Chapter 4
                Stalkers, ghosts, and aliens
                  What more could you ask for????
 

    For the next couple of weeks, Relena busied herself making up for her missed school work and all the work from her job at the Interstellar Heavens Observatory. One day at her work a co-worker commented on the serenity of the outer space.

"Outer space is so peaceful now. The wars are over and everything is back to the way it should be again. Isn't it wonderful, Elen?"

"Huh? No, not really."

"What? Don't you like the peace?"

"Of course I do. But its not as you think. Wars take their toll. Some lives have been scarred forever from that war."

"Yes, I suppose so, Elen. But now that the war is over the wounds can begin to heal now. The war is over, ended. People can start new lives now."

"It's not as simple as that."

"Elen, just because we have been wounded does not mean that we can't start over again. I have. Everyone has. But you. You still carry the wounds. And I think you're just running away from them. Elen, be strong."

    Elen, at this point, turned away bent on poring over a map of the star clusters on the Sagittarius Constellation. Her co-worker, Ruruna, sighed sadly before picking up the record sheets she had been taking and turning away. Just as she left, she called over her shoulder.

"Don't forget, Elen. The Observatory needs more money so we're offering classes to some kids from some schools. You are going to be there, to help the guides, right?"

"Sure, Ruruna, sure."

"Thanks, Elen. See ya, later."

    Ruruna left, her footsteps echoing on the now, silent room. Relena was busy peering through a telescope, examining any activities from the supposedly center of the galaxy. The Zero Star from the constellation Sagittarius only twinkled in response to her examinations and she shook her head, frowning as she looked at the monitors. More activity did seem to be coming from that star.

‘So . . . those lines mean that that must be helium and as I start looking outwards it seemed to shift more to the red . . . ."

    Relena scribbled down more on her record sheet, never noticing a dark figure opening the door. The figure closed the door silently, his footsteps quiet. He tiptoed across the room, training his eyes on the back of the pretty petite lady near the telescopes and monitor. Just as he was near her, Relena sensed something amiss and whirled around.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

    The man seemed to be just as surprised as she was as he toppled backwards from her loud shout. Relena immediately knelt down near him and hit him on the chest.

"Erik!!!!!!! You dolt, what the heck are you doing?!"

    Relena's yell caused a commotion outside and there were bangs heard as doors slammed open and loud pounding footsteps as they raced to the Viewing Room.

"What's going on?! Elen, are you all right?! Erik!!!!!! What are you doing here?"

    Erik gave an innocent terrified look and replied in a fake naive voice,

"I was just here to visit Elen, is all. I was just coming to surprise her and then when I sneaked up on her she shouted. I didn't mean for it to happen."

    Everyone sighed and rolled their eyes. Ruruna, thoroughly exasperated of Erik's escapades and pranks on the Observatory, glared at him forcefully.

"What?"

"Erik," She grounded her teeth, a sure sign she was going to blow.

"The Observatory doesn't allow visitors at this and even at other times this is a restricted area."

"I didn't see the sign."

"That was just lame, Erik. Way lame. You think we'd believe that? Come on, I'm kicking you out, personally."

    Ruruna hauled Erik, by the ear, leading him out of the Observatory while he made a variety of ows, ouches, and I'm going to call my lawyer comments. Some of the workers giggled slightly at the funny scene. Their mature and gracious head manager leading a 18-year-old out the large building. Another worker turned to Relena before he left with the others,

"You sure, you're okay, Elen?"

"Yea, fine. He does that to me all the time. Honestly I'm more surprised I screamed."

"The guy does have an obsession of you."

"Whatever, Asanuma."

"Oh yeah, I nearly forgot to tell you. You're friend Ririka called. She said that she was going to pick you up."

    Relena rolled her eyes. Ririka was a good friend but sometimes she could go overboard.

"Thanks, Asa."

"Laterz, El."

    Asanuma disappeared from the room along with the other workers, gossiping about the daily news. Now that her concentration was ruined she might as well start writing the overview for today then start packing up. No sense in making Ririka wait for her.

"Hey, Ruruna left the list of the class that I'm supposed to help teach. Hmm .. . . "

                    Class Roll
                       Kevin Flightson School
Teacher: Mrs. Veka
Observatory Teacher: Jennifer
Helper: Elen Lia
Andy McMillan
Joshua Samuel
Daniel Mviara
Jeff Dobes
Karina Miliko
Syrene Mfkok . . .

"So many . . . and high schoolers too. This'll be a tough crowd to handle. Oh well, I'm not the teacher."

    With that last thought Elen put the list back to its place and packed up..

"No way! He didn't!"

