Homeless in Our Hearts

(part 1)

By Sokushitsu

First things first, I don‘t own any of the GW characters, yadda-yadda we all know that. Juicy disclaimers: There is random yaoi refs. in this, and maybe some subject matter that is mature. Pairings range from the conventional 3X4, 6X9, 13X5, 13X11...all either mentioned or attributed to. There is mentions of other pairings I don‘t want to spoil by saying who with who. But you can guess they may be ANYTHING from the yaoi-yuri-or straight pairings. Who knows?

Serious fiction.

________________________________________________________________________

Une closed her desk's drawer and pushed the last few papers into their place. She had worked until nearly midnight this time, and began to throw away the take out canisters.

This night?

Mexican from the gourmet place she usually called when it was a late night.

Une sighed, and cleaned up as much as she could so her office would not stink of spices and old pilaf. She straightened out her blouse, and began gathering her Preventer's blazer and her purse. Well, she had finished the Brussels's project a week early, and had nothing really to do but go to her flat and sleep.

She meandered around her giant posh office looking for something undone or out of place-- nothing. Immaculate as always. She glanced at the world clocks on her wall. According to her city's time, nearly half past midnight. She sighed, and decided there was no escaping it, she should just go home.

Une pulled out her ID badge, and scanned her door's plate, locking her office, and allowing her free passage out of the building to the HQ's garage.

She hated this. The place was so empty except for the hangars and constructive OP's units. Those places in the Preventer HQ were always busy, people working late or at odd shifts or mission times.

Although, with all honesty, it WAS way after office hours. She sighed, leaning against the wall of the elevator transporter. Purple and soft blue lights flashed in streaks past her person as the transporter moved downward, looking over the city and parts of the building simultaneously, through tiny panels on either sides.

She held her blazer and purse close to her hips as she dozed against the wall. She snapped out of it, as the transporter stopped with a halt at the garage.

She sighed, and rubbed her eye haphazardly, and headed for her car. Each one of her steps echoed in the vast underground parking garage, making it seem like nothing but her and her vehicle existed. She got into her car, and drove home, wearily. Une stared out into the late night traffic, letting the neon lights and garish street lights flash past her like time warps, every light, every object, every person, molding into one blur until she finally got to her flat.

She opened the door, and threw her uniform's extras with her blazer on a nearby chair, her purse to the ground, and headed for her bedroom. The stark blue light of night caped over the normally bright apartment, making it seem like a tomb. The place was so quiet when Marimaya was away at Boarding School. Une never minded her one-person living style before, but without the child's laughter and constant chattering, and almost pompous air in every action surrounding their home; Une was missing that noise.

The child had recovered from the bullet wound in a month's time, and even past physical therapy, the little girl was allowed to be a normal child, running around, and making Une's stylish flat turn into a deathtrap of dolls, books, and little pink hair pins. . .

She didn't mind so much after the first week. After all, she was Treize-Sama's daughter, and she couldn't help she was steered wrong, and used for a sick betrayal of humanity. Marimaya had changed so much, living as a normal girl with Une as her surrogate. But she still carried that snotty little attitude at times. But her girlish innocence in most subjects made up for it, and Une loved the little girl for her complexity. Besides, The Khusranda clan was known for their high-nosed behavior. Une let a small smile escape her suddenly…

She went to shower, then sleep for the rest of the night. She was tired. She just hated coming to her flat alone. At least in her office she had responsibility that distracted her from this empty home.

________________________________________________________________________

Lucretzia Noin waited as the hiss of the opening doors led her into the Preventer's HQ.

She yawned and blinkingly stared into the break room that was on the other side.

"Hey."

"Late night mission?" A sweet face greeted her, making her weary return a bit easier.

"I'll tell you-- you don't realize how BRIGHT Earth is until you spend a fortnight in Space. The lower levels here are dim but this room--" she shook her head and plopped down at the café's table.

The door reopened behind her.

"Noin-san? Where should we put the equipment and your personal luggage?"

"Put the equipment in the hangar area 1, and my stuff in my quarters. Drop it off, and leave it."

"Yes ma'am!" The dutiful assistant exited. Noin winced at his voice level, and closed her eyes tightly.

"I swear that guy's a good recruit, but he's awfully pumped after coming home from a long mission."

Quatre smiled nicely.

"Well at least he wants to help with the Preventers. That's always a plus."

"True. So what are you doing here? Are you on break, or do you have some sort of project hours that are odd?"

"The latter. I was supposed to fly to L2 today, but it got postponed, so I have to stay here with the formalities and paperwork. Ready to leave at the drop of a hat!” He sighed out, wearily. “Still, I’m a little tired."

