Cerrydwenn: Greetings! I am glad you all enjoyed the last chapter! Thanks to everyone for the reviews, messages, alerts, and favorites. I love getting them. I hope you enjoy this latest one.

President Claudell was not having a good day. He rubbed his temples to quell the headache that fought to overpower him. They only good thing about the day, was that it was over and he could head home. He looked forward to a cigar and a glass of Scotch. He was even feeling up to a visit with his mistress. He stood up and straightened his jacket with a tug. He could even feel the headache retreating as he walked toward the door.

"Sir," his assistant's voice called over the desk intercom. "You have a call."

Claudell cringed and pressed the button, "Take care of it Mira." He was so close, but he still had a chance.

"But Sir," she protested anxiously. "The caller told me to tell you that AR needs to speak with you."

He held back a growl, "Fine, I'll take it." He hesitated, "Why don't you head on home? I can close up the office."

"Are you sure, Sir?" she asked hopefully. "I can close down, it's not a problem."

He needed privacy; he needed her out. "No you, go on. You have that little boy to take care of."

Thank you Sir," she said and the intercom was silent. He waited and listened to her movements on the other side of the door. When he felt secure enough he sat back down and picked up this phone.

"This is President Claudell speaking," he greeted trying to keep his voice even.

"Commander Romanov requests an audience with you," the cold voice demanded. "She is sending a car."

"You tell your commander that she can not order me around like this," he protested. "I am the president..."

"We will be expecting you," the voice interrupted. "Your car has arrived." Claudell tried to protest again, but the line went dead. Rumbling he grabbed his coat and pounded out the door.

The car pulled up to one of many abandoned warehouses that had been destroyed in the war and been slated for demolition. However, the government hadn't been able to get around to it. Claudell stepped out of the car and frowned. He hated backdoor meetings in such grim places; it was so cliché. He trudged in, grimacing at the smell. He could make out a lone light sitting on a small table. As he walked closer, he could make out Annora Romanov's face; her pale skin shadowed by the scant light. She was flanked by four large men in the dark OZ uniform.

When he approached, Annora motioned to the empty chair across from her. Claudell sat down in a huff. She could not order him around like this. He was the president of the Earth Sphere Unified Nation. He was not to be ordered around like some common data clerk.

Annora waved her hand, "Two of you guard the door, I do not wish to be disturbed." With a salute, two of the soldiers marched back toward the door.

Annora finally smiled up at Claudell, "It 's nice to see you again Claudell."

"Skip the small talk Annora," he demanded as he sat down. "You've interrupted some very important business."

She smirked, "Yes, I am sure your scotch and mistress are very important affairs of the government."

Claudell's fists clenched as he tried to hold back his anger. Annora was spying on him! How reprehensible! "You can't spy on me!"

She scoffed, "I pay for your drinking habits and side pieces, I can do whatever I want." She reached to one of the guards behind her and he handed her three folders. She then threw them on the table and they slid toward Claudell. "In those files you will find information on three terrorists that have escaped a prison facility." She leaned back in her chair, "I would like them back."

Claudell opened each folder slowly, surprised to find pictures of Cassandra Jaimeson, and Blaze and Clare Diggory. Just that day, he had been in a meeting with Lady Une and Noin over granting asylum to these young women. He had agreed after hearing what the young women had gone through. Even he couldn't send anyone back to that fate.

"You tortured these young women," he accused, flinging the contents of the folders back at Annora. One of her guards, pulled a gun and pointed it at Claudell's head.

Annora held up one hand and the soldier replaced his gun in its holster. "And you are an alcoholic with a crumbling marriage and a gambling problem." She stood and leaned toward him, "I pay you to stay out of my affairs and that money goes to keeping those nasty loan sharks at bay." She narrowed her eyes, "You wouldn't want the money to stop, would you?" She laughed, "The scandals would be murderous."

Claudell glared at her, "You think you can threaten me?"

"No, I think I own you," Annora replied sweetly as she caressed her face. "And when things I own become useless to me, I get upset." She raked her nails down his cheek, "Those things tend to get broken." Her face softened, "Now just say 'How may I serve you.' I have an appointment with my dressmaker and I can't miss it."

Claudell raised a hand to his cheek. He calmed when he didn't feel any blood. He hated to do it, but he had no choice. However, there was one thing hindering him. "And how do you think I can get them away from the Gundam pilots?" He tried to sneer, "It's not like they're going to hand these girls over."

She snapped her fingers and one guard set a small box on the table. Anoora opened it to reveal several vials and syringes. "These will paralyze anyone seconds after injection. Use them on those pilots if you have to." She slid the box closer to him, "Just get me those fugitives."

