Disclaimers: I don't own Gundam Wing, as much as I want to. I'm just borrowing them. I'm not making money. OC's are mine.

AN: This is a totally AU idea. Heero is a Prince, and has a childhood friend to marry, Princess Caitlyn. But Relena will prevent it. Duo and Trowa are cousins, Duo's father is Heero's father's advisor, and Trowa's father is Caitlyn's father's advisor. Quatre...and Wufei...will fit in somewhere...^.^''' I didn't get that far yet!! PLEASE REVIEW and give me ANY ideas!! ALL WELCOME!! PLEASE JUST REVIEW...like or not!! On second thought now..maybe I WILL input the gundams...*grin**plot forming*
~*~*~*~* denote flashbacks
'blah blah' denotes thoughts

Meant To Be
Part 4: Truth Revealed


"No Father! I refuse to go!" Caitlyn protested. King Daren sighed. He had known that if Caitlyn had accepted to go to dinner at Quaylight, something was really wrong.

"No Caitlyn, you know that I can't turn down an invitation. It's for the country's affairs."

"Father, if it is then I have no reason to be there! Maybe if I were a Prince I'd have to go, but I'm a Princess. I'm not supposed to do things in court! That's what you always tell me!"

"Caitlyn, you are my only child and you know very well that it doesn't matter if you are male or female. It is your successor who becomes my heir, but since Heero is my successor, you may as well go." King Daren spoke so fast he didn't realize what he had said. He panicked when tears welled up in Caitlyn's eyes.

"Heero isn't going to be your successor."

"Caitlyn, it's about time to forget about that." He quickly said.

"Please Father, I just don't want to go…please, I beg you." Caitlyn stood from her chair, and knelt down, her hands clasped, and King Daren gasped. Only servants, or anyone in great need of something would get down on their knees, and here was his own daughter, a Princess, kneeling in front of him!

"Caitlyn, get up." King Daren said with a sigh.

"Please Father, don't make me…" Caitlyn refused to move.

"I'm sorry Caitlyn, but I've promised. Even though Heero may not be my successor, we are good friends. King Trevin wishes to see you as well."

"I'd simply send my regards to His Highness King Trevin." Caitlyn said quietly. "I have no wish you see the Prince. He isn't a good friend of mine. A good friend wouldn't do such a thing."

"I haven't even spoken to you about that Caitlyn. Did you hit Heero?"

As expected, there was silence.

"You did. And what did I bring you up to be? I didn't think you would be that violent, and most certainly that was not for protection. You know very well you aren't supposed to hit a Prince! What was I to do when I saw that red mark on his cheek?"

"Punish me as you please Father." Caitlyn said. "I'm willing to accept any punishment as long as-"

"Very well Caitlyn, you will attend the dinner with me. We leave tomorrow at 2 in the afternoon. Be prepared." King Daren said hastily. Caitlyn's head snapped up.

"Father!"

"You were willing to accept any punishment, and this is it."

Caitlyn knew there was no way out of this one. "Yes Father." She said resignedly. "But I won't enjoy it."



* * *




True to her word, Caitlyn had dressed up and was ready to depart the palace at 2 in the afternoon. She hadn't slept the night before, and slept on the way. King Daren was sure she did that on purpose so they wouldn't have to converse on the way. Now, they were nearing the palace, just 10 minutes away. Gently, King Daren shook his daughter awake.

"Caitlyn, wake up."

"Hm?" Caitlyn opened her eyes groggily.

"We're in Quaylight. Now remember Caitlyn. You are to respect King Trevin and Prince Heero."

"Yes Father." Caitlyn looked out the window, studying Quaylight from the outside. She had always used the tunnel; she hardly ever traveled on the outside of the palaces. She shook her head. She didn't want to think about the tunnel. She made a mental note to get someone to lock up her side of the tunnel and disengage the travel device.

Dinner was not to start until 7:00 sharp, and Caitlyn was stunned when her realized it was her father's plot to arrive an extra hour early. After the formal greetings…

"Now Caitlyn, King Trevin and I have some important matters to discuss in private. You know the palace well. Be at the dining hall by 7:00 sharp, and don't get dirty."

"Father-"

"Ah, Heero, you will entertain Princess Caitlyn for an hour, will you not?"

"Of course, Father." Heero bowed.

"Good. This way King Daren."

"After you, King Trevin."

The two kings started talking immediately, giving Caitlyn no chance to interrupt. She glared at her father's back, and turned her back to them as the two Kings disappeared around a corner. Immediately, she started walking in the direction of the gardens when a hand on her wrist pulled her back a few steps. She whirled around, pulling her wrist from Heero's grip. Without looking into his eyes, Caitlyn curtsied to Heero.

"Excuse me Prince Heero, I'd prefer to spend an hour in Quaylight alone. There is no need for you to for you to accompany or entertain me." She straightened and turned again.

"Princess Caitlyn." Heero's voice stopped her. Caitlyn knew she couldn't simply ignore Heero, as he was referring to her formally. She hated being a part of royalty. She turned again, looking at the ground by Heero.