"I guess back to back shifts are no fun for anyone… Are you doing it alone?"

“No…The problem that I’m waiting to get solved is, my partner in the mission cancelled. I have to wait for a transfer…” He rubbed his eyes and reached for more coffee. “It just messed things up having Trowa back out at the last minute.”

“Barton backed out of a mission? That’s odd. I thought he likes to take after Heero in that field…no mission denial.”

Quatre noticeably winced in his chair and immediately began drinking his coffee as a distraction.

Noin didn’t catch his reaction, being so tired.

“He felt that we were getting too familiar in our missions, so he filed a report with Une-sama to have a new mission partner. The security depot didn’t get the computer fax until tonight, though…So…I have to wait.”

“Oh…wait a minute… ‘too familiar?’ Don’t you want a mission partner that works well with you? That’s why Sally and I chose each other. Although…I haven’t seen her much since Zechs got back into the unit.”

Quatre blindly nodded.

“Yeah…Since Relena-sama’s new project, Heero’s had lots of free time. So Trowa and him have used it together.” He sighed out, leaning against his chair.

Noin finally clicked.

“Listen, Quatre…maybe it’s better…not to have to work with someone you have rocky feelings for…you understand? Maybe it’s better that way…working with someone you really just have friendship or rhythm with is better. Messed up emotions just get in the way--”

“Noin-san--”

“--And missions fail and people get hurt or even killed.”

“Noin-san…I agree.”

“All right then. You worry me Quatre.”

“Why ever for?”

“Because you’re massively intelligent and talented…and VERY…sensitive. I just hope that you never go back to that… ‘place’ you went to when you lost your…father.”

“Oh. . .That. . .” Quatre stared down at the oily swirls of stale coffee in his cup. He shaded his lashes over his aquatic eyes, and was silent for a second. “Don’t worry Noin-san. I have better control of myself now.”

“I’m glad to hear it.”

“Anyway…How are things with Zechs? You two have been very busy lately with Relena-sama’s projects…Things aren’t getting too…complicated?” He smiled whole-heartily.

“I wish I could say things are easy between us but no, they aren’t. They are complicated.”

“I’m sorry to hear that Noin-san…care to tell me about it? Or is that invading?”

“I don’t know anymore…I’ve made such a fool of myself for years over Zechs Marquise. Who cares what one more indignity will do to me?”

Quatre smiled weakly, afraid to agree, afraid to show he completely understands.

“You see…I have been in love with him since Military school…I knew I was just a friend and collogue to him…I knew it! But…I actually believed all that crap they teach you from the old literature days that love always wins and the requited always find their way to you…”

She laughed at herself.

“How could I be so stupid? Maybe that’s why I let Relena go after Heero so many times…I knew what she was thinking. It scared me to death that I knew what she was feeling and thinking and what drove her, but I still let her blindly hunt him out the way I did Zechs…Because maybe, just maybe all those poets and scribes were right? Love conquers all. Actually…it issues out restraining orders and makes your beloved hide out in Buddhist temples in Shri Lanka.” She chuckled at herself again, then frowned sadly at her own ache.

“Don’t laugh at yourself, Noin…At least….at least you caught it now, when you’re young, and didn’t go after Zechs forever…”

“Yeah…maybe…I just can’t help but feeling sick at myself and feeling terrible. Especially

since it’s taken this long to understand.”

Quatre sat back in his chair and looked up at the lights in the ceiling. He mused silently…

“Love conquers all…huh? It’s a nice thought.”

“Sure it is…I was the foil that prevented love, and now Zechs is with Maxwell. Love won. I just didn’t understand I was the pitfall and obstacle…”

________________________________________________________________________

Trowa sat across the table from Heero. They enjoyed coming to this coffee house. It was open all day and night, and around 1 am, very few people came to its macabre black walls and stark white lights that hung over every table like a small dim spotlight. The people all minded their own business here. Reading, performing subtle arts on the tiny brick and black-painted concrete stage, or just sitting in the small corner spots with the big velvet cushions--chatting. Best of all, it was so low key here, anyone could walk in with any oddity about them, and it was unnoticed by the clientele and employees. Unfortunately, that led to a lot of certain people with certain habits to fluctuate in those darkly lit cushioned corners.

But Trowa and Heero always sat in the small table near the stage and the employee entrance in the far, far corner. They were able to enjoy their relationship without the pressure of former koibitos and pursuing colleges that just didn’t get what they were all about. Here, they could discuss their future plans together, and plan ways to make it obvious in nonchalant ways they were with the one they wanted, and didn’t need speed bumps in their love…

Duo loved this nightspot. It was loud, and the music was hardcore and full of vibrant life.

