Chapter Two: Unexpected Visitor

XOXOXO

The tall, almost scraggly looking ex-pilot leaned on the frame of the kitchen door. He let his piercing blue eyes stare out vacantly at everyone in the room from between the thick bangs that nearly hid his face entirely. No one in the kitchen moved for several seconds, convinced that what they were seeing was an apparition. Duo's grin went from hitting his ears to nonexistent. Quatre stepped forward, swallowed the rest of his scotch and continued to approach the stoic figure leaning in the doorway. The air became stale and the aura uninviting in stark contrast to the night before.

"Heero… you actually made it," Quatre said as he got within arms length of the man everyone had thought dropped off the planet.

"Yeah. Guess I did." Heero replied, his gaze shifting away to show his disinterest in the small crowd. His voice was as low and monotone as ever. No hint of anything.

"Let me show you to your room," Quatre sat his glass down on the granite counter top and lead the way. Duo followed close behind. They couldn't let Heero see the scene taking place down in the garden. When the men had left the room Dorothy swigged back the rest of her martini in one graceful movement of frustration and looked back out at Trowa and Relena. They looked so peaceful sitting on that bench watching the ducks and holding each others hand. Trowa pushed some golden hair from Relena's face and Relena just smiled up at him. Dorothy's heart felt like it was lodged in her throat.

"Poor Relena… This could get very ugly very fast," she found herself saying out loud. Hilde looked out at what Dorothy was watching and merely nodded in agreement.

"We can't tell her he's here yet. She looks so happy. I want to see her happy for just a little while longer." Hilde sat down her glass of orange juice and went after Duo. It was now her duty as Relena's best friend to keep her husband quiet.

Relena leaned into Trowa; his warm touch inviting her closer. The thought of kissing him snuck its way into her mind and made her smile, but her heart wasn't ready for such a leap just yet. She only now felt comfortable letting him hold her hand, a middle school step of 'going out' she knew, but that was all she could handle. Plus, it hadn't even been twenty-four hours since she admitted to even wanting to pursue anything further with him. The top of her lacey white camisole top and bottom of her pink cotton skirt rustled in the afternoon breeze and she had to continuously tuck her hair back behind her ears so it wouldn't obscure her field of vision. His hand often came up to push her hair back for her.

"Relena, you've made me very happy," Trowa's quiet voice said to her. The sentiment seemed to float in the lazy afternoon air all around them.

"You've made me happy too."

'Heero made me happy once…,' she caught herself thinking, 'Stop it! He's not here anymore. Trowa's here now and he cares about me.'

XOXOXOXO

"Heero, what the hell dude? Where did you come from? Where have you been?" Duo rambled off. The last time he had seen Heero was before he and Hilde got married. He had invited his friend to the wedding but, unsurprisingly, Heero was a no-show. Good thing Quatre was the best man. It would have been pretty embarrassing if Heero had held that position and not bothered to show up. No, the last time he had seen him was after they found Relena's location and who her kidnapper was.

"I've been closer than you think. But I can't discuss where I've come from."

Duo watched as the man he use to respect and find the closest companionship with act just as cold and shut off as ever; maybe even more so than in the past. He didn't know why he thought there would be a change in his old comrade but there didn't even seem to be a hint of one. He just had to keep quiet about Trowa and Relena for at least a little while, though that could be hard to do. Heero had a way of getting information from him. Quatre watched Heero in silence. He observed his movements and posture and the way he carried himself around the room. Heero was like a panther in a trap.

"What do you mean you've been closer than we think?" Duo asked. Heero's words were just beginning to sink in.

"If you two will excuse me, I need to take a shower. It was a long trip," was Heero's response. Avoiding the question this time around was easy enough but he had said too much.

"Heero, wait a moment. Do you want me to let Ms. Relena know you are here?" Quatre waited for the stone-hearted pilot's reply. Heero stopped moving for a moment as if Quatre had stumped him and he didn't know the right answer.

"Whatever. It's your house."

"Fine. If you don't mind, I won't be telling her. I think she's been through enough in the years without you and with things the way they are now… well let's just say things are different and seeing you again could only hurt her further. Come on, Duo, let's give Heero his privacy."

Heero stared at the door and watched them leave. Since when did Quatre have such a backbone? Maybe it came from being with that Dorothy woman for so long. Heero had pretty much expected Quatre to cry when he saw him. He also didn't realize how hurt Relena had been by his leaving. But of course she was hurt… What did he expect? A woman reveals her love for him and he runs away. He couldn't love Relena at that time. He didn't know how to love anyone, and she deserved someone who did. Heero came to this party for a reason though. He was at least ready to try to learn. He tugged off his t-shirt and went into the bathroom for a shower. Later tonight, he might try and speak with her… maybe.

