Relena woke up in the bed, alone. Heero was nowhere to be found. He must be in the bathroom. She pulled on a pair of panties and one of the oversized shirts before checking. The light was on and the door was open, so she walked in.

Heero stood over the counter, staring into the sink. He was dressed only in his boxers. "That… that shouldn't have happened…"

Relena paused. "But it did." He didn't reply. "Heero, I don't regret what we did. Any of it."

"We shouldn't be-" Heero was cut off as Relena put her hand on his. "Last night you said you loved me," she said. "Is it true?"

"I…" There was a knock at the door. "I need to get that." Heero slowly slipped his hand from under hers.

Relena looked away from Heero for the first time. "Fine."

Heero went to the door. "Yeah?"

"Hey, it's Duo."

"Just a second." Heero went back to the bed and grabbed his pants, putting them on before he opened the door. "What is it?"

Duo walked in. "I figured we needed to talk again. But first, I heard about something as I came in this morning. Dorothy's holding a press conference. It's supposed to start in…" Duo checked his watch. "…about two minutes."

Relena had stepped out of the bathroom once Duo entered. "I need to watch that. I have to see how Dorothy is doing." Heero just nodded.

"Well, then let's turn on the TV." Duo jumped onto one bed and happened to look over at the other. The sheets that hadn't been kicked aside were terribly wrinkled. Pillows were on the floor along with several articles of clothing. He looked up and noticed how little Heero and Relena were wearing. "Well, I hope I didn't interrupt anything."

Heero sat down on the other bed. "Shut up, Duo."

"Hey, your business is your own…"

Before Heero could reply, Relena turned on the television and then sat down next to him. He was clearly uncomfortable but didn't try moving away from her.

"…and now Miss Catalonia is stepping up to the platform."

Dorothy walked up and faced the cameras. Several microphones could be seen just above the bottom part of the screen; all were pointed at her. She cleared her throat before starting. "In the event of an emergency, Miss Relena Darlian decided that I should be the person to take her place. I do wish I never would have gotten this opportunity. With the recent attempts on her life, I hope that her kidnapper is at least keeping her from harm." At this point Duo looked over at Heero, who glared back. "Miss Relena, if you're watching this, I promise to continue your work for as long as you are gone. I know I'd never have as much influence as you do, but I promise things will run here just as smoothly as it did before you were gone. I think I speak for everyone when I say I'm looking forward to your safe return.

"I'll take your questions now." At least ten voices began shouting at Dorothy. She pointed to one reporter in particular and they all died down. "Go ahead."

"Miss Catalonia, yesterday the police released a sketch of the man believed to have taken Relena Darlian. Do you recognize him?"

"Do you have a copy?" He handed Dorothy a copy of the picture. She looked over it and then held it up for the camera. "Of course I do. We've met a few times. I can even tell you his name." She smiled.

Heero clenched his fists. "What?"

"Dorothy… no…"

"His name is Frederick Thompson. Last I heard he was heading to the Moon. You should start checking there."

Heero took the remote and turned off the television. Relena breathed a sigh of relief. "Even from Earth I knew Dorothy could help us."

Heero stood and rummaged through his pockets. He pulled out a wallet and tossed it into the trash. "I won't be needing Ivan's stuff anymore."

"Plus you can get out of this place," Duo added. "You know, the hotel has a free breakfast buffet every morning…"

"Sounds better than the breakfast we had yesterday," Heero replied. Relena smiled.

"Great! You… get dressed… and I'll meet you there." Duo quickly left, closing the door behind him.

Heero and Relena stayed silent for a moment. He turned to her. "I can bring you something back if you'd like."

Relena was shocked. How could he even suggest something like that? "Heero, why couldn't I come down with you?"

"We both know it's too dangerous. If anyone notices you-"

"You weren't the only one stuck in here yesterday, Heero. I want to come with you."

"You can't. You can't risk being seen."

"I'll put my hair up, wear the clothes; no one will recognize me. I'm coming with you." She turned and walked towards the bathroom.

"No! I don't want you to go."

Relena whipped around. "Why not?"

"Because, I… I don't want you to get hurt."

"Heero…" Relena walked over to Heero and put her arms around him. She leaned against him. "I won't get hurt. You'll be there to protect me."

Heero stood there, not moving. "…Okay," he finally relented.

Relena smiled. "Then let's clean up, get dressed, and we'll go."

--

Duo looked up from his bagel. Heero and Relena sat down with plates of food. He wore a green sleeveless top and jeans; she wore another set of baggy clothes, along with the hat and sunglasses. "Hey, that was fast. I hope it wasn't that way last-"

"Duo, I'm holding a knife."

"I'm just teasing, jeez." He turned to Relena. "Was it Heero who suggested wearing the sunglasses indoors? A little conspicuous, in my opinion. Where is that thing…?" Duo rummaged through his pockets until he successfully pulled out a glasses case. "Here! Hilde bought this for you yesterday."

Relena took the case and opened it. Inside was, unsurprisingly, a pair of glasses. She took off the sunglasses and replaced them with the new pair. "Okay. How do I look?"

