Author's Note: Here's where the real action starts…with an extra helping of fluff because the next two chapters will be all action and suspense...thanks to all the readers…Enjoy

Consequences of Frustration

Tessa led Relena to the Research and Development test facility; a large spacious chamber that had several domed TAROS capsules with a wall that was made up entirely of complex control panels and flat monitor screens. It was filled with scientists clad in lab coats scurrying about as data flashed on one of the screens and an R & D lab worker was receiving a printout on the laser printer. The XO escorted the VFM over to a capsule as all the personnel in the room immediately snapped to attention…

"Colonel Testarossa, ma'am," they all said in unison, saluting.

She returned the salute. "At ease." They all relaxed and assumed their activities as Tessa turned to the petite strawberry blonde. "Relena, we'll need to do some brain scans to try to ascertain certain levels of your Whispered abilities…what you accomplished in my office, repelling an intrusion in resonance…up to now was unheard of and we need to determine how that happened."

At that moment, the chamber door slid open and Kaname was led inside, accompanied by Dr. Khali and the head of R & D, Dr. Penrose, who had worked extensively with Whispered Bani Morauta before his tragic death. The trio approached Tessa and Relena…

The scientists saluted Tessa and Kaname waved cheerfully. "Hey guys."

The XO smiled at her and commented, "By nature of your expression I take it the test with the Arbalest was successful."

Kaname nodded grinning ear to ear. "It was AWESOME! We used the Lambda Driver and blew that cliff away, just like Stallone blew up that gas station in 'First Blood'." Then suddenly remembering who had really done the deed she lowered her head sheepishly and corrected, "I mean Sousuke in the Arbalest blew that cliff away."

Dr. Khali interjected, "You had as much to do with the success as Sergeant Sagara, Miss Chidori…the battle data from the AI system in the Arbalest confirmed Black Technology coordinates were engaged during the operation. That could only have come from a Whispered…you."

"I see." Tessa said thoughtfully as she mused just as I thought…their bond is undeniable she then heard more evidence from Dr. Penrose.

"Colonel Testarossa, Dr. Khali contacted me regarding the findings and I can affirm what we knew when the Lambda Driver was developed by the late Whispered Mr. Morauta…he had intended that the ultimate power was to be reached by a symbiotic bond with a Whispered and the pilot. He had also intended to be that portion himself before…" He let the statement hang meaningfully.

"Yes," Tessa agreed, subdued. Her silver eyes were shadowed as she pondered did Leonard have something to do with Mr. Morauta's death? I truly wonder…

She shook herself and said crisply, "We'll need further tests done to see at what brain level those coordinates originated. And in addition, we need to test the level in Miss Pax here since she was able to do something unprecedented as a Whispered…she blocked a resonance intrusion."

"An intrusion?" Dr. Penrose inquired.

"Yes…while with me as I tried resonating with her, I was attacked." With her head lowered Tessa's eyes narrowed and she scowled as she thought of her wayward sibling.

Perceptive as only a long time family contact could be Dr. Penrose placed a fatherly hand on her slumped shoulder. "It was him again…wasn't it?"

Dejected, Tessa nodded with a sigh. "Yes."

He leaned back and pursed his lips as Tessa raised her head and gazed with admiration at Relena. "But Miss Pax here, who's a relatively new confirmed Whispered subject was able to not only detect the intrusion…she thwarted it."

Dr. Penrose's eyes widened in astonishment. "Amazing."

"Really, Relena?" Kaname asked her own eyes chocolate saucers as she regarded her friend. "That's too cool!"

Even the unflappable Dr. Khali was visibly impressed. "Outstanding."

Feeling ambivalent about the whole issue Relena fielded the praise with caution. "I really don't know what happened…like with all of this about being a Whispered, I'm basically in the dark." She lowered her head with a troubled expression on her delicate features

Kaname nodded in understanding. "Yeah, it's still all a mystery to me too." She sidled with Relena, linking arms with her.

Tessa studied the two young women, her Whispered counterparts and remembered harboring the same doubts and fears early on. She smiled in encouragement as she addressed the two.

"I know it seems like you both are 'in the dark' as you put it, Relena…however, I have the greatest hope that the findings of the test with the Arbalest and you Kaname, will shed light on this situation for you…and your possible role with Operation Sky Pilot."

Kaname nodded as she spied the VFM's continued reticence and said, "Uh, will you all excuse us for a few minutes? I'd like to talk to Relena…alone."

Tessa's silver eyes narrowed slightly but she smiled and replied, "Of course…take all the time you need." She gestured to the two scientists and they withdrew, leaving Kaname and Relena alone.

Kaname wasted no time. "Listen Relena…I know that you're feeling a bit overwhelmed now. I am too but I know that being a Whispered means that we have a special role. As having the capabilities to really make a difference in the world." Her eyes lit with determination then became soft as she continued, "And if my being a Whispered can help Sousuke do his best in his job with Mithril, piloting the Arbalest, then I'm going to do whatever I can."

Relena gazed at the expression on Kaname's pretty face and saw ironclad strength of mind as was her forte…however intermixed with that was the underlying and very evident proof of her devotion to the SRT sergeant. She was willing to dive head first into unknown and possibly dangerous waters to assure that the one she loved would be successful. And there, the VFM saw that she shared that very sentiment regarding her own situation.

Again Kaname's right… as Whispereds we have a very important role to perform…and I'll do whatever I can to help Sky Pilot…and Heero…with all my heart…

She smiled a warm genuine smile and whispered, "Thank you," then announced to the Mithril XO and head scientists in a confident voice, "I'm ready to start the test."

A bit dubiously Tessa asked, "Are you sure, Relena?" Whispered or not, she was still the UN vice foreign minister and her well-being was of the utmost importance.

Relena exchanged a look with her friend Kaname and affirmed, "Yes."

Tessa approved, "Good…we'll get started right away." She and the two scientists came forward. "Then please go with Dr. Khali…Kaname, Dr. Penrose would like to ask you some questions concerning the battle data from the Arbalest and do a brain scan to record the sequence from the Black Technology."

"Okay," Kaname glanced at the lanky, bespectled scientist. "Just point the way."

Dr. Penrose nodded and took her elbow. "Please come with me, Miss Chidori."

He led her to a TAROS capsule and with another scientist assisted her into the device as Dr. Khali did the same with Relena, the two Whispereds as the vital components needed to complete the puzzle that could lead to the final development of the ultimate weapons….

The cold blue of the glowing computer screen lit Heero's face as he watched information scroll. Duo and Wufei stood silent to his right, neither wanting to disturb their comrade. Heero's eyes grew harder with each scroll of the screen. Hmm. Interesting. He tapped the screen. "Lord Mallory, the guy who helped start Mithril, used to be in with the Romefellers," he said, not noticing the intrigued look on Wufei's face.

Mithril's database was extensive, and, he hated to admit it, topnotch. Not that Preventer's was small or anything, but the amount of intel Mithril kept was phenomenal. Heero's eyes flared a few moments later. So there's been even more security breaches. Nice. He could feel Duo pressing closer and stiffened. Back it off, Maxwell. He wasn't in the mood to deal with Duo's curiosity.

There was a commotion behind him, but he ignored it until someone said, "Agent Yuy." He turned and saw Captain Ino with another man, who wore a cold mask of indifference. Heero's eyes slimmed down.

"Who is he?"

Ino glanced at the soldier. "Lieutenant Vercace."

Heero walked over to them, scrutinizing the soldier's tall build. Vercace stood silent, still, not making eye contact with him. Behind Heero, Wufei and Duo exchanged a quick look. The Lieutenant didn't look at all familiar to them, but both knew that Heero had spent hours staring at Varga's photo. If this guy was Varga in disguise, he would know.

Heero studied Lieutenant Vercace intently. Everyone else was quiet; no one wanted to disturb the Preventer agent lest they stir up his wrath. His temper was already well-known among the Mithril group, even the usually garrulous Kurz managed to keep quiet. Heero had just concluded that Vercace was who he said he was, and anger was starting a wild fire inside him. How could he have let Varga slip away again? He decided before going back to the database to give Vercace one last look, just to be sure.

