Breaking Away
Chapter 2
By Kit

A request fiction
AN: This happened during MY HEART IN YOUR HANDS- a little insert, but this is a fic that will stand alone

Friday Night:

Michael breathed in deeply as he paced outside the restaurant, trying to calm the nervousness in his taut muscles.

Not that he hates socializing… He’s actually the one who goes to most business socials that consist of more than 3 people… Heero hates for his face to be known by so many people.

He’s nervous because…

Of her.

Who else?

He sneaked a look of himself to a window and saw that he’s dressed as nicely as possible…

‘Okay, dude… time to do this…’ he thought as he finally straightened his back and moved to the entrance.

~*~

Dorothy sighed inwardly… She hates having to dine for business on Friday nights- actually, she hates each and every Fridays… Fridays have always been bad… Bad in every aspect you can say… Let’s see… It was a Friday when her grandfather was killed… when Treize was killed… a Friday when she left the faction…

She stifled a sigh once again… From the corner of her eyes, she saw the man- T.J., as he likes to be called, grin and nod with his hands in the air.

‘Time to laugh, Doro…’ she thought as she nodded with a calculated smile, tilted her head backwards and then laughed.

‘What is there to do in this place?’ she asked herself as she looked around the flashy restaurant. Seated in front of the restaurant’s entrance, she has a good view of the people going inside…

She saw the elite people of the business world dining, the way she is doing so at the moment, but her mind she is in another plane…

Her life is so boring… It’s not that she doesn’t like the stability, but it feels like there’s something missing… During the war, she tried hard to keep her grasp on people she cares for… tried so hard to please them, and yet… what happened? Sad to say, it didn’t work out no matter how hard she tried… Now they’re all gone, and then, Quatre questioned her ideals… made her confused… Darn the man… She has no one to care for but her projects nowadays, a better substitute than people… if so… why is it that she feels so bereft?

Her gaze flickered towards the entrance- a nice handsome man in a tuxedo checked in with the registrar… Her eyes went towards the bar- then stopped…

She frowned as she tilted her head back towards the entrance…

Dorothy blinked… Brownish blonde hair combed back, wearing an impeccable black tuxedo that hugged his broad shoulders-

Michael???

She suppressed a smile that tugged at her lips… ‘He actually looks handsome in a tux…’ Remembering the roses, she blushed… She’d been under a pile of projects and worrying about the letter that she’s forgotten about it!

Suddenly, he looked up and his eyes met hers…

Dorothy swallowed… she couldn’t look away… at the back of her mind, she thanked whoever was responsible that the registrar is right behind T.J, he wouldn’t know that she’s not listening…

Then, she saw that melting warm and welcoming grin appear on his face… It looked as if he was about to walk to her, but before he could take more than a couple of steps away from the registrar, with his eyes still trained on Dorothy, a high pitched voice shattered their connection-

"Michael!!! Darling!"

Michael stopped and paled. ‘Oh God no! Not her!’

Dorothy frowned, ‘Who…?’

She widened her vision and saw, walking towards Michael, a woman in a stunning red evening gown, with her black hair piled up on her head-

‘Obviously dyed.’ Dorothy thought sarcastically… Her eyes slanted as she saw the woman slink herself towards Michael and then wrap her arms around him like a leech!

She breathed in deeply and her hands turned into fists as she watched the snake of a woman bring her body even closer to Michael’s own- if that’s even possible with the way she’s holding on to him already!!!

Her jaw locked and then Michael looked up from the woman to herself once again.

‘Humph!’ Dorothy thought as she tilted her head away to face her guest once again, completely ignoring Michael’s pleading look. Besides- what’s he pleading for anyway?!

Michael stared down at the woman holding on to him- his eyes clearly showing panic.

"Please Hannah!" he gasped out as he tried to wriggle himself out of the tight hold, his skin crawling.

He looked up just in time to see Dorothy looking at him with a bland look.

Michael forced himself to give her a message- ‘Help!!!’

But instead, Dorothy just tossed her head.

‘Great! Just bloody hell great!’ he thought angrily as he tried to stop the crawling hands of the girl who’s suffocating him!

"So, where have you been, you big hunk of love you…" the woman purred.

Michael sighed. He only met the dang girl because of a business social!!! It wasn’t his fault that the woman picked him! They never even went out on a date!!! And here she is, acting as if they’re together!!!

"Hannah please!" Michael said once again, biting off the last few words he really wanted to say- ‘let go!’

"Oh…?" she asked as she looked up at Michael from underneath her eyelashes. "But why?" she purred.

Michael’s mind tried to grasp for any possible excuse.

‘Think! Think! Thi-…!’ his eyes brightened as he glanced at Dorothy once again, then grinned…

"Be-because… because…" Michael breathed in while Hannah tilted her head sideways to wait for the answer.

Michael’s gaze fell on Dorothy once again, then looked down at Hannah.

"Because I’m… I’m engaged!"

Slowly, Michael felt Hannah’s grip loosen. Then he saw her look up at him with a forced smile.

"Who is she?"

Michael gulped. "Uh…" his gaze slowly went to Dorothy’s face once again, and he willed for Dorothy to look over at him once again. Unbeknownst to him, Hannah followed his gaze.

"Her?" Hannah asked as she looked upon a woman with long blonde hair talking to someone… she knows!

"Uh…" Michael gulped.

"Oh! That’s T.J.!!! I’m going to go over and say hi. Maybe even meet your fiance." And with that, Hannah walked off to Dorothy’s table.