Duo was walking back down the hall towards the staircase when an arm reached from a vacant room and tugged him backwards into the dark.

"What did he say?" His young wife asked.

"Whoa there babe, don't worry so much. It's not good for the baby." He said, resting a loving hand on her abdomen.

"I'm just concerned for Relena. Who knows what would happen to her if she found out Heero was here. Her relationship with Trowa would be in complete jeopardy. It's still so fragile."

"I know that, babe. It's just… Heero is weird. You know that. He shows up at the oddest times. Remember when she got shot a few years ago? He was there within an hour and didn't leave until she started to come out of her coma. He almost killed that ICU doctor who told him he couldn't stay overnight in her room. After that, well, I got kicked out because I almost killed him. Then, when she got better and he knew that she would make it, he disappeared again. And then he showed up after she was kidnapped too… without him we probably wouldn't have even found her. Whenever something bad happened to her, he was there. But she never knew it and none of us ever told her because then she'd be even more hurt that he didn't stay around or at least say something to her. It's like he doesn't want her to know. So we shouldn't worry too much. I don't think he'll confront her."

"Don't even hint at the fact that she's with Trowa now! I like Trowa and hate to think of what Heero would do to him."

"Yeah," Duo said, smiling, "I can just picture having to find all the pieces of Trowa Barton scattered around the lawn."

Hilde slapped his arm and left with her husband quickly following behind.

XOXOXOXO

Dorothy sat next to her quiet lover on the piano bench as he played a soft, sad melody on the ivory and ebony keys. They had retired to Quatre's music room and he had begun playing his piano, a one-of-a-kind Steinway grand. Her head rested on his shoulder and, other than the song he was playing, they sat in understood and comfortable silence. Neither had to say what they were thinking, because it was the same. Quatre and Dorothy both had become attached to Relena over the past several years. They knew, even though she never said it, that she still loved Heero Yuy very much. But it was just now they were seeing a change for the better in her. She was finally, after six very long heartbreaking years, giving someone else who loved her a fair chance. Would Heero mess everything up or just avoid her like he always did? That was the million dollar question, but no one knew the answer.

Dorothy tilted her head upwards and kissed Quatre's cheek. He stopped playing his song and looked down at the keys. Sadness plagued his beautiful blue eyes as he turned to face Dorothy. She bit her lower lip out of worry. He hadn't been like this since the war. In a fluid, romantic motion he swept his hand through her blonde hair and brought her face close to his. She closed her eyes as their lips touched gracefully at first, but then with more sense of need. It was much like they were attempting to reassure each other.

XOXOXOXO

Wufei sat in the massive library of Quatre's house looking over all the books the rich businessman had collected over the years. A small noise behind him made him turn. Sally was standing in the entrance of the room. She had been holed up in her quarters all that morning and this was the first he had seen her. She flipped back her thick braids and came further into the room.

"Shouldn't you be with Ms. Relena?" Sally asked.

"She would rather be with Barton right now." Wufei replied, going back to what he was doing.

"Wufei, you haven't really said much of anything to me during our stay here together yet. I guess it's not surprising, really, with your track record of not speaking to anyone. But you usually have more to say to me."

Wufei, for a long time, was not too fond of Relena. He did not accept her or her ideals because he couldn't imagine a world truly coming to terms with the idea of total pacifism. But he was wrong. And when he saw that he was wrong, he decided to go and assist those who wanted to preserve it. In the beginning when Wufei first went to work with the Preventers, he and Sally were partners. They worked side by side for years and over that time, they began to develop a friendship and level of respect for each other. Sally, though a woman, was tougher than most men Wufei had met in his life and for that he did not consider her weak. She was the only one he felt he could talk to. He used to feel that way about Heero Yuy, but lost respect for him after he left Relena. On the other hand, although she was hurt, Relena showed courage and strength for the most part and, for that, he grew to admire her personality and resilience.

"I haven't seen enough of you to speak to you." He told her.

"Wufei, how do you feel about this situation with Trowa and Relena?" She asked, sitting down in one of the armchairs. He was quiet for a few moments as he gathered his thoughts about the delicate new relationship.

"I think that she deserves a little happiness and respect after all that has happened over the past several years. Barton can give that to her. I don't know for sure if she will ever love him like she does Yuy. But the fact that she's trying to open herself up for him is impressive."

"So you think it's a good idea for them to be together?"

"I suppose so. That's not my decision though. It's theirs."

They sat in silence for a moment or two longer before Wufei dismissed himself to go check on Relena and relieve Trowa for the rest of the afternoon. Sally remained sitting in the library by herself, thinking. She wished that she could tell Wufei how she felt about him, but she was too stubborn to admit it. And even if she did, there was still the possibility he did not feel the same way and truly did only think of her as a co-worker and a friend. The rejection would be too hard to take. So, therefore, she would live in silence and continue masking the emotions he stirred in her heart.