Vercace seemed quite smug, and that's what drew Heero's hawk eyes to his mouth as it curled in a smirk. That scar, on the right side. Heero moved closer, suddenly intense. The scar was small, but a scar was a scar. He started to draw his gun.

"You son of a bitch!" he yelled and pulled his Beretta, but Varga was already backpedaling, having shoved Ino out of his way. Heero bolted from the room, dispensing two shots and dodging one as Varga took time to fire back.

"Yuy!" Sousuke bellowed then ordered Kurz, "Alert the base…Code Green priority one…on the double!"

"Roger."

Drawing his Glock he then took off after them with Chang and Maxwell charging right behind.

Kurz keyed in the code and hit the alarm buzzer. A klaxon sounded with an automated baritone.

"CODE GREEN PRIORITY ONE! CODE GREEN PRIORITY ONE!..."

In the R & D test facility both Whispered subjects were in the TAROS capsules in the midst of the scans when the klaxon blared, instantly halting the test sequences. Both capsules opened and the girls sat bolt upright as from her post by Dr. Penrose Tessa sprang to action.

"All personnel are to remain here until further notice," she commanded, heading towards the exit.

"Wait Tessa." Relena and Kaname leapt out of their confinements and confronted her. Relena knew instinctively that Heero was at the root of the disturbance Heero found him…I know it. She entreated, "Take me with you."

Kaname echoed, "Me too."

Tessa saw the stubborn glint in both sets of eyes and concurred with a sigh, "Very well…come along then we have to hurry…"

Still hot in pursuit Heero had heard Sousuke yell, but didn't respond. His blood boiled hot through his veins, and an angry scarlet haze painted everything garishly in red. He could see Varga ahead, running like a man possessed. You're mine this time. The thought was ice, spiking deep into his mind.

Varga hit the door to the outside world, hopped into a Jeep, and tore off with screeching tires. Heero ran to another Jeep, grabbed the startled driver and threw him out while commandeering the wheel. Duo and Wufei managed to throw themselves into the backseats as he mashed the accelerator and took off in furious pursuit. Behind them, Sousuke grabbed another Jeep and screamed off after them.

Varga was driving top speed, throwing back bullets every few seconds. Heero was leaning over the door of his Jeep, firing back, his face a study in granite wrath. The two vehicles tore like mad R/C cars through the base, Heero paying no attention to the direction they were going.

"The airfield!" Duo yelled, leaning over the driver seat.

Damn. Heero willed the Jeep to go faster. He couldn't let Varga go again. Swerving to avoid two soldiers who were yelling and pointing, he fired his Beretta again. It clicked and he swore, the words hell-fire hot on his tongue. Duo and Wufei were both leaning over the seats, and Duo handed Heero his own Preventer-issue nine millimeter.

But Varga was already on the airfield, and all three Preventer agents saw his intentions. A Huey Cobra gunship was just warming up; Varga leapt from his barely-stopped Jeep and ran toward it.

"No!" Heero got close, slowed, and jumped from the still-moving vehicle, clutching Duo's gun. Duo and Wufei both yelled, but they would understand. Heero ran toward the Cobra. Taking aim, he shot, but the bullet pinged off the metal hide of the helicopter, and Varga scrambled to safely into the pilot's seat.

The Cobra rose abruptly, its turbines screaming at the sudden abuse. Heero stopped and pointed the nine skyward, firing and swearing. He was sweating and tired, but he felt neither. Adrenaline was feeding his body a steady course of fury-driven madness. Over and over he fired, continuing even after the nine had emptied. No. I will not let him leave. No!

"Heero." Duo had come on his right side, Wufei to his left. Heero continued shooting and ranting. "Dude, he's gone. Calm down," Duo said, his tone hard and serious.

"Like hell I will," Heero snarled. He threw the useless gun to the tarmac as Urzu-7's Jeep fishtailed to a halt.

"Yuy!" Sousuke ran up, coming around to face him. "We'll get him. His cover is blown now."

"Shut up." Heero was still staring into the windy void of sky that Varga had rapidly disappeared into, his hands clenched into tight white fists.

Seeing the look of consternation on the Mithril sergeant's lean face, Wufei stepped in to do damage control. "Sagara's right. We'll find Varga. But you need to calm down and get it together, or you won't be able to protect Relena," the Chinese man said, stepping close to his friend.

Heero seemed to recoil then, and his body began to relax. Relena. "I want her here, right now," he ordered.

"I'm sure she'll be here soon," Duo consoled, shooting Wufei a look. Both men knew how downright stubborn and overprotective Yuy got when things like this happened. He turned into a cornered attack dog.

Another Jeep pulled up behind them, and Heero turned, slowly, to see who else had showed up. Tessa, Kaname, and Relena were getting out of the vehicle, and his heart clenched. The VFM looked up and saw him, and a frown broke over her lovely face. Damn it. How can I keep her safe now? With Varga here and on the loose, he knew she was in danger.

"Heero? What happened?" she asked, walking over to him. He reached for her, pulling her tight against him, his hold unbreakable.

"We're leaving." He stared hard at Tessa, who had come over as well, and watched her eyes widen. "I want a transport chopper right now."

"Heero?" Relena didn't squirm, but she stared up at him with fear tingeing her pretty blue eyes. "Where are we going?"

"Back to Tokyo."

Coming forward Tessa crisply addressed Sousuke, "What's the status, sergeant?"

Scowling he replied, "High speed pursuit of suspected spy Varga yielded hijack of a combat Huey…shots fired by and exchanged with Preventer operative Yuy…no reported casualties."

"Roger." She reached for the microphone to the transmitter pinned to her lapel. "Attention all MP units…begin immediate pursuit of hijacked Huey-Cobra…alert Intelligence to track surveillance of craft via satellite for intercept and to track and provide coordinates ASAP. Air control, communicate with said craft to determine ID of craft and radar signals…follow up with regular status updates to command." At once, pilots scrambled to the other combat Hueys on the tarmac and a din arose as they powered up and took off after Varga.

Eyes narrowed Wufei asked, "You think you can catch him?"

The XO tersely replied, "We'll use every means necessary to assure that the craft…and the perpetrator are captured."

From his place still holding tightly to Relena Heero snorted, "I don't care. Just as long as you get us back to Tokyo so we can get our gear and get the hell away."

"Away?" The petite Mithril XO interjected, "Agent Yuy, the test with Relena isn't over…the alarm interrupted us and we need to do more in conjunction with Operation Sky P---,"

He cut her off. "I don't give a damn about your tests…or that AS…it's because of your being lax in who've you allowed to join you that Relena's in danger."

Tessa said in consternation, "I can understand you feeling that way, Mr. Yuy. But I assure you that regardless of the apparent breach in security Mithril is dedicated to keeping her safe."

Heero smirked as he scoffed, "Like you were with Kaname Chidori six months ago when she almost got killed? No thanks, I'll take my chances with Preventer…at least I know they do their job keeping her safe. Mithril's a joke."

Tessa bristled as she warned, "You watch yourself, sir…Your own organization Preventer who has been protecting her is now allied by choice with Mithril and because of that Relena is also under Mithril's jurisdiction and protection."

Heero laughed harshly, "Protection? That's a laugh. With what just happened here your claims of protection are total bullshit." His voice raised in a roar he went on. "Lorant Varga, the same prick who tried to kidnap her two years before was right here under your noses…and again he managed to get away!"

Sousuke retorted, "He stole one of our combat Hueys…he won't get far."

Heero whirled on him. "You think so, huh? Believe in your fairytales Sagara. I know the guy…you don't."

Tessa tried to placate him. "Agent Yuy, I know how upset you are and believe me I intend to apprehend this spy and saboteur."

He looked at her as if she were a moron. "Oh yeah? Well, good luck because he's one of the slipperiest bastards you'll ever see…and if as Sagara thinks he's in cahoots with your brother and Amalgam he'll be damn near impossible to get….now get us that transport so we can get the hell out of here."