"Er… huh?!" Michael grunted in surprise as his jaw dropped while he watched Hannah walk over to Dorothy’s table.

He couldn’t move! Then, a look of pure hysteria flashed over his face as he watched Hannah hug T.J. and then face Dorothy.

"Oh no!!!" he muttered as he started to walk to the same direction. ‘Michael… what have you gotten yourself into now!!!’

Dorothy glared as the woman who had literally glomped on Michael, and is now hugging T.J.

"Hannah! My dear, how are you?!"

Hannah grinned, "Oh, just peachy, uncle." Then she turned to Dorothy and gave a smile.

Dorothy held back a grimace at the fake smile given to her, and gave one to the girl herself.

"Hi there! I don’t believe that I know you. My name is Hannah Jakeson." she flipped her hair over her shoulders. "My father owns Lextor Company."

Before Dorothy could speak, T.J spoke for her.

"Oh, Hannah, this is Ms. Dorothy Catalonia, owner of Avalon Cosmetics."

‘Take that, you spoiled brat…’ Dorothy thought in disgust. ‘I’m the sole owner of my company, and you don’t have one.’ She thought rather competitively.

Hannah’s eyes brightened and now gave a genuine smile to Dorothy. "Oh gosh! You mean to tell me that it’s you! I love your products! I just adore them!!! No wonder Michael likes you so much that you guys are engaged!" squealed the girl in joy. "Who wouldn’t fall for the queen of fashion!"

Dorothy nearly fell off her chair in shock.

Michael reached the table just as he heard Hannah say the word ‘engaged’.

‘Oh… no…!’

He saw Dorothy’s wide eyes then he saw that she noticed that he just came over… Her eyes met his and he could only give an embarrassed smile.

"I’m what…?! To who…?!" Dorothy finally was able to get out of her mouth as she looked up and saw Michael give her an embarrassing smile.

"You are?" T.J asked at the same time that Michael said-

"Er… Hannah… uh…" at the same time that Hannah said-

"Michael… you’re engaged."

Michael cringed as Hannah said it once again and he saw cold blue fire blaze in Dorothy’s icy glare.

‘We’re engaged, are we…?’ Dorothy asked to herself as she stared at Michael who couldn’t seem to be able to look at her.

"He’s just the sweetest thing! But then, you got him, so I guess I should just let bygones be bygones." Hannah yapped on tirelessly.

Dorothy’s face didn’t show anything but Michael could clearly see her eyes shooting murderous glares at him…

‘Oh shit…’

‘I’m engaged to him, eh?’ she asked herself once again, closing off to Hannah and T.J’s conversation. ‘Well… two can play in this game! Put me in a spot, did you… You’re not going to get off easily, Michael…’

The moment Hannah stopped talking, Dorothy spoke up.

"Actually, Hannah…" Dorothy looked away with her head tilted down as if she’s in deep contemplation.

Michael frowned.

"We broke up this morning…" Dorothy whispered.

Michael blinked. ‘Er…?’

"What happened?!" Hannah and T.J. asked at the same time.

Dorothy’s right hand went up to her eyes as if swiping a tear. "I… I saw him with a-a-another… g-g-girl…" she sobbed as she looked down on her lap.

Michael’s jaw dropped to the floor as he stared at Dorothy, his shoulders sagging.

"I… I tr-tried to talk to him b-bu-but th-then, he… he hit me! The brute hit me!" she whispered just loud enough for the three to hear.

Michael’s wide eyes widened some more while Hannah and T.J. turned to him.

"You pig!" Hannah exclaimed.

"Who are you to hit a young and beautiful woman?!" T.J. demanded.

Michael stared from Dorothy’s slumped form to Hannah’s and T.J’s glare. His mouth opened and closed but before he could speak, a loud sob escaped Dorothy’s lips and she pushed the chair backwards, making it drop on the carpeted floor, then ran away to the restaurant doors with both her hands covering her face as if crying.

"Look what you did!" T.J. cried out.

"Michael!!! How could you?!" Hannah said at the same time.

Michael stared at the doors Dorothy had gone through, then, without even giving a good bye to the two, he turned away and walked towards the doors.

~*~

The guard watched as a woman burst out of the door as if crying. He frowned… ‘What’s happening here…?’ he asked himself… ‘Another cheating husband? Broke up couple…?’ His frown deepened as the woman stopped, then the hands on her face went around her waist to hug herself. Her head tilted back and a hearty laugh escaped her lips.

The old guard blinked.

The doors opened once again and Dorothy turned around to see Michael staring at her with his arms crossed over his chest.

The moment she saw him, her laughter increased as she remembered his shocked look when she had called him a ‘brute’.

Michael shook his head, "I should have known that you’d be a good actress."

Dorothy pressed a hand to her mouth, as if trying to stop her laughter. "You should have seen your face!"

Michael didn’t laugh. "Okay, you had your fun… stop this. You’ve already embarrassed me enough…."

Dorothy laughed some more. "I-its’ your fault for saying we’re engaged when we’re not!" then she became serious. "No one makes fun of me, Michael… No one." She said almost in a whisper, and almost as if saying it to herself also- reminding herself…

Michael shook his head. "I wasn’t making fun of you… I just wanted to get out of that death grip she gave me…"

Dorothy shrugged as she tried not to picture the scene once again. "It’s your fault for going out with such a girl." She turned away from him and started walking.