"Yes! He did!"

"I can't believe this! This is . . . unheard of!"

"Me too. This is just . . . way out of Azabu College High's norm."

"I cannot believe that Coach Slater is actually replacing Elen's partner with the new student!!!!!!"

"I know! Jeffrey Histarn is the only darn guy who has skills even close to Ms. Lia. He's been skating for years and now the coach is just throwing him out?"

"No, Reika. He isn't going to be thrown out. The first place spot for males won't be his anymore, that's all."

"That's all?! I don't call that news that's all! Jeffrey has worked hard and long for this position, I don't think he's going to be happy about it."

"What do you expect he did, Mara?"

"He blew up?"

"More than that! He actually had the nerve to scream on the coach's face and spit on the ground in front of him! I heard that the new student actually had to physically hold him back from beating up the coach."

"Wow, I never thought gentle Jeffrey would actually be capable of that."

"Yup, goes to show you how much we know about them."

    Ririka shook her head, slightly, assessing the situation. Jonathan Brandon was just too queer. First, he's all Mr. King of Ice to everyone, especially Elen, then all of a sudden he has this crazy urge to overtake the male skating champion of Azabu in one day. In one darn day.

‘He didn't even try out for the competition to be Elen's partner. This guy is really odd. And even more mysterious is how much Elen seems to care for him. I just hope Elen won't start crying again because of him. I'll personally rip his black heart out if he dares hurt her. That is if he even has a thing called heart.'

"Hey, Ririka! You look preoccupied."

"Hey, Elen! Looking good."

"Don't flatter me, it doesn't work."

"Hey, really you do."

"Sure, yeah, right."

"If you can't accept a compliment then accept an insult. You look like a hag.."

"Hmph! Anyway, are you going to see the skating practice? You don't have to."

"Elen, you know I always cheer you on. I've been doing it for three darn years and I'm not stopping anytime soon."

"If you want to."

"You know you want me to, so stop acting indifferent and appreciate me for a minute here."

"Whatever, Ririka."

"Some friend you are."

    She mockingly sniffed but headed down for the ice rink with Elen. Even though they were only bantering a few minutes ago Ririka watched Elen out of the corner of her eye. It was the first time she was going out for practice on the ice after recuperating. She just hoped the wound didn't do any permanent damage to Elen. Elen may be a brilliant student but if she
needed some extra money professional figure skating would bring it. Scientific Researching didn't bring a lot of money now, since most of the scientific world was focused on the building of mobile suits and spacecrafts and weapons. And most of all Elen loved skating. If she couldn't skate anymore, it would be like losing a part of herself too.

    Heero's breath came in frosts and puffs of it surged in front of him. The ice rink was especially cold that day because the ice machine had just finished recoating it and it was early. The coach had wanted both him and Relena to do a warm up exercise, which looked more like an advanced dance than any exercise Heero had ever seen, to get used to each other. Their coach
had gone to the sides to look over some dance that he was making up while Heero waited patiently for Elen to appear. This whole activity was simple and he had already thought it through. He was just doing this so Elen wouldn't have to skate with some incompetent who would probably lead her to another injury. He just there to make sure she wouldn't hurt herself anymore. A frown forms on his handsome face as he sees Relena's friend Ririka step onto the
stands, her fiery red hair pulled back in a ponytail.

"Jonathan, over here!!!"

    The coach waved over to Jonathan and Jonathan skated over to them.

"I want you to tutor someone for me. Her name is Vera. She's a beginner and so far I think she has some talent we only need to hone it."

"Vera?"

"Yes, Vera. Here she comes now. Go over."

    Heero frowned some more as he realized that the girl he had to tutor was the one who had tried to pick him up. Her skimpy skating outfit caused some glances to be thrown her way, both approving and disapproving. She smiled a fake smile at Heero and tugged at his hand and said in a high-pitched squeal..

"Let's go."

    He winced inwardly as he set himself in Perfect Soldier Undercover mode. Stoic, aloof, and cold he showed Vera the basic skating moves, setting her to do some exercises. Exercises that were simple, easy to follow, and one where she wouldn't mess up in. However, Vera had other things in mind.  She was going to let this choice opportunity to pass. She attacked when her
dangerously cute instructor turned to look for something.

   Relena smiled and nodded at her coach as he informed her of the new developments of their School Festivals. He had said that she would do a duo performance with the partner of her choosing. The festival was such a big event that some important leader might even attend.  But, Relena's attention was turned somewhere else. At the corner of her eye she watched Heero
and Vera working. Her eyes were trained on them like a hawk and a frown twitched at her face as Heero had to have body contact with Vera to steady her on the ice. Now, she saw that he turned to gaze at her when Vera suddenly crashed
into him and they both went down in a flurry of ice and skates. Now, her full attention was caught. Ignoring the coach she turned to face them as did many other spectators. Heero struggled to get up without slipping but Vera kept on clinging to him that he kept on falling down.

