"Reminiscing"

Chapter 1: A New Start

By: Water Lily2

Hi everyone!! Here's the revised edition of "Reminiscing" that was first posted last year in August. I'll just say that there are a couple of surprises in store for future chapters, but I can't say what, it's my little secret. But basically, the story takes place on earth and it occurs a few years after Endless Waltz. Anyhow, let me know what you think, I really appreciate it and thanks. Disclaimers apply here: I don't own Gundam Wing or any of its characters.

Relena leaned against a window frame in an upper room of her house, staring out into the countryside with fields of greenery here and there, noticing that it would be fall. The trees were showing the first hint of autumn with their yellow green appearance. She sat in her room all day, contemplating on her past as a leader in peace for the earth and the colonies. During her diplomatic duties, the colonies and the Earth both recognized each other as an entity that needed to agree with one another. From that point on, her Terra Reforming Project finally lifted off the ground with the help from Zechs, Noin, and Lady Une. It was still a rough road, but someone still had the task of bringing peace within the E.S.U.N. She didn't need the Gundam pilots to fulfill her goals or any protection from the Preventers, but all in all there was still a strong bond between the groups and with her. Even though, one was always nearby.

Relena continued to stare out her window, "I guess this is how it all ends. The colonies and the people on earth have realized what the past wars have done to them and to each other. It's finally happening."

A soft knock was heard on her door. "Ms. Relena, it's time for your news conference."

"Thank you, Pagan. I'll be right there. Just let me have a few more moments alone."

"All right then."

Relena then began to compose herself for her last and final goal as being Vice Foreign Minister that would shock everyone. After making some final last minute adjustments to her light green skirt and suit, and putting on some light lipstick, she headed out to the makeshift conference that was held in the foyer.

"You gotta pull yourself together, Relena. This is your last final act as being Vice Foreign Minister." She continued to repeat that thought throughout her mind as she was walking down an endless flight of stairs. But all she could feel was a knot forming in her stomach, as she knew the end of her term was drawing near. After walking down another set of stairs, she finally made it down to the foyer, where all the reporters and news crews were waiting for her to speak.

Right then, flashes of cameras and reporters started to come at her with a barrage of questions on why she was holding this special conference.

A reporter in the back of the group abruptly asked, "Ms. Peacecraft, why are you holding this unannounced conference this afternoon?"

Another reporter with a tape recorder in his hand asked, "Is the Terra Reforming Project failing?" With that question, every reporter began to wonder if it was true since in the past, while Relena was being the negotiator between the Earth Sphere and the colonies, small political organizations have tried to assassinate her, while she was still in office. One group in particular was close in their goal of killing her in office, but luckily Heero was there to save her. None of the reporters ever tried to say that name ever in public again.

Relena quietly walked up to the podium and once she took her place, the group of reporters silenced immediately. After regaining her composure and her thoughts, she began to speak aloud to the crowd, "I have gathered you all here today because I'm resigning from my post as Vice Foreign Minister of the Earth Sphere and the colonies."

With that said, a wave shock spread throughout the room that included the various reporters and news crew. In addition, a shock can be seen in Zechs and Noin who were standing in the doorway just to hear what Relena would say, as for Pagan he was in the kitchen minding his own business as usual and when he heard the statement, he accidentally dropped a small stack of dishes in his hands. The sound of falling dishes snapped everyone out of their shock.

After the wave of shock went through the entire group, Zechs and Noin had questioning looks on their faces, "What do you think she's up to, Zechs? I'm worried that the Earth Sphere and the colonies might fall to pieces once they hear about this."

"I think it's too late now. She's needs to find a new leader, soon, if she wants to retain peace between the colonies and the Earth."

Another reporter asked a question, "If you're resigning now, whom will you name as your successor?"

"I have already that covered once I considered about my resignation. I decided to choose..." She was looking within the crowd to see if the person in question was there and after scanning endless rows of faces, she finally saw him, her brother, who was still standing at the doorway.

"I decided to chose Milliardo Peacecraft. With this, I say my goodbye and thank you." Relena then left the podium and headed straight towards the kitchen, where Pagan was there waiting for her. With that said, another wave of shock went through her brother. In less than a minute, a barrage of camera flashes headed straight towards him.

"Mr. Peacecraft, how do you feel as being the new Vice Foreign Minister?"

"I'm right now in shock that's all, but I'm glad to continue my sister's work and to keep the Peacecraft name living on. Excuse me, now." More camera flashes and questions were coming from the reporters, but soon, the entire foyer emptied with the help of Noin ushering them out for Zechs to talk with his sister.

Meanwhile back in the kitchen, Relena was silently waiting for Zechs to come into the room. While at the same time, Pagan was making some tea for her, "It's very brave of you to resign now, Ms. Relena."

"You think so, Pagan. I feel like I've just dropped a bombshell on everyone."

"And I believe that you have made the right decision." He took her hands and patted them.

"You sure?" She looked at the old man, who has helped her since she was a child, trying to find a reassuring look in his eyes.

"I believe so. Ever since you were a child, your father said to always look out for you, in which I did. I was able to see you grow up and look at you now. You are a beautiful young lady and it's about time that you set your foot out into the world and see what you have done for everybody." Right then, Zechs entered into the room.

"What were you thinking of naming me as Vice Foreign Minister? You know how I can't lead, I have shed too much bloodshed in my past."

Relena was staring at him with her pleading blue eyes, "I know that, but that's all in the past now."

"They need you, not me"

"I know that you might still be in shock, but you don't know how much you and Noin have done for me in securing the Terra Reforming Project. I think it's about time for me to move on and settle in a quiet life for now."