"But we’ve never even gone out!!! That’s the whole problem!" Michael cried out with his hands flinging in the air. "I just wanted to come down here and see you again and this is what I get! My reputation- soiled!"

Dorothy stopped and frowned… ‘To see me again…?’ she turned around and faced him, joyful hope fluttering within her chest making her forget the fact as to how Michael knows where she is…

"Why?" she asked him squarely, looking at him for any hint of lie.

Michael breathed in. This is what he’s known for… speaking his mind… why is it so hard when it comes to her?

"Because I would like to take you out. Go on dates… Maybe a carnival… go bowling, shows, theater… do stuff!"

Dorothy frowned. Never in her life had she gone to such… places. And yet, it all sounds so wonderful… But then- Dorothy looked at Michael in confusion.

"I’ve just ruined your reputation in front of possible customers, and you still want to go out with me?" Dorothy asked bluntly.

Michael blushed, and thanked his lucky stars that it is a dark night. "Well… yeah… I mean… I would really like for you to go out with me."

Dorothy felt herself softening towards Michael… The way his expressive hazel eyes pleaded- you could just see it! She was about to say ‘yes’ when she remembered her grandfather and the others that she had cared for… Dead… She can’t risk that part of her again! She just couldn’t… if she does, there’s no knowing what can happen. Besides… Michael doesn’t know her… He doesn’t know what is going on, and she doesn’t want another innocent life blown up in front of her face…

Sadly, she turned away from Michael.

‘Hate me, Michael, it’s for your own good…’ she thought sadly as she tilted her chin up in her haughty manner.

"Kneel down and beg if you want me to go out with you." She said as coldly as she could. She sighed inwardly. She is all too aware that no man will humble himself in such a manner…

Michael stared at her, the words still ringing in the air. He has his pride… he has his own self esteem… How could she expect him to do so? To kneel down and beg…

He watched her slowly take a step away from him.

‘Why, Dorothy?’ he asked sadly.

Never in his entire life had he felt the way he had felt when he first saw her… Nor when he had thought that it was she and Heero… Then when their eyes met when he was coming inside the restaurant, he saw a smile in them… a welcoming that made him feel warm inside…

And now, she’s walking away from him- and he knows, from the deep recesses of his mind, that the moment she disappears, there is no more chance…

Michael bit his lower lip. Humility is a part of a relationship… True, Dorothy has yet to show her side, but he already saw a slight difference from her outer demeanor and her inner self. It’s as if she’s hiding her true self…

‘Maybe, she’s just like Heero… Fighting the demons on their own… But Heero…’ he thought back to his friend, ‘…has finally changed… what is it that’s boxing you and not letting you free?’

He breathed in as he reached a decision…

‘I’m a damn fool… a bloody damn fool…’ he thought, succumbing to his inner feeling that’s telling him what to do. Slowly, he dropped to one knee, then he cleared his throat.

"Dorothy… please go out with me."

Dorothy stopped and her eyes widened. She frowned as she slowly turned around, unsure if she heard what she had heard…

Then, she saw him, half kneeling in front of strollers and looking at her with those chocolate understanding eyes.

"Don’t you have any pride?!" Dorothy blurted out, trying to feel anger towards this man… trying to hold on to something that will help her keep her walls intact.

Michael bit his lip as he thought of his friend- Heero… He’d seen him let his pride get the better of him more often than not… And he’s pretty sure that he’d finally learned humility when he just proposed… But how many years had he watched his friend with his pride…? And what has he learned…?

"A person can live without pride, but they can’t live without love or someone to care for." Michael replied seriously.

She couldn’t talk… Thousands of thoughts swept in her mind and all starting with ‘Why’s’…

"Why, Michael? Why are you doing this?" she finally got out from her throat that seemed so thick at the moment.

Michael looked straight into her eyes, lighted against the night lamp. He needs to make her see... "I want you to give me a chance… I have this… feeling… I don’t know." He sighed. "It’s different…" Michael saw her open her mouth but he didn’t give her a chance to talk.

"You don’t have to feel the same way that I feel for you." He looked down, "I mean, it will be better if you do… But right now, all I’m asking you for is a chance."

There had only been only one other man who had talked in such understanding tone as Michael had done- Quatre… and he had made her open her eyes… With Michael… he had torn down an opening to her heart’s defenses…

She wants to say no to him… How she wants to… But when she opened her mouth, it wasn’t that word that came out…

"Yes… I’ll give you a chance…" She saw a smile form on his lips and felt one showing on her own. But instead, she turned away as elation filtered through her. She doesn’t want him to see. She forced herself to talk with disregard once again-

"Just get up from there… and remember, don’t expect that I’ll feel anything for you." Then she forced her feet to walk towards her car, not looking at her.

Michael couldn’t stop the smile that formed on his lips… She just said yes… and he has a feeling that she never back down from anything she’d say she’d do.

He stood up, almost jumping and watched as Dorothy pulled her car out from the parking space and drove on.

He wants to put a constant smile on her face… that’s what he wants.

Then… he frowned…

"Waitaminute!!! I wasn’t able to get her phone number or address!!!"

~*~

Monday, Next Week:

Location: Avalon Cosmetics Industries

Time: 0700 hours

Amanda grinned as she saw Dorothy in an impeccable, fashionable white business clothes come in, then her eyes darted to her left, and quickly went back to her employer.

As usual, Dorothy is serious as she went to Amanda’s table.

"Mail."

Amanda handed her the stack of mail. "I’ll bring in the papers to you inside."