XOXOXOXO

Wufei found the pair sitting in the kitchen. Relena was still laughing at something Trowa had said before he had come into the room.

"Barton, I'm here to take over for the rest of the afternoon. You get some rest."

Trowa smiled at Relena and on his way out of the room he stopped and spoke to her so quietly Wufei could not overhear what was said. A wide smile spread across her face and she took on a lovely shade of pink. He kissed her hand and left the room. Wufei found himself smiling very faintly. Relena had never been this happy… not since before the war he supposed but he did not know her then. It was then he noticed, for the first time in a long time, the scar across the lower part of her left shoulder from the surgery to remove the bullet from the assassin's gun; right above her heart. It was not visible most all of the time because of her conservative work attire. His smile was quick to fade away. It was a blatant reminder of Heero's absence. Duo was a fool, yes, but he loved Relena dearly. He had never forgiven himself for allowing her to be shot, but not only that, he had never forgiven Yuy for not being there. Because Heero would have spotted the man and Relena would have never been hit.

"Are you alright, Wufei?" Relena noticed his meditative state.

"Yes. What would you like to do this afternoon?"

"Actually, I was hoping you would accompany me and Lucrezia. We want to go shopping!"

'Great…' Wufei thought to himself.

"Fine. Go and get her and we'll be on our way," he managed to say in a polite manner. Shopping with women… not how he pictured spending the rest of the afternoon.

Only a few seconds after she had gone to find Lucrezia, Duo came walking into the kitchen for an afternoon snack. Wufei kept quiet to discourage any communication from the braided man.

"Hey, Wu-man, guess who decided to rear his head again after so many years?"

Oh no. Wufei's eyelids slid open and his dark pupils bore into Duo's skull, pleading that he would not say a certain ex-Gundam pilot's name. From the sly, yet sad smile that pulled at Maxwell's lips he didn't even have to say it. But he did anyway.

"That's right. Heero got in not too long ago. Pretty great timing, huh?"

Wufei nearly said something, but decided it would be best not to. His temper was hard to control once he got going and that would most certainly get him going. It did not stop his brain from screaming 'Injustice!' though. He closed his eyes again hoping that Duo would get the point and leave him alone. He did not.

"Doesn't seem right. I know Quatre wanted him to come because we haven't exactly met under good circumstances in a while but… I don't think Quatre really thought he'd show. Heero hasn't come around any of us in a long time. I tried to find him for a while, but I couldn't so I gave up. Then after what happened to Relena at the Capital Building and he showed up I didn't want to see him at all. It's still hard to look at him, really."

Wufei, and the rest of the ex-pilots for that matter, knew that before Yuy had turned into such a giant ass (bigger than he was before) Maxwell really trusted him and felt more like his brother than even a friend. That was something major for two people like them who had no real family to speak of. But then, when Heero let everyone down, after he had come so far in his emotional growth and relationship with Relena, Duo felt his friendship fall apart a little. Then after he had gotten so attached to Relena and she was almost killed, his friendship with Yuy pretty much disintegrated. There were still parts of it left in Duo's heart, Wufei was sure of it, but it could never be like it used to be.

After another moment or two of this silence, Duo left to go sit with his sleeping wife for a while. She comforted him even when she was asleep.

XOXOXOXO

Heero watched Lucrezia, Wufei and Relena all climb into the black Jaguar and drive away from a room in the front of the house. He immediately went back to his room and his desk, logged onto his laptop's account and brought up the vid-phone option. His skilled fingers moved over the keys and dialed a familiar number. The image of the pretty brunette came up instantly.

"Lady Une here."

"Hn."

"Have you reached your destination, Preventer Yuy?"

"I got in earlier today."

"Has the Vice Foreign Minister seen you?"

"No."

"Well, seeing you or not, you have a job to do. There is a severe threat on Relena at this time and I want her to stay there at Quatre's mansion as long as possible while we try and sort this out. I do not think that the terrorists know where she is for the moment and I want to keep it that way until we can track the group down and eliminate the threat. Keep your eyes open, Preventer Yuy. I want nothing to happen to the Vice Foreign Minister."

"Understood. Do any of the other Preventers know of this situation?"

"No. I am keeping them out of this for the moment until we get more information. It was a giant relief for Quatre to suggest a vacation for Relena. I will inform Duo, Wufei and Trowa as soon as I know more. Bottom line is, stay put. I know you're the only one who can do this job, Yuy. Protect her at all costs."

"If I'm the only one, why did you reassign me from her?" His eyes glared at her, but she just glared back.