"Vera, get your hands off me and push yourself up."

    Growling viciously, he barked orders for his student to get up but the squealing wide-eyed female kept on clinging to him like a leech instead. She swooned.

"Oh, Jonathan, my hero. You saved me from falling down the dangerous cold and wet ice. Thank you soooo much!"

    Jonathan, confused, could only stare in shocked silence at the screaming woman who was choking him with her viselike grip of his shirt. Vera, taking advantage of this silent moment, leaned closer to his face with only one purpose and intent on her mind.
 
Surprise, shock, rage and anger were the emotions coursing through Relena now as she saw Vera plastering herself all over Heero. Meanwhile Heero, the little ignorant for women's feminine wiles and signals, was doing nothing just looking completely blank and confused.

‘How dare he?! The little ignoramus! Can't he see what Vera's trying to do?! And what the hell is she doing with Heero?! Augh!!! No!!!"

    Ririka was staring at the ice court now filled with confusion and chaos. The last sane event was when Jonathan was teaching Vera how to skate and then Vera had crashed into him. For a full ten minutes the big dark haired bimbo was swooning all over Jonathan while he could stare in apparent confusion. Just what the heck was going on? Didn't he know what Vera was trying to do? How odd. And now Vera was going to kiss him and he didn't even know it????

‘Wow, I didn't know anyone could turn so red. She must be angry and jealous. But . . . why would Elen be jealous? Because of what Vera is doing?? Uh oh . .. . here she comes.'

    Panic swelled in Ririka as she watched Elen tear her program for the School Festival in half. That was quite an accomplishment since the program was at least thirty pages thick. Now, Jonathan was still in shock staring at Vera who was leaning and pressing even forward practically shoving her face to his. Ririka did the only thing she could think of. We can't blame her. It was reflex. If your best friend's crush was being taken advantage of by the school bimbo ditz you have to act by instinct. Surely you wouldn't let your best friend come into the scene and murder the ditz no matter how much the bimbo deserved it, would you? Most people wouldn't and Ririka was part of the majority. She reacted accordingly. Grabbing the heaviest object near her, which was a plastic plate of warm nacho and liquid cheese along with her history book she threw it
desperately in Vera's direction. Thank God she had been working at her aim and her strength. Or maybe it was just Lady Luck or Fate. The nacho and cheese along with the book flew straight and true and landed with a splat right on Vera's face. There was complete silence. Heero stood up and backed away, a little unsure and nervously. Everyone was staring at Vera then at Ririka. Relena blinked a couple of times and looked at Ririka who only gave her a helpless look. Aloud she called out.

"Oops . . . it slipped . . .  "

    And then coach started laughing, then Ririka, then Relena. Pretty soon everyone present was laughing except for one angry Vera and one silent and stoic Heero Yuy. Vera stood up screaming in rage.

"THAT WASN'T FUNNY!!!!!!!!"

    Which caused people to laugh even more. Vera skated away in anger and vehemence swearing furiously. Finally, the coach, wiping tears of mirth away from his cheeks, shouted out.

"Come on, people. Get to work. This is a skating class, not a comedy class. Wish I brought my cam corder with me, though."

    He laughed some more and some students made out some cat calls.

"We have the surveillance camera! Use that!"

"Send it to the Galaxy's Funniest Home Videos!"

"All right, all right settle down, kids. Jonathan, Elen get to work. Start cracking!"

        Still laughing, Relena acquiesced and skated to Jonathan who had already skated towards her. Suddenly both their eyes met and all the laughter went out of Elen's eyes. She was staring straight into his Prussian blue eyes and his hard eyes bore into her liquid Nile blue eyes. Their skating, which used to be quick and gay, was now slow, light, and graceful taking their time. Captivated, their eyes locked into one another while skating. Once near Relena's eyes half closed, peering through her lashes at Heero who was gazing softly at hers, the harshness it in before vanished without a trace. They skated in circles around each other before really coming close. Their hands met one another in mid-air before their bodies touched and Relena found herself snuggling to his chest, seeking the warmth emanating from there. Involuntarily a sigh escaped Heero's lips, a sigh of pure contentment and bliss. Relena's small white hands rested against his firm chest while one arm wrapped around her waist, the other hand pressing her face to his body. Their eyes closed in serenity.