Claudell grabbed the box and set it on his lap. "Anything else Annora?" he asked casually.

Annora sat back down, happy that Claudell had finally agreed. Trying to train another politician was just too tiresome. "Now that you mention it."

Duo paced anxiously at the bottom of the stairs. Every time he passed the stairs, he would stop, look up, sigh, and continue his pacing.

Heero watched as he leaned against the wall, "You walk any faster and that braid of yours is going to be a registered weapon."

Duo stopped and leaned against the wall next to his friend, "I just really want this day to go smoothly." He glanced back up the stairs, "It's her first time being outside since she woke up and I want it it be perfect."

"Is Duo stressing out about his date?" Quatre teased as he entered the room with Trowa right behind him. That's all anyone really did ever since Duo had asked if Cassie would like to see the city.

"It's not a date," Duo protested through gritted teeth. It's a planned activity between two people who care for each other. Or I hope she cares for me. Okay, it's a date. He pushed off the wall to begin pacing again, but was stopped when Clare stepped in his path.

"I don't think Cassie's ready for something like this," she stated, eying him with disapproval. "She's still recovering and what if something happens to her?"

"Okay Mom," Duo replied with exasperation. "She's been awake for almost two weeks, she'll do fine." He crossed his arms over his chest, "And what makes you think I can't take care of her?"

Clare glared at him, "You said so yourself that it was your fault she was in that hell." She leaned in, "That alone proves you can't take care of her."

"Behave children," Heero demanded with a sharp tone.

"Yeah, don't make us separate you two," Quatre added with a smile trying to ease the tension that had suddenly erupted.

Trowa watched the scene and shook his head. Duo had told him and the other pilots what Clare had said and done. He had known Clare since his No Name days and even he was surprised by her actions. He had tried talking to her, but Clare had only smiled and promised she would do better. She avoided Trowa after that, going so far as to sneak food from the kitchen so she wouldn't have to eat with him

Duo smiled and rubbed the back of his head, "Oh Quatre, that's no fun. We're fine as long as she doesn't have a knife."

"I did that to prove a point," Clare protested her eyes blazing in anger. "You know nothing of how to protect her. I've heard of you, God of Death."

Duo opened his mouth to make a retort when he heard a rustling at the top of the stairs. He looked up and saw Cassie walking down the stairs, her head moving in all directions trying to catch a glimpse of the grandness that was Quatre's house. Duo reached out and grabbed her hand when she reached the last step and pulled her into a hug.

"S-s-sorry I-I t-t-t-took so l-l-long," she stuttered as she blushed. She hated that she stuttered when she talked. To her it was another reason for people to think she was stupid. She had even thought of not talking at all more than once, but

"You're fine," Duo reassured her pulling her chin up so he could look in her eyes. "Are you ready to go?"

Cassie nodded enthusiastically, her blush deepening. She was excited and nervous that she was seeing the city with Duo. With a laugh, Duo linked his arm with hers and headed for the door.

"Have fun you two," Quatre called after the couple.

Duo stopped and turned to jingle keys, "Oh we will, we're taking your car." With another laugh he ran out the door with Cassie, ignoring as Quatre yelled his name.

Blaze found her sister staring out an upstairs window watching Duo and Cassie drive away. "You keep glaring like that and your face will stick that way," Blaze said as she stood next to her sister, looking down at the now empty driveway. "Or you can keep glaring like that, I really want to find out if that actually happens."

Clare rolled her eyes and turned away from the window, "This isn't exactly a time to make jokes."

"You know what we should do," Blaze suggested as she plopped down on an armchair. "We should go and find that OZ soldier that stole your sense of humor and negotiate its return."

Clare slapped the back of her sister's head, "This is serious, Blaze." She shook her head, "I never thought I would have to say it, but do grow up."

Blaze frowned and rubbed the back of her head, "I was being serious. I want my sister back." Blaze stood up and looped an arm around Clare's shoulders, "You haven't been the same since we were put in that prison."

Clare moved away and replied scornfully, "What do you expect after what they did us?" She raised her hands as if in defense, "Just leave it alone." She turned toward the door, "You might as well come with me. You know, to keep me out of trouble."

Blaze jumped up, her eyes alert, "Where are you going?"

Clare smiled mischievously as she walked out the door, "On a date."

Blaze chased after her realizing where her sister was going, "Come on Clare, they're going to start thinking you're crazy.

Cerrydwenn: So what do you guys think? I would really like your opinion of Annora. So please read and review and tell me what you think. Will be doing the date in the next chapter!