(taps mic) Ahem . . . so . . . is anyone still reading this? Eh eh heh . . . (winces) I think we even said that last time, too . . .

So, um, we're back! Finally got CEP to write! Yes, there are TWO of us, er just for those of you who thought it was just me. CEP is also an author here (crazy elf paladin).

And the good news is that we already have half the next chapter written. We are going to try to keep writing. Now that it is summer, I think we will get better.

Review reply time!

Krage: Thanks! We really hope you like this. Wu Fei and Relena . . . well, this is a trad/canon couple fic (despite what 1-2 shippers say, they are not canon.) so Wu Fei and Relena won't be together in the END but . . . can't say much more! (grins)

(CEP: Since y'know Gundam Wing is, more or less, a soap opera with giant robots, it would very arrogant of us to ignore the base from which it came.)

Hououza: Things still good? We hope so! We're really glad you liked the religious overtone/undertone (?) to the chapter. This chapter goes in a different direction, back to some humor. (yea!)

(CEP: I take the credit for the humor. Unless you hate it, then it was all Ukky.)

InsaneDreamer: Here's your bit of Quatre/Dorothy! We totally love and appreciate your words! We, too, like having the characters interact and be buddies and get to know each other. We're soooo sorry to keep you waiting and we hope you come back and read more! Yeah, Dorothy is sad, but she has more surprises up her sleeve. I hope you don't hate the bit we have with her here. To quote the Labyrinth, "Nothing is exactly how it seems, here" or something. (grins)

(CEP: Nothing? Nothing? Tra-lala!)

Omnicat: My love! (snuggles Omnicat) You are so right, people get impatient. And I wish we had updated and written more because we really do love these chars. LOL, you knew Wu Fei would have a little crush on Relena? Tee hee. I am rooting for Dorothy's scheme, too, how about that? We will totally update SOON!-ER!

(CEP: Unless we don't.)

Tandy: Which is your fave pairing? (hugs) Thanks for joining the fun! Hope you are still around to read and review!

(CEP: Mine is Bill and Dave. B&D 4EVAR!!1!1!ONE!!ELEVEN!1)

Genkai Lady: LOL, thanks! Zechs wasn't really hard, I just had to put myself into his character and think "I am morose, I saw too many Shakespearian plays, and I was in the military . . ." Okay, maybe I really had to delve, it's true, he's not the easiest! Some people say he spoke that way because of really bad dubbing, but I noticed that none of the other characters ever said really whacked out stuff (except Relena and her "little prince" line, but she's family, so maybe it's genetic!)

(CEP: Hey, there's a gene for whacked out eyebrows (Treize and Dorothy), why not ridiculous amounts of prose!)

As for HEE-CHAN and BAKA . . . (vomits and shakes uncontrollably) those are usually yaoi fics, so it's no wonder they conveniently forgot about their actual professions. (did you know that "yaoi" is actually an acronym in Japan that means something like "no substance, no meaning, no resolution", so basically yaoiempty filler?) I can't stand ooc fics. Now, if someone wrote a homosexual fic between Duo and Heero (I guess we'd call it "slash") that actually had good character development and made sense and didn't forget about the girls existing (or made them into meanies) then I would love it! And thanks about Hilde! She's my fav female char in GW, though of course we've extended what we saw of her personality since they didn't show her much in the series. She didn't get many chances for char development, unfortunately. (beams)

Sutoomu: Wow, thanks for the three reviews! You are awesome! We are so glad you laughed and that you like the story, especially Duo. Our view of Duo is a bit more in-depth than those we've often found. (Some rare stories do him justice, but usually we're just kinda disappointed.) He has many layers that some people forget about. We hope that we've gotten him right and are glad you seem to think so! We sure hope you keep reading and that you like what we've written here!

(CEP: Duo's my favorite, actually. I'm an obsessive, little fan-boy. I've played him (in RPs) as a ninja, highwayman, Jedi and the actual God of Death.)

DCWestby: Arigatou-gozaimasu! Your review is appreciated, and please let us know how you like this chapter as well!