Tessa saw the fear buried in the fierce depths of Prussian blue in Heero's eyes and empathized with him but also saw that now she knew for certain Leonard and Amalgam were making a comeback that tapping into the Black Technology to perfect the Lambda Driver was paramount. She also knew that the early readings of Relena's scan showed high concentrates of Black Technology in the VFM, which made her role in the new AS operation as vital as that of Kaname Chidori's. So although it was not her choice she played the only card she had…

"Agent Yuy, Mithril is doing everything possible to catch Varga now that thanks to you he's been found. It's unfortunate that your own impulsiveness has prevented his immediate capture however, regardless of your apparent error in judgment we fully intend to have him in custody. And keep this in mind, the VFM being a confirmed Whispered now makes access to her a priority so if you continue to be unreasonable I have no other choice than to report your conduct to your Preventer superior, Lady Une."

Seeing the steely look in the XO's silver eyes but not intimidated Heero smiled unpleasantly. "Go ahead and do whatever you want but get us that chopper back to Tokyo…now."

Tessa sighed He certainly has a one-track mind "Very well, Mr. Yuy…but also be aware of this…If you attempt to take the VFM out of Tokyo without authorization it will be considered kidnapping and will be dealt with as such." Meeting his glare unflinchingly, her expression broadcast her grave intent then she addressed Sousuke, "Sergeant Sagara, a word in private please."

"Ma'am." He immediately complied and the two stepped away, Tessa speaking sotto voce.

"Sergeant, you and Miss Chidori accompany the VFM and Agent Yuy back to Tokyo but keep an eye on him…if he makes any move to take off with her, stop him using whatever means necessary and contact me ASAP."

His eyes on the still enraged Heero Sousuke nodded. "Yes, ma'am."

Tessa then spoke into her transmitter. "Have a transport chopper ready to leave for Tokyo in five. And get the TDD-1 ready for launch on the double."

Having heard that Tessa intended to use the submarine in the capture of Varga Sousuke volunteered, "Ma'am, I can go along with you---,"

She shook her head. "Negative sergeant…you take Miss Chidori, the VFM and Agent Yuy back to Tokyo just as I told you…in his present volatile state I don't want him taking off with her." She then spoke into the transmitter, "Mayday! SRT members Urzu-2 and Urzu-6 rendezvous on TDD-1 on the double!"

Tessa jumped into Sousuke's jeep and gunned it toward the submarine launch. Kaname, who had been up to now stunned by the frantic activity came to Sousuke and asked, "Sousuke, what's happening?"

So the captain's taking Mao and Kurz on the mission…is she planning to deploy AS's to go after Varga? Before he could answer an airman came up to him in a rush. "The transport to Tokyo is ready for takeoff, Sergeant Sagara sir…you can board at once."

"Roger." Sousuke acknowledged the news and called, "Yuy…time to go."

Heero grunted, took firm hold of Relena's elbow and propelled her toward the idling craft.

Kaname was persistent. "Well?"

Stonefaced he took her arm as well. "I'll tell you when we get home…let's move out."

They followed the other couple to board…


Meanwhile, Varga flew the combat craft at full throttle, trying to figure out the Mithril bells and whistles while trying to hold off the dogs…Mithril's MP forces that by nature of the radar reading were hot in pursuit. He could also hear the radio contacts between the pursuing choppers and the occasional attempts to communicate with his own now that they pinpointed the ID of the Huey. He reached for his cell and hit the speed dial…

Leonard Testarossa's smooth tenor drawled, "You have something for me?"

Varga replied tersely, "The mission's been compromised…my Mithril cover's blown and I am now escaping with a commandeered Huey-Cobra."

In spite of the dire circumstance Leonard laughed out loud. "You actually made off with a Mithril Huey-Cobra? My friend, you have balls…not many brains I'm afraid but plenty of balls. Where are you?"

Varga glanced at the GPS navigational screen and relayed, "I'm heading due west and approaching the southwest tip of Kyushu in Japan but am running low on fuel."

In his Kowloon office Leonard picked up the phone and ordered, "Attention…rescue operation for OZ Lieutenant Varga to commence immediately…coordinates 33 degrees N, 131 degrees E. Send Venom AS to intercept." He then spoke in his cell, "Don't worry lieutenant…the cavalry's on the way"

Cavalry? "Sir, I'm airborne," Varga said, dismayed.

Leonard sighed, "It was a figure of speech, lieutenant…a Venom AS is on its way to you. Now listen to me…all Mithril craft and vehicles have ECS stealth capabilities…activate yours and try to keep distance between you and the enemy, the AS was fed your coordinates and should meet you shortly. It will take you to the new facility in the Khanka Autonomous Region in northern Asia. Once there you'll debrief with me and I'll give you your next assignment."

"My next assignment?"

"Affirmative," Leonard said grimly. "The two Whispereds…must be dealt with…"

Meanwhile, half a dozen Mithril Huey-Cobras were approximately ten miles to the east and closing in. The lead chopper was maintaining radio contact with Commander Mardukas and Colonel Testarossa on the TDD-1.

"Teiwaz-12 to TDD-1…Teiwaz-12 to TDD-1…"

"Teiwaz-12, go ahead," Tessa answered from her command seat on the sub.

"Have ID'ed the stolen Huey…sending the IF to you on the TDD-1"

Tessa saw the craft's identification on the comm screen. "Good job. Where are you?"

"Am about ten miles from purloined Huey craft…ETA twenty-five minutes…shall we shoot 'im down? I can see him now with my scope."

"Negative," Tessa ordered. "Do not shoot him down. When you get to within a mile from him surround him…I will engage the Plan C option."

"Aye ma'am," the pilot answered. "Oh shit! Uhhh, sorry captain."

Hearing him over the channel Mardukas scowled at his lack of protocol but Tessa was on the alert. "What is it, corporal?"

"I had him in my sights but he disappeared!"

Tessa tensed as she replied, "Relax, corporal…he probably activated his ECS stealth mode. But he can still be tracked with your inferred radar…it'll track the heat from the turbines…just stay on course and have your grapples ready, all crafts."

"Aye ma'am." The other pilots all sent their affirmations.

His brow raised Mardukas asked, "Plan C Option?"

"Affirmative…it has the fewest questions for failure," Tessa pointed out then added, "I think you'll agree that Huey-Cobras are valuable pieces of equipment that should be retrieved if stolen…we can't afford one falling into the wrong hands."

Flanking her in the control seat Mao and Kurz stood before the radar screen, watching the pursuit grimly while Mao stated, "You're going to use the Plan C Option for this situation."

"Affirmative." Tessa frowned as she elaborated, "I know it was developed in the event that the pilot became wounded or otherwise disabled during flight but I think this situation warrants its use."

"So do you want us to deploy in M-9's to offer assist?" Kurz asked.

"Not yet, Mr. Weber…let's see how this plays out." The four intently watched the radar monitor coiled and ready to strike when the time came…

In the stolen helicopter Varga kept his pace as he monitored the progress of his pursuers, noticing that they were gaining on him. A seasoned pilot but unfamiliar with Mithril's modifications to the craft he had managed to find the switch to activate the ECS and to deactivate the radio channel but as far as trying to figure out the other extra devices or weapons he was too busy trying to stay ahead while still keeping watch for the Venom coming to get him.

Shit, they're closing in on me even though I've activated the ECS…must be using inferred radar…where the hell is that Venom AS? If it doesn't get here soon, I've had it. A cold, primal fear of being cornered roiled in his belly as he saw the other Hueys get closer and begin to surround him…

The leader, Teiwaz-12 contacted Tessa, "Ma'am, we're within a mile of the enemy and have surrounded him with grapples ready."

"Good work," Tessa approved. "Now pull right up to him…and wait until I give you the signal."

"Roger."

She reached to her control panel and keyed in the ID of the stolen Huey-Cobra then reached over and pushed a button on the far right that was labeled "Auto Retrieval", the button that enabled the TDD-1 to guide and run any of the Mithril aircraft via auto-pilot in the event that the pilot became unable to fly. This surrendered the control of the craft to the TTD-1 with no way for anyone to get control back unless the pilot used a special password; given only to the Teiwaz team member to whom the craft was assigned. The submarine, using sonar would then guide the craft either to a Mithril airbase or to its own launch pad as it surfaced. In addition, M-9 Arm Slaves could be used to retrieve the crippled craft. It was both a safety and security measure; top secret and unique to Mithril that ensured the safe return of both pilot and craft…

And very effective…

Over in the stolen Huey craft Varga noticed something odd with the acceleration…he was slowing down, even with a fully open throttle. He checked the fuel and saw although it was just below a quarter full, there was plenty of fuel. He became alarmed as the Mithril MP craft came even closer, boxing him in, drawing in and flanking him…

Shit! Where are you, Venom??