Zechs didn’t understand why the younger koibito dragged him to these obnoxious places, but then again, it WAS fun to go to places that he knew a former love would NEVER set foot in. It was a bit dingy and edgy. . .but exciting and lots of fun…everyone here was intense and open and loud and. . . he was beginning to understand why Duo liked it here so much. Zechs leaned casually at the bar and smirked to himself, totally amused at how many people seemed to know or generate to Duo Maxwell. The boy had charisma, and he was intoxicating to be with. Duo’d go out into a crowd of strangers of all races, shapes and genders, and come back two minutes later with 40 BEST friends. And best of all. . .

Duo genuinely didn’t care what people thought or did, as long as they were happy, good people inside. Zechs loved that. No discrimination, no complication. As sharp and layered as the younger pilot was, he remained humble and simple. And he didn’t hunt down or put on airs. Suddenly his staring smile and reverie was broken as Duo gleefully grabbed his arm and pulled him toward a few people he HAD to meet. Zechs smiled again, glad to be with him.

________________________________________________________________________

“What do you mean Zechs and Duo are together?” Quatre snapped forward in his chair at the casual report Noin had sadly given.

“That’s it…they’re in love…I should have known…Duo and him never really interacted or met or worked together even…maybe it’s that romance factor. The one you end up with is the one you’d never think of in a million years.”

“I guess…geeze…that’s quite a shock. Oh well…I wish them happiness…Duo’s a good guy. He needs someone to spoil and be his eternal audience. Whoever gets Duo, gets treated like a god.”

Noin stiffened, and looked away.

“I’m sorry, Noin-san. . .”

“Don’t worry about it anymore. . .Geeze…when are they going to give you your new assignment and partner?”

Quatre looked at the clock. 1:30 am.

“This is really bad. It should NOT take THIS long.”

Just then, the doors hissed open again, and a security agent arrived.

“We have your mission partner, Quatre-sama…Chang WuFei will do it. He’s already loading up the Preventer Cruiser in hangar B-5. Here’s your information.”

The agent handed the file disk to Quatre, bowed out and left.

Quatre and Noin just blinked, staring disbelievingly.

“CHANG is going to be your mission partner from now on? That’s beyond odd.”

“It is. . .I wonder what’s wrong with his solo cruiser. . .”

“Anyway. . .there’s a partner you KNOW won’t deter your missions.”

“Yeah. . .” Quatre sighed out, staring at his disk, then turned to wave goodbye to Noin. “See you in two weeks, Noin-san!” He smiled nicely, then exited, doors hissing behind him.

“Wonder why Wu Fei suddenly volunteered for a partnership. . .”

________________________________________________________________________

Wu Fei knew what Quatre was thinking. Winner would be here in a few minutes, and he knew what was going to be messing around in his little head.

‘Why did Chang Wu Fei cave in finally and ask for a partner?’

Well, Chang Wu Fei didn’t even know why either. After a month as Sally Po’s partner, he had to be on his own. That onna would never shut up or quit asking stupid questions. For someone he respected in the war zone and philosophy departments, she sure could downgrade herself to a school girl’s giddiness, and drive him insane. How old was she anyway??? 40? 100? At least when he was married to Meiran…she was the total opposite and made him trouble himself to win HER respect. She was quite a pain in the ass, but she was very astute and honorable. He smirked, then frowned. He tightened the last bolt on he engine block, then hopped down.

He didn’t mind having a pretty woman come on to him. Any man doesn’t mind that. No matter his preference. It’s flattering, and boosts the ego. But still. . .CONSTANT barrages of hormones is disgusting.
Even Treize would annoy him and embarrass him. It was one thing to have a sudden respect from the most powerful and intelligent and honored man in the world, but the man took too much pleasure in teasing him publicly! Wu Fei had dignity! And it was humiliating the way Khusranada would tease and flirt with him when many influential people were watching. Everyone knew Treize Khusranda had his glass filled in two vineyards. . .

because he always maintained dignity with the female worshippers, and showed dignity with that long haired foppish playboy Zechs…but why did he make fun of MY feelings and dignity????

Everyone made a joke of his feelings, and he hated it. Why did they think he got so angry and wanted to be alone all the time? He would go off, and let them laugh behind his back. Good. At least he didn’t have to witness it. But why couldn’t they let him be and take him seriously? He had pain. He had struggles. But giving them the cold shoulder back fired on him. He’d get to be by himself, then would feel more empty then when they would laugh at him. He ended up going back for more punishment.