‘This feels so nice. He feels so warm and loving. What is this feeling?'
 
‘I feel as if this . . . feelings from long ago. In warm and safe arms . . . ‘

    People once again ceased their chatter as they stared at the couple, hugging each other. Ririka was gaping at them, obviously shocked by the public display of affection while others just gave an appreciative smile. The coach, however, was staring at them in scrutiny. He looked at his sketchbook and found that, that part wasn't even part of the dance he had set for them. It was a heck of a good idea, though. He smiled, cat like, before scribbling something in his sketchbook but not before calling out to the embracing couple.

    Ever heard of bad timing??? Ever had a day full of bad timing? Multiply your frustrations by a 100 and you probably know how the audience felt when the bell suddenly rang and the skating class burst to the ice court in full force. Relena and Heero jerked away from each other, sliding a couple of feet away. I'm pretty sure you guys saw Relena blush before. She has blushed
loads of times. Heero, though???? I don't think so.  His face went rosy red and a hand came up to touch his cheek to inspect this sudden warmth that arose from within him.

"Uh . . . "

"Yeah . . . um . . . we . . . better get to the exercise part."

    However, after that little show of affection Heero and Relena found that they couldn't even stare at each other anymore. Not that they needed to, everyone could see. Even with eyes focused on something else they knew each other. Their hands met simultaneously and their movements were in perfect timing. The coach even bet that if he commanded Relena to do a jump
Heero could catch her without looking for her. Inwardly, Relena thanked the heavens when the bell rang to signal the end of the skating class. Her eyes rose upward involuntarily. Heero's eyes met and suddenly both blushed again. Hands still intertwined, they both stammered out excuses and let go of their hands.. Reluctantly, Ririka noted as she examined the stuttering couple. She waved as Relena approached her and gave a huge thumbs up.

"Good going, Relena! Nice skating! You haven't lost it!"

"Ririka . . . "

"Okay, okay! I admit it! It felt good when I threw the nacho and cheese along with the book at Vera, okay?! I admit it!"

    Relena giggled heartily.

"That's not what I was going to ask you about but thanks for the confession anyway."

    Relena sat down and began unlacing her white skates. Ririka grabbed her shoulders violently, her eyes shining in panic.

"You won't tell anyone, right?! Right?!"

"Actually,"

    Grinning wryly, Relena indicated to the people 3 feet near them.

"I don't need to. You just screamed it out."

    It was then, Ririka's turn to blush and she yelled at the people.

"What are you staring at?????"

    They hurried away, knowing it was not a good idea to mess with a distressed woman, especially a woman who had a very wealthy daddy who happened to be an expert gun toting protective parent.

"I'm not sure which does more damage. Your yell or your throw to Vera??"

"You should be grateful, Elen. I saved your man from being sexually harassed.."

"He is not my man!"

"Whatever, Elen. You should have seen yourself while you were hugging him. It looked like you were in heaven or something."

"Excuse me?"

"Admit it, you enjoyed it and do not, I repeat, do not tell me that was part of the dance."

    From what Ririka took from Relena's flush, her point rang right at home, and she was satisfied with this for now. Elen, donned with her sandals, was walking in the college corridors, headed for her writing classes with a silent Ririka who seemed to be thinking of something. Jonathan's presence in her class distracted her thoughts for now but not for long. When seated at
their classroom, Elen couldn't stand Ririka's silence anymore although her eyes flickered to where Jonathan was seated.

"Okay, what is wrong with you????"

"Hmm?? Nothing."

"You've been quiet for five minutes, Ririka. You've never been quiet. At all.. So who is it this time??? Which guy have you deemed worthy for either me or you to date?"

    Smirking, slightly Ririka grinned from ear to ear before her expression turned serious.

"I should be careful if I were you, Elen. There's something wrong with him."

"Who??????"
 
    Elen didn't need the answer; she had a gut feeling exactly who it was.

"Jonathan. There is something wrong with him, something that I can't put my finger on."

    Calming down her racing heart, Elen forced a smile.

"And what makes you say that, Ms. Perceptive??"

    Evoked, a grin appeared on her face once more.

"Shut up, Elen. It's just that . . . Jonathan Brandon is a very mysterious person."

"Care to explain more? I don't think I quite get your drift."

"Well, look at him! He's so quiet. He doesn't have any friends at all and . .. .. I think the only person who he speaks to, is you! He doesn't talk to the teachers, to the office, not to anyone. He just came out of nowhere. Not even Darwin can get any dibs on him."

"What are you getting at?"

    Eyes wide, Ririka whispered in a very hushed voice.

