Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing.

In the Lions' Den

There were times when Heero Yuy wished that he could have been anywhere other than where he was. Right now, it was one of those times. He was also positive that his comrade-in-arms, Wufei, was most likely wishing the same thing.

Currently, both were in Une's office facing the enraged head of the Preventers. It wasn't so much as she looked angry. No, she never displayed her rage on her face. It was the fury in her eyes that was smoldering as they glared at them.

It was a terrifying sight, to say the least.

However, Heero was very good at hiding his emotions. Over the years, he had experienced many emotions, fear being one of them, unfortunately. However, he kept his face in its customary emotionless expression as he awaited Une's next words.

"This is unacceptable," the woman stated, her cold voice laced with steel. "Could either of you explain to me how on Earth you managed to lose the Vice Foreign Minister and her associate?"

Both Heero and Wufei remained silent, their emotionless masks still securely attached to their faces.

Une growled out her frustration. "Not only was there an attack on some of the most important dignitaries on Earth and the Colonies, but now the one person that could unite them is missing. This is not acceptable."

"None of the terrorists had any sort of identification that could link them to any known rebel group or terrorist cell," Wufei said.

"I already know that," Une snapped. "What I want to know is who these men were and who they belong to. Minister Darlain must be retrieved as soon as possible, before the Legislature fragments and strains the relations between Earth and the Colonies again."

Both nodded, neither making an attempt to speak.

"Right now is a delicate time," Une continued, "and Relena is needed especially now that it seems a lasting peace can be achieved. We need to get her back before everything we've sacrificed for becomes useless."

"Then we will search for her," Heero spoke in monotone. "We will find out who kidnapped Ms. Darlain and see them punished."

"Don't just say it, do it," Une countered. "Get back to work, boys. No one is going to rest until the Vice Foreign Minister is found and back in our hands. Understood?"

"Yes, ma'am," both ex-pilots answered, saluting her and leaving her office.

It was barely two minutes before the door was opened again and an aide entered. Une sighed and gave the poor aide an irritated look.

"Director Une?" the aide said. "We have…some disturbing news…"

"What?" Une demanded.

"It seems like pilot 02, Duo Maxwell, has vanished. There is no trace of him anywhere on Earth or the Colonies."

The aide was soon running out of the office at the look on Une's face.

---

Zechs glared balefully at the two ex-pilots.

It was no secret; those two had messed up and had done so royally. It was a wonder they weren't put on suspension for this.

He had trusted those two to keep an eye on his danger magnet of a sister, doing whatever it took to make sure that she was kept safe. Apparently, that was just asking a bit too much for those two.

He should have been there. He should have been there to ensure Relena's safety. He was one of the best agents the Preventers had and what had he been doing during this fiasco?

He had been at his desk chasing after a ghost from one of Une's paranoid delusions. Whoever this 'special interest' was, he or they were more than likely long gone by now. No one was that stupid to leave a trail behind, especially if it involved illegal arms and whatnot.

Where could he begin anyway? What could he start checking that could lead him to who this 'special interest' is?

Already he had checked out the usual sources and had ended up with nothing, which was quite unusual. Right now, he sought to think of anything that could break this mystery open so he could get back to what was really important, like finding his sister. But just as infuriating as the ex-pilots were, nothing was panning out quite yet despite the fact he was checking into sources that were more on the outer edges of society.

He should be out there; he should be searching for his sister, no matter what any of the higher ups said. It was his duty, not just as an officer of the law or a defender of the peace, but as a brother, a family relative. He may not have had any sort of deep, platonic affection for Relena, but that did not mean he didn't care about her.

Au contraire, it meant that this was more than personal, and he would do whatever it would take to get himself involved with finding and retrieving her. He had wronged her before and he still needed to atone for it. For a man like him, his past was as close to him as the moment he closed his eyes, even if only for less than a second.

His own demons needed to be put to rest and this was the place he thought he could begin to do that.

But he couldn't do that by trying to find some sort of Bogyman that happened to get up Une's skirt, now could he?