Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing or Sailor Moon characters in them…though I wished I did… hehe… enjoy.

Chapter 10:

Friday Morning

The main hall in the school was being decorated and prepared for the ball to be celebrated on Friday. Dorothy and Relena were in the middle of the preparations, making sure that everything was going according to plan. Relena was reviewing the checklist when Quatre and Heero approached her.

"Good Morning Miss Relena" "Hn"

"Oh! Good Morning Quatre, Heero. How are you?"

"Were fine, how are you?"

"Driving myself crazy" Relena giggled, "there's still so much to do and so little time"

"I can imagine" Quatre smiled, "well then, we won't take too much of your time. We came because we need to discuss the security measures for the ball. As you know, the current situation is a little complicated now"

"Yes I understand. Lady Une already filled me in on the details and I want to thank all of you for your work" she then glanced at Heero smiling sweetly. Heero nodded.

"Well then, let me find Dorothy so she can continue with the preparations and then we'll head to the office so we can talk more privately"

"Ok"

The ball was decorated beautifully. The theme was "Masquerade" therefore everyone was dressed in their most formal dresses and wearing a white mask. Waltz music was playing on the background and all the students and faculty were having a pleasant time and enjoying themselves. Wufei was leaning against close to the south exit door, monitoring everything and everyone. Needless to say that he HATES this kind of activities, but then again, he doesn't get a say in this. Trowa was staged near the podium, more or less doing the same monitoring activities as Wufei. Duo, on the other hand, was near the food table drinking and talking to some of his fellow students and really having a good time. He could do social and vigilant at the same time; he was good at that. Quatre had just entered the room with Dorothy Catalonia, talking quietly among themselves and laughing every once in a while. A few minutes later, Heero came in with Relena who was attached to his arm and smiling brightly. Heero was annoyed, of course, but she was his mission and he'll be damned if he did not complete it. Once inside, Relena smiled and greeted some of the students and faculty while Heero did a quick scan of the room, not only making sure everyone was positioned as they planned, but also searching for a certain black haired girl he hasn't seen in two days. He had to admit, that he didn't like being too much time away from her; he felt anxious and annoyed. But, they had all agreed that they needed time to prepare for the mission and she volunteered to stay at Michelle and Haruka's place for a while. Though he didn't like it, he had to admit that the mission did come first. Not locating her or the other girls, he frowned and continued to watch Relena's interaction with others, not noticing anything suspicious at the moment.

Relena, on the other hand, did not miss the frown on Heero's face and she could guess the reason for it. 'Guess I do not have a chance after all' she sighed, 'Well, at least I can enjoy him if only for tonight' she smiled to herself as she heard the band start another waltz. She glanced up to Heero, "Heero, may I have this dance?"

Heero surprised at the request was about to refuse, but looking at her eyes, he could see the sadness in them. He nodded and she smiled guiding them to the dance floor. As they dance and twirled, Relena really seemed to be enjoying herself while Heero, on the other hand, kept his eyes on his surroundings. Suddenly he froze at what he saw. At the entrance to the ball, there were two beautiful dressed girls and one handsome "man". Michelle was dressed in a very beautiful sea green gown decorated with small diamonds and pearls that made her eyes shine brightly through her mask. Haruka was dressed in a black tuxedo suit and mask. Serena was dressed in a pale pink gown with silver touches and white elbow gloves. Her hair was made in a style that made her eyes bigger and neck longer. Her beautiful blue eyes shone through the mask that made Heero want to remove it and kiss her right there and then.

'Wait… WHAT?!' Heero shook of his reverie, but was still shaken at how beautiful Serena was.

Noticing that his attention was elsewhere, Relena turned to see what had caught his eyes. 'Of course, I should've known' she sighed as the waltz had ended. Not wanting Heero to see her this way, she excused herself to the restroom. Heero was about to follow her when she stopped him, "Heero, please. I need to be alone to compose myself. I'll take Dorothy with me so you can all rest assure that I'll be ok" she said not looking into his eyes.

"Is something wrong?" Heero asked noticing the change in mood in her.

"No. Just a broken heart" she said as her eyes glistened and fled to where Dorothy was.

Heero was about to stop her; he didn't understand what she meant but noticed that Quatre was walking his way. Quatre had noticed the whole ordeal and decided that it was time to let Heero know what his current situation is.

"Hello Heero. Something wrong?" he asked as he handed Heero a glass of water.

"Relena is acting strange" he said as he took a sip all the while as he glanced to where Serena was talking to some of their school mates.

Quatre noticed this and giggled, "Well, do you know why she would act this way?" he was curious as to what Heero's response was going to be.

Heero looked at him with a blank expression, not sure where Quatre was going with this. 'Should've known' Quatre sighed. "Heero, have you ever noticed how Relena acts around you versus when she's around other people?" Seeing Heero shake his head no, Quatre continued, "Relena is in love with you Heero. She has been this way since the day you two met. Haven't you noticed the way she looks at you, talks to you or how she constantly placed herself in danger in order to reach to you? These are acts that someone does for the one they love"

Heero's eyes widen at this and then frowned as he digested this new information. He recounted the times he and Relena had met and how Quatre's words played into them and then realization hit. At the same time, he relieved the times he had with Serena ever since he met her and realized how he acts around her more or less is similar to what Quatre had just said.

He looked back at Quatre, "I don't feel the same way".

"I know" Quatre said with sympathy, "but you need to tell her that. Unless you tell her how you feel, she will continue under the illusion that she may one day win your heart which is already taken"

Heero, once again, stared blankly at Quatre who only smiled and looked across the room. Heero followed his gaze and noticed that he was looking at Serena. Serena sensed someone looking at her and she glanced up. Smiling she waved at both of them and continued chatting with her friends.