"I think I know who he is . . . "

    Horror and fear flashed through Relena's eyes as she leaned closer to Ririka.

"Who do you think he is?"

" . . . I read about it in a chain letter I just received last night. It tells about a guy who just suddenly appears and doesn't make any friends with anyone at all. I think . . . he's the Stalking Malice!"

    Relena had to bite her lips, hard, to keep from bursting into laughter. Heero, the Stalking Malice???? What an idea! A good one at that! Heero, the Gundam Wing Pilot, Pilot 001, actually a girl stalking sex obsessed murderer.. If Duo were here he would have laughed himself to the colonies with that one.. Relena closed her eyes, in effort to contain her laughter. Ririka,
concerned, placed a hand on her wrist.

"Elen, are you, okay? I know it's a big shocker but you have to pull yourself together."

    Somehow, despite the huge amounts of effort Relena exerted to stop it, a tiny giggle escaped her lips. Ririka blinked.

"Hee, Ririka, you actually think that Jonathan Brandon is the Stalking Malice?"

"Well, yeah! He fits the patterns the killer does exactly!"

"Oh, please. I don't think so."

"And why not?"

"Ririka, Jonathan and I have already been out to lunch for three hours, all alone, in a huge park where no one can hear me if I ever screamed. That would have been the perfect chance for him to kill me."

"Maybe he was toying with you or something . . . wait it out, I don't know! Don't ask me to fathom the mind of a serial killer!"

"Ririka, first of, I'm pretty sure he's not the killer so don't even go to the second step where you're trying to figure out his actions. Keep your fanatic notions to yourself."

"I'd still be careful if I were you. Even if he wasn't he still doesn't deserve you,"

"Quiet, please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

    Most students bolted up right, as Mrs. Cuttleworth rapped her long wooden stick on a desk.

"Quiet, students! Order!"

    Relena didn't have a chance to thank Ririka for her concern. This was one teacher no one would want to mess with.

"Good, good. Full attendance today, consider that a miracle."

Wham!

    Her heavy stick beared down on the desk of a pale faced student, who jumped, shocked. The teacher snickered before turning her attention to the whole class.

"Students, it's been well into the middle of the school year and every time it's the middle of the school year it's been a custom of mine to do a huge project that none of you would dare mess up in."

    Silence dominated the classroom as all students, sat silent, face turned to the teacher, rapt in attention.

"The project is very simple yet it requires a great deal of effort. And I expect it to turn out nice so don't just sit back and relax!!!!!!!!!"

    There was a knock on the door and the teacher let out an exasperated sigh. She barked.

"Get in!"

    It swung forward silently to reveal a man about the students' age dressed in the standard uniform the private elite college required. The young man had ebony hair and ruby eyes that flashed at the sound of the teacher's voice but afterwards, was calm. The majority of the girls shifted in their seats, interested in the handsome man. The teacher snarled.

"Females, keep your hormones down!"

    All female present turned an outraged red and all of the males snickered.. Well, except for the new students and of course Jonathan who was seated at a far corner of the classroom. Intense red eyes locked with the teacher's and held it in place for a few moments before he took out a slip of paper and gave it to her. She examined it with a scowl on her face before she
snapped, first to the class, then at him.

"Class, you have a new schoolmate. This is Ikiru Matsumotso and he'll be joining you. Take a seat!"

    The new young student slipped in a desk at the far back of the class near where Jonathan was seated. Jonathan's eyes flickered to his and for a moment their eyes met and locked, flashing. Relena watched, interested . . . and worried.

‘I've never seen Heero act this way towards someone he's never met . . . or has he met him?'

"Misses Elen and Vera, Misters Jonathan and Ikiru, pay attention!"

    Her eyes snapped forward, just in time to see the teacher's stick sailing down towards her. There was a sudden blur of colors as something flashed in front of her and blocked the hit. There were collective gasps as the students realized what was going on. Relena blinked and gasped softly too. From what she gathered Heero had blocked the hit with his arm. Right now, he was bending over her desk, his right arm outstretched protectively over her. Mrs.. Cuttleworth gasped too. Not just out of surprise. But out of rage too.

"You audacious-!!! How dare you?!"

    Elen and Jonathan, however, was more absorbed in other things. Elen cried out softly when she saw the angry red welt forming on Heero's arm where the teacher had hit him.

"Jonathan, your arm!!"

    Relena supposed it was foolish of her to worry. After all what did a hit from a wooden stick matter to a man who could endure over two hundred broken bones and bruises and stand the pain of five bullet shots without grunting and resetting broken and dislocated bones without even flinching? But still, no matter how much Heero could stand the pain, even at the smallest cut
Relena worried tremendously. Without a second thought Relena immediately took his arm to her hand and examined it, thoroughly, an alarmed expression marring her pretty features. Heero's Prussian blue eyes gazed at her, a soft
emotion blossoming from the deep. His lips moved slowly as he uttered in a low voice.