(CEP: Well, thank you. Like above, I take all credit for anything good and give all credit for anything bad to Ukky.)

Okay, now, onto the chapter. Please review, even though our absence means we really don't deserve it! (cries)


And, CEP? You're a dick.


Chapter 11

Earth, Moscow
April 14th –11:21 am

"Report, Commander."

Sally smiled at the view screen and nodded. "All is going well. Had to make a slight alteration to some backgrounds; namely, Heero and Duo are now the Maxwell 'brothers' – half brothers. Couldn't have anyone recognizing Heero's code name of Yui. Too high profile." Her eyes narrowed just slightly as she watched Une carefully fold another blouse and place it within her suitcase. It's also a rather high-profile school to pick for the famous and infamous Gundam pilots . . .

"That's fine," Une replied, her gaze on her packing. "But I also want you to change Trowa Barton's name to Trowa Bloom, to match Miss Bloom's and give them the cover of brother and sister, since they are so accustomed to it." Leaving Sally a bit mystified at this and before she could ask, Une segued, "I don't see Preventer Chang with you. He still hasn't returned?"

"Nothing serious," Sally heard her own high-tenor voice smooth over the assurance, and kept her curiosity at bay. "He called at seven-thirty this morning to report that he would be late. It happened that the Vice-Foreign Minister had planned a short trip to the Honshu province."

She was graced with a smile from Une, before the suitcase was shut. "A popular place this season," her words returned, sounding more wistful than amused. "Very well. As soon as he returns, however, I want both of you to double and triple check everything about our new student's backgrounds, their new lodgings, classes, everything. I want to make sure there is no possible way anyone will figure out that they are more than privileged students going to a new school."

"About that, Director," Sally pursed her lips, eyes flicking away and back to the image of Une on the viewer. "I still find it troubling that we are presuming no one will be suspicious of them. The entire group, joining the Vice Foreign Minister on her 'vacation' to spend an entire senior year at a prep school, and all of them knowing each other . . . Somebody's going to find that amiss."

"Of course they are. And when they look into it," Une smirked up at her as she placed another suitcase onto the bed and began placing toiletries and shoes within it, "they'll find that they are actually undercover bodyguards, to surround the Vice Foreign Minister and Quatre Rebbaba Winner and make certain that they are not disturbed on their vacation. Enlisted, of course, by the Preventers."

Frowning thoughtfully, Sally bobbed her head. "Brilliant. A cover within a cover."

"Can't be too careful. And," Une murmured, "that brings me to the other issue. I spoke with Quatre yesterday. I'm certain you're aware of the fact that Relena has no idea that Heero is going to be attending her school, and vice versa. I'd like you to plan with Winner and the others for a smooth transition. I want them both to stay at the school. Heero would make a wonderful Preventer agent, not to mention that having him here will mean we know - Where. He. Is," she emphasized, staring deeply into Sally's eyes with the words. "Better the wasp you see than the one you don't. He's a possible danger to society I'd rather have under my thumb. And Relena needs to go – and stay – for public support. It's getting close to the end of the honeymoon period, and soon her opponents will start rubbing in the fact that she never had a normal childhood, nor finished high school. A GED is not going to pass inspection much longer."

"I see you've been chatting with her Public Relations director again," Sally smirked and folded her arms over her chest.

"When I can tear him away from Wu Fei, that is."

"He needs to concentrate more on his job as a Preventer, not as her bodyguard," Sally added darkly, feeling a crease of stress marring her forehead. Raising a hand to rub at it, she finished, "He's barely getting enough sleep as it is, and it's starting to show. I'm afraid he's going to crack."

"You can't rein him in?" Une joked wryly, finishing her packing to face the comm. station. "Commander, I expected better from you." She smiled to show she was teasing, but Sally flushed in any case.