But in private…Duo would be serious and want to talk about real problems.

In private Sally would give him answers to his pain.

In private Trowa would be the only one who understood his confusions.

In private, Treize would open up and tell only him his nightmares and concerns, and show his weaknesses, making him a better man then what Wu Fei thought of before.

That only confused him more, and made him toil away inside, ripping the heart and mind apart, and making the decisions he made in battle even harder.

When things settled, and after Treize’s ghost had left him, he could say good bye to Meiran’s ghost as well. But now, with not even spirits to fill him, he felt even more empty then before.

The hangar’s door creaked open, the chains that pushed it were creaking with an annoying sound.

“Hi, Wu Fei. . .I have our mission statement here. Glad you chose me to work with. . .I can’t stand working alone.”
“That goes without saying. . .you usually have 40 extra baggages behind you.”

“Oh…” He blushed then laughed. “They’re a little overprotective of me.”

“Hn. Sure. We better get going. I want to take turns sleeping on the way to L2.”

“S-sure.”

_______________________________________________________________________

Marimeya crossed the morning of the new day off on her calendar. She looked down at the end of the month. . .22 more days until spring break. The day was circled with bright red marker. She’d get picked up by Une that day! And go home. It was a good school. But her grade was separated from the older kids, and all these 9 year old kids running around got annoying. Their parents had nannies and made them go to camps and riding clubs where they never had any substance. Une said that her father would have wanted her to have good breeding too, but Une also gave her so much attention and always talked to her like a little big person.

Marimeya pulled her tights on, then strapped her provided shoes on, uniform requirements. She had 30 minutes until the dormitory bell would gong, and all students would rush to breakfast downstairs. Marimeya sat at her little desk, and pulled out stationary. She needed to write home.

She sighed and looked outside. All the groundskeepers were mowing the vast lawns, and tending the plants.

Her friends all spoke of how their daddies sent them here, to the best boarding school in Old Europe, so they must be loved. They all were spoiled rotten.

The school said Treize’s contributions to the school were very generous, and he went to this school from her age until he was old enough for college level. So, maybe her father’s lingering spirit was still around her. Une always told her anything she asked about the man. Lots of people never told her anything, except: “He was very rich, and very powerful, and very charming and very handsome.”

She wanted to know if he was nice, what was his favorite color? What did he like to eat,

What was his favorite holiday?

She sighed and began writing. . .

Marimeya folded the letter up, and posted her envelope. On her way to the café, she mailed it, and ran ahead to join her little group of friends.

PART 2. . .

More bizarre pairings. . .And slight sadness further down. Other than that, the usual warnings from part 1.

________________________________________________________________________

Wu fei silently keyed all codes and navigation paths into the Preventer Cruiser’s system.

Quatre was laying out a plan of what to do when they reached the final leg of their search mission. Nearly two weeks was up, and the could head home to Earth. There were plans to reconstruct all destroyed or mutilated colonies and places on Earth. So much was annihilated in the last war 8 months ago.

Wu Fei was overjoyed to hear his L5 Chinese colony was at the top of the list to rebuild. But then, every time he thought of how wonderful it’d be to have it back, he sank, thinking of it’d just be a cloned shell.

The people he grew up and trained with would never return. And the soul purpose of that colony in the first place was only for refugees, and now, there were no such things.

Quatre snapped him out of his meditation. The beeping from WuFei’s screen was steady and beginning to grate his nerves only after 3 seconds of hearing it.

“Wu fei?? Oh. . .good. I thought you fell asleep.”

Wu fei stopped the sound, and restored its purpose.

“Oh. . .no. I was just day-dreaming. I ‘m fine.”

“Are you sure? I can take over this shift now. You can go back and sleep. It’ll be about three hours before we reach the last checkpoint.”

Wu fei smiled a little. It was nice to finally work one on one with Quatre.

“Arigato, Quatre. . .I think I may just do that.” Wu Fei got up and stretched. He wearily plopped down on his cot in the back, and pulled off his boots. The last leg of their mission was nothing but declaring what’s on board anyway. And the next space base was just like customs from Canada to America. Simple.

Quatre watched him until he lay down and dozed off, then returned to work. It had been worthwhile working with Chang. And he could go home. He wanted to see everyone badly, and had to tell Noin about it. She seemed to be the only one around lately he could ever talk to personally. Long before he left with Wu fei they had been each other’s therapists, confidants, whatever. And he had to let her know how much easier it really is to be mission partners with someone you’re just. . .subtle friends with.

