The Capture - Chapter Eleven

By Caliko

Heero watched from the kings private garden as Cathy tugged on the grappling hook. Satisfied that it wasn't going anywhere, she jumped up and started to climb to King Milliardo's darkened window. He shook his head, mentally cursing independent women and horny kings. Resigned, he turned and walked back inside to start the tedious task of sneaking past Milliardo's guards.

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Cathy pulled herself over the ledge, fuming over the lack of respect this barbaric planet had for women. Simply because she wasn't born with a penis, she was treated as less then capable and dismissed. Well, not this woman! She had a job to do, and she was going to do it! She could not go back to the Captain and explain that she couldn't warn the king because a few idiotic guards threw her out.

Grunting, she got up and brushed the dirt from her pants, looking around her with interest. She was in a large room, lit only by a flickering fire. A large velvet covered bed sat in the center, raised high by a heavily carved pedestal. The walls were paneled with a dark wood and framed by rich velvet coverings. So engrossed in her gaping, she didn't notice the quick movement at her back as a hand grasped her arm and spun her around. Then, the wall came up hard, pushing the air out of her body. Gasping for breath, she froze, suddenly still as the wicked point of a dagger pricked at her throat.

"I won't be that easy to kill, Schbeiker!" Her attacker growled, ,momentarily mistaking her for the rebel leader.

The firelight flickered over their features, correcting the young kings mistake.

"What's this?" Milliardo purred, eyeing the big blue eyes and willowy body. "A woman.. Sweetheart, you didn't have to climb in the window to get my attention."

Cathy winced, unable to deny what it looked like. Thinking fast, she quickly ducked under his arms and retreated back towards the window.

"Your Highness, this was a mistake." She tried, embarrassed as his eyes seemed to undress her.

"Hmm... Yes, my sweet. All you had to do was knock on the door." He stalked closer, deftly steering her away from the opening. Then, kicking out, he sent the grappling hook to the ground below. "Now.. why don't you stop being coy and come here."

"No! I mean, I'm not here for that, Sir!" Cathy blushed, "I'm an emissary from the Outworld Alliance!"

She kept moving backward, not realizing that he was herding her towards a specific destination.

"My dear, if you are who you say you are, then why did you come in the window?" He smiled, watching as she tripped over the footstool and fell backward onto the bed. Then, letting himself fall forward, he braced his forearms on either side, trapping her beneath him.

"Your Highness! This...is.. Hmph" Milliardo seized her lips with hers, swallowing what she was about to say.

:::Damn me.. what am I supposed to do now?::: Cathy thought, trying to remain calm as he started to stroke her lower lip with his tounge.

Milliardo's hand slipped underneath the white cotton uniform shirt to gently squeeze her breast. The Alliance diplomat jumped, her breath coming in sudden jerks as he thumbed the tightening nipple.

She pushed against his chest, pushing him off, not noticing that her shirt ripped in the process. Then, rolling to the other side of the bed, she kneeled, her hand raised defensively.

"You're men wouldn't allow me into the castle, because I'm a woman. Even with Lord Yuy's messenger next to me! I was trying to warn you that Schbeiker was on his way!"

"Lord Heero had already warned me. Now, be a good girl and come here." He smirked, his eyes glued to her gaping shirt.

"I really don't think so, Sir." Cathy pulled the offending garment closer, inching slowly off the bed. Then, she dashed to the door, pulling it open just as he tackled her legs.

"Haven't they informed you that it's dangerous to deny a king?" He purred, then, noticing that Cathy was looking at something overhead, he followed her gaze to where Heero stood with his hand about to knock on the door that was no longer there. "My Lord." He acknowledged, not getting up.

"Your Highness.. I see you found her." Heero replied, thinking fast. " My Love, You climbed into the wrong window." He said to Cathy, enjoying her confused squint. :::She's really going to love this one.:::

"My Love?" The King asked, suspicious.

"Yes, Sir. We haven't told anyone, yet, but.. Ms. Bloom has kindly agreed to become my wife." Heero said, bending down to help the choking woman to her feet. "Isn't that right, Catherine?" Heero pinched the tender inside of her arm, warning her to play along.

"I.. yes, of course I did. Who could resist a man like you, My Lord?" ::::Why couldn't he think of something else?:::

Silently, she fumed, caught. She couldn't call him a liar without casting off his protection, but agreeing with the pig was, in effect, marrying him. :::Oh, no!::: The realization hit her like a laser through the brain. "Well, actually, sir.. we're OUCH!"

