

After the last hit, her body slumped over his bed. She never felt as helpless over any situation in her life as she did now. There was nothing she could say or do to convince her father otherwise, and she knew it. It was the fact that she tried in the past and knew exactly how he valued things in the workforce.

She knew it all, and still went with what her heart told her. Thinking always screwed things up whenever she was faced with a decision; feeling was the only thing that never steered her wrong. But the one time she went by her heart, it hurt her worse than the frustration of over-thinking.

“Diva?” Angel tentatively asked, taking slow steps to the bed. Lips pressed together, he kneeled at the edge. A hand rose and lightly rested over her shoulder, unable to draw her attention. “Care to tell me what’s wrong now?”

She wished to god that tears would come, but they didn’t. Now when she wanted to cry and be weak, to be held and comforted, part of that would never happen. She had been strong for too many people, too long and it affected her future, now the present. ‘I’ll never be able to cry AGAIN...’

“It’s papa...” She morosely whispered. Her head slowly moved, a hand going to the disarrayed mane around her, trying to brush it out of the way. She slowly sat up when she realized it wasn’t going to behave.

Angel’s eyes narrowed slightly as he took in her different features. “What’d he do?” He asked protectively, sitting next to her on the bed.

She looked at the comforter underneath them sadly. She suddenly felt like a little child in a cold, uncaring world. Her lips pressed together as her throat painfully clogged. Arms enfolded her body, slowly drawing her near. Her shoulders shuddered, but she didn’t cry.

An arm moved over her back as loose fists rested near her face against his chest. She felt a little better, but wished she was in Quatre’s arms instead of Angel’s. Even though she loved Angel like a brother, and also a boyfriend, she wanted her CURRENT to comfort her instead.

Her heart clenched again as she imagined it WAS Quatre holding her, giving her comfort and strength. She felt like crying from the unfairness of it all, if only she COULD. “Papa won’t let me see Quatre anymore Angel.” She brokenly whispered.

Deep brown looked to the crown of her head. His brow furrowed in confusion. “¿Por qué?” He softly asked, chin gravitating to her head. He looked at the wall blankly.

“You KNOW papa,” She bitterly answered, “he doesn’t want ANYTHING messing up WORK.” A tinge of anger returned, but she was too tired to embrace it. She was too tired of FIGHTING right now. “And he won’t let me CALL Quatre either. I told Quatre on Friday that I’d call, but papa and I fought Saturday afternoon. I haven’t been able to touch a vid phone since.”

“You want to use OURS...” He stated.

“I do.” She softly answered. She pulled away from the embrace enough to look into his eyes.

He gave a caring, concerned smile and nodded. “Let’s go then. I know he’d be pretty worried about you.” He answered, completely letting go of her.

She looked at the bed, small dents in the blanket from her fists. “You don’t like him much EITHER, do you?” She sullenly asked, slowly standing.

A dark brow rose. “Why would I not LIKE him?” He answered bafflingly. “I MET him Diva; he’s a nice enough person. He was at su madre’s funeral...just BEING there says enough.” She smiled sheepishly and nodded quietly. A hand extended. “Come on, let’s go downstairs.”

~*~*~

“Quatre,” Relena nearly huffed, eyeing his appearance across the table, “as my mother Mrs. Dorlain used to say...if that lip juts out any further, a bird is going to come and sit on it.”

His gaze looked up from his dinner at Relena, slightly raising a brow. “Well we’re inside so I’ll take my chances.” He evenly quipped, that lip returning to the pout it’d been in all throughout dinner.

Relena sighed and looked at the high ceiling briefly before going back to her own food.

He toyed with his meal, eating only a little of what his chef cooked. Although he hadn’t eaten much the entire day, he still wasn’t very hungry. He was too worried about Divinity, and some of the scenarios that went through his mind didn’t help his emotional predicament.

“Master Quatre, there’s a call in the library-“

He didn’t get anything past that. After hearing the words ‘call’ and ‘library’, he shot off his chair and tore out of the room at high speed, heart full of hope. Something told him that this call was from Divinity and he’d get an explanation when he reached the vid phone.

Relena gaped at his whirlwind exit, blinking stunned eyes. After collecting her wits, she shuffled from the chair and hurriedly followed.