Dorothy nodded as she shifted through the mail… then she saw a small pink envelope with a heart sticker. She frowned.

‘What in the world is this?’

Amanda watched Dorothy as she looked at the letter, and she could barely contain her giggles.

Dorothy opened the letter, took out a card with two silly elderly couples dancing, and opened it.

‘Turn around…’ was the only thing that it said.

‘Huh?’ her eyebrow shot up. "Is this a joke?" she grumbled under her breath.

Amanda cleared her throat.

"Well, actually, my dear, it isn’t." came a baritone voice from behind her.

Dorothy stifled a gasp as she forced herself to slowly turn around, only to find Michael grinning, leaning against her wall with his arms crossed over his chest and looking utterly adorable...

Dorothy let out a sigh of relief under her breath as she shifted her weight on one foot, sticking out her hip. Then she crossed her arms over her chest lazily, trying to act nonchalantly though truth of the matter is that she’s so happy to see him in her office so bright and early.

"I’m afraid to ask what made you come over." She stated without a hint of emotion.

Michael grinned, unaffected. He’s heard that tone before- something Heero always uses. He’s immune to that voice. He walked towards her, still with a smile on his face because he just couldn’t stop smiling like a stupid crazy fool in front of her.

When he reached her, he brought his hand up to her shoulder to brush away a lock of hair.

Dorothy swallowed, butterflies forming in her stomach as she stared up into his hazel eyes.

"Well, I forgot to ask you for your home number and address… And I don’t want to hack that information out of your personal files…" Michael said softly.

She just couldn’t look away even if she wanted to… And yet… she promised herself to stay aloof towards this man and not risk another pain of loss… She willed herself- her rational and reasonable mind- to resurface and gain control. Slowly, her hands turned to fists as she struggled in her inner battle.

Amanda watched happily as the two stared at each other… She could feel that there’s something going on between the two of them… But… She looked down at Dorothy’s hands that suddenly turned to fists- as if ready to fight- and sighed. Dorothy wouldn’t-

Amanda’s train of thought was interrupted as Dorothy turned away from Michael.

"Amanda, give Mr. Glessnor my home number and address. I’m going into my office." She said as she turned away from Michael and walked towards her own office.

Michael blinked in confusion. Just a while ago… just a while ago, he’d seen something in Dorothy’s eyes… and now, it’s closed yet once again just like shutters… Just like Heero’s…

Well… he’s not giving up that easily! If he was able to know the perfect soldier- he’s going to know this woman! Because God help him, he wants to spend his life with her… He doesn’t know why… She’s such a tenacious woman too! But during the weekends, he had felt so happy knowing that she had said yes… and he was actually envisioning them together- by the woods, eating picnics, and children’s laughter in the background!!!

‘Jesus! I’ve gone bananas!’ he thought wildly as he waved to Amanda and followed Dorothy inside her office. ‘Something must have happened to my brains during that explosion ‘coz no decent guy thinks and does what I’m doing!’

Dorothy tried to close the door behind her without looking, but it was stopped. She turned around with a frown and saw Michael holding on to it.

"What are you doing?! I already told Amanda to give you what you asked for!" she hissed under her breath.

Michael shrugged. "Yep… But I wanted to ask you first where you’d want to go."

Dorothy’s eyebrow shot up then she turned around and walked to her desk… She wants to put a separator between them… She wants to sit down before her shaking legs gives way, and she wants her safety again… Behind her desk, no one can question her orders…

She sat down and placed her shaking hands over the table- intertwining them.

"What places were you thinking?"

Michael shrugged as he walked forward and then half sat on Dorothy’s desk. "Well, I don’t know… There’s so many to choose from… horseback riding… picnics… carnival, circus, bowling…" he watched Dorothy’s face to see what she liked, but instead, Michael saw confusion.

He frowned. "Don’t tell me you’ve never done those things before!"

Dorothy didn’t answer as she swallowed her nervousness… She’s not going to admit anything! "Of course I do those things!" she lied as she crossed her thumbs together.

Michael shook his head in disbelief. "Which one have you done?"

Dorothy tilted her head higher, "Horseback riding. I’m actually the best in the class."

"Ah- hah!" Michael cried as he slapped the desk.

"What?!" Dorothy asked, nearly on the verge of getting angry…

"See! You did it for a class! NOT for fun! So that doesn’t count! Besides, I know for a fact that schools you rich people go to have that for a class."

"WHAT!!!" Dorothy cried out in rage, leaning forward while grabbing the edge of her table. "Are you mocking me?! ‘You rich people’?!"

Michael grinned as he leaned forward and stopped just a few inches away from her face.

Dorothy cursed herself for not leaning backwards, but she doesn’t want to show him any weakness.

Michael’s hand went out and touched her cheek gently. He couldn’t help himself… She’s really—

"You’re beautiful when you get mad, do you know that?" he whispered.

Dorothy blinked in confusion.

Michael blushed as he leaned backwards and got off the desk. ‘I am going crazy! Who in a man’s right mind would think that a girl is beautiful when she’s mad?!’ he asked himself in confusion.

"Uh… I better go…" he said almost embarrassingly then turned around and walked to the door.

He opened it, but before he went out, he looked back at her with a slight smile. "I’m going to pick you up at your house on Friday at 7 for dinner. Will that be alright with you?"

Dorothy felt her head nod.

"Okay… wear comfortable shoes and it’s a casual affair." Michael said before he closed the door, leaving a stupefied Dorothy in his wake.

