Behind the Uniform

– pt 3

by: p-120

It seems I’ve taken to writing this from Lady Une’s P.O.V. mostly. Strangely enough, this was the first gundam fic I started writing, and it’s not anything like what I originally planned.

Originally it was just about Lady Une coming home after a long spell of being away but then my whole attitude toward her character changed and this is the result. Hope you like it; it’s the last chapter of this tiny series.

She’d never felt more alive, more sensitive to anyone else’s movements and facial expressions as she was right then. Standing at the hostess podium waiting to be seated. Was there anything he hadn’t thought of? He’d brought her to another ritzy establishment she’d never even dreamed of setting foot inside, let alone ever pass by. Ordinarily these type of situations made her uncomfortable but he seemed to have way to make all her inhibitions vanish into nothingness. He was so secure and so confident in everything he did that there was no logical reason or need for her to be concerned. Mr. Treize was very good at controlling and organizing things, and then again so was she. That’s what he paid her for; to manage his schedule, office and whatever else was out of order.

She had to admit to herself it was nice not to be seen as Colonel Une. For once she was glad she’d shed her uniform and the strict, obstinate stares and glances from soldiers and other officers. Sometimes you just needed to get away… after all a lady needs to be a lady every once in a while doesn’t she? She asked herself. It seemed Mr. Treize agreed with her, otherwise he wouldn’t have brought her with him. She looked around after they were seated, wondering at the lavish décor and speculating just how much money he’d spent tonight, between the clothes, jewelry, now dinner and then opera tickets… what had she gotten herself into?

She drew appreciative stares from the gentleman around and even a few glares from the women accompanying them, making her evening all the more enjoyable. It seemed that nothing could crash into this ongoing fantasy evening of hers…

"So what do you think of our evening so far?" he asked, breaking the silence that seemed to have separated them for about a half hour of driving on the way to this restaurant.

"It’s lovely,"

"It’s nice to see you not worrying about how to manage something… you always look so stressed when I see you," he commented. "Because of time constraints I already have dinner planned, you don’t mind I hope,"

"No sir, that’s fine,"

He leaned toward her across the table. "Call me Treize,"

"That’s very informal…"

"Isn’t this informal?" he asked looking around.

"It certainly is not informal," she protested.

"Must you be difficult?" he teased. "Then it’s a direct order, do not call me Sir."

"As you wish Mr. Treize,"

He laughed. "You truly are hopeless Lady…"

She blushed lightly, as the waiter came to their table.

Anne sat her napkin on the tabletop as she declined desert from the waiter. Treize stood up, tossing his napkin down as well. "I’ll be right back,"

She leaned back in her chair, her mind wandering to whether or not operations at the Space Fortress Barge were progressing smoothly. Even though she’d gotten the report from Lt. Nichol some of the details still bothered her. They vanished as Treize reappeared, and held out his hand to her.

"Ready to go? It’s about a twenty minute drive from here, and we don’t want to be late,"

She stared out the window of his car again, remarking mentally that she’d spent about an hour or more driving in this car, and that it was making her drowsy. Even though she’d tried to avoid it, she yawned. She didn’t want him to think she was bored, she wasn’t… but all the driving was making her tired.

"You’re not tired already? It’s not even 8 o’clock,"

"I get sleepy when I’m in the car for a long time,"

"Hmm, I’ll keep that in mind next time,"

She immediately picked upon the ‘next time’ comment but couldn’t bring herself to address him about it. He was actually considering taking her out again and the night wasn’t even over yet? She found this odd, but exhilarating to know he enjoyed her company. She’d had little success with previous dates. That’s when it occurred to her, she was on a date with Mr. Treize… It just seemed impossible that he really was interested in her. Seeing as she wasn’t much liked or very popular back at the base… Treize was her exact opposite. He had hundreds of admirers, people loved him, the soldiers worshipped him and even even those who didn’t endorse his policies respected him.

Her patience was threatened by the myriads of people clamoring to get inside the opera house, but Treize seemed undisturbed by the insistent chatter and commotion as they waited. As usual, he’d already made plans and they were escorted inside a few minutes later to a private balcony. She was amazed; the closest she’d ever come to an opera house was the ones in movies. Heavy draperies decorated the well-lit theatre, along with crystal chandeliers that bowed gracefully from the high ceilings. It seemed exactly the kind of place that Mr. Treize would be comfortable in, with his aristocratic personality.