He nearly slammed the double-swinging doors against the walls in his haste to get into the library. Running on the wood floor as easily as he could in socks, he slid to a stop in front of the desk. His eyes widened and the sore spot in his heart lessened upon seeing brown eyes and small smile. The second the relief passed, he was overcome with a different kind of worry. She looked terrible!

Relena stopped in the center of the room. “I didn’t know you could RUN so fast Quatre.” She joked, walking up behind him.

He studied the elder girl’s face, even though he heard Relena’s words. “Diva,” He evenly said, “¿POR QUÉ NO ME LLAMO?” He nearly shouted.

Her gaze lowered to the desk under the phone. “Lo siento Quatre.” She nearly whispered. Her throat choked with the rush of emotions upon immediately seeing his face, and had yet to calm down.

She slowly looked at the screen, unable to hide the pain or sadness from him. She had a feeling he could sense it anyway. “There’s something I need to tell you...” She timidly started, fiddling with her fingers.

He sensed all the disarrayed emotions and physical discomfort. His eyes narrowed in concern as he leaned closer in an unconscious gesture to be closer. “What’s WRONG?”

Her heart fluttered again with the same emotion she felt during the fight with her father. The quiver in her veins intensified after hearing how distressed he was over something she hadn’t even explained yet.

“Is it why you haven’t CALLED?”

She nodded slowly, pressing her lips together fretfully. The easiest way would be to just blurt it out, but she wanted to be more tactful than that. If he didn’t want to fight this, she would have to gently tell him. “It’s papa...” She started. Her gaze locked on the wall behind the phone, seeing the fight in her mind’s eye, hearing the words in her ears.

“Diva??” He questioned, biting his lip. She seemed to’ve fallen into a trance.

Her gaze remained locked on the nothing; she couldn’t tell him and see his reaction. If he didn’t want to disobey her father, as she was willing to do, then she couldn’t see the look in those eyes. “He won’t let me see you anymore.” She softly finished.

Blue shot wide. “¡¿QUÉ?!” He loudly demanded, standing from the chair. He looked down at the screen, leaning over widespread palms.

Her gaze shot back to his, seeing his position changed drastically. She felt utter relief at the indignant, totally pissed off look in his face. Their feelings on the matter matched. She felt grateful.

“It’s true.” She answered, nodding sadly. Hands covered her face from such a stupid rule. “He doesn’t want me dating you porque está el jefe y estoy su empleada.”

“That’s the whole reason??” He continued in the same tone. If anything, it got LOUDER.

She nodded minutely. “Sí.” She softly answered. “His opinion of the workforce is severe when it comes to those matters. PIENSO que averiguó cuando llamó viernes.” She explained.

After hearing the reason and explanation, most of the anger left him. Slumping down in the chair, hands slowly shifted the mass of blond strands.

“Infierno...” He wearily muttered. He knew he wasn’t going to go against her father; that would basically guarantee him never seeing Divinity ever again. As it was now, Manuel was just stuck in his own way of working. He basically forced that on his daughter and getting him to change his mind would not include underhandedness. “I take it you’ve tried to talk to him?” He gloomily asked.

She nodded again. “He won’t sway on this matter.” Her brow upturned sadly. “He wants me to QUIT Quatre.” She softly muttered, feeling her eyes mist over slightly. “I don’t WANT TO!”

“And you shouldn’t if you don’t WANT to.” He seriously answered. He forcefully kept from pacing or gritting his teeth at this new development in their lives.

Fingers pressed together against his mouth whenever he needed to seriously think. “We need to be straight on a few issues.” He thoughtfully muttered, feeling his business side flare up. “There’re about half a dozen sides to consider here. Your father on his work ethics; YOUR side as a receptionist and feelings; and ME being the boss and your boyfriend. He’s not thinking of anything but himself right now, as selfish as that statement sounds.”

He leaned back in the chair, still staring at the phone. “He’s not thinking with the utmost caution on this matter; he just sees YOU dating ME and resents that because I’m your boss. He didn’t have a problem with the fact that we were FRIENDS, right?”

“He did at first, but he knew you were a gift from god during my mother’s hospitalization.” She answered softly. “After that, he was okay with it.”

“Then we need to get him to see that us dating isn’t that big of a deal either.”