"Because your talents are too great to ignore and I needed you deeper in the system."

"Hn."

"Terminating transmission."

The line went dead and Heero was left with his own miserable reflection staring back at him from black screen. So no one else knew. Then how would he stay close to her? He wouldn't. He would merely watch the mansion and make sure the perimeters were secure. His stay would be as unknown as possible. It was funny how simple it sounded in his mind, but being so close to Relena and not being able to see her was probably not going to happen and he knew it. Heero desperately wanted to approach her and speak with her. To tell her the truth about what happened. Yes, what she told him scared him greatly. Almost to the point of leaving on his own, but then Une's orders went through and he was moved. He allowed her to think he had merely abandoned her. It was better that way. But there was something about her that drew him to her, even if he wasn't supposed to be anywhere close to her. That's why he spent long nights outside of her window, watching her, trailing her on the street to make sure she remained safe or in her home, just to feel like he was still a part of her life. That way, it was as if he were still watching over her all the time. Not that he was a stalker, by any means. He just needed her close to him. And he missed talking to her… about life or politics or, hell, even just the weather outside or those damn little birds and squirrels she used to watch all the time. How could he have missed how sad she was over his disappearance? He never wanted to make Relena sad, yet he had. And he had done it worse than anyone else ever could.

So he didn't just come to start over with Relena. He had an agenda. A mission, like every time he had ever tried to just… be with her. His fist hit the table with great force. But he was too preoccupied with his thoughts and didn't notice the pain or blood coming from his knuckles. It was as if he could never make himself be around her without something to do, some hidden agenda. Her safety came first, but now, it seemed her feelings and emotional well being was starting to take more precedence. He hit the table again, harder, almost causing his laptop to topple onto the floor below. The pain was starting to rear its ugly head and he clinched his teeth. He was now bleeding on the carpet so Heero went into the bathroom and washed the broken skin. A moment later he realized that someone was standing in his bedroom.

"What are you doing here, Heero?" the feminine voice asked, confirming what he already knew. He turned off the faucet and dried his hands before leaving the bathroom.

"Quatre invited me, so I decided to come." He stared into the blue-grey eyes of Duo's wife.

She folded her arms across her chest and raised one of her eyebrows in suspicion.

"Relena's in danger, isn't she?"

This woman was smarter than Heero had previously given her credit for. He did not indicate that she had hit the nail on the head.

"Heero, come on. If she's in danger… that means everyone in this house is in danger. I'm seven months pregnant! Look at me! I'm in no condition to be thrown into some kind of adventure like you and Relena always seem to get yourselves into. I've got my baby to think of. So tell me, is Relena in danger?"

"Yes. But you are not. The people after her are just some amateur retaliation group. If we find out they know where Relena is located, I'll let you know so that you and Maxwell can get out of here. I don't think the others will want to leave until it becomes necessary."

"Thank you. That's all I ask. You know Heero… you really do have bad timing."

He turned around to ask what she meant by that, but when he did, she had already left the room.

As Hilde walked down the hallway away from Heero's room she felt a sense of pride for guessing correctly. Duo's little spill earlier had made her realize that Heero did indeed came around whenever Relena was in danger without her ever knowing. That was the hardest secret to keep from her best friend, but it was truly necessary. Hilde spent the rest of the afternoon napping soundly.

XOXOXOXO

By that late afternoon, Relena and Lucrezia had arrived back at the villa. They had a wonderful day together and it felt as if their bond was not only the same as it was before, but now maybe even a little stronger. Lucrezia had even shared the secret that she and Milliardo were trying for a baby. Being separated for a year had made them miss each other greatly. Once back inside the house, they parted ways once more but this time only for a little while. Relena found a silent comfort in her empty room. It wasn't that she didn't want Trowa to be there, but, she needed just a few minutes to herself. Her fingers rested on the thin glass of her bedroom window as she gazed out at the lazy country side. These views of so much nature made her inwardly cringe when she thought about going back into the city and being surrounded by metal trees instead of the wooden ones. And real people were also a rarity back in the city. Unlike all of her friends and family here, they were callous and cold… almost machine-like. Much like a young Heero Yuy she could so fondly remember. But that was so long ago; maybe it was just a dream. A sigh escaped her pink lips as cerulean eyes swept over the tree tops and glistening lakes that seemed to surround the whole house.

"Relena, it seems your attention has been focused quite heavily on Trowa Barton lately."

She sighed. Her moment of blissful solitude had been broken.

"Brother… that is yet another thing you have missed out on in your absence." She said, turning around to face the tall, stoic man standing in her doorway.

"Trowa and I have recently started dating." She grinned a little, but he didn't mirror her expression.