Heero pulled her in closer, and stepped on her foot. "We're planning on making the official announcement at tomorrow's banquet, Sir, when her captain arrives with the others."

"No!" Cathy blasted, suddenly thinking that the king couldn't be that bad.. at least he was good looking!

"Now, Sweet, it's not too soon!" He bit the inside of his cheek, knowing very well what she was thinking. "Your Highness? If we may be excused, I would like to have a moment or two to convince her."

"Convince? Since when has that mattered? Oh, take all the time in the world, My Lord. And, leave the announcement to me. I would be honored."

King Milliardo watched them leave, smirking. He wasn't and idiot, and knew very well what was going on in front of him. However, Lord Yuy had been next on his list., now that Lord Maxwell was married and out of his hair.

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"YOU IDIOT!" Cathy fumed, pulling her arm away as he led her to his room. "You can't think that I'm going to go along with this! I'm not Hilde, and I was NOT raised on this backward planet!"

"I don't enjoy the thought, either, but we don't have a choice anymore. The King will make the announcement, and that would be that."

"I have every choice! I'll go back to my ship and not come back!"

"Oh? That would look good. Why would the king make an alliance with a people that can't keep their promises? We are only one country, you know. Across the sea, there are other lands, and you will need King Milliardo's help to get them to trust you. How can he if he doesn't accept your pledges as fact?"

"Ohh! YOU got us into this mess!" She flounced on a chair, still glaring at Heero. "Couldn't you think of another way to get me out of there?" He looked entirely too comfortable for a man that just got roped into a marriage. :::Maybe he knows a way out of it...:::

"Can you set me aside? Like an annulment?" She asked, hoping.

"Annulments are forbidden to the nobility. If our wives can not give us a child, we are expected to take a mistress." Heero leaned his head back and closed his eyes, trying, unsuccessfully to block her irritating voice out. "And, it's more your fault than mine. I still don't understand what you were thinking, climbing into the kings bedroom!"

Cathy blushed, thankful that he couldn't see. "I didn't realize it was his bedroom. I thought that I could hide in there until I got the chance to talk to King Milliardo."

Heero started to snort, then cough hard. Worried, Cathy started to pound on his back, stopping only when he held up his hand. "No, I'm alright." Looking up, he didn't bother to hide his annoyance as he sat back, shaking his head. "You didn't know who's window you were climbing in? You do need a keeper."

"Oh, shut up and think of a way to get out of this mess! I can't be married to you!" Cathy started to wring her hands as she paced. "I have a career! I can't be trapped with a chauvinistic pig!"

"A what?" Heero roared, not liking the reference. He stood up and faced her. "What did you call me?"

"I called you a pig! A word describing a guy who can't get it through his fat head that women have uses other than babies and sex!"

His eyes got tight in his head as he stalked closer, and backed up, stopping her pacing. "Other uses? You mean, by pretending to be men?"

She straightened up her spine returned his cold smile, the battle joined. "Why would we pretend to be men, when women are so superior?"

"Hmph! Superior stupidity! A man would never have climbed into the wrong window!"

"No.. he would have marched in headfirst, and got killed before he even reached the king! At least a woman would try other alternatives first!"

"Hmmm.. yes.. she would get herself married against her will to a partner she doesn't like!" He retorted, with a 'so there! I won!' look.

"Yes.. sort of like you!" She tossed the fact back, unprepared for his next words.

"A man wouldn't care. One woman is much like another. All it takes is a dark room and a gag."

"YOU Son of a bitch!" Cathy lost her cool, and raised her hand, striking him across the face. Heero grabbed it before she could let the arm fall, and used it to pull her against him.

"Should I prove it to you?" He taunted, leering over her. "You might even enjoy yourself, Sweet."

"Go to hell!" His new partner hissed, incensed. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of flinching away.

"Ladies first." With that, he lowered his head, determined to prove his point.

Gentleness was not a part of his nature, and he made kissed like he fought, head-on with bold aggression. Cathy stood passive, intent on proving that he couldn't move her, but he wouldn't allow it. Twisting his hand in her hair, he waited for her to yelp, then took the kiss deeper. Drawing it out, Heero pressed against her softness, enjoying the way she cradled him.

When he was done, they were both gasping for air, his eyes knowing, hers flashing with ire. Deliberately, she pushed him away and walked towards the door. Reaching it, she yanked it open, then turned back to Lord Yuy.

"I'll sleep on my ship. I wouldn't want to wake up gagged."

"Bitch." Heero muttered, watching her leave.

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A/N - I bet y'all were expecting Relena, weren't you? Well.. I can't be THAT predictable! ^_^