“Good LUCK.” She bitterly spat out. “Like you said, papa is too set in his ways to change. Not without a good REASON anyway. He thinks that we’ll eventually break up and you fire me due to it.” Her lips pursed briefly. “I don’t think that’ll happen, but he said he’s seen it happen.”

“Well THAT’S where we need to sway his opinion. Times have changed since the war, and I’M not that way. I wouldn’t do something so petty, even if what he’s thinking did happen.”

“I know that, but HE doesn’t.” She retorted, running a hand over her face. Thinking was starting to become a problem, but once again, she was thrown into the instance.

‘I HATE THINKING!’ She mentally screamed.

“You know him more than I do. What would make him OKAY this?” He asked. “I know that he has every right to pull you from my office with the pretense that he wants you to move back home. Because you’re underage. Even though it’s wrong, he can still lawfully do it.”

“Don’t I KNOW it.” She spat again. Anger bubbled up inside, but she was still too tired to embrace it. She wore out all the rage that resided in her when she repeatedly hit the bed. “But, papa CAN be swayed, he just needs a really, REALLY good reason to know that you’d NEVER do anything like that. Just your word won’t do it though. If it did, I would’ve been able to settle this.”

He mentally winced. One idea came to mind, but he was loath to admit it. He hadn’t for months and didn’t think he’d ever reveal it. ‘Allah, I NEVER thought it’d come to THIS.’ He wearily thought, rubbing his forehead.

Even though he might never see her again due to that act, it would settle their problems. By providing her and the entire family with enough money to keep them settled for years showed graciousness more than ANY boss would do for his employee.

Even though he thought of her as more than a friend when he exchanged money from his account, they weren’t as involved as dating. It was still only friendship and boss/employee level. THAT would clear the whole matter up, but he might gain her wrath for telling.

“Quatre?” She anxiously asked. She noticed the flinch and utter thoughtfulness in his entire face and needed him to speak. If it was an idea that could fix things, she needed to hear it. “Did you come up with something?”

“I MIGHT have...” He drawled carefully. “But it requires some more thought. It’s kind of...personal. I THINK it’ll clear things up, but I need to reflect some more on it. It might affect us if I say anything.”

“NOTHING besides what’s happening now could EVER affect us.”

He smiled kindly, staring into her face to memorize it. He almost wondered if, after his next call, he would ever see such emotion on her face again. “I miss you.” He softly muttered, fingers moving to the screen. They ran over her face slowly, aching to touch the actual.

She smiled caringly and matched their fingers on the screen. “I miss you too.” She nearly whispered. Her eyes misted over again, having cleared during the thought process. She swallowed harshly, feeling forlorn that they would have to part soon. “I wish I could call you tomorrow, but I won’t be able to come to Angel’s EVERY day.”

“You’re where?”

She smirked. “The waiter at the café we ate at when you were in Spain the first time...that’s Angel. Remember? I said his name when I ordered for you.”

Her eyes left him and rested on the Hispanic across the way, listening to the entire conversation. She smiled gratefully; glad he was such a good friend.

“I grew up with him.” She softly continued, looking back at the screen. Her eyes softened even more when they met the ocean.

He only nodded, knowing he’d have to thank her friend intensely for helping. This, aside from an anonymous or secret message, was the only way he would know this. “I’m going to think on this and call you back.” He seriously answered, bringing them back to the main task at hand. “It might be a few days, but I WILL call you.”

“Where?”

“Your house.”

Her eyes shot open. “Papa will FLIP!” She nearly screeched. “He’ll KNOW I talked to you then!”

“But it’ll be worth it, WON’T it?” Her gaze looked at the table again. “The ends sometimes justify the means. Right now, what I have to tell your father MIGHT change his mind, so the call is warranted.”

She doubtfully looked at him. “What could be so IMPORTANT?” She asked, wanting to know. If she did, she could judge for herself to see if it would be worth the risk of his call. She did know her father pretty well after all. “Maybe I can see if it’ll persuade papa.”

His head shook. “This isn’t something to just spread to the public.” He answered, looking at the desk. “And I’m not too sure I wanna say anything about it yet, so I can’t even tell YOU what it is.”

“Must be important.” She softly stated.

“It IS.” He nodded.

A small pause entered as they ran out of words, but didn’t want to leave. The night was progressing without their wishes, keeping her out later than necessary. She needed to get home to keep the guise up.

Her lips pressed together in sad realization. “I need to go.” She rasped, looking at him with longing.