"I can't approve of your relationship, Relena. He isn't Yuy, that's true enough, but why him? Why not date a politician like yourself? What is the fascination with Gundam pilots?"

"I don't like many of the other politicians, Milliardo. Certainly not enough to date any of them. Especially because very few are close to my age. Why can't you accept my relationship with Trowa? He is a nice person, he cares about me and he's got my best interest at heart. After all, he is my bodyguard."

"So was Maxwell."

"You know that was an accident. How dare you bring it up to attack his character?" Relena scorned, her eyes narrowing. All she could think of was that tape with Duo holding her bleeding body, sobbing and refusing to hand her over to the paramedics.

"It was an accident that nearly cost you your life. Thank God that bullet didn't hit your heart or you would have been dead before you hit the pavement."

"It's not like it really would have mattered to you if I had died. You lived almost your entire life without knowing me and then we finally stepped up to become a family when we were both adults. But I never see you, brother. You're not a constant part of my life even now, but those men that you insult so easily are."

He was cut down by her words. How could she say such things to him?

"If that's how you really feel, Relena then I must bid you good-day." He bowed slightly and left her room. It was obvious that she had hurt his feelings, but she did not follow behind him. She meant all that had been said. He would just have to get over any hurt he was feeling. She took it to heart when he insulted any of the pilots. And it didn't even matter which of them she had started dating, she could have taken a romantic interest in a politician for that matter, but none of the men she picked would ever be good enough for her in her brother's eyes.

As a deflated Milliardo walked down the extensive hallway to get to his room, he didn't even notice the blatantly open door of Heero Yuy's suite. Once back in his own room he sat dejectedly at the end of his bed.

"You just had to open your mouth, didn't you?" Lucrezia asked, emerging from the closet. She had been putting away the new clothes she bought that day on her and Relena's shopping trip. Her knowledge of her husband eliminated the need to ask what he had been doing.

"I don't think that it's a good idea, ok? I shouldn't have to explain my actions to you."

"Of course you don't. I'm only your wife and Relena's sister-in-law. What sense would that make? You forget that Trowa isn't like Heero… he's not going to run away from her."

"You know that Heero didn't run away. He was reassigned."

"Yes I do know that… but she thinks he ran. Frankly I can't believe you have yet to tell her. True she would have been hurt, but now she's hurt and plagued with guilt. She thinks it was her fault, you know. Relena really loved that boy. Probably still does, even though she finally seems to be willing to move on."

Milliardo's wife shifted her weight and put her hand on her hip as her eyebrow rose slightly. She waited for a response from her obviously ruffled husband.

"It's classified. That's why I haven't told her and you know it. That 'boy' was nothing but a menace. She is better off without him messing up her life. I refuse to have this argument with you." He stood up and left the room in a huff, slamming the door behind him. Now not only was Relena mad at him, so was his wife. What a vacation this was turning out to be. He went to find quiet sanctuary in a study somewhere else in the massive house.

Lucrezia slumped down to the bed. What to do with her husband? They fought every now and then, but really they had a good relationship and a deep love and respect for one another. He was just so damned stubborn. It was easy to see he and Relena were brother and sister. But at least Relena tended to focus her stubbornness on politics instead of her loved ones. Well, with the exception of still loving Heero after a six year absence on his part anyway. That poor boy. He didn't know what the hell to do or say around Relena. Never did. He probably thought that his reassignment came as a God sent. This was not to say Lucrezia didn't think Heero didn't love Relena. He just had no experience with anything having to do with his own emotions. Put him behind a Gundam or MS and he was fine, but leave him alone with Relena and the feelings in his heart, well that was a different story all together.

XOXOXOXO

Quatre sat back in his recliner in the billiard room next to his study. Duo and Wufei had engaged themselves in another game of 8-ball. His own attention rested blankly on the widescreen television set and his drink. He had found television to be a great distraction, not like there was much going on behind him except the occasional click of the billiard balls knocking into each other. This Heero issue had gotten out of hand in his mind. At first he reached the conclusion that Heero had changed his mind and come to straighten things out with Relena. But that didn't make sense. First, it wasn't Heero Yuy at all. Second, it was just did not add up. Then his mind went to the ease of which Une agreed to let Relena escape for a long weekend. That was definitely not normal behavior. Something was going on. Not being a Preventer himself, he could probably not find out the dept to which this might go but… His eyes slowly shifted over to the two men playing pool and his brain went into high gear.

"Hey guys, don't you think it's weird that Heero shows up two days after Une so readily agrees to let Relena have a vacation out here where it's pretty secluded?"

Duo stood up straight and his pupils found the top right corners of his eyes as he thought.

"Yeah, that is pretty fishy I guess. But Trowa, Wu-man and I are IN the Preventers plus they're her bodyguards so it wouldn't make sense for her not to tell us if something weird was going on."