"Yes Prince Heero?"

"If you don't mind, will you allow me to show you around the palace?"

"That is not necessary Prince Heero. I know my way around. Excuse me." Caitlyn curtsied again before walking. Heero didn't stop her. He simply followed her. As it were Quaylight grounds, Caitlyn knew she had no right to order Heero to stop following her. Once she reached the gardens, she thread through the paths efficiently, stopping in the middle of the bridge. In her mind, she begged Heero to leave her alone, but she knew Heero would do no such thing. She leaned forward against the cement railings of the bridge, looking into the pond beneath her. Fishes of many different colors swam in the pond, and the setting sun glimmered off of their shiny scales. Caitlyn closed her eyes with a smile, remembering old times.


~*~*~*~*


"Come here Cait! I want to show you the new fish!"

"New fish? Aw, that isn't fair Heero! You always get new things!"

"What are you talking about Cait?" 11-year-old Heero stopped jogging, turning around, surprised written all over his face. "You just got a puppy!"

"Oh yea." Caitlyn grinned sheepishly. "But Rusty's just a puppy! He can't do anything yet and Father says I can't do too much with him until he is properly trained to obey me. I can't take him out on my own yet."

"That's cause you're a baby Cait."

"Am not!"

"Are too! You're only 10!"

"You're only 11 Heero!"

"O.k fine! But I'm still older then you!" Heero let go of Caitlyn's hand and tapped her on the shoulder. "Tag! You're it!" Heero sprinted away. Caitlyn paused only a moment, stunned, before she ran after Heero.

"No fair Heero! You cheat! You know you run faster than me!"

"Come get me Cait! If you can, I'll tell Cook to make you chocolate cupcakes!"

"I'll get you Heero! But King Trevin already requested that!"

That day, not long after running, Heero had led her straight to the new pond of fish. He was leaning on the railing when Caitlyn ran up and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Gotcha!" She grinned before turning to the pond. Standing on her tiptoes, she looked out into the pond. "Wow…" She murmured in awe. "They're beautiful."

"Here." Heero steadied Caitlyn by the waist, and helped her to stand on the bottom rung of the cement, which was up to her knees in height from the bridge itself. As he wasn't that much taller, he made sure Caitlyn was steady before climbing up beside her.

"If you wait a while, there's a really colorful one that hides all the time. It'll come out in a minute."

"O.k."

They had spent that afternoon at the pond, admiring the fish.


~*~*~*~*


Caitlyn shook her head, forcing the smile off her face. She took a deep breath before opening her eyes to admire the fish. The bright, most colorful fish darted out at that moment. Caught in her memories, Caitlyn grinned and called out to Heero.

"Hey Heero, I told you the fish would come out. It isn't afraid of me!" Her eyes widened in shock as she realized what she had just said, and she clapped a hand over her mouth, keeping her eyes trained to the water. She prayed Heero wouldn't reply what he always did whenever she said that.

"I was only teasing you. You know nothing's afraid of you because you're so friendly. You're my best friend, Caitlyn of Aurora, and I love you always."

Tears filled her eyes as Caitlyn heard those words from behind her. She knew Heero was leaning on the opposite railing.

'Why was I so stupid to say that?' She asked herself. 'Why?'

She was unconscious of the fact that she had said the last 'why' out loud.

"Because it's the truth." Heero said quietly. "Cait…"

"I think it's time to go back for dinner. I don't want to be late." With that, Caitlyn walked off toward the main palace. Again, Heero caught her arm, this time by the forearm.

"Caitlyn, why won't you listen?" Heero asked, pain evident in his voice. He pulled her closer into a hug. "Please Caitlyn…Cait…"

It took a moment for Caitlyn to pull herself together, and she gently pushed Heero back, looking at the ground.

"Excuse me Prince Heero, please respect both yourself and I. I suggest you save such proximity with Princess Relena. I would rather not get caught between you two loved ones." She turned, wiping away the tears, before turning back to Heero.

"But I'll savor that feeling from a childhood friend." She whispered. "A childhood friend who is no more."

And she lifted her head high, walking back toward the palace dining room.


(A.N. Here, I will mention…the above sentence "A childhood friend who is no more" Can me taken two ways, at your choice. 1. It could mean a childhood friend who is no more than just a childhood friend. 2. It could also mean a childhood friend who is no longer a friend. Just so you know! ^_^)


As the four sat down to dinner, Caitlyn spoke first.

"I would like to propose a toast." She said quietly.

"Go ahead, Princess Caitlyn." King Trevin said. Caitlyn stood, and picked up her glass of lemonade. King Trevin was sitting at the head of the table with Heero to his left, King Daren to this right, and Caitlyn beside King Daren. Caitlyn turned toward Heero, raising her glass. As Heero stood, he realized what Caitlyn was doing.

"I toast to the new future King of Sank, Prince Heero. Congratulations." Caitlyn said formally. "I drink to your happy future." Without waiting for acceptance or objections of any sort, she drank. Heero glanced at his father, who refused to look at his son. No one drank to Caitlyn's toast, or spoke, and thus, soup was served. Now, King Trevin was the first to speak.