"Quatre… I"

"It's ok Heero. I'm sure this is new to you, but you need to handle it carefully. The matter of the heart is a delicate thing. One wrong move and you can lose the one thing you treasure the most" Quatre said as he placed a hand on his shoulder. "I suggest you talk to Relena first and set things right. Then, think carefully of how you feel for Serena. If my heart tells me right, she's the one" Quatre finished and walked to where Trowa was.

Heero was still shaken about the new information he had just received. It took him a few minutes to process and then decide what he had to do. Coming to a decision, he walked towards Serena. Serena was giggling with her friends when she noticed that Heero was approaching them.

Michelle smiled, "Hello Heero, enjoying the party?"

Heero nodded and then turned to Serena, stretching his hand, "would you like to dance?"

Needless to say that Serena was stunned; 'wait… is this really Heero?' she nodded not really noticing that she already had taken his hand and where on their way to the dance floor.

Michelle and Haruka smiled; "about damn time… kids these days" Haruka said as she too, took Michelle's hand and danced as well.

Heero had Serena held by her waist and close to him making Serena blush. They kept dancing for a minute or two, when Serena broke the silence.

"Um… is everything ok Heero?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well… even though I don't know you for a long time, this is… well… this is highly unlike you"

"Serena… I" Heero thought for a minute and was about to continue when he felt eyes on him. Glancing up he saw that Relena was watching them from the balcony and then turned away. Serena noticed his change in behavior and glanced in the same direction. She knew how Relena felt, but… what about Heero? The dance had ended and Serena pulled herself from him.

"Go to her Heero, I'm sure she needs you" she said as she was about to walk away but was stopped by a hand on her shoulder, "Heero?"

"Serena… I'm sorry" Heero said unsure of what to do. Noticing his distressed, she smiled and placed a hand on his hand, "It's ok Heero, I understand. I'll be close by if you need me" she smiled and walked away.

Sighing, Heero turned and walked towards Relena. Relena had noticed the exchange and decided that it was time to clear the situation. Once Heero was next to her she glanced up, "Heero, after my speech tonight, I would like to have a word with you".

Heero frowned, but nodded. It would be the perfect opportunity to clear the misunderstanding. Relena nodded and went to the podium to start her speech.

"Dear students and faculty. Welcome to another wonderful academy year. I am pleased to see what an amazing group of people have gathered to celebrate another wondrous year…."

"Team 01 positioned and waiting orders"

"Team 02 positioned and waiting orders"

"Perfect. All teams move forwards. Commence operation. Remember, I want her alive."

"SIR YES SIR"

"Once again I want to thank each one of you for coming tonight. Please enjoy and have a wonderful time" Relena ended her speech and smiled as she stepped down through a ring of applauses.

"That was splendid Miss Relena" Dorothy said as she met her half way.

"Thank you Dorothy" she said as she glanced around, "have you seen Heero?"

"No. He was here a few minutes ago" Dorothy thought, "Oh wait… I think I saw him walking towards the beverage area"

"Oh ok, thank you. Please excuse me" she said as she started walking towards the area and sure enough, there was Heero pouring a glass of punch for himself.

Suddenly, there was a huge blast that came from the outside and shook the room. Everyone started screaming and panicking and running towards the exit in frenzy. Wufei, Duo and Trowa were already on their feet running outside as well, guns in hand, to find out what the hell was going on. Meanwhile, Quatre and Heero where guiding Relena to the safe area they had previously determined in case something like this happened. Heero kept his senses opened and glanced across the room in search of Serena. He knew she would be ok if they followed the plan, but that didn't mean that he wasn't still worried about her. Once inside the room, he made sure that the room was secured and pulled out his gun, clicking the safety off.

"Relena, stay here with Quatre" he ordered and was about to go when he was stopped by her, "Heero, please be careful" she pleaded and he nodded.

"Go. The others should be outside by now" Quatre said as he rushed to the computer and started working on the second phase of the plan.

Heero rushed outside the room and did a quick scan of the ballroom. Only a few students were still in the room panicking and there he noticed that Serena was trying to calm two of them under a table. Sensing him, Serena glanced from under the table and made eye contact with him. He quickly rushed to her side to make sure she was ok.

"You ok?" Heero asked.

"Yes I'm fine. I can't leave them here though" she said at the two frightened girls.

More explosions and gun fire could be heard and Heero knew that the situation was getting critical and he had to get out there and fast.

"Go, I'll take care of them. Michelle and Haruka are already outside with the others. I'll meet you as soon as I get them to a safe place" Serena said.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, now go"

Taking a good look at her, he took her hand and squeeze to reassure both of them. Serena smiled and he smiled as well. Taking one last look, he ran outside to fight with the others.

Serena glanced around the room one more time and noticing that it was safe to move, she guided the two girls to the back of the room. Once there, she led them to a door that led to the back of the school. Making sure that the surroundings were safe she turned to them.

"Ok the coast is clear. Run as fast as you can straight into the forest. You will come upon a small camp with soldiers with brown jackets. Tell them you're from the Academy and they will take care of you"

"Are you sure" asked one of the scared girls.

"Yes. They're here to protect us. Now go" she said and watched them run as hell into the woods.

'Ok now to meet with the others' Serena said and was about to pull out her own gun when she felt someone behind her.

As she was about to turn, a cloth was placed on her nose and mouth with some kind of chemical that made her loose conscious. But before that, she could take a good look of who it was that was holding her tightly and her eyes widen.

'NO! NO! NO! NOT AGAIN!' she thought as darkness claimed her.