"I'm all right, Elen. I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes . . . "

"Excuse me! How rude! The insolence of you four! I abhor it and I will not tolerate it!"

    Vera spoke up from behind, her voice filled with protest.

"But I wasn't part of any of this!"

"You weren't paying attention!"

    There was dead silence as all of the students, once again, were paying attention to the teacher. Jonathan didn't move from his place, still standing somewhat protectively over Elen. This rightly annoyed the professor even more.

"You four, I will not stand for this. I will not allow this kind of action within my classroom! You four will pay!"

    It was the way she had growled it and the paleness of her face, was what made fear rise from all of the students' very hearts, except for Elen, Jonathan, and Ikiru. Mrs. Cuttleworth paced her eyes darting from one student to another and throwing them dark glares as she searched her mind for a suitable punishment. When it seemed that she had reached a decision, she whirled at Jonathan and Elen, her eyes wild with glee.

"You four will be doing your project together and I will choose the subject and instructions. I want you all to do an extensive writing piece on aliens and ghosts along with video records and proofs and data. I want all of it done by the week after the next!!! You four are dismissed for now and I want all of you to reflect upon your behavior!"
 
    The teacher practically shoved and dragged all four as she threw them outside and slammed the door shut. Again, silence prevailed among the students. The girls, still shocked over the recent events and load of work they had been commanded to do and the boys, well for Jonathan at least he was thinking if the teacher was part of any military group he had encountered
because, man, did her hit sting. Not that he minded but it was surprisingly strong for someone her age. He could've sworn she had underwent military training. Ikiru, well who knows what he was thinking. The new student approached Elen and touched her elbow gently.

"Are you all right, miss?"

Shaking out of her reverie Elen smiled briefly at him and nodded before turning her attention to a bawling Vera and to a silent Heero.

"Jonathan, your arm should be checked."

"Elen, I'm fine."

    His icy voice halted what would have been Elen's protests and it stopped and made the other two stare at him in obvious bewilderment and wonder. Relena didn't seem to mind his icy tone, although inside she shuddered violently at it. Outwards, she kept her face calm and impassive at his words and she faced the other two.

"I'm very sorry for dragging you both into this. I had no idea what was going on, it all happened way too fast. I apologize very sincerely."

    Her tone was very sincere and her eyes pleaded at them. No one had been able to resist Relena's words for long and these two were no exception. Ikiru promptly assured her that it wasn't her fault at all and that she shouldn't be guilty whereas Vera half heartedly agreed, still whining about the workload they had to do despite the resolved conflict between them.

"I don't know about you, three, but this is my last class. I'm free for the whole day now."

"Actually,"

    All eyes drew to Ikiru.

"I have a computer class coming up and I think I might know a way to help us in our project. I've got net access so I can see what I can find the in the Internet."

"All right. What about  Vera, Jonathan?"

"Drill practice, it'll end at four."

Relena frowned subconsciously at Vera. Vera should have squirmed out of this by now. Technically it really wasn't her fault she got into this mess so why wasn't she complaining? One longing and admiring glance Heero's way convinced Elen that the ditzy dark-haired girl was still after him. She coughed to get Heero's attention.

"And you, Heero?"

    Unconsciously, Relena drew closer to Heero, closing the small gap between them.

"Uh . . . "

    Heero glanced from Vera to Relena, both of whom were currently standing very close to him. As the former princess stared into his eyes she could see a twinge of nervousness before the iciness dominated his eyes once more. In a firm voice, he responded dryly. Then he moved away from both girls, hastily putting a distance between himself and Vera, who was giving him an evil eye.

"I'm free."

"So, I guess that leaves me and him doing the rest of the brunt work."

        Raising her eyebrow, Vera asked in a deadly voice.

"And nothing else, right? We wouldn't want you both to take the whole work load, now would we? Nah, can't let you have all the fun. You've gotta leave some for us."

    The comment was generally directed to the pair in general but to Relena mostly. Vera's eyes stayed on her the whole time, her lips twitching, eyes glittering warningly.

"Right, right! Of course!"

    Relena blushed bright red and nodded vigorously, not catching the darker underlying message in the words. Heero, who was casually leaning against the wall, caught the whole message loud and clear. His eyes flickered in mild concern and curiosity.

‘Why is she being so hostile towards Relena? I wasn't aware of any disputes between Relena and her. And what does she mean by that message?'
 