"You know how he is," she stated, "Relena is his new savior. I may be his commanding officer, but she's the apple of his eye. There's no pedestal he won't place her on," she laughed sharply with little humor, "and that wouldn't change unless the Minister did something truly out of character. Since that's never going to happen-"

"Sally," Une interrupted, "calm, calm. It's going to be okay," her full-bodied voice soothed, demeanor switched from superior to counselor in a moment. "This school trip will be good for more than Relena. I'm planning on the break to do Wu Fei some good, as well. And yourself. Keep on your toes, but try to see it as a holiday. We have other agents to handle the rest of the Earth Sphere while you'll be gone. All you need to do is handle our future ruler."

Sally sighed, and deflated. "Do you really think she's going to be the President some day?"

"I can't imagine anyone else fitting the job so perfectly. Let's just make sure to keep her alive until then."

"Yes, Ma'am," Sally saluted solemnly, bitterness vanishing as a wave of determination flowed over her. "You can count on me for that."

"I knew I could, Sally."

(-(-(-)-)-)

Earth, Honshu
April 14th – 4:33 pm

Standing before the flat gravestones, Wu Fei watched a flock of birds sweep by, the growing shadows of the afternoon stretching into evening. A hushed serenity hung across the glade, and he bowed his head, brows furrowing.

I have nothing to say, he told himself, eyes avoiding the grave, and the words printed across it: "Treize Kushrenada." There was nothing he could say, really.

What could he say? I'm sorry I killed you? I'm sorry I left your love alone, and your child fatherless? Not that I knew at the time he had a child, Wu Fei grumbled to himself, fists clenching at his sides. No, there was nothing he could say. It was pointless even being here.

"I," he finally spoke aloud, "I don't have any incense to burn, and I don't have any joss papers. No rice." He glowered at the headstone now. "I'm ill prepared to visit anyone! It's all Relena's fault, if she hadn't sprung this on me, I-" he stopped, then grunted, "Well, I'd probably not have shown up. But still."

He couldn't properly visit anyone's grave without time to prepare . . . he wasn't even dressed correctly. Wu Fei could feel his heart begin to beat faster as his core temperature seemed to rise, and he forced himself to stay calm. Ill prepared . . . can't visit the dead in your work clothes. Couldn't even change into the proper attire . . .

"This isn't how I planned it," he found himself sputtering, tugging at the collar of his dress shirt almost frantically before he shoved his hands back to his sides. "If I were to visit you, I would have . . . I would have brought a gift, or something. Definitely incense. I would have come alone," he argued the air, then stopped, mouth caught open, before he sighed, flushing in shame.

"I'm still doing this all wrong," he whispered, and forced himself to breathe, in through his nose, out through his mouth, calming before continuing. I still have a long way to go.

Slowly dropping to his knees, Wu Fei bent his head and – with only the smallest of scowls – overlooked the lack of incense sticks and instead clapped his hands twice before placing his palms together and bowing over them. All around him the wind tossed through the grasses cheerily, and the faint call of seabirds filled his ears, along with the rushing of the ocean through the nearby bay.

Ancestors, watch over Treize Kushrenada, he prayed. He was a fine warrior with an honorable spirit. He gave up all of his happiness to save all of us. He is a great soul. May his kuei wander far from the living, and may you guard his shen until the time in which we will meet again. Then we will duel once more, and this time, Treize, you and I will not hold back. Neither of us will be driven by passion, or fear, or despair. Nor shall we be ruled by anger or vengeance. Instead, I pray to see you again, and that we will battle filled with the joy at seeing one another once more.

Wu Fei's hands were damp, and he blinked in the fading light, eyes struggling to see through a watery film. He looked down at his clasped palms and the fluid collecting upon them, then touched his face to find the same tears. Morosely, he took out a handkerchief and brushed along his hands and face, then bowed his head once more.

He found himself straying from tradition, as his thoughts skittered through dozens of realms from where he sat, before Treize's grave. Treize. I regret your death. The fight should have gone to the better warrior. The more deserving. You . . . you left behind a bright future. You were a leader of men, with a love, and a child. You had so much left to live for.

Not to mention, he began to anger slightly, that I am quite convinced you rigged that fight. You were dishonest. If you had not intentionally weakened yourself and taken that strike, you would have been the victor. You dishonored me by not killing me as it was my right to be vanquished honorably.