On the TDD-1 Tessa, Mardukas, Mao, and Kurz watched as the prey was gradually slowing down, being navigated by the helmsman and enabling the helicopter to be intercepted by the other choppers. The CO spoke into her transmitter…

"Teiwaz-12…how close are you to the target?"

"Coming up on seven hundred fifty, ma'am. We have him surrounded."

"Good…commence countdown from 20…19…18…17…"

From his stolen Huey Varga watched as the noose around him tightened…the Mithril choppers getting ever closer when ahead in the distance he saw a speck in the blue expanse that got larger and turned into a copper colored Arm Slave…an Amalgam Venom streaking toward him. The master spy sighed in relief just in time…

From his cockpit screen Teiwaz-12 saw the approaching Venom AS and was shocked as he wondered if he was seeing an apparition. "What the--?"

Halting the countdown Tessa demanded, "What is it, corporal?"

"Beggin' your pardon colonel, but I think I'm seeing things."

His incredulous tone alarmed the petite platinum blonde. "What do you mean, corporal?"

Dismayed Teiwaz-12 replied, "A Venom AS is approaching from the nine o'clock, dead ahead ma'am…I thought all those were wiped out by Urzu-7 in the Arbalest six months ago."

Kurz's eyes were cerulean saucers. "So did I."

Her own narrowed Tessa grimaced as she snapped, "Where is he, Teiwaz-12?"

He glanced at the radar. "Approximately one thousand dead ahead and closing fast."

Gripping the arm rests with whitened knuckles Tessa barked, "All units, permission to open fire!" Glowering she cursed her sibling damn you to hell Leonard!

Fascinated Varga saw his savior approach and come toward him just as the Mithril Hueys all began to fire their guns, the bullets ricocheting off the tempered steel surface of the AS like gnats. The AS continued its course until it was right before him. Then, his fascination turned into wonder as he felt a jolt as the entire craft was lifted up by the AS while its hands scooped it up and he was spirited away by warp speed…

"WHAT THE HELL?!" Teiwaz-12 bellowed as he saw his quarry literally swiped away right before his eyes. The other five units were also responding in equal measures of outrage, cursing a blue streak…

In the control center of the TDD-1 the four Mithril soldiers were momentarily dumbstruck by the quicksilver events that had just occurred, their eyes never leaving the comm screen where they had witnessed the incident. Kurz, the first to respond was typically voluble…

"Man, what the hell was that?"

Mao was more direct. "That son of a bitch! Ma'am, shall we go after him in the M-9's?"

Kurz nodded, "Just say the word, chief."

Her hands still clenched on the arms of her chairs Tessa stared silently at the comm screen, stunned as she brooded So it's true…Leonard is rebuilding Amalgam and from the looks of things he's a lot closer than I thought…no wonder he planted a spy to try to get his hands on the information from Operation Sky Pilot…damn him!

"Negative…Commander Mardukas, please head back to Merida Island ASAP!"


The ride back from Merida was pea soup thick with tension; the chaotic events at the base weighing heavy on everyone's minds…especially that of Heero's as he fumed, white hot coals of fury still smoldering within…

He gave me the slip again…damn that bastard to hell! And damn Mithril for allowing him in, to get so close…I don't give a shit what Sagara or Testarossa says when we get to Miss Chidori's Relena and I are outta here…and as far as Preventer's concerned they can kiss my ass…

"Heero?"

Relena's soft summons reached through the lava flow of his rage and he turned and saw the limpid sapphire pools like woodland ponds, gazing at him with concern…gentle and trusting which made him feel even worse…

Look at her…I screwed up royally, letting Varga go and she still trusts me…just like the first time two years ago when I messed up. After we leave Tokyo I'll take her away, find some place that nobody else knows about where it'll just be the two of us. She can resign her post as VFM and I'll take care of the both of us…I swear I'll never let anything happen to her…she's everything to me…I-I won't lose her!

"Heero, please say something," Relena whispered.

As always, he was trapped by her essence, held captive by her sweet spirit increasing the burden of failure on him so that he felt overwhelmed. No longer able to bear the imagined blame he grunted and turned from her…

Over across on the other seat in the transport chopper Kaname and Sousuke sat quietly as if choked silent by the tense atmosphere. Because of the severe downturn of events the easy and warm camaraderie that had built between the foursome had been shaken and although not shattered, became affected in a very serious way. Sousuke especially felt somewhat ambivalent, torn between his duty as a member of Mithril to defend its procedures and policies and his empathy for Heero's yearning to eliminate the one threatening his beloved. He felt a similar measure of frustration at Varga's escape but kept the feeling to himself as the transport churned its way to Chofu...

The moment the helicopter touched down on the tennis court Heero unfastened his and Relena's belts and without a word jumped off the aircraft, pulling the petite VFM with him. He then watched as Sousuke and Kaname disembarked then with a stone face took Relena's hand and headed for Maison K. Kaname glanced at Sousuke with a raised brow but the Mithril sergeant just glowered and took her hand to follow. Once at the condominium the two couples climbed the stairs to the fourth floor and got to Kaname's unit where the dour Preventer agent waited as she unlocked the door. She was then taken aback when still holding Relena's hand he rudely pushed past her to enter, pulling the VFM with him. In addition, he did not take off his shoes nor did he give Relena the chance to; which although not always practical, to not do it was a great insult in a Japanese home. Heero's unusual lack of respect surprised Kaname and irked Sousuke, who was in a foul mood also. They removed their shoes and entered watching the other two interact.

"Relena, go and pack…we're leaving." Heero's narrowed eyes and flat baritone brooked no discussion as he stood in the common area, arms folded obstinately.

She raised a slim brow. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me…we're leaving."

"But you heard what Colonel Testarossa said…"

Heero roared, "I don't give a rat's ass what she said…we're outta here!"

Her own hackles up at his abrupt manner, literally dragging her to the condo with no explanation and none forthcoming Relena retorted, "Heero, what's the meaning of this? You try to be a one man wrecking crew at the Mithril base, speak no words as to why, and then order me to pack, telling me we're leaving…"

"Thanks for the recap…now go do it." Heero was insistent as Kaname went over to Relena's side and spoke up.

"Hey Mr. Yuy chill out…I don't really know what happened on the base but Relena can't leave now. As Whispereds Relena and I both have a duty to use our abilities to help gain peace in the world by providing the ---," but he curtly cut her off.

"I don't care…stay the hell out of it, Miss Chidori…this doesn't concern you."

Hearing that and already hot himself Sousuke snapped, "Don't you talk that way to her, Yuy! She's right, you can't just leave."

"Watch us." He grabbed Relena's arm and barked, "Let's go!"

Tired of being pulled about like a rag doll Relena wrenched her arm from Heero and retorted, "I'm not going anywhere…not until I hear an explanation of exactly what happened at the base." She stood before him, eye to eye and toe to toe.

The air became suffocating as Heero's eyes narrowed to Prussian slits and his face became a tsunami of emotion. He ground out, "It's my job to keep you safe…and dammit I'm gonna do it if I have to truss you up and carry you to some place safe."

She sighed and asked, "What in the world are you talking about?"

"Varga Relena, Varga! The bastard was there, I had him was right in front of me and he gave me the slip again…damn him!" His tirade was not over as he added, "And damn Mithril for the chickenshit outfit it is, allowing him into their ranks!"

Now Sousuke reacted in wrath. "Take it easy, Yuy. If you hadn't acted like a crazed gunman on a shooting spree we could've got him. The whole base was on alert and Kurz is our best sharpshooter…trust me with his cover blown he wouldn't have gotten far."

