Gundam Wing: The End of the Dance
Chapter Eight
By Lady Une-chan
September 5, AC 197
Jaguar Bar, Bogota, Colombia
Relena pulled at the short mini skirt she was wearing, trying to make it at least look longer. Heero was wearing what looked like disco clothes.
"Remember, we're looking for Anita Cruz and nothing else, okay," Heero whispered into Relena's ear.
"Why do I have to wear this ridiculous clothing?" asked Relena.
"We're under cover!" Heero grited though his teeth.
"Fine!" said Relena.
The two walked into the bar. Heero lend over to the bartender.
"Hey, have you seen Anita Cruz around here?" he asked.
"Of course, this is her favorite bar, you know," said the bartender.
"Well, is she here now?" asked Heero.
"Yep," said the bartender, "She's in the back."
"Thanks," said Heero. He and Relena made there way to the back corner of the bar. A sitting at a table was Anita Cruz, and sitting around her were guys that looked like they were in the Mafia.
"Hey, you're Anita Cruz, aren't you," said Heero.
"Yes, and who wants to know," said Anita.
"I'm Jack Wilson," Heero used a code name, "and this sweetie is Tanya Angola."
Sweetie! Relena hope Heero was just using that to sound like a gangster.
"We would like to make a deal with you," said Heero.
"What kind of deal?" asked Anita.
"An exchange," said Heero.
"An exchange for what?" asked Anita.
"An exchange for informantion," said Heero.
This is taking forever! thought Relena.
"Hmm…what do I get?" asked Anita.
"In exchange for informantion, you get informantion," said Heero smoothly. "Informantion for information."
"What informantion?" asked Anita.
"First promise us informantion," said Heero.
"Fine," Anita held out her hand. "It's a deal."
Heero shook her hand. "We have informantion about the Earth's Sphere Alliance," he said.
"Ah. The Alliance," Anita smirked.
"They're gathering an army," said Heero.
Is he really going to tell where the army is? thought Relena.
"Where?" asked Anita.
"At a former OZ base," Heero said.
"Which one?" asked Anita.
Please don't tell her! thought Relena.
"The New Edwards Base," said Heero truimphantly.
The New Edwards base hasn't been used since the war. Heero had tricked her! thought Relena.
"The New Edwards Base," repeated Anita. She smiled. "Now, what do you want to know?"
"Why did you decide to take over now?" asked Heero.
"Of course, it's my dream to take over the world. I chose now because that Treize Khushrenada's come back, and I wanted to attack when he wasn't paying attention. All the hubub about him being alive, and his engagment to that girl, was happening, so I thought it was the perfect time to hit them when the weren't looking. The Khushrenadas, the Winners, the Peacecrafts, the Darlians-- all rich familes that have ruled so long. I thought it was time to start a Cruz dyanasty," she said proudly.
***
September 6, AC 197
The Khushrenada Estate
Ding Dong! The doorbell ran. Lady Une looked up from the book she was reading, War and Peace. Mariemeia was at school, and Treize was at a meeting, so Lady Une didn't know who could her their door.
Richard, the bulter, had answered the door, as he always did. Lady Une could heard the guest talking to Richard. Soon Richard entered the study.
"May I present Lydia Barton," said Richard, and he left.
A girl about eighteen years old stood in front of Lady Une. She had shoulder length red hair, and brilliant green eyes.
"Please sit down," Lady Une offered.
Barton, red hair. Two things that remindered her of Marimaya.
"So, you're Lady Une Khushrenada?" asked Lydia.
Lady Une blushed. "I'm not a Khushrenada. I'm only engaged to Treize," she said.
"Oh, so you're going to be Khushrenada. I'm Lydia Barton."
"Are related to Dekim Barton?" asked Lady Une.
"I'm his daugther," Lydia said coldly.
"Your brother was Trowa, and your sister was Leia?" asked Lady Une.