He returned the look, if not fiercer than hers. “I know.” He whispered. “I wish you DIDN’T.”

“I don’t WANT to, but I NEED to. If I stay out any later, papa will be suspicious.”

“Verdad.” It hurt to let her go, but he couldn’t. Even over the phone, it was more than he could take. Letting her go back to Earth for even a week was bad enough, but now, NOW he didn’t know if he’d see someone so special ever again.

After a few choruses of good-byes, Relena reached over and shut the phone off, seeing that neither was going to do so.

He slumped back in the chair after the screen went blank, hands harshly digging into his eyes. The pain was a welcome change from the emotions running through him. He felt something close to what she felt and it tore at him. He didn’t want her to EVER feel remorse or sadness, but she was.

Relena kneeled, laying a gentle hand on his arm. “Quatre,” She softly asked, “what do you intend to say to her father? Is it okay to tell ME?”

Hands quickly dropped to his lap, staring as his vision cleared. “It is, since you’re not involved in what happened over three months ago.”

“Then why don’t we go sit on the couch and you can tell me.” She coaxed, slowly tugging on his arm to get him to rise.

~*~*~

Days blurred together. Day and night was all she knew; since her mind was too preoccupied with whatever idea he had. She tried remembering everything she learned about him, but didn’t think some of the stuff would be worth telling. Especially not his time in the war; she knew that part would be too personal to tell. Whatever he had up his sleeve must’ve been BIG.

‘But to keep it from ME?’ She pondered, lying on her bed. She shifted slightly on her back before going still, throwing her mind back on its wondering track. ‘We normally tell each other EVERYTHING.’ As much as she knew. They knew a lot about the other, not wanting secrets in their lives.

Peeking through the crack of her door, Enrique worriedly gazed on. Pressing his lips together, the eldest Barbados pushed the door open, wanting to know what his only sister was so enthralled with. “Hola Diva.” He softly greeted.

Her eyes remained on the ceiling. “Enrique.” She answered softly. She blinked slowly before shifting to her left to give him her attention. “¿Querrá algo?”

“Solamente hablar.” He softly answered, sitting on the edge of her bed.

Her feet scrunched up to make room, nodding slowly over her hands. “About what?” She wondered, feeling her mind blank. All the thinking she did in the past three days was making her head hurt.

“Por qué está en su cuarto, mirando como ésta.”

Her brow furrowed in confusion. “Como que.”

He smiled gently as a hand reached out. “Hermana, your face has worry wrinkled here,” His fingers trailed over her brow, “and here,” they stopped at the corners of her eyes and mouth briefly, “just like you did when you worried about mama.” His gaze turned sympathetic. “Is it that bad?”

Her eyes lowered to the carpet. “Peor.”

“La pelea?” He guessed. She nodded slowly. “You’re worried about Quatre and what papa thinks?”

She smiled slightly and looked into his kind eyes. “You always DID think clearer than I did.” She softly joked.

Enrique smirked and leaned over. He enveloped sister in a loose hug, holding her even after their grip laxed.

Her head rested on his shoulder as the silence enveloped them both. She wanted to ask his opinion, but didn’t want the entire family involved. She didn’t want to tear them apart over the two generations. But, help and advice was always appreciated... “Do YOU think papa is right?” She softly pondered.

Enrique’s lips pursed. The fight Saturday gave him plenty of time to think, since that was four days ago. “I don’t think he is.” He finally answered. Brown looked at her as much as possible in their position. “Papa sees madre in you, one reason he fears letting you go. Letting another man date his only daughter is hard, you must understand this.”

“Papa didn’t care when I dated ANGEL.” She spat out softly.

Enrique sighed. “Verdad, but that was in España. Quatre vive en L-4, that’s too far for padre to deal with. You’d be gone for a while, only able to visit with vacation.” He sighed again. “Comprende Diva, papa is just thinking como un padre. You have to give him time to let it all sink in. You DID surprise him you know.”

“I didn’t even TELL him.” She retorted, feeling her eldest brother’s warmth seep into her skin. “I THINK he found out when I called Quatre during Martin’s party Friday night. HOW I don’t know.”

Enrique looked at the far wall uneasily. “I know.” He quietly answered.

She pulled back and looked at him. “¿COMO?”