    Despite his words and thoughts, Heero fully understood, only chose not to acknowledge it. No way could that girl mean what he thought she meant. Could it?

"Yeah, sure."

    Ikiru's eyes skipped from one person to another, assessing the situation with a humorous curve on his lips. He pronounced in a soft but at the same time clear voice.

"So, what's the game plan?"

"Erm . . . "

"Uh . . . ask Elen, she's usually the brains of any operation or outfit."

"Not true, Vera!"

    Elen eyed Vera crossly before crossing her arms.

"We don't have enough time to discuss what exactly the game plan is. We need time for that. I say we meet at approximately 4:30 at some place. Relena and I will be scrounging up the information we need in a computer, anyhow and we'll see if we can come up with the game plan. From then of I suppose we can confer it when you guys are there. Agreed?"

"I love a guy who takes charge!"
 
    Vera swooned and batted her eyelashes at Heero who ignored her and focused on the remaining half of the circle. Relena frowned at Vera but nodded.

"Affirmative."

    The more military used word tinged with sarcasm that came from Ikiru's mouth evoked Relena and Heero's attention. Giving Ikiru a confused look, Relena started moving away, noticing the time on her watch.

"Come on, guys. We only have ten minutes before the bell rings. Ikiru, what time are you getting off?"

"Approximately the same time as Vera."

    More confused than ever, Relena stared between the two men. Heero was cooly ignoring him while Ikiru directed cynical remarks towards him. Then Relena saw the similarities. Eyes wide, Relena finally realized why Ikiru had struck her attention in the first place. He was so much like Heero. Same build, same set. Their poses were the same, their actions frighteningly
resembled the other. Ikiru was a lot more neater. He was clean from head to toe, his clothes immaculate, it looked like he just stepped out of a parlor. Heero was a lot more unruly. There was that dark crop of hair that grew back from the cut he had taken weeks ago, his clothes seemingly more ruffled. Yet that was it. Their physical appearances were, yes, different but their
physique was roughly the same. They both had ruthless efficiency in their actions, not even grimacing or sparing a cringe at the duty they had to perform. The only major difference in their set was that Ikiru seemed more cultured, open whereas Heero was always anti social. It was like Ikiru had Heero's skill but Treize's charisma, manipulative cunning and grace. Deadly was the word that first came to Relena's mind when she began to list off the things to describe Ikiru. After a pregnant silence, Heero repeated Relena's prompting.

"Where are we to assemble?"

    Again, a cynic tinged comment. The use of more official synonyms of words was a clue, yes, that was the clue he was giving but clue to what?

"Elen? Elen?"

    Relena snapped back to the present giving the others an embarrassed smile.

"I asked you, what best place would it be for us to meet?"

"I said the library."

    Immediately contradicting Vera, simultaneously gracing her Vera's annoying displeasure. She harrumphed and looked elsewhere. Elen sighed and explain to Vera.

"The library is going to be packed. Mrs. Revierra, Mrs. Cuttleworth, and a whole bunch of others have been giving out extra assignments and hard projects. It'd be impossible for us to get anywhere there. Our best chance would be in our dormitories. Any volunteers?"

"I'm just moving in mine, don't have the computer system set up yet."

    When Relena focused her gaze on Vera, she blushed but glared at the past Romefeller Chief Representative.

"I-I'm sharing my dormitory with my other friends."

"And?"

    Blushing even more, Vera glared even more harshly.

"Our rooms are messed up, okay?! Besides, they're always using the computer."

"Um . . . Ririka needs the computer. She owns it and, well, her job is online
so . . . "

"That leaves you, Jonathan."

    All eyes then landed on the silent youth who didn't squirm at all the attention he was receiving.

"My dormitory is free . . . I only need to fix some things . . . "

    Vera blinked before bursting out squealing and hugging Heero.

"You're my hero, Jonathan! You're just the best! You're the only one nice enough to let us borrow your computer!"

    At the corner of his eyes, Heero glanced at the female in distaste. Not letting her distract him from further developing whatever current plan they were establishing, Heero continued, ignoring the bouncing girl clutching his arm tightly.

"Let's get this straight. We're to split up for our classes, you, Ikiru, researching at your computer class, you, Vera-"
 

"Yes, dear?"

" . . . at your drill class, and Elen and I will go find some info on our own and see what we can do. At 4:30 we're to meet at my dormitory. Got it?"

"Yessiree!"

"Yup."

"Confirmed."

