A Shadow in the Night- Chapter 3

By: Mika Maxwell

DISCLAIMERS: You know them, if you don't, refer to my Prologue for this series. ^_^

RELENA'S P.O.V.

I had been wandering through the neighborhoods of the colonies all day and still had no trace of doctor J. Not realizing it, however, I had wound up in a bad part of town. Men stood on each side of the street whistling and howling. I paid them no attention and continued searching until one grabbed my shoulder. "Hey little miss, how bout' some fun?" I turned to stare into the face of the man, beer and whiskey heavy on his breath. Placing one of my gloved hands on his I spoke icily while removing it one finger at a time. "I suggest you don't do that." He growled at me and brought his hand back to slap me but I held up an arm and blocked it easily. Twisting my arm around I grabbed his and bent it behind his back, rendering him incapable of harming me in any way. I brought up one foot and kicked him down to the ground. He was dumbfounded and staring at me stupidly. "As I told you, don't mess with me." My voice was so icy I could barely believe it myself. I smiled at myself on the inside as I walked away from the scared men. Never in my life had I felt so great. I was accomplishing something and standing up for myself, the way I should have a long time ago. I could have prevented many deaths that way. A shadow cast over my face as I remembered the countless people who had died because of my weakness. Suddenly I tripped over a piece of lumber and was sprawled on my back before my mind even knew what was going on. As I was trying to catch up with myself, a robotic arm reached down to me. I stared at it, wide eyed. "Doctor J?" I said stupidly, still looking at his hand. He seemed taken aback by the fact that I knew him. "Do I know you?" He asked rather suspicious. I jumped from the ground excitedly; ignoring the hand he had offered and rubbed the grass from my rear. "Doctor J can we talk some where private?" He was obviously still confused but nodded his head and led the way to a small broken down apartment. Finally we were seated in silence in what might have at one time been a living room when he prompted conversation. "What do you need young lady?" He asked, giving me one of those crazed smiles. "I need a gundam." I stated simply. He looked at me in shock for a moment. "A gundam?" I nodded pulling off my hat and brushing back my bangs. When I had replaced my hat on my head and my ponytail to it's original form I noticed Doctor J staring at me. "What?" I asked, wide eyed, like there was something wrong with me. He pointed a robotic finger at me. "Your Relena Dorlian!" I winced slightly at that. Too many memories came with that name, Relena Dorlian. I waved my hands as if to wipe away the memories. "No. I'm Relena PeaceCraft." He leaned back as if understanding that it was disturbing for me to experience that name again. "Why do you need a gundam? I thought you led a pacifist nation?" He smiled at me again, chuckling slightly. I met him with an icy stare. "I used to. I have moved on. My being here is dangerous even because there are many people trying to track me down and replace me in my cage again." Once again he nodded at me before continuing. "I can do it along with the help of the other scientists but I want you to be aware of what you are giving up. Your past, your friends, your future, and maybe your life." I sat silent for a moment. My life meant nothing now, to any one. I had run off at my own free will, and my mission was one to simply keep those I love from dying and protecting the people of the colonies. This was my way of fighting. I was following my heart. I choked on tears suddenly, just as father said. "Yes. I need you to train me and get me ready. I am prepared to give up everything I used to know." He nodded at me and became serious, staring at me analytically. "So, it begins." He said solemnly.

DUO'S P.O.V.

It had been one month since we had seen the bulletin on the news about Relena and the OZ base. So far there had been no more attacks against OZ and Relena had still not turned up. Deep in my being I was worried about Relena. She may have been leader of the world but she was in no way capable of handling herself. She was always petite and fragile looking. I shook my head. "No way would some one like her be able to protect themselves." I looked sadly at my feet, as a morbid thought crossed my mind. 'She may be dead already Duo." I tried pushing this thought away. Quatre and I seemed to be the only one's worried about her well being. Trowa had never said anything about the whole ordeal and Wufei was just the same. He had muttered a few phrases about incompetent women and injustice but other than that, nothing more. The case that angered me most was Heero. He had given the expected reaction, nothing. His eyes still held the same coldness and he never mentioned her name with and emotion. 'How could he not care? She obviously loves him!' For some reason my heart hurt to now end when I said that. It was true she loved him, and everyone knew it. Although her chasing him had been less intensified around the past months, we still guessed she loved him. I turned to gaze out the window at the colony. "Colony L1," I thought bitterly. "This place is so much like home."

OKAY OKAY! I know that chapter and the last one's have seriously sucked but as I told you, I am experiencing serious writers block! Well Please R & R because my stories have had lots of hits,::Bows to show respect:: but very few Reviews! =) Thanks to ALL those who did tho! ^_^; In fact, thank any one who could sit through my stories! =)