Enrique looked at her sheepishly. “Martin wanted to know where you’d gone off to and papa said he’d go look. I’m assuming he found out where you were and what you were doing while you were talking to Quatre.”

She heavily sighed, but grit her teeth. A second later, her jaw relaxed and her head dropped back over his shoulder. Nothing she could do now to change the past...no matter how much she wanted to...

~*~*~

Just after dinner, Manuel helped his daughter clear the table. She still barely talked to him, but part of him recognized he deserved such a fate. The cold shoulder was the price he paid for forcefully pushing her away from someone that made her happy. But happiness, he knew, didn’t last. A good job and stable lifestyle did. One reason he didn’t budge on the matter.

Watching his sister and father leave, Eliah looked at Enrique, knowing his elder brother talked to Diva earlier. “So?” He whispered.

Enrique continued to pick up his area, but spared his brother a glance. “She’s still bitter, but it’s understandable.” He softly answered. Eliah nodded.

“What I don’t get is, why is papa being so hard on this matter.” Martin piped up. “He ALWAYS spoiled Diva, so WHY isn’t she getting her way on THIS?”

Enrique looked at his brother. “Look at it from HIS point of view hermano. Papa is pulling instances from HIS life and comparing them to DIVA’S. That’s his mistake, but that’s how he sees things now.”

Martin nodded thoughtfully, putting his silverware on the dinner plate.

A shrill ring made them all jump. “I’ll get it.” Eliah answered, pushing the chair back. He went into the living room and sat before the vid phone, pushing the blinking red button. His eyes widened upon finding the caller’s identity.

“Señor WINNER?!” He nearly shouted. Hands clasped over his mouth as he warily looked behind him. If his father heard, they would ALL be in trouble, Quatre especially.

“Hola Eliah.” He answered seriously, nodding slightly. “I’d like to talk to su padre.” He continued, his voice utterly professional.

Shakily nodding at this newest event, Eliah’s mouth gaped open. “Un...momento, Quatre.” He nearly whispered, putting the youth on hold. Getting out of the chair, he slowly left the room.

“¿Quién es?” Martin asked, giving his brother a queer look. “And why are you LOOKING like that?”

Eliah uneasily swallowed as he looked at his youngest and oldest brothers. “It’s-” He looked around quickly before leaning forward, “QUATRE.” he finished in a hiss. Two pairs of eyes widened, mouths gaping open in shock.

“Why would he call HERE??” Enrique hissed back, mindful of his tone.

Footsteps from the hallway sounded and the three brothers quickly sat down like nothing was wrong. She came into the room, wiping her hands on a towel. She stopped in the doorway and, with narrowed eyes, looked at her brothers. All looked suspicious. “Alright hermanos, what’s going on?” She queried, lightly scowling.

All three wouldn’t meet her eyes. “Um, Diva...is padre able to talk right now?” Eliah asked nervously. ALL four knew their father had a temper on him, ESPECIALLY when it came to his ideals, and provoking him was NOT a smart move.

“I can go GET him. Why, who’s on el teléfono?” She asked, propping hands on her hips. She looked at the three, who looked like they wanted to hide under the table, with mild suspicion at their actions.

“Alguien quien quiere hablar con papa.” Martin evaded, not giving away the identity.

Her gaze narrowed, but she swiveled toward the hallway and went into the kitchen. “¡Papa!” She called, holding the towel out. “Alguien en el teléfono quiere hablar contigo.”

“¿Quién?” He asked, pulling his hands from the soapy water, letting them drip over the suds.

She shrugged. “No sé. Sus hijos están MUY raros.” With a small smile, he took the towel and left the room, Divinity trailing behind slowly. She wanted to see who was on the phone, but was unable to get from her brothers. She also wondered why they were acting so weird.

She stood behind her father in the living room chair and waited for him to push the hold button. When it came up, she nearly choked, feeling purposely buried emotions flare up and threaten to suffocate her. Her face creased with happiness, while Manuel scowled. “QUATRE!” She happily greeted.

“Señor Winner.” Manuel gruffly acknowledged.

He inhaled a deep breath for courage. “Diva.” He softly greeted. His eyes hardened somewhat when they landed on Manuel. “Señor Barbados.” He coolly greeted.

“What is the MEANING of this intrusion??” Manuel nearly spat out.