Wu fei and he had got along better than he imagined. They seemed to communicate on different levels. He wasn’t as open as Duo, but he wasn’t as silent as. . .Trowa.

He didn’t want to think about that again. He hardly did. But every time he got closer to the Preventer’s HQ, he felt that sting run through his whole heart into his whole body. Guess you never forget your first love until you’re far away from them.

The cruiser sped ahead, stars becoming strings of light behind them.

______________________________________________________________________

Marimeya hopped up and down from the side of the walkway of the main building. She was watching all the limos picking up their sons and daughters of various high households, but Une’s limo was no where to be seen, yet. The small group of girls that followed Marimeya everywhere were closing in on her, happily giggling, all in a chorus of ‘we should call each other everyday!’ And ‘I’ll miss you Marimeya-sama!’ And… ‘Kayla and Amy should call on Sundays, and Marimeya and Shana should call on Fridays!’
Marimeya absently nodded at the three worshippers. She was busy looking for Une.
Shana was chatting in her ear about her family’s yearly Easter luncheon and terrace tea, but Marimeya wasn’t really paying attention.

One by one, the three followers were gone, and Marimeya was free of them for three weeks. They were good friends, but they annoyed her with their pestering.

Suddenly, She recognized a car, coming towards her and her pile of luggage. The driver stepped out and immediately began putting her things into the limo.

“Davis? Where’s my mother?”

“Who, Miss Marimeya?”

“My mot--” She stopped. . .how did THAT escape her? “Une? Where’s Une?”

“She got detained last minute, but will be at home when you arrive there. She has a surprise for you.”

“All right. . .” Marimeya didn’t even try to mask her disappointment.

________________________________________________________________________

Noin was running reports in the hangar’s office when Quatre’s bright voice beamed from behind her.

“Hello Noin-san! What did I miss in the past 2 weeks?”

“Quatre! It’s good to see you! You missed my assistant making a fool of himself at an office party and passing out on the copy machine. Other than that, business as usual here.”

Quatre laughed.

“Oh my! What. . .a blessing I missed that.”

“Not really. Duo video taped the whole party, and the bulk of the video was my assistant making an ass of himself. Maxwell calls it… ‘entertainment or blackmail whichever comes first.’”

Quatre laughed again.

“Sounds like him! I missed this place!”

“So I take it mission with Chang wasn’t too good?”

“On the contrary! We got along great. It’s a good partnership. See. . .You were right. Acquaintances and casual friends are the best mission partners.”

“Yeah. . .I have a team now, no partner. Sally has a team too, and Zechs. . .put in a transfer like Trowa did. . .Zechs is working either alone or with Heero. Trowa and Duo are on back up or solo missions now.”

“Oh. . .so. . .are they all still. . .?”

“They’re all open about their. . .new. . .found. . .love.” The last word was almost whispered.
“But Zechs and I had a long talk. We’re okay. Well, correction, HE’S okay. Stubborn ass. Why didn’t I see it before?”

Quatre nervously laughed.

“Because you’re like me. Comon’ let’s go get lunch. We have a lot to catch up on, don’t we?”

Noin gave a small smile.

“Sure thing.”

________________________________________________________________________

Marimeya threw her backpack down as Davis put her things in her room. She ran through the flat calling out for Une.

“Une??? UNE!” She saw her coming out of the kitchen, and smiled big.

“Hello there.” Une smiled sweetly, and knelt down motioning for a hug.

Marimeya ran towards her, and glomped Une in a big bear hug.

“I missed you!”

“Me too. Take your jacket off. How was the trip here?” Une kissed her forehead and got up.

“Long and sleepy. Where’s my present?”

Une laughed a little.

“I thought they teach you politeness at the academy?

“Yes, but they also teach assertive behavior. Where is my gift, if you please, ma’am?”

Une rolled her eyes.

“Not quite what your father’s inheritance was intended for, but…close enough. Your surprise is, we’re going to have a party at the Preventer’s Ball Room for your return, and, your birthday.”

“Oh…Good! I’m glad! When is it?” Marimeya began hopping around, showing her age.

“It’ll be tonight. All Gundam pilots and Preventers that wish to attend will be there.”

Marimeya twisted her face.

“Even Wu Fei and Zechs?”

“Yes, they have a right to be there.”

“But I don’t like them very much. . .and it is MY birthday. . .”

“Marimeya, part of being a lady of society and politics is to cordially accept guests into your vicinity and allow them to be a positive influence, even if you do not approve of them. And smile and be kind as much as they are near. Then complain to anyone that will listen.”