Heero glared at him and growled, "Trust you? Don't make me laugh, Sagara! Mithril's turned out to be the biggest half-assed operation I ever saw. The security breaches in the computer system showed its vulnerabilities." He then had a nasty glitter in his eyes as he added, "And you just go along and obey them like any obedient puppy."

Sousuke's eyes narrowed dangerously. "What the hell does that mean?"

"Just what I said…if you weren't so high up Mithril's ass maybe six months ago you would've done a better job keeping the woman you claim to care for safe."

Both women gasped and Relena reproached, "Heero!" but Sousuke just inched forward, pushing the women aside.

"What did you say?" His voice was soft and deceptively calm and his eyes were daggers.

Heero met his glare and said snidely, "Are you deaf? Or do you have comprehension problems?"

Urzu-7 needed no further prompt. His right fist shot toward Heero's jaw and made solid contact, knocking the Preventer agent flat on his back. However, fueled by his own fury he recovered quickly and raced forward, tackling Sousuke and knocking him into the bar by the kitchenette, splattering stools as the two men grappled with each other like wrestlers on a mat, grunting.

Horrified and stunned Kaname and Relena watched until the Japanese Whispered saw the damage her domicile was taking and moved to action. Reaching over to an end table and a drawer she pulled out a canister and leaning over the two combatants she sprayed a liberal mist at point blank range, aiming at their faces. The gas did its work as both men howled in pain; immediately separating and kneeling with heads bowed; coughing violently and rubbing their eyes.

Taking charge Kaname commanded, "Relena, go get two towels and wet them with cold water then bring them here."

"Uh, right." She went to do as she was bidden as Kaname addressed the two.

"All right boys…play time's over…so knock it the hell off!"

Sousuke recovered first, still gagging but able to speak. "Damn…that was harsh, Chidori."

"Shut up," she snarled. "Your wrecking my apartment gives me the right to do whatever I want, idiot. You're lucky I used just the pepper spray you gave me and not the taser…now chill out!"

Relena came out with the wet towels, handed one to Kaname and then knelt down near Heero who was still gasping as he rubbed his eyes. Wrapping her arm around his shoulders she pressed the towel to his eyes.

"Watch it!" he snapped as he tried to pull away.

"Then hold still, damn you!" Relena snapped back, holding firm.

The usually soft spoken VFM was furious and formidable when at her temper's limit and by nature of her tone knowing that she was there he meekly complied. A few feet over Kaname was assisting Sousuke the same way, exchanging glances with her before she spoke.

"Okay guys here's the deal…Relena, take Heero over to the bathroom and run the cold water in the sink…the colder the better…and then hold his head under the running water for about ten minutes. Sousuke, you come into the kitchen with me."

"Roger." He got to his feet and with Kaname's guidance went into the kitchenette where she turned the faucet on to administer first aid.

Still crouched on the tatani Relena sighed and asked Heero, "Can you stand?"

"Yeah." He got up slowly, still holding the towel to his eyes.

Relena wrapped her arm about his waist and guided him to the bathroom, turning the spigot to run the water. She then took the towel away and pushed Heero's chocolate head under the stream, allowing the water to wash the chemical away as the silence cloaked them.

After about ten minutes he leaned up and out of the sink. "I'm okay now."

"Are you sure?" Relena's response was restrained.

"Yeah."

Wordlessly she began to remove his t-shirt and took another towel to throw over his head then grabbed his hand. "Come on then…we have to talk." She pulled him toward the guest room, opened the door and pushed him in.

Relena closed the door behind her and watched her bodyguard as he thumped down on her bed. He was feeling petulant; she could see it in the way his shoulders hunched and his eyes refusing to meet hers. Sighing internally, she went to sit beside him. He wasn't going to start the conversation, she supposed, so she said, "It's been quite a day."

He shifted away from her. "Just say what you mean." His tone was cold, dead, and Relena hated it.

"Fine. You really want to know what I think? Really?" Her own voice was sharp as a needle, and Heero flinched. "I think you're an amazing bodyguard," she continued, and he turned his head to stare at her. "Oh, I know. You think you majorly mucked up by letting Varga," Relena shivered involuntarily, "get away. But Heero, you kept him from getting close to me. You're the one who discovered him. If you hadn't been there, he would've hurt me." Or worse, she thought, shuddering.

Heero reached out to take her hand, and she loved how rough and warm his was. "I let him get away," he said, and the anger in his voice burned her.

"No, you didn't. You chased him down. You took shots at him."

"So, in other words, he outran me. Great." Heero started to let go of her hand, but she held tight, and she felt her own anger bubbling up again.

"Well, if that's how you see it, then maybe I should call Lady Une and request another bodyguard. A different one, who never makes mistakes." Her voice shook and she jerked away from Heero and got up to pace. "After all, I'm an important person. The VFM, and a Whispered. So maybe my bodyguard should be from Mithril. Maybe that blonde-haired guy. Kurz? Is that his name?"

"Calm down."

She whirled on him. "Calm down? Why? You don't care! You just care that you screwed up. And you know what? So what? So Varga escaped! I'm still safe, Heero. But you don't get that! You only get that you made a mistake!" By now she couldn't stop shaking, couldn't rein in her anger at him. She turned from him, and fought a fierce fight behind closed eyes against the hot, salty tears.

"My mistake could cost you your life," Heero said. He had gotten up to stand behind her, and his hands gently gripped her shoulders.

"But it won't. Not with you here, by my side," she whispered, and the will to fight the invading tears was lost. They cascaded down her cheeks, blurring her vision.

"Please don't cry," Heero whispered. He turned her to face him, and Relena didn't try to mask the pain. He reached to wipe away the salty rivulets, and she wanted to melt under his warm touch.

"Heero...please, don't," she murmured, and backed away from him. His Prussian eyes widened, and she looked away, not able to handle his own pain and confusion.

"Relena?"

She shook her head at him. "Why don't you believe in yourself more? Why can't you understand how amazing you are?"

"Because I'm not." The cold had crept back into his voice.

"Yes, you are. I don't trust anyone half as much as I trust you."

"If I'm so amazing, how is it that Varga escaped today? With a combat-loaded Huey?"

Relena bit her lip and walked away. He was so proud, so stubborn, that she wasn't sure what to say at this point. How can I tell him what I'm really feeling? He's my bodyguard. It was quiet now; she could just make out his breathing if she tried hard enough. Maybe....maybe I should tell him. We've kissed before, after all. Then maybe he'd understand what he means to me... Her heart began pounding, but she couldn't force any air, let alone words, from her lips.

"Hey." Heero touched her shoulder, but she didn't want to look at him. "Relena, please."

She turned around, slow, and glanced up. His eyes were bright and dark all at once, and she swallowed hard, unable to look away. He kept his gaze on her while carefully placing his big hands on either side of her face. Relena's cheeks flamed at the intimate contact, and her breath caught in her lungs as he brought his mouth almost upon hers.

"Heero?" Her voice was a squeaking gasp.

"No talking," he said and he was kissing her, his mouth insistent and commanding, and she yielded, unable to avoid the onslaught. Her head spun, yet this wasn't the terrifying grip of Black Technology. No, this was the man of her dreams kissing her breathless and senseless, until she wasn't sure which way was up anymore.

Heero eased away, breathing deep, and scooped her into his arms. Crossing to the bed, he laid her down. Before she could really make sense of his actions, his mouth was covering hers again, and full-length shock waves roared through her slender body at his touch.

"Heero..." A murmur was all she could force when he cut away to breathe again, and when he locked eyes with her, she saw his passion. His love. And suddenly, she didn't care about what was proper or right. She only cared about his mouth and the fire it had ignited deep inside her body and soul.

"Please?" she whispered, reaching to touch the hard bare chest that rose and fell in front of her. His eyes widened for a moment, then slitted as his mouth tore into hers again. The assault was brutal and left her reeling, but soon gave way to sweet and soft administrations. His left hand cradled her head, and his right began caressing her stomach, slipping beneath her T shirt and crawling upward.