    With that last satirical remark, Ikiru sauntered off. Vera who seemed to realize how late she was then immediately freed Jonathan's poor arm, restoring the circulation. She squealed once more before jogging off but not without one last smile and wink at oblivious Jonathan. Elen suddenly clenched her teeth, gazing darkly at Vera. Glaring for the comment she had made
and her moves towards her Jonathan.

‘How dare she make move on my Heero. Hah! As if the bimbo could actually get his attention! Wait . . . a minute. Since when was he mine? Since when did I care? Since when . . . did I get jealous of females who like Heero? It's none of my business . . . Then why do I care so much? In any case, that Vera has nothing to be jealous about. We aren't going to do anything intimate at all! Just because we've been out on a date and just because we're spending the afternoon together doesn't mean . . . spend . . . together . . . me . . . and Heero . . . in his dormitory . . . for the whole afternoon . . . all alone . .. . OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!'

    Relena's face immediately whitened and Heero touched her elbow gently.

"You okay?"

"I'm Fine! I'm fine!"

    Blinking at her sudden outburst, Heero nodded calmly and headed for his dormitory, leaving Relena sprinting after him.

"Wait up!"

    Silence was the opted option between the two of them. Neither spoke to one another as Heero lead them staircase after staircase and corridor after corridor towards his dormitory. When they finally reached his dormitory, Relena asked hesitantly.

"Do you live alone? I mean do you have a roommate or something?"

"No."
 
"Okay . . . "

    Heero ignored her as he slid his key card in. The door unlocked quietly to reveal a moderately spaced room. It was bare to say the least. All it held was a huge bed with messy white sheets, a desk and a chair where a laptop stood, a cabinet where some of his clothes were stored and a wardrobe room where some outfits were hung. A small refrigerator stood quietly in a
corner, the contents unknown to Relena, as she was reluctant to ask Heero.

"I'll go get some more chairs. Stay here."

    Heero bade her inside and shut the door behind him as he left. Relena placed a hand on her racing heart. Being alone in close quarters with Heero for four hours was probably more than she could bear. How could she stand it? His iciness, his presence . . . her resolutions suddenly came back to her, rushing forward, as if a dam had been holding them back but it was now gone.

‘You will never let him hurt you again. You will not let him ruin your life. You're strong, you're in control. You won't let him hurt you, Relena.'

    Calming herself, Relena concentrated on the task they bad been commanded to do. She might as well get started now. Cooly, she sauntered over to the desk and booted up the laptop. The screen blinked once before the program started up. It was fast. Relena smiled grimly.

"Of course it's fast. It is Heero's after all."

    To her surprise, a file popped up at once. It was a convo, a private conversation recorded, between JWMstr and WZFTR.

"What? What is this?"

    She tried to close it or at least minimize it but it wouldn't budge. It was as if it was frozen there. Suddenly an instant messenger popped up.

Instant Messenger
ChmpnSldr: What's the matter, Jonathan?
ChmpnSldr: Why don't you read that recording?
ChmpnSldr: Are you afraid to know what's really going on?

    Puzzled and confused, Relena answered.

WZFTR: Sorry, WZFTR isn't here.
ChmpnSldr: Doesn't matter. You should know what's going on too. Why don't you read the recording?
WZFTR: I've no right to WZFTR's private life.
ChmpnSldr: Aren't you part of it?

WZFTR: No.
ChmpnSldr: Tell me, Jonathan's really awesome, isn't he? Perfect and all that. And you gave him everything that he didn't have yet he denied it.

    Her pulse raced and Relena's face paled.

WZFTR: What do you mean?
ChmpnSldr: Don't deny the fact that he's treated you like trash. Making and breaking your feelings like a worthless piece of glass.
WZFTR: I have no idea what you're talking about.
ChmpnSldr: Sure, just keep saying that to yourself and you'll be fine. You want to move on, don't you?
WZFTR: Huh?
ChmpnSldr: You want to forget him, move on. Have nothing to do with him.
WZFTR: I'm afraid that we're carrying a conversation that I have absolutely no clue what you're talking about. I'll tell WZFTR that you Imed him, though.. Good day.

    Relena shut the IM, hoping against hope that he wouldn't IM her again.

ChmpnSldr: Don't worry. I'll be watching you.

    Eyes wide, Relena clicked the Im shut and closed the computer.

Author's note: Hello, again, minna-san. So, how'd you like it? I'd really appreciate it if you gave me some feedback. And before you make any assumptions on who Chmnsldr is, lemme give you a clue. Things aren't what they seem.
Disclaimer: Gundam Wing and CO. do not belong to me. People, we've been saying this for the whole darned time and it's a waste of memory and space so can we just please bear in mind that Gundam Wing cannot possibly belong to me?