He felt that he was starting to stray, so pulled himself inward, and breathed again. As the warrior to have defeated you, I have taken it upon myself to watch over your remaining family. Even though you dishonored the both of us, I know your reasoning for it. Your bravery will not be forgotten by me, nor your sacrifice.

And now it was high time he leave. He'd already lost far too much control, more than he was comfortable with.

Gracefully bending down low again over his clasped hands, Wu Fei then rose to his feet, bowed again at prayer, then turned to walk back towards the limousine. Treize . . . does your kuei wander this graveyard? Do not haunt me, my Lord. You will find no rest with me. Instead, remain here and prowl this peaceful place. You could do much worse than this as your eternal rest.

(-(-(-)-)-)

Earth, Moscow
April 14th –11:45 am

Catherine sighed as she stepped out into the dining area of the hotel. All around was maroon carpet and shiny black finish, gold inlay and waiters and waitresses hustling. Business people sat and chattered at tables or stood talking about getting rooms at the receptionist desk. But she didn't see anyone she knew, even offhand.

Shaking her head, the acrobat walked towards the hostess stand and waited, smiling vaguely at the girl who arrived to seat her. Gesturing, the woman led her to a booth lined at the back by ferns and flowers. Cathy sat and blinked as a holographic menu appeared hovering in the air over the table, the Cyrillic alphabet flashing at her. "Um, hmm . . ." looking down at the table, she saw a button, pressed it, and watched a panel slide back, revealing a small keypad. She pressed a key to change the language from Russian to English. There. Now I just . . . will have breakfast all by myself. Her fake smile fell and she looked sadly at the floating menu.

"Good morning!" came a throaty female voice, and Catherine jumped a bit in the booth. "Sorry," continued the woman, and Cathy raised her head to see the Preventer agent, Sally Po, standing over her, hands on her hips and a grin across her lipstick-lined mouth.

"Um, morning," the acrobat tried to smile, and waved. "Almost afternoon, really." And do you suppose I can find anyone? Nooo . . . .

An eyebrow quirked on the woman's perfect face, and she said, "I'm surprised to see you alone. Where is everyone else?" She then added, "And, mind if I sit down?"

"Um, no of course, please," Cathy beamed and waved her hand at the booth seat across from her. "Sorry, I'm actually a bit distracted by that very question," she felt her lips drop into a scowl. "Where did they run off to? Couldn't they have woken me up first and asked me if I wanted to come? The first time I get a vacation in who knows how long and Trowa up and abandons me!" she ranted, then forced herself to calm. "Sorry, again," she sighed.

"Wow," Sally blinked at her, then smiled back, her light blue eyes a mirror of Cathy's own. "Well, did you try calling them?" she asked.

Catherine glanced away and chuckled nervously. Forgot about that . . . "Um . . . no? But still, they should have woken me up! I was totally ditched!" She frowned again, glaring down at the tiny keypad.

Just then the waitress chose that moment to take her order, and Catherine quickly picked something new from the menu. "Um, that sounds good. Pelmeni. Never had it before, but I'm sure I'll like it." The waitress left after Sally ordered something for lunch, and Cathy bit her lip as she turned off the holo-projection. "I hope I like it . . ."

"If not," Sally told her, "we'll just order you something else. No charge, on the Preventers." She gave Cathy what was certainly supposed to be a reassuring smile, but the trapeze artist wasn't fooled.

Shaking her head, she retorted, "Now, that's another weird thing. You can't be serious that your Director Une is willing to shell out all this money just on the off chance one of the guys will join." Nodding to the waitress as she brought their drinks, Cathy added, "You're spending an awful lot of cash on a big risk."

"Perhaps. But there's also a strong chance that some of you will make that choice to join the Preventers," Po told her.

"Some of 'us'?" Catherine frowned, raising a brow as she sipped her iced tea. "You mean, me too?"

"Yes, you too," the doctor chuckled. "You would have a lot to give, and you wouldn't have to even be in the line of duty to work for us, Cathy. It's always something to consider."