Duo glanced over to Heero. "What do you think?"

Heero looked at Relena. "I like it. Thank Hilde for me."

"What? Is there something with the glasses?"

Duo took them from Relena and put them on. "Notice anything?"

She smiled. "Your eyes are green."

He gave them back to her. "As long as people see your eyes through those lenses, they will look green. It's simple, but it works."

"And this means we won't have to be cooped up in the hotel room all day. Right, Heero?"

"Yeah," he simply replied.

Relena drank the last of her coffee and put the cup down. "Good. It will be nice to get some fresh air."

"First thing's first," Duo said. "I gotta take you over to the Preventers. Lady Une wants to know everything we know. It'll be a bit of a trip, but that's the safest place to call her from."

"I'm ready to leave any time. Are you ready, Heero?"

Heero poured syrup on the last piece of his pancake before putting it into his mouth. He stood and wiped his mouth with his napkin. "Let's go."

--

Sally and Wufei were there to greet them as Heero, Duo, and Relena stepped out of the violet sedan. "Relena, it's good to see you," Sally said. "How are you?"

"I'm fine," Relena responded.

"Yeah, Heero's been taking very good care of her," Duo added. Relena looked away blushing while Heero glared at Duo. Sally and Wufei looked at each other, confused. "Whatever," Wufei finally said. "Let's get inside. Une's been bugging us about you, she's rather anxious to hear from you."

Relena cleared her throat and stepped forward. "I'm looking forward to talking to her as well. Let's go."

Sally held the door open for everyone before stepping in herself. She pulled the door shut and a whirring and clicking sound followed. "The door has an automatic lock. Just for security purposes," she explained.

Wufei led the group further into the building until finally they came to what would be best described as a 'control room'. Several men and women sat at computers placed around the room. They all faced one particular wall; on it was a huge screen, which was currently black. On the opposite wall there was a step up to a larger computer with a couple of chairs around it. Wufei and Sally sat down and began pressing buttons. The other three stood behind, watching them work.

Soon Lady Une's face appeared on the large screen. "Yes, what is…? Miss Relena! It's good to finally see you. How are you doing?"

Relena smiled. "Everything is fine. After all, I have the best protection available." She took Heero's hand in hers and looked at him. He looked away; it seemed he was forcing himself not to react. "Duo and Hilde have also helped out so much."

"That's good to hear."

"How is Dorothy doing?"

"She put most of your meetings on hold, only going to those with pressing issues. Dorothy's handling herself quite well, considering that she had to start running a country on short notice."

"I knew she could do it. I just hope I can be back soon."

Just then there was a knock at Lady Une's door. "Just a moment!" She looked back down. "I have to go. I don't want anyone finding out where you are right now."

Relena nodded. "I understand."

"Alright. Lady Une out." The knocking got louder at her end. Just before she cut the line, she yelled, "I said hold on, damnit!"

Wufei leaned back in his chair. "She's been stressed out ever since Heero 'kidnapped' you." He turned to him. "Have you figured out anything about the guys who've been attacking?"

Heero shook his head. "Not much. All I know is that the owner of the restaurant that Relena ate at belongs to the son of a Romefeller member."

"Some rich aristocrat had a family business on the side? What a waste of time."

"I get the feeling that there's more to it than a place to eat, but I'll need to do more digging."

Sally cut in. "Just make sure you report back to us whatever you find. If we need to shut it down, I'd like to do so before Relena returns to Earth."

Heero nodded. "Fine."

The sound of a stomach growling interrupted the conversation. Everyone looked over at Duo. "Speaking of restaurants," he began, "I'm feeling a bit famished. Let's grab a bite to eat. Wanna join us, Wu-man?"

"No," he replied shortly. "And don't call me that."

Sally rolled her eyes. "We have things to take care of here. Stay safe, Relena."

Relena looked over at Heero again. "I'm not worried."

"Yeah. Let's get going."

The three went back outside and stopped by Duo's car. "Well, what are you in the mood for, Duo?" Relena asked.

"Hm… well, Chinese sounds good. Although, I could go for a burger… and I can't remember the last time I had pasta…"

Relena laughed. "I guess we'll need to go to a buffet!"

"How about a mall instead?" Heero suggested. "There should be a food court, as well as an electronics store somewhere inside. I need to pick up a couple more things."

"What about the fact that Relena will be in such a crowded place?"

Heero sighed. "I could go later. Take-out, then?"

"Wait," Relena said. "If the hat, glasses, and baggy clothes are working well enough, then why not go out?"

"It's not safe. There will be more people there than at the hotel this morning."

"You think I don't know that, Heero?" Relena walked up to him and stared right into his eyes. "I know you're concerned, but neither of us want to stay in that hotel all afternoon again. We'll go out for a little while, have some food, you can get what you need, and then we'll go back. Okay?"

Heero paused. "One condition."

"Of course…"

"Do you know sign language?"

"Yes, they teach it at the school, why?"

"You'll have to pretend to be deaf. People will probably be able to recognize your voice."

"Do you know sign language, Heero?"