"Unfortunately the show doesn’t start for ten minutes," Treize mentioned to her, and the statement left her feeling bothersome as the people began to file in below, bringing the noisy clamor with them. She felt the beginnings of a headache creep up on her and idly wished she brought a purse or at least an aspirin. Neither of which she had…

She propped her elbow up on the arm of her chair, trying to relax and silently willing the headache away, thankful when finally the lights dimmed out leaving only the stage area lit.

Despite herself, several times during the performance she found herself laughing softly. Which, more than once drew the curious gaze of Treize beside her. However overall she found the trip one of the best night’s she’d ever had. It was around twenty to ten or close to it when the curtain fell for the final time that evening.

Taking her by her hand he escorted her from their balcony and down the staircase. When they reached the bottom of the stairs he pulled her against him, wrapping his arm around her waist before escorting her out of the building.

"One more thing to do before the night’s over,"

She looked up at him as she closed the door for her and walked around to his side of the car. There was a glittery smile in his eyes.

"What’s that?"

"I hired a photographer," he started the car, glancing over at her once for her reaction. "Well, wouldn’t you like to remember your first opera?" he asked with a grin.

She sighed, shaking her head, as she looked out the window, unable to repress the smile on her face. The man was just too much…

"Ah… no, don’t stand that way, like this," the photographer came forward to reposition the couple for the third time for their picture. "No, no you are not close enough, you want to be in the picture together right?" he took Lady Une by her shoulders and made her step back so that she was all but leaning against Treize.

"All right… let’s do this," he turned Lady Une forward and slightly to the right so she wasn’t standing completely in front of Treize. Treize himself wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her back toward him, seeing she’d once again stepped away.

"Perfect! Wait, wait! Look up here… good, good. Hold it, just like that! Uh, Lady Une?

"Yes?"

"Tilt your chin up a bit more… perfect, good."

After what seemed like an eternity, which turned out only to be a half hour and one role of film they were done.

"The pictures will be ready in a few days,"

Treize thanked him and they walked out back into the night, for what was to the last time. Treize drove her back to her apartment quietly and then escorted her to her door.

"I’ll let you know when I get the pictures back… did you have a nice evening?"

"It was lovely, thank you Mr. Treize, you are much too kind…" she blushed again, and turned toward her door, unlocking it and pushing it open. "Would you like to come in?"

He smiled. "Maybe some other time," he checked his watch. "I have to finish some things and report to the Romefeller Organization before the night is over. Good night Lady Une," he brushed a kiss on her temple and left her doorway, disappearing down the dim corridor.

She seemed to float into her apartment, the smile on her face wouldn’t fade. Not even with the small stack of bills that awaited her on the counter. She collapsed onto her fluffy white couch, radiating with happiness. If I truly accomplish nothing by joining Oz, I will not regret it because I met such a wonderful man… Mr. Treize, I wonder if you have any idea how much you’ve changed me?

Treize leaned back in his chair, staring out into the endless darkened skies, from his office. He was pleased that everything went so smoothly. Even though he’d taken care of preparations weeks ahead of time for the evening. Maybe next time we could go somewhere more personal? Where I could have her entire attention focused on me… something like… a picnic perhaps? Just her, me and miles of wilderness… yes, that sounds perfect!

Lady Une walked up the stairs, sluggishly tired after nearly six solid weeks stuck on base. She all but fell into her apartment, teetering on exhaustion as she swatted the door closed behind her. She sat down at her table and sifted through her mail… determining 97% of it was junk and could be removed to the trashcan. At the bottom of a pile was a large white envelope, from the feel of it, it was lined with bubbly foam.

"Anne Une " the label read, with her address underneath. There appeared to be no return address. She tore it open and slid out the contents carefully. Inside was the picture taken the night they’d gone to the opera. She smiled, stood up and set the picture on top of her entertainment center. Only the second picture to be found in her apartment, this one a happy one, she laid down lazily on the couch, drifting off into sleep, the glasses in her hand falling onto her plush carpeting, forgotten for the time being.

-The End