He leaned on it while he looked at Amanda. Then he gave her a sheepish grin.

"How did it go?" Amanda asked curiously.

"I have no idea… I wasn’t acting myself…" Michael said with a frown… "I mean, I was myself… but stuff kept on coming out of my mouth even if I didn’t want it to… I mean, I was thinking of it but-"

He didn’t finish as Amanda started shaking with laughter. "I know what you mean… My! You have it bad for my superior…" Amanda teased.

Michael snorted. "Say that again…" he grumbled as he walked over to her. "Where’s the address, before I forget."

Amanda grinned as she handed him a piece of paper. "Be careful with her, or else you’ll have me to deal with… she’s really caring but she doesn’t like showing it."

Michael smiled as he took the paper. "Yeah, I know… why’d you think I followed her."

~*~

Friday

Time: 1800 Hours

Dorothy opened her walk in closet with a frown… ‘Casual clothes…? Hmmm…’

She shifted through her clothes, going to the very end, and then going back to the front.

Okay… so she’s kinda excited about tonight… Just a little tiny bit…

Dorothy sighed. Who is she kidding?! She’s been looking forward to tonight this whole week!

"Casual… casual…" she whispered under her breath as she looked through her wardrobe once again. Finally, she took out a light blue skirt with a matching blouse- her most casual attire.

"I guess this’ll do…" she whispered as she looked at it after she placed it on top of her bed. Then she went to her vanity desk and took her brush. She smiled softly while she brushed as she remembered Michael commenting about her hair…

A few minutes later, she stared at herself in front of her full-length mirror- wearing her attire. Should she put on make-up…? But of course, she doesn’t want to show him that she put some time in dressing up just for tonight… So why should she?! No… she’s not going to put on make-up tonight.

She looked dubiously at herself and had the sudden urge to change when she heard her doorbell ring.

"This is it…" she muttered under her breath as she closed her bedroom door and walked to her door.

Michael pressed on her doorbell and then looked at the single red rose in his hand- the most perfect bud he saw in the flower shop. It’s not wrapped or anything… He likes the way it looked… almost like freshly cut from a garden…

Then, the door opened and Dorothy came into view in a complete- matching- skirt and blouse… And much as he likes the way she looks… Dorothy looked as if she’s just about to go to work!

Dorothy stared at Michael… ‘Jeans… he’s wearing jeans…!!!’ she thought in slight panic… He’s just wearing plain simple, hip hugging jeans- that looks… very good on him, and plain shirt that showed his broad chest under the plain leather jacket…

The moment was awkward… Finally, Michael cleared his throat.

"I thought I said casual…"

"This is casual!" Dorothy snapped back.

"I mean… It’s not that you don’t look good… it’s just that… casual… you know… jeans or something…" Michael continued.

Dorothy’s anger flared… She does NOT like it when a person critiques about her clothing… Never- no one has ever critiqued her… and she means no one…

Michael gulped… he could see the blazing fury in those blue eyes once again, and before Dorothy could speak, Michael opened his mouth.

"This is for you…" he said as he gave her the rose.

Dorothy blinked, her anger clearing… ‘Is this a peace offering?’ she asked herself as she stared at the rose.

"Dorothy, I’m not saying that your clothes do not look nice one you… I haven’t seen anything you’ve worn that doesn’t look great on you… But, I really think that jeans will be more appropriate to where we’re going… Or maybe a ruffly kind of skirt…"

Dorothy took the rose being offered. It’s just one, not at all the usual dozens that she receives… and yet, being that the rose is only one is more special…

"I don’t have any jeans…" she whispered as she looked at the rose.

Michael’s jaw nearly dropped. "Excuse me?"

Dorothy looked up into his eyes. "I don’t have any jeans." She said louder. She saw the look of disbelief on Michael’s face.

"You’re kiddin’ right?" Michael asked once again.

Dorothy shook her head.

"Uh…" Michael looked at the wall… Think! Think! He looked at his watch- 7:12… They have time…

"Well… let’s go… We’re going to get you some clothes." Michael said as enthusiastically as he could.

"We’re going to buy…" Dorothy choked out, her anger starting to flare once again. "If you don’t like what I’m wearing, just say so!"

Michael sighed, "I didn’t say that I didn’t like it… It’s just that-" Michael reached out and took her hands into his, even the one holding the red rose. "It’s just that I know you’ll have more fun if you’re not in those clothes… Besides… those are name brands- I don’t want them getting spoiled."

Dorothy looked into his eyes. Dammit! Why is it that she can’t say no to this man?! No! No! No! No!!!

"Alright…" she whispered, then her voice became harder, "But I’m only saying alright because I decided to do so- and not because I’m complying to your request."

Michael grinned. "Sure… Anything you say, Dorothy." He answered as he let her hands go.

She instantly missed the warmth of his hands, but instead, she turned away from him. "I’m just going to get my purse."

~*~

A while later, Michael parked in front of the mall.

"Don’t move." He said softly as he quickly got out of the car and went to her side to open the door for her… Not that she’s not used to it- so many people do it for her… but with him, it feels so special somehow…

They entered a store- a store Dorothy had never thought she’d enter… She’s so used to fashionable high-class boutiques, or private fashion designers… not- she looked around- these kind of stores…

"So, what’s your waist size?" Michael asked as he started to look around for the women’s section and gently guided Dorothy towards it.

Dorothy smiled proudly. "24."