Wufei stood in silence for several minutes before speaking. He had only just been informed of this new and very interesting situation before he and the two women had left for their shopping trip by Maxwell in the privacy of the kitchen. He was just now getting over his initial anger.

"If Une wants us to know something she'll tell us. And as far as Yuy goes you did invite him here, didn't you?"

"Yeah he did, but I've invited him to a lot more important things and he didn't show."

"We're not talking about your wedding, Maxwell," Wufei remarked sharply, rolling his eyes. Duo flushed in anger. But he didn't have time to reply.

"It's true. I did invite him but Duo has a point too. Oh well don't worry about it. Sorry I interrupted your game." Quatre waved his hand in dismissal of the issue and turned back towards the TV letting his mind sink into the dull submission of vaguely watching the local news station. The other two glanced at each other, shrugged and went back to their pool game. He had really changed. Duo supposed they all had at least a little. Quatre was more reflective and less emotional, Wufei was softer in his attitude, Trowa was wearing his heart a little more on his sleeve than he used to do and Duo himself was at least a little bit less goofy than he once was. Married life and the idea of raising another person had mellowed him slightly and he thought his actions through more. As far as the mysterious 01 went, he didn't know what to think. Duo hadn't had a real conversation with his old friend in many years. So how that once envied and private ex-pilot had changed or not changed was unbeknownst to everyone. They finished their game, in which Wufei won… again. And Duo went to the window to look out at the grounds behind Quatre's home.

Uh-oh. Relena and Trowa were walking close, hand in hand through the gardens. He hoped, no, prayed that Heero was no where near the windows watching this. Deciding to take precautions into his own hands, he nothing short of ran to find Heero and distract him from what was going on outside. How he would do this he wasn't sure of, but he'd try to think of something while on his way to Heero's room.

XOXOXOXO

"Trowa… thank you."

"For what?"

"For letting me know how you felt. This is a wonderful feeling. I never… I never experienced this with him."

She was, of course, talking about Heero. No, he knew that Heero was not emotional or touchy-feely in any way. He probably wouldn't have been either if it weren't for people like his sister Catherine or Quatre and Duo always around. But thanks to them, he did know what to do and how to express his feelings. And this woman that he loved so dearly could know. He unhooked his hand from hers and wrapped it affectionately around her shoulders, drawing her even closer to him. Her arm reached around his back and she held him close as well. How long had he dreamed about doing this? It must have been years. She inhaled deeply, encouraging all of her senses to remember every second of this wonderful day.

"Well I didn't exactly mean to tell you at that moment. But I'm glad you overheard." He smiled, not at her, but up at the sky. It was a very clear and sunny late afternoon. Perfect weather for the stroll they were taking.

Everything was blooming out in the gardens and the heavy aroma of the fresh flowers hung in the air around the two new lovers, embracing them as he embraced her now. A few gardeners waved or at least smiled as they passed by. Quatre had a large staff here but they tended to stay out of the way. Trowa found himself wishing their walk could last forever. His rational mind reminded him that it could not. But that did not mean he couldn't enjoy ever second of it while it lasted. He put his free hand in the depth of his pocket and placed a long kiss on the side of her head. She smiled widely. Her high-heeled strapped sandals kept sinking into the rich, moist soil of the gardens but that was the only thing wrong with today, she decided. Yes, she had fought with her brother earlier, but they were adults and would get over it. Right now, she made up her mind that this relationship with Trowa was worth her time and effort. Who knew? This might be the right thing for her after all.

They continued their late afternoon stroll through Quatre's extensive garden areas, completely unaware of the cold, hard pair of eyes watching them from the distance.

XOXOXOXO

Duo rounded the corners of the mansion hurrying as quickly as he could to reach Heero's room. Nearly running into it full force, he managed to stop just in time. He breathed in deeply and crossed his fingers that Heero was so busy with other things he wouldn't be paying attention at all outside of his window. Duo's hand reached to turn the knob, but found the door locked. He sighed. Damn Heero and his privacy. So after rattling the doorknob some more, he knocked loudly. His ears could barely pick up the sound of Heero's grunting in discontent from the other side of the door.

"Who is it?" The stern voice asked.

"It's me," Duo pled.

"Not now, Maxwell. I'm busy."

"Come on Heero! You know me; I'm just going to keep pestering you until you do what I want!" Duo threatened back to his dead-pan friend.

After a few seconds of silence on both of their parts, Heero opened the door just wide enough for Duo to get a small peek into the room. All of the curtains were drawn shut, blocking out all views of the outdoors and sunlight. On the desktop Duo could just barely make out blueprints and several official looking documents thanks to the glow of Heero's laptop screen which wasn't far from the mess. Heero shifted to block anymore peeking on Duo's part.