"Princess Caitlyn, your father and I have been discussing the joining of Quaylight and Aurora. What are your views on this?"

"I don't think I have any say, King Trevin. It is a decision to be made by my father. I have no comments on this."

"Well said, Princess Caitlyn. You are indeed well brought up."

"Thank you Your Majesty."

"And you Prince Heero? What are your views?" King Daren asked. Heero swallowed before answering.

"I would like that very much."

"Now, as we all know, Heero, you were engaged to Caitlyn, but the engagement was called off for reasons. I think you owe Princess Caitlyn so much as to explain these reasons?" King Trevin said. "And I think Princess Caitlyn herself would like to know."

At that moment, Caitlyn deliberately spilled her lemonade onto herself.

"Oh! Excuse me King Trevin, Prince Heero, Father. How clumsy of me. May I be excused to clean myself up?"

"Of course child." King Trevin signaled a maid, who followed Caitlyn out of the dining room.

"Father, how are we to deal with this?" Heero sighed, putting down his spoon. He didn't feel like eating anymore.

"I've spoken to the Peacecrafts." King Trevin said slowly.

"I hope King Peacecraft had the right mind to say his daughter's idea was outrageous?" King Daren asked. King Trevin shook his head, and Heero's jaw gaped open.

"Father?!" He asked incredulously.

"Apparently, we all know that Relena is a spoiled child. Due to our trade, King Peacecraft wants to link both Quaylight and Sank together. King Peacecraft had no idea about the marriage until I mentioned it, and he happily agreed, saying that Heero had also already agreed."

"I was blackmailed!" Heero said angrily. King Trevin nodded.

"But that wasn't enough. We need you as a peace treaty now Heero. We can't afford to start a war."

"But Father-"

"I'm sorry Heero. You know that I love Caitlyn just as much, but we can't have a war start over you and her."

"Our army is strong Father, and so is King Daren's…"

"But we don't want the soldiers to go into war unless absolutely necessary." King Daren said.

"Your Highness!" The three royal members at the table turned to the door at the sound of the maid's voice as she opened the door. They stood abruptly.

"Marie?" King Trevin asked in confusion and dread. Had Caitlyn overheard again?

"I'm sorry Your Majesty, Her Highness ran-" Marie was cut off as Heero pushed past her.

"Heero!"

"Trevin, we can't do anything. I'm very sorry about all the trouble caused."

"I know Daren. I only hoped that we could have done this better, or at least found a way to get Heero and Caitlyn out of it. I can't believe the Peacecrafts! Out of their minds, those fools."



Heero caught up to Caitlyn as she ran toward his quarters, undoubtedly to the tunnel. He caught her arm.

"Wait Caitlyn!"

"Let me go Heero!"

"Where are you going? What do you think you are doing?"

"To talk to Relena!" Caitlyn whirled around. "I can't believe they would do that!" She sobbed. She hugged Heero tightly, sobbing against his shoulder. "Why? Why does she have to do this? Does she hate me so much? What did I ever do to her?" She cried.

"Sh…" Heero hugged Caitlyn tightly. "There's nothing we can do right now, but try to work this out."

"She made me hate you, I didn't believe in you, I'm so sorry Heero!"

"It's all right…I'm sorry too."

"It wasn't your fault Heero, it was mine, I should have believed in you!"

"As long as you forgive me, I'm sorry Cait." Heero held Caitlyn as she cried, the two silent for a few minutes, save the sounds of her quiet sobs. When she stopped crying, Heero stroked her hair. "There's nothing we can do but wait and see."

Caitlyn pulled back. "I'm going to talk to her. She can't do this! She wouldn't risk so many innocents…would she?" She looked up at Heero. "Tell me she wouldn't!"

Heero looked away for a moment before he turned back to Caitlyn's desperate gaze, and letting go of her. "She would." He said in a low voice.

"That's right." Another voice said. The two froze, and slowly turned to see Relena.

"That's right." The blond Princess repeated. "I would."









Saori: *phew* that was hard ta write u know?? ^_^ I know...Relena is evil..but I don't hate her! NO!! But....I dunno why I wrote her in this part..but...made sense....*sigh* sorry Relena lovers, no, I don't hate her

Heero: Why me? Why?!?! Couldn't it have been someone else?

Saori: Gomen ne...I need the others of other things..I have another plot then the original one....sorry...

Heero: Omae o korosu (I will kill you)

Saori: Do it and my twin'll make you appear on stage in front of Relena in a pink tutu

Heero: *smirk* Mission accepted! *fires 4 rounds*

Saori: *Blinks as bullets bounce off invisible shell*

Heero: Nani?! (what?!)

Duo: Heero! YOU know better than to shoot her!

Saori: Yea!

Duo: She's too evil to die! Let her suffer school...

Heero: Hn. Fine. Good point.

Saori: *groan* All right!!...Please readers...Review.....!