"Yeah. You see, my father hated me. He liked Trowa because he was a boy, and Leia because he could marry her off. He didn't know what to do with me," Lydia sighed. "Father arranged for Leia to marry Treize back when they were only six years old," Lydia paused, waiting for her words to sink in. "Every summer, Leia would come, well, here, and her and Treize were supposed to play together, so that they would be friends when they were older. Leia hated those visits, because all Treize wanted to do was read. And I sure he didn't want to play dolls," Lydia smiled bit, but then her smile faded. "When they were sixteen, Father forced them to marry. Leia and him got in a horrible fight a few days before the wedding. Boy, she cursed him up a storm! Sort of like in 'Romeo and Juliet' when Juliet got in a fight with her parents. Father was the only parent that had arranged this marriage that was still alive. Mother died when Leia were ten, and Treize's parents died when he was twelve. That made him think he was in charge of the whole ordeal. I could tell that Treize didn't want to get married either. After being married five months, Leia said she couldn't take it anymore, and moved back home. Treize then filed for divorce. After the divorce finalized, Leia found out she was with child, and that of course is Mariemeia. Leia refused to tell Treize, who of which she han't spoken to since the divorce. I was only eleven at this time, and my father sent me on a world tour, to become a Rhodes scholar. When I came home two years later, Leia was deathly ill with a combination of many diseases, and the doctors said that her body couldn't fight all the diseases at once. She made Father promise her that he would raise Mariemeia and not to tell Treize about their daugther. She also made him promise not to invite Treize to her funeral. Leia had tried to care for Mariemeia, but once she got sick, Father had nannies and nursemaids take care of her, and that's probably why she believes her mother didn't like her, mainly because all she remembers is the nannies. Leia died three weeks after Mariemeia's second birthday. As he promised, Father didn't invite Treize to the funeral. But he did write a letter to Treize, telling him that her had a daughter, and that her grandfather was going to raise her. I believe that Treize was shocked to find out after two years, and didn't believe my father. He threatened to kill Treize if he tried to win Mariemeia's custody, so Treize probably tried not to worried about it, but I bet he did. Then Father and I got in a huge fight. I told him that Treize had a right to meet his own daughter, and Father said it was none of my business. So I went to Australia and studied to become a photographer. During wartime, I was photographing the natives of Australia. And I was with the natives the past two years, so didn't get any war news. When I was in the U.S. this past month, I was filled in what happened, and decided to come here, and visit the only family I have left. By the way, is there a gundam pilot that goes by my brother's name?" Lydia asked.
"Yes," it was the first time Lady Une got to say something.
"I thought so. Where's Mariemeia and Treize?" asked Lydia.
"Mariemeia's at school, and Treize is at a meeting," said Lady Une, "In fact, both of them should be back in a couple of minutes."
"I guess I'll wait then," said Lydia. "Any news on the Anita Cruz crisis?"
"I've got people on a secret mission gathering informantion on her," said Lady Une.
Lydia sighed.
"Where are you staying?" Lady Une asked.
"Oh, back at the Barton Estate," answered Lydia.
Lady Une heard the door open downstairs. "Well, someone's home!" She excused herself and went downstairs.
"Hi Mommy! Guess what! I got a 100% on my spelling test!" Lydia heard a little girl's voice downstairs.
"That's really good. Guess what! I've got a guest upstairs that would to meet you," Lydia heard Lady Une say.
"Who?" asked the little girl.
"It's a surprise."
"Come on! Who is it?"
"It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you." Lydia heard them climb the stairs. Suddenly, the study's door opened.
"Mariemeia, can you remember who this is?" asked Lady Une.
"You're my aunt aren't you?" asked Mariemeia.
"Yes," said Lydia.
"Can you remember her name?" asked Lady Une.
"Lydia. Her name's Lydia Barton," said Mariemeia.
Lady Une smiled. "She's very good at remembering things, like her father."
Lydia studied her niece. Mariemeia was much older than the last time she'd seen her. "The last time I saw you was when you were two," she said. Then there was an awkward silence.
The silence was broken when the door opened again.
"Why, it's been a long time since I've seen you Lydia," said Treize as he entered the study.
"It's been eight years," said Lydia.
"Lydia decided to stop by for a visit," said Lady Une.
Lydia looked at her watch. "I'm so sorry, but I've got to go. Perhaps we can all go to dinner sometime," said Lydia.
"Good bye!" they all called, as Lydia left the room.
"Well, I've got to do my homework," said Mariemeia.
"But, it's Friday. Elementary school students don't have homework on the weekends," said Lady Une.