"I can read lips."

Relena smiled. She stepped back, mouthing and signing, 'I'm ready when you are.'

"All right, let's go!" Duo opened the door and jumped into the car. Relena walked to her door, but before she could touch it, Heero grabbed the handle and opened it for her. Relena looked at him. Of course, by the look on his face it seemed that this was a common courtesy he would do for any woman, but she knew better. She kissed him on the cheek, whispered a "thank you", and got in the car. Heero said nothing as he closed her door and then got in.

--

The group walked into the mall. It was incredibly crowded. The only thing worse than the sea of people moving around was the fact that their voices drowned out any possibility of a normal conversation. "Duo, you can go on ahead," Heero shouted. "We have something to take care of." Relena looked at Heero, surprised. What is he talking about?

"There isn't much I need," Duo yelled back. "Want to meet in the food court in… half an hour?"

"Sounds fine. Let's go."

Relena mouthed and signed the word 'Okay.'

Duo headed off into a random direction while Heero led Relena through the mass of people. He held her hand, but it seemed to be just so that he wouldn't lose her. They finally entered a jewelry store and the noise died down a bit.

A clerk behind the counter looked up as they entered. "Well, hello there. What can I help you with today?"

Heero took Relena's arm in his as he walked up to the counter. "My wife and I have a slight problem." She looked over at him, raising an eyebrow. "Our wedding rings were stolen last night, and I'd like to buy some for now until we can get home and get them replaced."

"That's so terrible! I have just the thing over here." As the clerk turned his back, Relena whispered to Heero, "Wedding rings?"

"We are married, aren't we?" he replied. "Married couples usually wear rings." Relena bit her lip and smiled.

"Okay, I think you two should check out what I've got over here," the clerk called out to them. The 'couple' walked over to the case and looked at the assortment of rings. Relena pointed to one excitedly and almost forgot that she couldn't speak. 'That one! It's beautiful!'

"I think it's lovely too, dear," Heero said. He smiled, trying to cover the fact that his response still didn't have a lot of emotion in it. He looked over and noticed how puzzled the clerk looked. "My wife is deaf."

"Ah. I understand. Now, which one would you like, sir?"

Relena held onto Heero's hand as he looked over the selection. It's so sad. He's been through so much, and is still struggling to recover his humanity. "This one looks good. What do you think?" Relena looked over at the ring he was holding. She nodded happily, not even paying attention to it.

"Very good choice! I'll 'ring' these up for you." The man laughed as he went back to the register. Heero pulled out a credit card and paid for the rings. He slipped his on and took Relena's hand, putting her ring on her finger. She kissed him, disregarding whatever reaction he might have. Instead of immediately pulling away, he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close to him. Once they broke the kiss, Relena noticed an old man on a television behind Heero. 'Turn it up! That's the President of the Earth Sphere!'

Heero turned around. "Turn the TV up, would you?" The clerk grabbed a remote and hit a button. "…I just wanted to say that I have received some wonderful news from Lady Une of the Preventers organization. An anonymous tip came in earlier today, stating that Vice Foreign Minister Darlian is safe and sound! We're still not sure where she is, but the Preventers are working around the clock to find her. Lady Une, would you like to say a few words?"

Lady Une was standing behind him, her mouth open in shock. She quickly recovered and stepped up to the microphone. "Um, well… I didn't think this would be released to the public so soon, but yes, I've heard from a reliable source that Miss Darlian is… safe and sound."

"Lady Une! Lady Une! Do you know where she is right now?"

"Unfortunately, my source couldn't tell me."

"And who is this source of yours?"

"This person is an undercover agent, and I wouldn't want to break my source's cover. I apologize, but I have to get back to work."

The clerk watched, interested. "Hm. Well, isn't that something?" He turned to Heero and Relena, but they were already leaving the shop. Once again, Heero was holding onto Relena as they moved through the crowds of people. "We need to find Duo and get out of here," he shouted. "I want to know what the hell just happened."

They quickly found the food court. Duo was sitting at a table, reaching into a container of fries. He had a plastic bag on the floor next to him. He looked up and saw Heero and Relena. "Hey, that was fast. What did you-"

"There's no time. We need to leave. Now."

"Huh? Did somebody recognize… her?"

"Have you seen a television recently?"

"No, why?"

"The President just announced to all of Earth and space that Relena Darlian is 'safe and sound'. I want to know how he found out."

"Damn! Did he say where we are?"

"Luckily, no. I'm sure Lady Une has to report to him, but I'd like to know why she decided to include that piece of information. Let's go."

"Right." Duo grabbed his bag and the three made their way through the mob one last time. At this point, Heero shoved aside anyone who was in his way, and Duo ended up apologizing to all of them as he ran to keep up.

Everyone finally burst through the mall doors. Instead of taking a moment to appreciate the change in scenery, they all ran to Duo's car. As they jumped in the car, Duo tossed the bag in the backseat next to Heero. "I guess Hilde will have to wait a little while longer for the book," Duo muttered as he started the car. In a flash they were out of the parking lot and heading down the highway.