Marimeya smiled brightly, her eyes squinched shut in the fashion Treize did when he was amused. Une’s heart felt a pull and she tried not to think about it. . .

“Who needs that boring old school when YOU could teach me all I need to know.”

“I hardly think I’m fully qualified.”

“Let’s have lunch outside!” How quickly Marimeya could shift the subject. . .

________________________________________________________________________

Wu fei stood at the entrance of the Ball Room. And sighed out. He had never been to one of these functions without Treize present. But that was ancient history now.

He descended the stairs to see a grinning Duo waving happily.

“OI! Wu Fei!!! The champagne’s really good!! Come here!”

Leave it to Maxwell to be the first to embarrass him. . .he smirked anyway. He walked casually at his own pace up to the braided pilot, and then, greeted him.

“Well, Maxwell. . .you already tipsy? The party JUST started.”

“Naw. . .I just wanted you to come over here. You wouldn’t have seen me if I hadn’t yelled.”

Wu fei twitched.

“Sure I would have. You’re hard NOT to see.”

Duo smiled genuinely, and patted Wu fei hard on the back.

“So, what did you get Marimeya? I got her candy.”

“Cheap.”

“Noooooooo. . .It’s from Paris.”

“Pay increase in your salary?”

“Heh heh heh ha ha ho ho hee hee. Always the kidder, Chang-aria.”

“Stop that.”

Wu fei was lead into the throng of the party, being greeted by his fellow pilots and that woman Noin. She seemed to be engrossed in a heavy conversation with Winner. . .
Heero and Trowa weren’t even trying to hide their. . .thing for one another anymore. What did he miss these past 2 weeks????
That long haired fop Marquise was laughing at everything Duo said. . .THEY never hid anything.
Sally was surrounded by a few Maguanacs and a new female pilot she was mentoring.
She just nodded and smiled politely at Wu fei, and didn’t bother saying anything to him.

He felt out of place. . .He turned to see Une corralling Marimeya and her random cousins to a kid area. He raised an eyebrow, in awe.

That pitbull Colonel Une has come a long way. Her personalities seemed to be in check.
He stopped his smile from forming. That was mean. To be honest, all involved in the past wars had major problems. At least she moved past hers. He reached into his jacket pocket, and pulled out a small box. He decided now was the time he’d give Marimeya her gift, so he could politely leave.
Une stood up slowly, noticing Wu fei approaching them with a stern, determined look on his face. He was wearing cerulean blue silk, a formal Chinese garb, with extensive details that sharply fit his form. She blinked, and acknowledged him with a slight head nod.

“I have Marimeya’s gift. I hope to wish her a happy birthday.”

“Of course. . .Thank--”

“Present??” She hopped between them. “Oh thank you thank you!”
She smiled brightly, illuminating like Treize.

Wu fei felt a pit in his stomach and stared wide eyed at her. He had served under her 8 months ago, but never really saw her up close. She opened her eyes, and he realized she was staring at him.
“You okay?”

“I’m. . .all right. . .”

She blinked, then her face softened to a still visage, regarding him with some strange look like she knew his mind.

Treize!

“Uh. . .here’s your present, Miss Marimeya.”

“Arigato!!” She took it from him, surprisingly delicately, and opened it carefully.

“It’s not a bomb, Marimeya, you can tear at it.” Une laughed.

“If I tear the paper, I can’t see the design on it later. Oooooh so pretty!” She held up the jade drop cut earrings.

“Yes, very pretty.” Une was astonished. “A very nice gift. Almost too much for a little girl.”

“Awwwwww. . .”

“You know what to say to Wu fei, Marimeya.”

“Yes. . .I love them, thank you so much, and I am greatful you came to wish me happy birthday.” She smiled, and slightly curtsied.

“You are very welcome, young miss.”

Marimeya was about to run off to show her earrings when Une took them from her.

“You can’t wear them unless you’re careful. . .or older.”

“Okay. . .” She didn’t mask her disappointment again. “I am older. . .” She mumbled as she wandered off.

Wu fei watched her as she left them, hypnotized.

“You gave quite a gift.”

“What? Oh. . .yes.. . They’re were my grandmother’s. She gave them to me after Meiran died, hoping for me to remarry. I was supposed to give them to my first daughter or fiancée. Depending on if I had a daughter or not.”

“You could have waited for that day. You are still very young.”

“You’re not greatful?”

“Of course. They’re a lovely thoughtful gift. But it’s odd to keep them knowing that now.”

“They aren’t yours. They’re hers. Besides. I don’t want to ever get married. Not again. And. . .I wanted her to have them.”