"I'm getting a head start on Monday's homework," said Mariemeia with a smile and left.
"So, she told you everything, didn't she," said Treize.
"Well, at least you don't have to tell me, now that I know," said Lady Une.
Treize sighed and Lady Une hugged him.
"You didn't want Lydia to come back did you?" she asked.
"She hated Dekim as much as I did, so we get along..." started Treize, "but she's too independent. And too restless. She'll probably ran off before were get to have that dinner with her."
"Do you think she's a bad influence on Mariemeia or something?" asked Lady Une.
"No, no. It's just that she reminds of the past..." Treize looked longingly into Lady Une's eyes. "We need to think about our future."
Lady Une blushed a deep shade of red.
Then Treize sighed. "It's that Anita Cruz crisis! If she didn't show up, then we could have been married by now!"
"Or, if Wufei hadn't tried to kill you, we could've been married two years ago," added Lady Une.
"That crazy Wufei," said Treize, "I wonder what goes on in his mind."
***
September 7, AC 197
The Cinq (Sanc) Kingdom Palace, Cinq (Sanc) Kingdom
"It's really nice of you, Milliardo, to let us stay here during the Anita Cruz crisis," said Catherine Bloom.
"It's my pleasure," said Milliardo. Relena, Milliardo, and Lucrezia all lived in the palace. Trowa Barton, one of the gundam pilots and his "girlfriend" were going to stay here during the Anita crisis.
"Relena and Heero haven't come back yet," said Lucrezia, "and I sure Relena will beg Heero to stay, so we'll have a full house." She showed Trowa and Catherine their rooms. Then she and Milliardo left.
Catherine put her suitcase her room, and went into the room Trowa was staying in. Trowa is unpacking.
"You really shouldn't unpack," said Catherine, "We'll be leaving after this Anita Cruz crisis."
"Actually, we'll be leaving after Lady Une and Treize's wedding," said Trowa matter-of-factly, "That's why we were on Earth in the first place."
Catherine frowned. She didn't like that Trowa was right all the time. "Well, this Anita crisis was end soon, so then well go home."
"After the wedding," added Trowa.
"Yes, after the wedding!" Catherine rolled her eyes. "This silly 'threat' of war, as you call it, will be over within a blink of an eye."
"Catherine, war can go on for a very long time--" started Trowa.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. 'War is like an endless waltz'!" Catherine smirked. "And don't say she's your niece, because you're not the real Trowa Barton."
"I never said Mariemeia was my niece!" exclaimed Trowa.
Catherine laughed wickedly and left the room. Trowa shrugged, not knowing what to make of the situation. Catherine didn't understand war; didn't then, doesn't now, and never will.
Out on the balcony stood Milliardo. Lucretzia sighed and went to go talk to him.
"Are worried?" she asked him.
Milliardo sighed. "I'm always worried."
"About Relena?" asked Lucretzia.
"About Relena because she went over to Colombia, she's with Heero, and I know he'll protect her, but still. And I know she loves Heero, and I know she wants a future with him..." Milliardo faded off. "I'm worried about this crazy Anita Cruz crisis, and that war might start up again."
"Well, 'war is like'--" started Lucrezia, but Milliardo cut in.
" 'Endless waltz'. That's another thing. Treize is back, and I worried that someone might hurt him or Lady Une. I promised Treize that I'd take care of her..." Milliardo faded off again.
Lucrezia's eyes met his icy blue stare. They had a worried look to them and she knew there was more.
"Now that Treize and Lady Une are getting married, well, it's you know, time to, um, to talk about it, well, ourselves," Milliardo finally said.
Lucrezia blushed. "Zechs, I mean, Milliardo, I, I..." She was speechless. He had actually thought about them getting married.
Then Milliardo leaned down and kissed her. Lucretzia was surprised. Milliardo smiled and went back inside leaving Lucrezia loss for words.
I just wanted to mention that if there are any spelling errors, I’m sorry. I type pretty fast, but sometimes I mess up. Also, a couple names might be misspelled. I used to spell Mariemeia “Marimaya,” until I went to the official “Gundam Wing” website. Also, if I call Leia Barton, “Lisa Barton,” it’s because I thought that was her name when I saw it on TV.
~ Lady Une-chan