"Oh, Heero..." Relena could barely breathe, and then couldn't breathe, could only gasp as his hand gently explored. His mouth grew insistent again, and swallowed her soft light moans. Desperate to touch him, she reached forward, and her fingers found the hard planes of his chest. He growled and leaned hard against her, and it was all so right, so explicit and wonderful, that she couldn't fathom why they hadn't done this before.

"Heero..." she murmured as he began to draw her upright, his hands burning where they touched as he yanked her T shirt off. She giggled, and that seemed to please him. He laughed, a soft sound, before wrapping his arms around her and hugging her close. Before she could speak, he was kissing her again. So intense, so hot. Relena kissed him with a fierce passion borne of watching him, day after day, of never allowing him to get this close. Why would this be so wrong?

The question was quiet in her mind, but it grew louder with each tease of Heero's hand, every breath he stole from her. Not wrong. It can't be. Heero was feeling for the catch of her lacey blue and white bra, and the word, wrong, sprung to the forefront of her thoughts screamed and beat against her until her eyes shot open and she cried out in panic.

Heero leapt back as if burned, and his blue eyes slowly focused as he carefully scrutinized her. "Did I hurt you?" he finally asked, his breath still hung up in his deep chest.

"No," she whispered, hanging her head. What was I thinking? I could've ruined everything between us.

"Relena." Heero touched her face, his lean fingers trailing down to her jaw. "Are you okay, honey?"

Her eyes shot to his, and she said, "I'm fine. I just..." She couldn't explain, but watching the emotions rolling through his beautiful eyes, she knew he understood.

"That was intense," he said, his voice husky and low, and a thrill ran through her stomach.

"Yes, it was." She gave a quiet little laugh, unsure of what to do now. She needn't have worried; Heero took charge and pulled her into his arms and held her tight, his lips gently grazing the top of her head.

"Did I scare you?" he asked, and she knew how important it was that he hadn't.

"No, not at all. Heero, I trust you. I always trust you." She pushed harder into his arms, and heard him chuckle.

"Come here," he said, and pulled her into his lap. They were quiet for awhile then, and Relena wished they could just stay this way, wrapped up in each other. She was highly aware that she didn't have a shirt on, but it wasn't embarrassing. She was comfortable with him.

"I'm sorry I let him go." Heero's voice rumbled deep in his wide chest.

"You didn't. On a different day, it would've gone better," she told him. "I know you think you're the perfect soldier, but you're only human, handsome."

He was quiet, his right hand drawing careless circles on her bare stomach. "I just want to keep you safe, and I'll do whatever it takes to make that happen."

Relena sat up so she could look into his fathomless eyes. "Heero, I know you'll catch him. It's only a matter of time. He can't hide in Mithril anymore." When he gave her a doubtful look, she continued. "And you can't blame Mithril for what happened, either."

"The hell I can't."

"Their security is astounding. You know that's true. I know they made a mistake, but they're only human, too. And no more fighting with Sousuke. I mean it. He's only trying to help us, and you throwing what happened six months ago into his face was mean and unacceptable."

Heero looked away, and Relena wondered if she should relent some. But his behavior this day had been abominable. "I am sorry," Heero said, and she touched his cheek, the rough stubble prickling her delicate skin.

"I know," she whispered, and leaned forward to kiss him. He immediately responded, and she wondered if she were about to be swept under his spell again, but he backed off and gave her a small apologetic smile.

"I'll be right back, sweetheart," he said, and left the room. She giggled quietly as she heard him go into the bathroom, and lay back on the bed. Heero was back in a few minutes, and settled on the bed beside her. She laid her head on his chest, and he wrapped his arms around her.

"I won't let him hurt you." His voice was low, contrite.

"I know, sweetie. I trust you," she murmured. Her eyes were heavy, and when she yawned, he gave her a squeeze.

"Sleep, honey. I'll be right here," he promised, and she kissed his bare shoulder before starting to succumb to the heavy grit in her eyes.

As she drifted off, a small whisper slipped from her lips. "I love you...."

At the same time over in the kitchenette Kaname was holding Sousuke's inky head beneath the running stream, her full lips drawn and tight as she mused Man, this all just keeps getting weirder and weirder…just who is this guy Varga anyway? And what exactly is going on?

Her reverie was interrupted by Sousuke, who tried to extract his head from the rushing water. "Chidori…I'm (glub) okay (glub) now."

Noticing that she was drowning him she turned the water off as he coughed and gasped while she handed him a fresh towel. "Here."

"Thank you."

Sousuke vigorously rubbed his head as Kaname watched him, leaning against the bar with her arms folded, an inscrutable expression on her fine features. When he finished he met her gaze with a rather guilty look…

"Chidori, I'm really--,"

"Sorry you trashed my apartment," she finished. "That's okay…just a normal day with Sousuke Sagara. I'm used to at least one disaster a day from you so just c'mon and help me clean up, okay?"

He sighed and lowered his head. "Yeah."

The two went out to the common area and began to pick up the scattered furniture, the stools that were tossed about like bowling pins as the two young men scuffled. Fortunately, the damage was kept to a minimum due to Kaname's quick thinking and swift discipline so clean up between them took no time.

As Sousuke assisted Kaname setting right the room he could not help but brood about what happened at the base and how Yuy's reacting in blood lust to exterminate Varga had planted similar thoughts in his own head. That Mithril's once vaunted security had been so easily breached was disturbing enough but that a man that had once been responsible for the near kidnap of the VFM was able to infiltrate the ranks with no problem rankled him even more. He began to truly doubt Mithril's ability to keep the Whispereds safe…

What a mess this is…I don't blame Yuy for going off like that, at all. If Kaname's life was being threatened and the guy was found close by I wouldn't hesitate to hunt him down and waste him…but actually there is Leonard Testarossa, trying to get at her…

"Uhh, Sousuke…are you okay?"

He was snapped out of his reverie by Kaname, who was gazing at him in concern which alerted him to the fact that he was gripping the back of a stool so hard his knuckles were white. He looked back at her, his eyes growing soft as they studied her lovely face…

She's so beautiful…I never thought I'd ever feel like this about anyone…like I'd be lost without her. Like I felt in Hong Kong after Mithril ripped me away from her, wandering the streets, not caring if I lived or died…If anything happened to her…

The recurring thoughts that kept him up some nights once again overwhelmed him and suddenly Sousuke wrapped his arms around Kaname, as if he were holding on to her for dear life. He crushed her to him with no words uttered, just his physical strength to ward off some unseen future event that he was certain would tear her from him…a gnawing premonition that developed during the chase of Varga and was bubbling in his gut like bile. Inadvertently, he began to tremble with the enormity of the feelings…

Kaname, locked in the near vice-grip of his embrace felt the vast scope of her bodyguard's emotion as she felt him quaver; so unlike him, the solid, steadfast soldier that stood bold in the face of danger continuously since his wonder years. Perceptive, especially where Urzu-7 was concerned Angel saw the hidden fear and the need to reassure him. She leaned over to his ear…

"You need to let go, Sousuke," Kaname murmured gently.

"I'm sorry." He loosened his hold on her and pulled back but she shook her head and cradled his face in her hands.

"That wasn't what I meant," she said softly. "I meant you need to let go of that load you're carrying, have been carrying since we came back from Hong Kong. The guilt, Sousuke…you need to let go of the guilt. Aren't you tired of constantly beating yourself up?"

Sousuke lowered his eyes and averted his head but Kaname turned him back to face her. He replied, "No matter how hard I try I can't stop thinking about how I failed to protect you…because of my own lack of backbone. Yuy was right, I am just an obedient puppy, jumping to any command Mithril barks at me." His eyes were dark, tormented as he finished, "I was a coward…afraid to stand up to them and because of that I almost lost you."

"But you didn't," she pointed out.

"I almost did!" he persisted hotly, pent up fury bursting forth.

"Stop it," Kaname commanded then heaved a heavy sigh. "I know how much you want to protect me…and how you think you failed me. But I'm still alive Sousuke, which means that even if you can't protect me I can do fine on my own."

'I can do fine on my own'…I've heard those words before…in the galley of the mess hall on the de Danaan that time Danigan almost killed her…another son of a bitch connected to Guaron that I was glad to send to hell "Remember the first time you told me that? I told you how many times you'd been there for me…and you still are so I want to be there for you…always." His voice became hoarse with emotion as he made the vow.