Being around Heero’s eyes and ice attitude allowed him to keep from cringing at Manuel’s glare and lack of manners. “I have something I’d like to tell you señor.” He answered. His hands clasped as he leaned closer to the vid phone. “Divinity told me why she has been unable to call the past few days and we discussed a few things.”

“¡HIJA!” Manuel crossly shouted, whirling around. He glared at his daughter, who paled at the escaping news.

She swallowed nervously, a shaky smile fighting to stay on her face. “Pa...padre...”

“¡No quiero OIR lo!” He yelled, still glaring at her. “You went behind mi espalda when I laid down the law for you! ¡¿POR QUÉ?!” He demanded.

“She did so for a few good reasons.” He answered, trying to get Manuel’s wrath off her. He would be the one to take the blame, even though there was none to point out. She suffered enough already.

Manuel’s gaze swung back and he felt his business side come out harsher than it ever had. Now the debate would begin. ‘Allah have mercy.’ He nearly begged.

“She explained your reasons for keeping her from calling me and why you did so. She told me of the argument you two had Saturday. She also told me that you could be swayed on the matter, but not without good reason.”

Manuel glared, pointing his finger to the screen. “¡Tiene NADA decir que cambiara mi mente!” He harshly answered.

He cracked a momentary, small smile before going back to the business façade. “I know you’re afraid of losing your daughter to someone to lives so far away, but times change. You need to learn to let go.”

Manuel didn’t say anything, but his chin raised a fraction through his continuous glare.

“You need to know a few things about me señor. Amo su hija and I would NEVER hurt her. I just want to make her happy.”

She sharply gasped, a hand going to her mouth in shock. He met her eyes, smiling lovingly. Her hand slowly lowered as she tried finding her voice. “¿¿Me...me AMAS??” She shakily asked, feeling her eyes brim over.

Something in her heart fluttered again, adrenaline coursing through her, combining the two. Her heart was going to burst with the emotion she felt twice now, making it three times. Now she was able to figure out what it was.

She felt as if a dam broke somewhere inside, feeling tears stream down her cheeks through a wide smile. “Te amo también.” She whispered. Tears continued to fall through the emotions she felt, feeling as if the invisible barrier was lifted. She was able to CRY again. The reason for her inability was due to a tragic event, the only thing that broke the ‘spell’ was something totally opposite. With him, she was always happy, but now was nothing to what she ever felt before.

“Love is not enough señor.” He evenly answered, breaking the emotional bubble around the two. “Amor comes and goes. How can you PROVE you would never hurt mi hija?”

His eyes looked at the vid phone buttons momentarily, knowing it was now or never. He was true in his oath of love, and hoped that she wouldn’t turn him away after this moment.

“Almost four months ago, something happened to you and your family.” He began, crossed fingers staying out of sight. He lost count of how many times he prayed this explanation worked both ways...that Manuel changed his mind and she wouldn’t hold the action against him. “Diva called it an act of God, but it wasn’t.”

Her eyes narrowed in confusion. “The money transaction.”

He nodded. “You didn’t question WHERE the money came from; even though your father had the tellers check the account a few times.” His vision lowered again before dropping the bomb. “I was the one who gave you that money Diva.” He nearly whispered. He eyed both father AND daughter for reactions, but didn’t get much. He FIGURED that would be a probability.

“No te creo.” Manuel denied. “How can you assume you were the one who deposited that many credits? Do you even know how much it was?” He turned to his daughter. “Did you tell him how much it was for?”

Her head shook through the enveloping fog. “No.” She breathed, staring at Quatre. He looked a little guilty and sad, but she knew he wouldn’t lie about something like this. She was finding it a little hard to go on his word though. Something of that magnitude was too much to just GIVE anybody!

Blue closed as his head shook. “I knew you wouldn’t.” He answered. “Do you have a computer nearby?”

“It’s behind me.” She answered, jerking a thumb over her shoulder.

He nodded. “Go to it and log up an internet screen.”

She nodded slightly and moved to the computer, booting it up. “What am I looking for when I log it on?” She queried, going for the mouse.

“You’re looking for a bank. Pull up your account, and I’ll give you access to mine.”

She quickly pulled up her bank and let it set. Poising her hands over the keypad, she eyed him across the room, typing in the bank’s address and the account number. “100,000 credits were switched from my account to yours. Check the date with the deposit Diva. I think you’ll find a match, differing by maybe a minute.”