“How. . .kind. And sad at the same time.”

“You don’t know onna. It’s none of your concern.” He sighed out. “I’m sorry. I’m a little tense lately.”

“We all are.”

“. . .Perhaps. If you excuse me. . .I only came to be polite and give Treize’s daughter her gift. I’ll show myself out. Thank you for inviting me.”

He started out, then, Une’s voice seized him like whip.

“Treize? You said Treize’s daughter?”

“I said Marimeya, onna.”

“No, you said Treize’s daughter.”

He stood, frozen, paused.

“What. . .difference does it make? Same thing! Goo…d. . . good night!”
He began to stalk off, but he didn’t notice how Une’s delicate hand had seized his wrist from behind.

“Please. . .stay. This party is for everyone. Would you like to talk outside? On the balcony?”

“Why on earth should I stay? I feel like I’m under some damn bell jar. Let me be.”

“But no one’s looking at you or me. . .please. You said Treize. I think we should talk. . .I think we need too. . .I need too. If I don’t. . .my brain will burst. . .PLEASE. Stay.”

Wu fei looked back at her, glaring at her. But, gradually his face softened, and he sighed out.

“Very well.”

________________________________________________________________________

Out on the balcony, Une sat on the ridge of the embossed white stone of the overhang.
Wu fei faced out at the rose garden and hedge maze below them.

“I still have horrible feelings towards him for butting in so much.”

“. . .Me too.”

“It’s as if Zechs was always first in his thoughts. . .then you came into the picture, and YOU were the ONLY thought in his mind.”

“So sorry to impose.”

“It’s how I felt. I don’t feel that way anymore. I know Master Treize loved all three of us. But in different ways. I just think

. . .Marimeya is his new way to love us. . .In way he can’t right now.”

There was silence between them for a long time. A heavy silence.

“What?? What. . .what the hell??!! He’s gone because of war and coming at me when I was crazy on a killing spree. He was stupid!! He could be ruling this world now, not miss pink-pants and her annoying wavery voice that could shatter glass!”

Une stared at him, not blinking.

“I. . .agree.”

“WHAT?” He sighed out. And leaned against the vines that crept up the marble wall.

“It’s not right of course. . .he did die with honor.”

“But. . .it changed us all. Honor. . .He still DIED, Wu fei! And left us all alone. I hate him for that. He was always so unselfish, but acted so damn pompous about his perfection. I hate him, and I’m glad he’s dead. I’ll never forgive him for what he did! Never!! I’d spit on him if he showed up right now!” Une turned away, and wept silently. The silent weeping becoming sobs.

Wu fei slowly stood up straight and regarded her with a soft look of slight shock. But he wasn’t angry at her. Not at all.
He approached her quietly and fussed with his arms, not knowing how the hell to soothe her. He started to put his hand out a few times, but backed off each time. Finally, he placed his hand on her shoulder and blinked at his action. He didn’t know what possessed him to put his other hand on her other shoulder and turn her gently to face him. He reached into his jacket’s inner pocket and pulled out a silk handkerchief, and gave it to her.

“I don’t know why people give these things to other people when they cry. Then blow their nose in it, just like the giver probably did an hour ago. . .” He tried to laugh, but only coughed. “Here. . .mine’s clean, though.”

She took it, and wiped her eyes.

“I didn’t mean to say that. . .”

“Of course you did. You just beat ME to it.”

She tried to smile but ended up sniffing and wiping a tear away with the back of her hand.

“It’s been over a year. When will it end?”

“Until someone comes in to take his place, I guess.”

“Marimeya is enough. . .”

“Partly. But you still look lonely.”

She stared at him.

“How can you tell?”

“The signs are there. Working late. Avoiding confrontations, running away from slightly heavy situations, then crying after outbursts that expose your true feelings.”

“Yes. . .sounds familiar.”

“Too familiar.” He sat down next to her. “I’ve acted like an ass for too long. It only makes things worse. Maybe I need therapy.”

“Ha! That only works if you want it.” She blew her nose.

“I do.”

“Maybe you just need someone to fill the void. . .like you said.”

“. . .Definitely. . .”

Une looked over to the young Chinese pilot. He was staring at nothing, face halfway down, and his eyes turned dark and dull, his mouth frozen in a dead line.

“Listen. . .Wu fei. . .”

“I don’t want to die alone. . .everyone who gets close to me ends up dead. . . Because of me.”

Une’s jaw dropped and her eyes went wide.

“Wu fei. . .the people that died chose their own death, you didn’t do it, nobody did. It was just how things were.”

Silence.

“But. . .”