"But, Relena...this job means a lot to you and I don't want to be the one taking the glory away from you."

"You're not. I'm glad that I chose you to complete the job for me. If I decided to choose someone else, the whole project could have failed and the wars between the colonies and the Earth could have erupted again."

"But you could have chosen Quatre, he'd be perfect."

"I was considering about him and I talked to him about the idea at first. But after awhile, he decided to drop the idea. Therefore, you're the last one on my list. Please Milliardo, will you do this for me?"

"Well...all right then. Who can say no to that face of yours?"

"Thank you." She then hugged her brother.

"All right, you can let go now."

"Um...Zechs, Pagan and I were talking just a few minutes ago and I was thinking of taking off for a couple of months. I was thinking of traveling around Europe for awhile such as in France and England if it's possible."

His face then dropped. "I don't think its possible unless you have someone with you along the way. I'm not letting my little sister travel alone."

"I need some time to get away from here and you can't trust the idea of me being all alone."

"Exactly...I'll have Noin come along with you."

"What about me?" She appeared in the kitchen, after ushering all the reporters away from the premises.

"Relena was just thinking of taking an European vacation trip for a couple of months and I was just thinking of sending you along with her, since she might need some protection just in case anything happened, while I was being Vice Foreign Minister."

"No, thanks. I'll be fine. Besides you and Noin have plans now, since you will be taking up the duties that I used to have."

"No buts, Relena," replied Noin, who showed concern for the former Vice Foreign Minister. "With Zechs being the new Vice Foreign Minister, the risk of you being kidnapped is there. They might hold you hostage and force Zechs to deal with them. This could eventually jeopardize the E.S.U.N."

As the three were continuing to debate along with Pagan in the kitchen, unknown to the four of them, a reporter somehow managed to remain in a closet after the crowd had left.

"All right, it's time to get out of this stuffy closet."

The reporter still had an id badge hanging around his neck, while at the same time, he was holding a small handheld camera taking pictures around Relena's house. After taking small snapshots of the living room and the family room, he took out a small notepad from his pocket and scribbled something abruptly down. He made sure to stay away from the kitchen, since he knew that the four were still there chatting away. After sneaking past the door, he found the staircase that lead to the second floor and walked his way up, even though the floorboards creaked underneath his wait.

"They're going to hear me, if I'm not too careful."

After successfully traversing the stairs, the so-called reporter began to snoop around Relena's house, taking various snapshots of rooms with his small hand held camera and taking careful notes down in small notepad. Once he found the master bedroom, he drew out a large paper from his shirt and pocket and began to make a careful mapping of Relena's house. "This should be useful in the future."

A voice from the corner sneaked up behind him, "Who are you?"

"What?" The reporter turned around and saw that nobody was behind him at all. "I must be going crazy. I thought I just heard someone." Right then, Heero appeared right out of nowhere in front of the reporter.

"What are you doing here?"

The reporter was speechless, "I was just taking a small tour around the house, that's all."

Heero looked on with suspicion and pulled out his gun. "I'll give you one more chance. What are you doing here? The last time I checked, all of the reporters left an hour ago."

"I got to run now."

"Hold it." A shot was then heard.

In the kitchen, the foursome heard the shot. "I wonder what's going on up there. Wait right here."

"I'll go with you Zechs."

"Stay right here, Noin, just in case anything goes wrong down here." Noin then ran to him and kissed him.

"Be safe, my love."

By the time, Zechs went to the kitchen door, Heero was on the other side with the phony reporter, whose shirt was stained with red in the upper right arm.

"I found him in Relena's bedroom. He had these." He revealed the hand held camera and the map of the house.

Relena then ran over to the kitchen door and saw the intruder. "What happened? How was he able to stay after the majority of the reporters had left?"

"I supposed he was hiding somewhere. You're safe for now. You need to have more locks in this house." Heero then left and minded his own business again.

The intruder was now yelling, "You won't see the last of us, once everything is in place."

"Take him away, right now," ordered Zechs. Noin acknowledged and took him to the Preventer Headquarters, leaving Zechs to debate among his little sister.

"I better get on with the vacation plans before anything else happens." She was about to walk out the kitchen door.

"Hold on a minute, right now." His voice was hinting a sign of agitation. "You can finalize your plans after we make a decision of appointing someone to guard you. Otherwise, I'll have Heero follow you ...wait on the second thought, I'll have Noin follow you, instead. If you refuse, you won't go then. End of discussion."

"Zechs," her hands were beginning to clench at her sides, "I can take care of myself...I'm not a teenager anymore and besides you can't control my life."

"Do I have to repeat myself, Relena?" His eyes were glaring at her. "Why are you being so difficult today? I'm just trying to bring some sense into you."

Heero then walked into the room, unaware that he was going to be in the middle of a debate.

Zechs then spoke up, "Heero, could you please bring some sense back into Relena's mind about her safety?"

"Why?"

"She's planning to go on a trip to Europe and she refuses to have anyone follow her around."

Heero's eyes widened in shock and looked to Relena, "You need someone there by your side, it's not safe for you travel alone. We don't need more attempted assassinations on anyone right now. Even though you've resigned, Zechs and the E.S.U.N. can be affected indirectly."

"Great...now Heero's turning against me. What will you do, Zechs, have Pagan go against me too?" She looked towards Pagan, who was still standing by the kitchen sink.

"I'm actually neutral in this conversation." He then resumed in some household chores leaving the three in the kitchen.

The debate started over again, "Listen Relena...you need someone to follow you." Zechs was starting to get more agitated than ever.

Relena then walked out of the kitchen abruptly, leaving Zechs and Heero in the middle of the room. She was determined to go whether they liked it or not.

TBC