Michael grinned down at her, "I should have known…" he whispered, earning a blush from Dorothy who looked away instead as if she’s looking for something just so he wouldn’t catch her blush.

They walked a little farther into the store and then Michael stopped. "Okay, these are size 24 for women… pick your choice."

Dorothy looked at the coarse materials and then looked up at Michael… "How about if you choose." Dorothy said in a commanding tone… Actually, she doesn’t know how to choose doing it like this… She’s so used to seeing models stand in front of her…

Michael gave her a dubious look but did as she asked, taking about three pairs of pants. "Let’s go look for some shirts that’ll go with these…"

Dorothy watched as Michael chose three shirts for her- a sporty looking short tee-shirt, a rayon/silk type of golden hue with a V neck, and a slight ribbon at the bottom of it, and finally, an off the shoulder yellow, ruffly looking shirt that would look nice for dancing the flamenco…

"Here. Try them on." Michael said as he gave the load to Dorothy.

Dorothy looked at the clothes in her arms dubiously and then swallowed… ‘Very well, then…’ she thought as she walked towards the dressing room with her chin up in the air.

"You’ve got to come out after you try one piece! I wanna see it!" Michael yelled at Dorothy before she disappeared.

Dorothy pursed her lips but couldn’t help the funny feeling that surrounded her that makes her want to laugh.

They ended up buying everything- well, actually, Michael buying everything- and not seeing how it looks like- being that Dorothy stubbornly didn’t come out of the dressing room- except for the pale yellow off shoulder top and jeans which he insisted she should wear already.

"Do you want sandals, or soft soled shoes? Or rubber shoes?" Michael asked as they left the store.

"What?" Dorothy asked in confusion.

Michael shook his head. "Forget it… We’ll try all three and see which one will go with what you have right now- and you’re supposed to be comfortable."

They went inside a shoe store and bought a soft soled sandals, which Michael had said to be "Looks great!" with the outfit.

"Where are we going, anyway?" Dorothy asked as they exited the mall.

Michael just gave her a wink, "It’s a surprise…" then he looked confused, "er… You like spicy foods, don’t you?"

Dorothy frowned in curiosity. "I can eat spicy foods, if that’s what you’re asking, but not the overly spiced ones… and don’t ever give me sushi…"

Michael grinned, "Ah… now I know what to give you… sushi!" he teased as he opened the car door for her.

Dorothy stifled a laugh, knowing that he was just teasing, and gave him a glare instead.

"Hey! I was just teasing!" Michael responded to the glare with his hands giving her a stop signal then he quickly scooted to his door.

Michael did most of the talking along the way, telling Dorothy of things he’d done when he was younger-his ‘mischievous’ side… She didn’t mind… not at all, she was actually quite entranced- listening so attentively to whatever Michael is saying… She learned when he fell off his bike… or when he got his first operation- such disasters and yet he was making them all funny that one cannot help but laugh…

"Ah! Here we are!" Michael finally announced as he pulled up along a row of cars.

Dorothy looked around. Everywhere you look, lights brightened the dark sky, and blaring music shattered the silence.

"Where are we?! What are we doing here?!" Dorothy shouted as Michael guided her through the seemingly thousands of people mingling in the open space.

"We’re going to have dinner and dance!" Michael shouted back.

She took in the festive decorations and tried to understand the lyrics of the music that just wants to make you dance… She’s heard those words before…

"Hey Dorothy, do you know how to salsa?" Michael asked as he finally got to a table for two and took out a chair for her.

Dorothy bit in her inner lip, "Actually… no…" she answered as she sat down.

Michael leaned forward from behind and whispered in her ear, "You’re going to love it." It was so faint, that she wasn’t sure if she’d heard it, because he quickly leaned away and patted her shoulder.

"I’m going to get something to eat."

Then he was gone… Dorothy swallowed… She’s a fish out of water here… She doesn’t know these people… she doesn’t know how to operate in such a condition… she doesn’t know how to salsa for Pete’s sake! But then… She looked towards the dance floor and couldn’t help but admire at the way they did the steps…

Maybe it’s the music… or maybe she’s going crazy, but she wants to dance those steps…! She looked from one woman to another- even some teenagers and little girls, and she thanked Michael for making her change.

‘First step… look like them…’ she thought to herself, trying to calm her frayed nerves…

"Hey miss! Do you want to dance?"

Dorothy quickly turned around and saw hawk nosed man grinning down at her.

She feigned indifference as she slowly looked at him, even though she is shaking inside. "Actually-"

She didn’t finish her sentence as another voice spoke from her other side.

"Actually- she’s with me, Garcia."

Dorothy stifled a breath of relief… ‘Michael.’

From the corner of her eyes, she saw Michael put the tray he’s holding on the table, and then she saw Garcia smile at Michael.

"Your woman, huh? Well, at least you finally got a date, Glessy."

Dorothy frowned, ‘Glessy? Your woman?’

Michael grinned. "Yep. My woman, and tell the boys to stay away or else they’ll answer to me."

Dorothy felt a heat course through her… She actually likes being called in such a Neandrathalic caveman way… although she’ll never admit it to him.

Garcia grinned. "Dontcha worry. Every body will be looking out for her and I’ll make sure that no one messes with her." Garcia said as he gave something akin to salute to Michael and left.

Michael finally sat down with a smile and waved to the direction that the man was going to. "That’s Garcia… He’s something like the head around here."