Une’s expression softened, and she reached out to hold him.
“Forget it. There’s no reason for anyone to believe they are some. . .unlucky death trap.”

He looked up at her, totally shocked by her action and words.

“How did you--”

“Know? Female intuition? No reason. . .it just seemed like what was going on in your head.”

“Pleh. . .too much goes on in my head. How could you pick THAT one out?”

Une suddenly laughed out loud, startling him, but not letting go of her hold on him.

“Onna! What’s so funny?”

She only continued laughing.
“It’s not funny! It’s. . .we were having a sad conversation! I demand we go back to

being depressed!. . .maybe it is sort of funny what I said. . .”

He smirked, the chuckled a little.

“Oh. I’m sorry. . .That was a little rude of me.”

“No. . .it was getting too heavy. At least we didn’t run away from it.”

“To where else? Not many people understand the way we feel. . .”

He nodded once, quickly.
“Yes. I agree on that.”
He looked over to her face, and coyly reached over to move a spec from her cheek, his hand gently lingering up near her eye, pushing a stray cinnamon hair strand away from her eye.

“That. . .was in the way.”

She regarded him with a sweet smile.

“In the way of what?” she said softly.

He flushed.
“Nothing!”

He jolted his face away from her eyes. She looked at him a little while, puzzled. Then, leaned forward and closed her eyes, her mouth ready for a kiss.
He looked at her with utter shock and awkwardness, but regained his composure and leaned into her face, kissing her gently. Her lips were soft and and he was glad to be close to someone finally…someone he could feel open with. He deepened the kiss, blushing at his own boldness, and shocking her a little, but she yielded to it. . .softly, and gently they broke from each other, and looked on at each other slightly shocked, slightly knowing faces.

He coughed, embarrassed, turning forward, towards the French doors.

“Well. . .”

“Hmm-Hmm. . .”

“So. . .Um. . .I may see you again on this. . . Level?”

“I’d be honored if you would. . .”

He smiled kindly.

“ I’m glad you would be honored. So. . .I think I may stay at this. . .party longer?”

“Please do.”

She smiled back at his beaming one, and they returned to the party.

“You know, onna? I had you pegged all wrong.”

“Ah, yes. But do not call me onna if you want to continue on past this point.”

He play glared.

“Chang Wu fei does NOT take orders from anyone.”

She chuckled.

________________________________________________________________________

Noin entered Une’s Office and handed her a stack of file disks.
“ALL you need to know on Project: Reform Colonies 2-5.”

Une smiled.
“Thank you very much, Lucretzia.”

“How odd. . .you seem different lately. Did you win the lottery and not tell anyone?”

“Nonsense! I just. . .never mind.”

“This doesn’t have to do with the continuing company you keep with a certain pig-headed Chinese pilot in the ranks, now does it?”

Une narrowed her eyes playfully and changed the subject.

“How is Quatre lately, Noin?”

“Working hard. He has to keep the Maguanac Corps from bugging the hell out of Sally and her little protégé.”

“That woman is always busy.”

“Well. . .Quatre and I have decided to put in a request to work together from now on. . .”

Une raised her eyebrows.

“ANOTHER placement request? This month has been a veritable musical chairs on partners.” She shifted through all her paperwork. “Very well. . .”

“Well, I figure Chang is solo again, and has a far more OPEN schedule than the others,

So. . .heh. . .” Noin smirked playfully.

“Out. You spend too much time with Duo and Quatre.”

“Yes ma’am!” Noin fake saluted and laughed as she left.

Une glanced over at Marimeya’s photo on her desk, and smiled. One more week, and She’d have to say goodbye for another 6 weeks. . .Oh well. . .one day she’d have to say good bye forever. She shook her head rapidly. The girl is only 9 now

. . .what’s 9 more years? I’m still young--

The communication screen beeped.

“This is Une, yes?”

“Um. . .Hello. Just reporting in. The colony L5 is going great.”

She smiled at the image on the other side.

“I’m glad to hear Wu fei.”

“Every detail is working out--so how are things there?”

“Noin is back to pestering me, that’s all. You?”

“I’m all right. I’ll be back in 5 days for rest. Then back again. Um.. . This will sound odd, but do you think Marimeya would like to spend some time with me too, when I get back?”

“I’m sure she would. She’s very. . .comfortable with intelligent charmers.”

He blushed.

“Yeah. . .well. . .We’ll keep in touch. Hear from me soon. Chang Wu fei out.” He smiled slightly before turning into fuzz on her screen.

“As you will it. . .” She smiled brightly and got back to work.

End perhaps?