Kaname looped her arms around Sousuke's neck and he encircled her waist as they met, forehead to forehead. Her eyes were soft as sable as she spoke.

"Yeah, I remember…but I also remember what you told me the other day when you were about to go commando after Leonard. You said that you lived to protect me for yourself as well as for me. Well, it's the same for me; I want to do everything I can to survive and live so I can stay by your side. Because it became clear to me today that we have a bond that goes beyond anything I could imagine…the way we both made that cliff disappear."

Words at a loss Sousuke nodded remembering at the test how the comm screen for the AI system in the Arbalest flashed in the necessary coordinates and the Lambda Driver activated on command to obliterate the cliff…and how he sensed Kaname's presence as he did the deed, almost as if she were there in the cockpit, right beside him. Like always since they endured the Khanka ordeal, they worked together seamlessly as if it were meant to be…

All my life the only one I could ever depend on was me…I had no real life outside of fighting and being a mercenary and no future…then I met Kaname and everything changed…I swear I'll never let anyone take her away from me…

Still silent and with his eyes pinned to hers, Sousuke cupped her cheek and drew her lips to his to express what was bursting forth from the depths of his heart. For as long as he could he had ignored the myriad of sensations that had bewitched him since he had been assigned to guard Kaname Chidori; denied what had made him feel both elated and miserable, joyful and agonized based on his status with her. And he admitted how enraged and empty he had felt when ordered to leave Tokyo and never have contact with her. The truth was in front of him and he could no longer deny it…the once cold and emotionless mercenary was hopelessly and completely in love…

Thinking this Sousuke used his physical strength to gently take Kaname hostage with a searing kiss, one arm holding her by the waist fast to him while the other hand rhythmically caressed her cheek, holding her in a tender grip that was inescapable. She was his captive as he plundered the sweet treasure of her honeyed mouth, savoring the entire spirit that was Kaname, scooping her up into his arms and carrying her to the sofa. He laid her down then lay on top of her as he continued his assault, like the true soldier he was on a campaign with nothing less than her total surrender as his objective. And when she wrapped her arms around him as she eagerly complied he knew his victory was at hand…

The sound of the guest room door opening served the role of spoiler as Sousuke and Kaname continued to be engulfed in the flames of mutual passion, briefly stopping as someone headed to the bathroom then resuming. They hastily broke apart both sitting up abruptly when the toilet flushed and a minute later Heero stepped out, glancing over. He smirked at the two.

"Carry on," he said and headed back to the guest room, closing the door firmly behind him.

Blushing Sousuke scowled as he said, "Glad we have his permission…cocky bastard." Flustered he ran his hand through his unruly hair as the residual heat continued coursing through his body.

To soothe him Kaname rubbed his shoulders and giggled as she admonished, "Lighten up, sergeant. Heero was just cheering us on…and by the way it looks like he plans to stay here overnight."

Sousuke's scowl deepened as he sighed and said, "I guess…can't be helped really, with Varga on the loose and Yuy being the VFM's bodyguard." He snuck a side glance at her and added, "I'm thinking the same thing for myself, actually."

She raised a brow. "Huh?"

He replied, "I think it's a good idea."

Now Kaname blushed as she asked, "Are you telling me that you're planning to stay here overnight too?"

"Affirmative." His tone was rock hard…immovable.

"But Varga's not after me," she pointed out.

"Not specifically…but I'm certain he's working for Leonard Testarossa and we both know that son of a bitch is after you." Sousuke's eyes narrowed as he ground out, "And I'll be damned if I let him succeed."

"Uh-huh."

Kaname bit her lip as a thrill tickled her belly, the thought of having Sousuke with her overnight both exciting and worrying her simultaneously as she recalled last week and what nearly happened between them. Her hands clenched in her lap and sensing her anxiety Sousuke reached his hand over to squeeze hers in reassurance.

His voice became butter soft. "You can trust me, Kaname."

She gave an ironic chuckle. "But can I trust me?" She got up off the sofa and wandered over to the terrace door to stare out at the overcast evening sky as she added, "We got very…intense just now and especially last week and then you bailed. How do we know that won't happen again?"

Sousuke hesitated for a moment as he pondered the question. With a soft sigh he got up and joined Kaname at the glass door, encircling his arms about her waist as he murmured his answer in her ear…

"We don't…but it's my duty to protect you and it's more than that, I need to be sure that you're perfectly safe…for me. I want to take care of you Angel, it's all I want in life…I couldn't care less about Mithril or anything else…" He turned her around and tipped her chin to meet his earnest gaze. "Because as long as I know you're safe, everything's right in my world."

Her eyes became pools of chocolate made luminous by unshed tears as she crushed herself to him asking in a quivering voice, "So you promise we'll be good?"

Sousuke wrapped his arms around her. "Affirmative." He then guided her to the bedroom, closing the door with a gentle thud…


Monday morning dawned gray and drizzle slapped lightly at the windows, announcing a double barreled gloom factor for the day. However, Unit 4-MLK at Maison K was full of heightened emotion as one of the two adolescent couples stirred and began to face the day…

BWAUK! GET UP KANAME…BWAUK! IT'S TIME TO GET UP…BWAUK! IF YOU DON'T GET UP YOU'LL BE LATE!

"Uhhhh!" Kaname reached over to the rooster alarm clock and slapped the thing to shut it off. "Five more minutes."

Already awake Sousuke chuckled as he pushed himself over to her and planted a kiss on her cheek. "Go ahead and sleep…I'm the one who set it early…I'll reset it for you," he whispered.

She yawned, "How come?"

"Because I have to go back to my place, shower and change before school." He brushed her hair aside and nuzzled her neck as he added, "It won't take me long and I'll be right back."

"Mmmm," Kaname responded, almost back asleep.

Sousuke got up and quickly put on the rest of his Mithril uniform fatigues over his skivvies. He and Kaname had shared her bed for the last two nights on the stipulation that they remained clothed but even with that safety net the temptation to cross over the divide into sexual intimacy was great as the kisses exchanged between them were hot, heavy and deep. Their hands and fingers reached to explore, probing beneath the garments as they both grew ever bolder with each kiss. And with both he and Yuy insisting on staying with the two girls all day Sunday, he was in a perpetual state of near to total arousal as the foursome played house. Truthfully, he needed a break…and a cold shower. However, his unease at leaving her with evidence of a threat toward the Whispereds at its highest level was furious, eating way at him and making him very anxious. As a trained soldier, the acute premonition of oncoming trouble that had increased steadily since the incident at Merida was tremendous as well as he sat on the edge of the bed to lace up his boots.

Finishing that Sousuke turned and gazed at Kaname as she slumbered, her inky lashes fanned on her rosy cheeks and his pulse quickened as he mused on how right it felt to be with her, as natural as breathing. He reached over and ran the back of his fingers over her cheek, marveling on how he had never felt anything softer…

"Hmmm." Responding to his touch she purred softly in approval as she nuzzled her cheek and met his gaze. "Thought you were on your way out, sergeant."

"I am." His face was deadpan and serious, even more so than usual which sent a skitter of fear through her. "But I want you to promise me something…if anything happens, large or small…you'll call me immediately."

Now fully awake Kaname sat up, worry furrowing her slim brow. "What's really going on, Sousuke? What aren't you telling me?"

Inwardly Sousuke cursed himself for his own anxiety broadcasting to her while he took her in his arms to reassure her, holding her tight. "Nothing, but with what happened at Merida you need to stay on your guard…that's why I stayed here with you. But I need to go back to get ready for school so please promise me you'll do that, Angel."

As he had been doing all weekend and more frequently of late Sousuke was using Kaname's Mithril code name like an endearment and the way he held her spoke volumes of his feelings for her. But there was something else, a sense of desperation as if he sensed her being torn away from him and try as he might he could not stop it. She could see he was loath to leave her at all but had no other choice…

"Please, Angel…promise me." His plea sent shivers of trepidation through her and she nodded as he nearly suffocated her.