"What do you want, Maxwell?"

His eyes seemed so distant and clouded it was pretty frightening for Duo to stare into them.

"Come with me. Quatre wants to speak to you." Duo changed his tone to match the somber look in Heero's eyes.

Heero exhaled loudly, looked behind him in doubt of leaving such important things just lying out and turned back to Duo.

"Hold on."

He shut the door and Duo heard the faint rustling of cloth and papers being shuffled around. Shortly after he had closed the door it opened again and he stepped out in the hall to join Duo. Something shiny caught Duo's eye and he saw that Heero now held a key in his hands. Whatever was in that room was obviously very confidential and not meant to be seen by any body in the house. Also, it would instantly give away that Heero was there to anyone that didn't already know. The key turned and clicked in the lock and they were off to the billiard room once more. His mood was so quiet, Duo did not know if Heero had indeed seen Relena and Trowa being so close from the window or not.

Duo wasn't being goofy or trying to ask him a million different questions for the moment. Heero wondered what could be up. Or maybe Duo had changed. No that was impossible. Not everyone could have changed so dramatically.

"So Heero, what are you working on in there? Why not come out and see everyone? It's not like we've seen you for quite some time."

"I can't discuss what I'm working on. I also figure that none of you are bursting at the seams to see me."

"I know one person that is… But I think you blew that one already." Duo remarked quietly. But not so quietly Heero did not hear it. His words were harsh, but true and Heero knew this. The relationship he once had with Relena was probably long destroyed. They never spoke aloud at what they had, but each of them knew. Relena and he had shared all of their major milestones together so that was something. Maybe it wouldn't be too late to fix it. He hoped anyway. But there were more important things going on… unfortunately.

When they entered the billiard room, Duo quickly made his way to a very confused Quatre and shoved him towards the window. The blonde man instantly spotted Trowa and Relena and started to understand.

"I told Heero you wanted to talk to him, so here he is." Duo chuckled, almost too nervously. His laugh died down to a mere smile and Quatre took a seat in the recliner he had previously been occupying. As he told Heero to have a seat his finger hit the power button on the remote control and the television clicked off behind him. Heero seemed unsure for a moment. To him it seemed he was about to be ambushed, so he didn't think it best to sit and leave himself vulnerable. All eyes were on him and had it been any later in the evening you could have heard the crickets chirping outside.

"It's fine, Heero. Please sit down." Quatre asked again, breaking the uncomfortable silence.

Once he had loosened up just a bit, he sat down in the recliner opposite Quatre, his eyes holding fast onto the unwavering light blue ones of his former comrade. What could be going on here? Could they be onto him? Maybe Lady Une had informed them, but she would have informed him too… probably before them. So that couldn't be it.

"Heero… why are you here?"

"You invited me. I came."

"Come on Heero… do you think we're that gullible? We were soldiers too and we got to know you. We also know about the kind of relationship you have with Relena. You're here for a reason and we want to get to the bottom of it."

So that was it. They were all suspicious of him. Not that they shouldn't be… he was there for a reason. And it was not completely his heart. Had there been no ulterior motive, he probably wouldn't have been there at all. It made him a little sad but not enough so much to let it show. He turned his attention momentarily to the window but Maxwell moved and blocked his view of the sunset outside. It was annoying so he turned his focus back to Quatre.

"Well if your only concern is the relationship I have, or had, with Relena then you can rest at ease. I don't plan on making my presence known. It's obvious that my actions all those years ago made her sad so I don't plan on reopening that wound for her. The reason I'm here will be made clear to you soon enough."

"You think you're so high and mighty, don't you?" The monotone voice of the Chinese pilot shot back.

"What are you talking about?" Heero glared back.

"Not that I want her to see you, but would it have been too much to ask of the great Heero Yuy for a phone call? No… The damage that you did to that woman scared her much like that bullet wound above her heart. But she might not be the same woman you left behind who loved you. Maybe she doesn't even want you anymore."

"Who do you think you are to talk to me about emotions or love, Chang? At least what I had with Relena was real for a little while. You can't even get to that point with Preventer Po."

That was it. Wufei's eyes flashed in anger, warning 01 that he had crossed the line bringing Sally into this spat. She had nothing to do with this. Heero glared back.

"Enough." Quatre spoke forcefully. He didn't want to get like this, worked up and emotional, but it was starting to happen.

"Heero… what were you thinking? We were your friends and Relena… she loved you. Wasn't that enough? Couldn't you at least try to accept us like we did you?" Duo said this without a trace of a smile on his lips, but a look in his eyes that made Heero's chest feel hollow suddenly. The braided pilot was staring out the window at the sinking sun and it was apparent he dared not look at any one of the others while he spoke. Instead he focused on the pair of unaware lovers finally disappearing into the house. He let his breath he had been holding out.