Her eyes widened, but watered again at what she saw. It was true! She also noticed the size of his account! It was over two million credits! She knew the Winners were rich, but he was FILTHY rich! Her head slowly turned, finding both men’s gazes on her. “You...you DID this? For ME??” She wondrously asked, rapidly blinking.

He kindly smiled again. “I DID. Even though I wasn’t dating you at the time, I knew you and your family. I knew that just asking you to take the money would never happen since you had too much pride to ask for help. I had a friend hack into your account and deposit the money secretly.”

His eyes lowered to the screen. “I’m sorry I didn’t say anything, but I couldn’t keep seeing you work so hard. I had to do SOMETHING. I didn’t want to see you work and never having any money for yourself. You worked so hard for nothing. You’re too kind, never keeping anything except for the bare necessities.”

Another pair of fingers crossed as he prayed to Allah again. “You have your proof señor. I would never do ANYTHING to hurt su hija. Not only have I helped HER, I helped you as well. I GAVE you that money for the sole purpose so she wouldn’t have to work so hard. I did so out of the goodness of my heart. Now, will you reconsider and let me make su hija happy?” He stared at Manuel with an even expression, even if in his mind’s eye, he was down on his knees begging.

Manuel stood silently and went to the computer, looking at both screens. He leaned away from the chair and looked at the screen. “Sí señor.” He softly answered, nodding once. “I give you permission.” His eyes gravitated back to the screen at the exposed account. “I had no idea you were so giving.” He idly muttered.

Now was the moment of truth. His mind processed that he was allowed to date and still work by her, but what he wanted was to hear was that DIVINITY didn’t mind the transaction.

“Señor, may I speak con su hija solo?” He softly asked. Nodding, Manuel slowly left the room.

A pause of silence passed before he gained the courage to speak. His eyes remained locked on brown, leaned back in the chair in front of the computer, her gaze blankly locked on the screen as if she didn’t believe what she was seeing.

“Diva.” He softly announced. Her head slowly moved to the vid phone, as if in a trance. “Will you sit closer so I can see you?”

She slowly nodded and shuffled from the chair, walking on liquid legs to the other one. She heavily plopped down in it, a great relief from possible embarrassment of falling down on the way. “I can’t believe YOU did that.” She evenly whispered, staring at the table’s edge.

“I’ll understand if you don’t want to talk to me due to that.” He softly said, speaking the worst thought he figured.

Her gaze shot up. “Are you KIDDING me?!” She asked, blinking in shock. “When I get BACK there buster, I’m going to kiss you SENSELESS!”

His eyes widened, but a relieved smile bloomed. His fears put to rest upon that statement. With a small sigh, he looked at the table. “I thought you would hate me for doing so. I know how you won’t accept other’s help...”

“Pride is one thing buster, but a gift horse is NOTHING to overlook!” She lightly denied. His eyes closed through a small smile. Her gaze softened. “I wish I was there now.” She rasped, a finger touching the screen. She slowly ran it over his cheek, wishing to touch him.

He looked up and sensed all the longing and love she experienced. He had the same emotions and his hand rose to the screen a second time. “I do too. But, you’re coming back tomorrow, right?”

“My flight leaves at noon.” She slowly answered. A watery smile appeared as her throat clenched. A tear fell over her cheek. “I can’t wait to see you.”

“I’ll be waiting at the space port.” He vowed. “All NIGHT if I have to.” He joked, cracking a wide grin.

She laughed tearily, more tears falling. Now that the spell was broken, she was able to cry all the bottled up emotion she longed to get rid of for so long. The money wasn’t a gift from God, his love was. A hand slowly wiped the tears away, her eyes staring at the clear liquid. “I can cry again.” She whispered in wonder.

He smiled kindly. “I’m glad. Love overroad all the pain you felt for so long. At least the first tears you cried in four months were tears of joy.”

More tears fell from his statements. She couldn’t have chosen a more caring person to love. “What did I do to deserve you Quatre?” She asked, propping her chin up on the table with a sense of childlike giddiness.

He smiled widely. “All you had to do was give me a chance.” They both chuckled as a comfortable silence fell. “I love you.” He softly repeated.

She widely grinned. “I love you too.” She whispered back.