"I-I promise, Sousuke." They sealed it with another kiss…

A few minutes later Sousuke exited Kaname's room, closing the door just as Heero exited the guest room, both men meeting each other in silence. After their barrage on Saturday, both had an uneasy truce; avoiding each other for the last day but all hard feelings were cast aside as both bodyguards buried the hatchet…

Sousuke tossed his head towards the guest room door. "The VFM okay?"

Heero scowled and replied, "As well as can be expected...she still trusts me even though I screwed everything up."

Sousuke pointed out, "You acted the only way you could, trying to eliminate the bastard that once tried to kill her...I'd have done the same, as a matter of fact I did...last year on the TDD-1."

Heero nodded and said, "Yeah." Lowering his head he added, "About the other night...I was way out of line." He raised his eyes to meet Sousuke's.

The Mithril sergeant saw the sincerity in the Prussian blue orbs and shrugged as he affirmed, "It's okay...you were right, I have been a lapdog jumping to any command...but that's the past...my priority now...is Chidori...everything else can go to hell."

Heero smirked and fingered his jaw. "A lapdog...with a hell of a right cross."

Sousuke smirked as he acknowledged, "You're no slouch either...you had me pinned pretty good. Lucky thing Chidori stopped us or we'd have demolished this place."

Heero nodded, "She's quite a lady."

His eyes softening as he remembered the tenderness shared with her just moments ago Sousuke agreed, "Oh yeah." He tossed his head again and stated, "We need to get ready for school."

Turning his head back toward the guest room Heero grunted, tired of the farce of playing at being a high school student when with a fanatic like Varga on the loose the life and safety of the VFM was at stake. However, he also knew that as a newly confirmed Whispered Relena was determined to use these new abilities to benefit the world…and him. She had made that abundantly clear all weekend as they lay entwined in each other's arms. But that did not quell his fears as he stood there, pinned by indecision…

Sousuke's voice, rough with his own emotion inquired, "Yuy?"

"I don't feel good about leaving them...even for a short while." Damn, I should've kept a uniform here just in case...

Sousuke nodded, "Yeah, neither do I...but what choice do we have? We have to be in uniform for school." He looked at him pointedly.

Resigned but not liking it the Preventer agent met his eyes and said tersely, "Let's shake it…and get back here ASAFP."

The Mithril sergeant nodded and said briskly. "Let's move out…"

Outside, across the street from the front gate of Maison K, Varga was hidden in the shrubbery by the fence…an ideal vantage point to bide his time as he waited for the perfect moment to advance. He had been carefully and thoroughly briefed by Leonard for this mission; he was to enter the dwelling of the Japanese Whispered, subdue both her and the VFM and then contact him for backup to transport both to the test facility in Khanka. Having been successful at tapping into the top secret dossier of the Whispereds, he had discovered Kaname's address and struck paydirt when he had hacked into the highly classified file of Operation Sky Pilot as Leonard put two and two together and determined the whereabouts of the VFM. This pleased Varga immensely, his goal of revenge finally within reach…

Soon…soon I'll have what I waited for these two years he quashed his excitement as he saw the condo gate open and the Mithril SRT sergeant Sagara exit; followed by the sullen agent Yuy, the one major obstacle that had stood in the way to achieving his goal. He fingered his holstered nine millimeter pistol but resisted the urge to blow him away as he watched the two bodyguards turn the corner and head to the apartment building across the way. He smirked in satisfaction as he saw the time of reckoning had arrived and he sprang from his hiding place, making his way around to where the balconies of the units were, using a special detection device given to him by Leonard to find and disable any traps, or special shielding rays as an extra protective measure. He was informed by Leonard that Sagara, as a former guerilla was no fool and as such he found several such high end devices all around the condo...

Testarossa must be a genius tactician...he knew exactly what Sagara would do... With the push of a button, several flashes went off in various parts of the parameter of the building indicating that the laser ray barriers had been broken. With a satisied grin, Varga continued now unfettered as he drew close to his quarry...

Up in Kaname's room she laid huddled beneath her comforter, her mind filled with Sousuke's manner before he left to get ready for school and she could not help worrying man, that wasn't like Sousuke at all…it was almost as if he were scared about something…it was so weird…

A sudden draft puffed the curtain at the sliding glass door leading to her balcony and surprised, she got up to investigate then panicked as she found herself completely immobilized by arms of iron, holding a cloth soaked with chloroform to her face. Before she could fight back to free herself her eyes fluttered shut as everything turned black…

Varga scooped up Kaname's limp form, soundlessly crept out from the bedroom and laid her on the tatani near the sofa, then headed back to the closed door of the guest room. He slowly opened the door and stepped inside, immediately spotting his quarry, still in the throes of slumber as evidenced by her soft, rhythmic breathing. Mesmerized, the former anarchist turned spy approached the bed…

Almost too easy Varga's cold hazel gaze eyed the VFM with barely veiled contempt and glanced at the extra pillow, lying beside her. He reached for it, intending to use it to achieve his fait accompli when Leonard's voice from the briefing before echoed in his head…

"A word to the wise, lieutenant. I know all about your past with the VFM…but I warn you…if Alastair I's sensors don't pick up vital signs from either of these ladies, he is instructed to immediately kill you. So if you want to live, deliver them to me alive and well."

Varga sighed with a true deviant's sense of survival and pushed the urge away for future consideration. He rewet the cloth with fresh chloroform and leaned down, grabbing Relena by the back of the head and holding the cloth snugly to her face. She awoke, her sapphire eyes wide with fright as she began to struggle.

"Sleep, Ms Darlian," Varga commanded as he grinned evilly while the anesthetic took hold and her eyes slipped shut her squirming stilled. He stared at her dispassionately as he hoisted her over his shoulder and pushing a button on his belt carried her to where Kaname lay, dumping her unceremoniously on the tatani.

Then, there was a crash as the unmanned AS of Amalgam, Alastair I burst into the apartment from the balcony imploding the glass door. Varga stepped back and pointed to the two prone women.

"There," he said and the AS lifted the unconscious Whispereds up and headed out to the balcony, leaping off the ledge as Varga followed, descending from a grapple and rope to the parking lot where an unmarked van waited. Alastair I and his cargo entered the back of the vehicle the door sliding shut as Varga entered the cab, got behind the wheel and tore from the lot, racing away as a stream of bullets from a rooftop was impotently shot at them.

Watching the vehicle disappear, Mithril Intelligence operative, code name Wraith cursed as he pulled out his satellite link to Merida. "Mayday! Mayday! 'Angel' and 'Dove' have fallen...repeat 'Angel" and 'Dove' have fallen!"

Meanwhile, Sousuke and Heero, having cleaned up and dressed in their Jindai uniforms in record time hurried back to Maison K to get to their women, sprinting up the four staircases taking two at a time. They rushed to the door for Unit 4-3MLK…

Sousuke rapped on the door. "Kaname…It's me and Yuy, we're back…can we come in?" Hearing no answer and no stirring within he pounded on the door again this time shouting, "Open the door! Kaname!"

"Step aside."

Not waiting for a response Heero kicked open the door and the two bodyguards strode inside. But when they saw the shattered glass and smelled the cloying scent of chloroform they were for a split second brought to a standstill, stunned as their hearts dropped to their stomachs, their fears materialized. Then alarm and terror converged simultaneously as the men bolted to the two other rooms to make certain that their suspicions had no ground. But as expected the rooms were empty, confirming what the damage out front had shown…the two Whispereds…were gone.

"SON OF A BITCH!" Sousuke snarled as Heero joined him, his Prussian orbs nearly black as he cursed as well. The two bodyguards went out and investigated the destroyed window stepping over the glass shards onto the balcony.

"Looks like the bastard came in through here…snatched the girls and jumped the ledge." Heero picked up the abandoned rope and grapple and peered over the ledge to the parking lot below.

"Yeah," Sousuke agreed as he examined the damage to Kaname's glass door, the scope of which indicated that it was not demolished by human hands. "And whoever took them used a power beyond conventional methods…which means…Amalgam."

His eyes slits Heero growled, "Which means…we go to war."

Sousuke nodded glowering, "Affirmative."

NEXT…DARK PLOT REVEALED