Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing.

"Welcome to my humble abode," Relena exclaimed to her brother and sister-in-law, spinning with her arms wide and golden locks whirling as she danced into the living room. "Two bed, three bath and one lovely balcony with a view." She paused, glancing back at her visitors. "What do you think?"

"It's beautiful," Lucrezia said, brushing her raven bangs behind her ear. "I'm glad you found a place that fits your needs." She smelled something subtly masculine in the room, but chose to bite her tongue in front of her husband.

Zechs, however, did not miss it. His eyes narrowed automatically on the leather, male cut, Preventers jacket draped over the couch, then rolled down to the men's running shoes and boots by the balcony door. "You live here alone?" He looked at her pointedly as he asked the question, but she'd already followed his gaze.

"Oh," she laughed. "Well, apparently someone went and told an anti-social, mission obsessed Gundam pilot to watch out for me several years ago, so he stays here—a lot."

"So, you're sleeping with him?" Zechs's eyebrows wrinkled with the accusation.

Relena's crystal blue eyes widened. "No!" She started laughing, again, now out of embarrassment instead of relaxed amusement. "No, Brother. He's just being thorough, and it's become easier for him to stay here some nights—most nights." She took a soothing breath as the tension in the room dropped. "No," she repeated. "I'm not sleeping with him."

Both visitors looked at each other suspiciously, but accepted her rebuttal. Zechs, who was born Milliardo Peacecraft, Prince of the Sanc Kingdom, couldn't help his immediate suspicions of Relena's friendship with Heero Yuy. They did, after all, have a history. During the war, years before, Yuy was his arch nemesis and Relena Peacecraft Darlian, his baby sister, was dramatically infatuated with the lonesome Gundam pilot. When the war was over, Zechs's last request, as he requited the battle to Yuy, was that Heero watch over Relena as she led the world in their new path of Pacifism.

"That reminds me," Relena said offhandedly as she sat at the dining room table with an uncomfortable look straining her face. "He's supposed to be here, by now. He's late."

Zechs rolled his eyes and started bringing the suitcases into the guest room, allowing Lucrezia to press the conversation. "What's the rush?"

Relena gave an embarrassed smile. "I asked him to pick up tampons. Since I was picking you guys up, I didn't have time to pick up any. Now, I'm on my last one, and running out of time."

Lucrezia laughed softly. "And he said yes?"

Relena nodded with confidence.

"And you're not sleeping with him?"

They started laughing again. Of course, Lucrezia thought. He would do something like that if she asked.

The girls continued to make light conversation to keep Relena's mind off of the impending problem when they heard someone unlocking the front door.

"He has a key?" Lucrezia's question was an urgent whisper.

Relena nodded, again, forming quotation marks with her fingers. "Security necessity," she mimicked in a low voice.

When the door came open, Relena grabbed the bag from his hand, spitting out half a thank you, before he could cross the threshold, and scurried to the master bathroom. Lucrezia followed her with her eyes, laughing. "Heero," she said as she walked toward him, and taking him into a warm embrace.

Heero was fully grown, now, leveling in at just over six feet. He was less than an inch shorter than his old rival and his muscle groups were filled out more. His broad chest and full arms were something that even Lucrezia now felt drawn to snuggle up to. His thick and messy hair was still tumbling in his dark blue eyes, reminiscent of the war. What was most different to his former ally was his acceptance of the hug. Years before, physical contact was saved for the act of killing. A hug was unheard of. Sensing Hell freezing over, Zechs stepped out from the bedroom, speechless at the sight.

"Hugs, now?"

"Hn," Heero answered in his deep, Earthy growl, as he released Lucrezia and stepped around her.

Zechs smiled. At least not everything had changed.

Heero looked to Relena, who was stepping out from her bedroom, looking relieved. "What's the plan for dinner?"

"Eating in," she smiled. "I have a recipe I want to try."

:::

Lucrezia volunteered to remove the plates, leaving the three other adults to converse around the dining table. Without being asked, she rummaged through the cabinets to find the stash of liquors and began mixing a drink. She served the frothy beverage to Relena, placing the fifth onto the table between the men.

"I get to drink?" Milliardo looked genuinely surprised, like a deprived child being given dessert for the first time after a long punishment.

"Yes," Lucrezia smiled. "Enjoy."

"Why haven't you been allowed to drink?" Relena inquired.

Zechs looked at the two shot glasses Lucrezia placed between him and Heero, then glanced up at her for a response.

"We bring tidings of great joy," Lucrezia sighed with a glow.

For a moment, everyone was silent, looking at the elegant woman leaning over Heero's shoulder, as the hint sank in. Suddenly Relena leapt from her seat, squealing, and ran to embrace her sister-in-law.

"Oh, my God! How far along are you?"

"We just found out," Lucrezia said, broadening her grin with excitement. "But I told Zechs no drinking while I'm prohibited."

"So he's only been dry for a few weeks?" Heero inquired, eying the other veteran.

"Not even," Lucrezia answered without compassion.

Heero's eyes showed amusement. "I'm sure I can still drink him under the table."

Zechs's eyes held steady with a spark in them as he poured the first two shots. "It's on," he replied.

"First to pass out loses."

Relena rolled her eyes, settling back by her drink.

:::

A fifth and a half later, Relena had lost track of her own mixed drinks, provided by her pregnant sister, and was feeling about three sheets to the wind. The boys were also out of inhibitions, but still seemed more sober than the princess.

Relena took a breath, enjoying the sound of the music booming from the living room. The rhythm made her smile. It made her want to dance. Relena laughed to herself, picturing her own body swaying and grinding to the tunes. It certainly would be more fun than watching the two men she loved continuing with their one on one games.

Until the conversation turned.

"Why must you constantly be competing with me, Zechs?"

"I just want you to prove yourself," he mocked.

"Like saving the world twice wasn't enough," Lucrezia laughed.

"He is the 'perfect soldier', after all," Relena added.

Heero rolled his eyes in detest at the title.

"I don't know," Lucrezia answered. "I think Zechs is more the 'perfect soldier'."

"Agreed," Heero growled.

"But you stop at nothing to accomplish the mission," Relena argued.

Heero looked at her, silently. His thoughts were hidden in Prussian blue depths.

"Negative, Relena," Zechs said. "There is one thing he has never accomplished."

Heero sat back, knowing the accusation that was coming.

"As I recall," her brother continued. "There was silly girl who was a threat to Operation M, and it was the pilot's responsibility to kill her.

"Which reminds me." His voice gained volume and sarcasm. "When are you two getting married?"

Heero snorted, shaking his head.

"Zechs, I told you—" Relena started.

"I heard you. You said you're not sleeping with him. But you never said you don't still love him. You haven't accepted any other suitors. You haven't even had a romance since you were fifteen."

"That's not true," she pouted as her cheeks turned pink.

Heero's eyes shot up to her, in surprise. Zechs and Lucrezia followed his querying look.

Relena's blush deepened. "Argentina. Last summer."