There was nothing left to say on Heero's part. If he could have left the villa right then he would have. His presence was visibly not wanted. The revelation of how he had hurt the people he had once been closest too was almost too much to bear, but at the same time he told himself he didn't need any of them. He had survived alone for fifteen, almost sixteen, years before he ever met them in the first place and for the past six he had been fine as well. Maybe not fine… but at least he had gotten on. With the other pilots and Relena he used to feel like he had a family. But he deserted them and couldn't change his actions now. It was far too late for that. He stood up and excused himself mumbling something about business to attend to.

Quatre's eyes sank to the floor with the dull thud of the door closing behind Heero. He felt as if he could cry. It was not so very long ago he thought everything was fine. He had figured that Relena and Heero would confess their love and get married and all would be right with the world they had all played apart in changing so much for the better. But that didn't happen in any sense. The closer Relena got to Heero, the more he tried to distance himself from her. An old soldier trick… never get close because you become weak if they're taken from you or killed. So by putting up that mental block against Relena's love he could think clearly if something bad happened to her as it was prone to do. It was possible, Quatre assumed, Heero felt that he could try to mend bridges all these years. Maybe he was ready to love her but she was finally ready to love another… How confusing this all was.

XOXOXOXO

Milliardo had sat watching Relena and Trowa out in the garden during their entire time out there. He hoped she wasn't setting herself up for heartbreak once more. It was certain that she clearly had feelings for this new man in her life. Her brother felt slightly devastated because he knew that his sister, perhaps, loved too much for her own good. She trusted too much for her own good. Her heart was far too large. And yet… he envied her a little for it.

His hand went up to rub his forehead as a mild headache set in. The clinking of a glass being set down next to him brought him away from his musings. Lucrezia extended her palm so he could take the two aspirin sitting in it. Taking the pills and washing them down quickly with the glass of water he felt better. Milliardo pulled his wife close and rested his forehead on her abdomen while she stood in front of him running her hands gracefully through his long hair, like she would a pool of water.

"Oh honey… can't you see she's not the sixteen year old girl you reunited with so many years ago? She's a woman now. And if she makes a few mistakes in love those are her mistakes to make and learn from. You can't be anything more than supportive of her."

Milliardo did not speak a reply; he merely listened to what his wise mate had to say. He sighed in defeat. Of course she was right. Relena was no longer a child for him to boss around like big brothers tend to do. And if she loved or trusted too much or her heart was too big… well maybe those weren't bad qualities to have after all. He wrapped his arms around his wife's midsection and as he stood, he lifted her across his shoulder with great ease.

"Milliardo what in heavens name are you doing?"

"Come on… we've got a baby to try for. I can't let all this parenting go to waste," he halfway laughed. She smiled as he carried her off to their room.

XOXOXOXO

Trowa stood nearby as Relena grabbed a soda from the refrigerator. They were silent there for a short time until Trowa approached her. She blushed at his proximity.

"You're beautiful. Have I told you that today?" He asked, smiling widely.

"No… not directly anyway." She said, turning her eyes downward as her cheeks flared from embarrassment. He lifted her chin up so she was now looking into his eyes. Her hand, seeming to act on its own, found its way to his face. She had never thought she would be so comfortable touching another man like this, but she was. Her heartbeat had picked up in pace, but in a good way. She felt shivers in her chest and wanted to close the gap between their lips. But then, for some reason she could not understand, she slowly backed away.

"I'm sorry, Trowa. I just can't right yet. I have to clear things up in my head first."

He looked defeated, but reassured her it was ok and extended his hand for her to take. And she did. Instead of eating with the group that night, they spent the evening on the sofa of her room talking about the old days, her childhood, his childhood and his sister Catherine. He felt like he got to know her better than before and that, although not a kiss, was a nice step to take.

XOXOXOXO

"Can you hear me?"

"Yeah, go on… what is it?"

"Agent Yuy arrived today. And no one has spotted us or even suspected we're near by. You were right, him being here is going to make this mission all the more easier. They'll all be so distracted with their little gathering and Yuy, Barton and the Vice Foreign Minister no one will even see us coming!"

"I told you… be patient and wait for my move. This is going to be like cake. The poor Vice Foreign Minister won't even know what's going on. Be on your guard though… Yuy is tricky."

"Right. Ending transmission."

XOXOXOXO

Author's Note: Ooh! What's going to happen next? Anyway, thank you to all those who have reviewed so far! I love the input and hope that you keep reading, reviewing and enjoying and to all those who have not reviewed… what are you waiting for?! Please leave any comments, compliments or suggestions in a little review.

Look for another update sometime next month! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!