Dorothy held back a grin as she leaned against her chair with an eyebrow up in question. "I get it that you’re a regular here?" She decided to let him go with the ‘my woman’ term… for now.

She watched as Michael shrugged and grinned embarrassingly- such a cute expression.

"I…er… I go here twice a month, every Friday… I mean, since I learned about it from Garcia over there… He’s our head technician in Quazer… Really a nice guy- and a great salsa dancer. Learned everything from him!"

Dorothy looked at Michael dubiously… She could picture him bowling, going to carnivals… but why is it that she can’t picture him dancing? Or maybe it’s because she doesn’t know men her age who knows how to dance anything except for waltz…

Michael caught the look, "What? You don’t think I can?"

Dorothy stifled her laugh… She likes teasing him… "Oh, I’m sure you know how to…"

Michael’s eyebrow shot up, "I hear a challenge." He said as he leaned forward over the table.

Dorothy leaned over, putting her face right in front of his, "You got it, buster."

Michael grinned, "Alright. I’ll show you I can do this." He looked around, "Now let me see…" then, he saw a raven-haired beauty…

Michael grinned happily then gave a wink to Dorothy. "You’ll eat your words..." he threatened before pushing his chair back and walking towards the girl.

"Hey Maria… Want to dance a few steps with me?" Michael greeted as he reached her.

Dorothy frowned as she watched Michael approach a beautifully built woman, and she suddenly felt a deep feeling of something akin to hate towards her…

Maria grinned up at Michael. "Hey handsome! I heard you brought a date with ya!"

"Yep." Michael answered as he motioned his eyes towards Dorothy, "Don’t let her see you looking!"

Maria laughed flirtatiously as she gave a quick glance at Dorothy, "Hey, she’s quite a looker! Do you like her?"

Michael blushed.

Maria laughed some more… "Looks like our little Michael finally found someone!"

Michael sighed, "Yeah… I might have… but she hasn’t…" he said sadly.

Maria took a chance glancing at Dorothy once again and then grinned up at Michael. "I don’t think so… I know how a woman looks when they think their man is being," Maria placed an arm around Michael’s shoulders." "Hit on."

"Hey Maria… I’m just asking you to dance, ya know." Michael said with a grin, knowing how she acts. "Besides, I’ll believe that when I see it."

"Well, I see it. Isn’t that good enough?" Maria asked as she leaned closer, loving every minute that Dorothy’s eyes kept on getting smaller and smaller in anger.

"Maria… careful now, I don’t want Garcia on my case."

Maria grinned. "Your date definitely likes you- a lot." Maria said as she brushed back a lock of Michael’s hair.

Michael rolled his eyes. "As I said before- I’ll believe that when I see it."

Maria pouted, heightening her sexuality. "Why is it that when I say the truth, people think I lie, and when I say a lie they think I’m telling the truth?"

Michael laughed heartily. "Because they know you like to tease, Maria."

Maria saw that Dorothy is near to the limit of her patience, and not wanting to create trouble for Michael, especially since he likes her, she decided to let him go already. Besides, she’s had her fun. "Okay. You wanna dance, then let’s dance."

Dorothy watched as the woman pulled Michael to the middle of the crowd- and it seemed as if the crowd was parting for the two! And just as they reached the center, a lively new beat came out.

She watched as they danced- graceful is the only way she can put it… and sensual…

‘Too damn sensuous!’

Her anger heightened as she watched them move closer-

‘Too damn close! There’s not even a fly that can get in the middle!!!’ Dorothy thought in fury.

Then their hands-

‘Especially that woman’s hands!!! It’s going all over him!!!’

She couldn’t take it… She just—

‘Ooohhh!!!!’ she mentally cried out as she pushed her chair back and then stood up, ready to leave the place.

‘If they want to dance together so much- FINE!’ she thought, completely forgetting the fact that it was her idea to challenge him and that he’s only doing as she had said.

Maria watched as Dorothy stood up, then she leaned over to Michael’s shoulder, "Your date’s leaving."

"WHAT?!" Michael cried out in shock as he stopped dancing and twirled around, just in time to see Dorothy disappear through the crowd.

"Dorothy!!!" Michael cried futilely against the blaring music.

Maria covered her mouth as she giggled at the situation, and seeing the over 6 feet tall Michael "Glessy" Glessnor trying to tiptoe through the crowd so he wouldn’t loose sight of the blonde haired beauty he took with him.

Dorothy reached the car just as she remembered something…

"Dammit!!!" she muttered under her breath.

"Dorothy!!! Wait up!!! You can’t go!!!"

Dorothy growled under her breath as she turned to face Michael who was jogging towards her. "Of course I can’t… You know damn well that you have the keys!" she muttered with her hands in fists.

He reached her- finally… It’s not that he’s out of breath… he’s fit- Heero made sure of that- but… the thought of not reaching her in time- not really registering in his mind that he has the car keys- made his chest constrict a little bit.

Dorothy placed her hand over her right hip. "Well? What are you doing here? Why aren’t you dancing with that girl?"

Michael breathed in deeply, trying to keep his patience. One of them needs to be anyway. "What do you mean? You’re the one who told me to go and dance."

Dorothy glared at him. She doesn’t know what came over her… she just feels so…angry!!! Well… actually, she knows exactly why she’s mad… It’s because of him dancing with that girl! Anger had always been her downfall… when she’s angry, she can never stop her mouth from speaking what she wants to say!

"It didn’t have to be her… Why’d you have to pick someone like her!" she grumbled as she turned away from him.

Michael frowned. He didn’t quite hear what she had said… "Dorothy… I didn’t hear you… Could you-"

"Repeat what I said?! Yes! I said that you didn’t have to pick her!!!"

Michael frowned in confusion. "But…you’re the one who told me to dance with someone, don’t you remem-"

"Aaarrrggghh!!!" Dorothy cried as she combed her hand through her bangs and turned away. "I am going to take a taxi and go home! Good bye!"

Suddenly, something clicked in Michael’s head… His eyes widened…

‘She’s jealous!’ he thought in shock. He almost smiled when he suddenly saw Dorothy walking away from him.

"Wait Dorothy!" Michael cried out as he grabbed her wrist.

Déjà vu… Exactly the way he did the first time he saw her…

Once again, Dorothy looked down at her hand then up at him, looking at him defensively in the eyes.

Michael grinned as he stepped forward. "I didn’t want to dance with her… I wanted to dance with you…" he whispered as he touched her chin. "If I’d known that you’d get mad, I wouldn’t have."

Her anger suddenly disappeared, replaced by a sudden awareness… Dorothy swallowed.

"I mean…" he gently pushed back a lock of hair away from Dorothy’s face. "Why would I want to dance with anybody but my golden rose."

"A-" Dorothy swallowed, her voice catching in her throat and then tilted her chin in the air as she tried to not think of how her skin is tingling from his touch. "And what do you mean by that?"

Michael smiled affectionately at Dorothy. "Do you know that the first time I saw you, you were wearing all gold… Gold shoes, gold skirt, blouse, watch, clip, bracelet…"

Dorothy felt a blush seep through her skin.

Michael touched her hair tenderly. He doesn’t want to tell her all these things, but the words just kept on coming out of his mouth. "And then your hair was golden against the office light… You were breathtaking…" Michael shook his head, "No… You are breathtaking…" he whispered.

Dorothy felt herself lean towards him then she caught herself and blinked rapidly to keep in touch with reality.

"I… I told you once…" Dorothy started, her voice soft.

"What did you tell me, my golden rose?" he asked as he used his pet name once again.

Dorothy faltered. "I… I told you never to flatter me…"

"I wasn’t flattering you." Michael replied as he traced the frame of her face.

"You were…" Dorothy tried to hold on to the anger she had felt just a while ago, not wanting to let go…

"You know… I’ve been wanting to do something since the day I saw you."

"You’re changing the subject." Dorothy tried to get back to reality, but it’s so hard when those soft hazel eyes are looking at her in such…

Michael leaned down. He stopped a breath away only to whisper one sentence. "No, I’m not…" Then he caught her lips with his and kissed her. A gentle caress that didn’t ask for a response, only to make the object of its affection understand…

She couldn’t stop herself. She could already feel herself leaning to him, but before she could open her mouth to respond, he took his lips away and rested his forehead on hers.

Dorothy closed her eyes as she willed her tingling lips not to follow… But she wants to… She wants a damn real kiss.

"Is that all you wanted to do? Just a little kiss?" Dorothy said in a teasing tone. After all, she’s not a shy girl… She touched his jaw with both hands and then pulled him down for a hard, ardent kiss… tiptoeing and leaning onto him… hugging him closer to her.

"Uhn-" Michael was only able to grunt in surprise but of course… Who in their right mind would not like kissing this woman in his arms? His hands snaked around her waist just as her hands wrapped themselves around his neck.

Then she smiled and moved away. Michael leaned forward, not wanting the kiss to end but his lips only touched air.

The soft, mischievous laugh prompted Michael to opened his eyes only to look into Dorothy’s smiling blue eyes- not so cold anymore…

"So, you’re not mad anymore?"

Dorothy gave him a sly look. "I might be…"

"Hey! Look at those two love birds over there!" a male voice teased.

"They make a handsome couple, don’t you think so, sweetie?" a sexy voice added.

Dorothy saw Michael’s blush creeping once again and she stifled a laugh as she looked over his shoulder. She frowned as she saw Garcia and the woman Michael was dancing with.

‘What is she doing with him?’ she asked in confusion.

Michael saw the slight frown of confusion appear on her forehead and leaned to whisper in her ear. "Garcia and Maria are engaged. They’re going to be married next month."

"We’re going to wait for you back there!" Garcia cried out as he led Maria back to the celebration.

Dorothy suddenly felt very foolish… She’d felt jealousy towards this woman just a while ago… and there wasn’t anything to be jealous about…

Michael frowned and tightened his hold around her waist as he saw her frown deepen some more, "Hey, you okay?"

The pressure around her waist made her remember the kiss, and in her mind she knew that it wouldn’t have happened if she didn’t get jealous. She smiled up at him, her defenses, for now, taken down. She’s ready to have fun…. She wants to have fun and finally feel a little bit… dare she say it- free of any kind of worries and just be happy for herself.

"I thought you were going to show me how to dance."

Michael grinned, "And that I will."

Against his will, he let her go. Dorothy herself had to stop herself from pouting as the warmth of his arms escaped her.

Michael reached out and held her left hand in his right, entwining their hands together.

"Let’s go?" he asked just for confirmation.

Dorothy looked towards the gaily-lighted celebration and then looked backwards to the dark and lonely sight behind her.

She looked back at the hill then down at their hands. Dorothy nodded as she stepped near to him.

"Yes… Let’s go."

(AN: Comments and suggestions are welcome in Kit's Mailbox ^_^ Hope to hear from ya!)