"I donno . . ." she shook her head. "I like being a circus performer. It's fun. I don't know if I'd want to do something else."

"Well, eventually you might decide it's safer," Sally smiled. "After all, it's a dangerous job. It gets more dangerous every year as you age, your muscles and bones aren't as strong, reflexes aren't as sure . . ."

Catherine's hackles rose and she pouted, snapping, "it's only dangerous if you don't know what you're doing!" But she knew Sally was correct. Many tightrope walkers and acrobats either retired once they felt their decline settling in, or they . . . kept going until there was an accident. Cathy shivered and returned to nursing her tea, unsettled by the thought so far into the future.

"I'm sorry," Sally gave her a sympathetic look. "I didn't mean to upset you. You'll have a whole year to think about your answer. After that, it's up to you and Trowa as to whether you join."

Exhaling deeply, Cathy stared down at her drink, suddenly sad. "I don't want Trowa to join. It hurts him . . . when he fights. It's not good for him to kill people," she finished, whispering forcefully.

Sally's easygoing expression didn't change. "I understand completely. And that's fine. But you don't really need to worry about that as much as you might think. The Preventers don't kill, we arrest. We aren't judge, jury and executioner - we're not Judge Dread," she chuckled cheerily. "We're more like an earth-sphere-wide police force, like how the FBI used to be. Our kill-verses-capture ratio is actually very low; we're very safe. In any case," she concluded as the food arrived, "that will all be up to Trowa and yourself. Give yourselves the year to consider it. You just might surprise yourself."

(-(-(-)-)-)

Quatre and Trowa were almost to the hotel with their purchases when Quatre's phone rang. "I wonder if that's Relena," he mentioned to Trowa as they crossed a street, and gathered his bags to one hand in order to retrieve his cell'. "I told her I'd call her."

Upon checking, however, the number came up unlisted, and he answered with trepidation. "Hello?"

Silence hung on the line for just a moment as they entered a bustling crowd, before a familiar voice murmured, "Hello, Quatre."

The blond boy halted in place, then tripped forward as someone behind him couldn't stop fast enough, and curses sounded around him as traffic began parting around his stunned figure. "Uh, Miss Catalonia! What - a surprise," he stumbled over the words, sending a panicked glance to his companion who had stepped to the edge of the curb to keep out of the way of the other pedestrians.

"Isn't it? You wouldn't believe how difficult it was for me to find your new number."

Trowa gestured to Quatre to keep walking, and the trillionaire nodded, following him. "Really? Huh. So," he forced a jocular tone, "what can I do for you, Miss Catalonia?"

"Oh, I just thought it might be nice to inform you that I'm going to be meeting you at the plane."

"The . . . the plane?"

"Why of course, silly! You know, the jet you and Miss Relena are going to be taking to Italy? Of course, I'm not sure yet whether we'll be taking a transfer flight so that we can all travel together, or if you're going to be meeting Relena in Japan first for a direct route, but either way, I'll be there!" Her voice sounded cheery, yet Quatre paled and could practically feel the insinuated threat in her words.

"Oh. You will."

"I'm looking forward to seeing you again, Quatre." she purred, and he felt a cold sweat break out across his shoulders.

"Yes. I, I'm sure you are."

"Imagine, a whole school year together. . . Oh, and please don't change your cell' again. I'd hate to be unable to chat with you about the plans over the next week if I had to try to find it again. It took me so long the last time . . . almost a month."

"More's the pity," Quatre whispered.

"What was that?" her voice asked innocently, "I think I missed it . . ."

"Nothing!" the blond quickly spoke as they finally reached the broad glass hotel doors. "I'm sorry, but I really have to be going now," he hurriedly told her as the doors slid open before them. "It was quite something speaking with you again," he spoke over her words, "good day, Miss Catalonia." With that, he flipped the phone shut, his shoulders sagging as he and Trowa walked into the hotel.

"Having problems, I see," the tall acrobat commented as they passed through the foyer.

"Ugh," Quatre shook his head, "women. Or at least, this particular one."

Trowa smiled down at him, and pressed ahead to push through the busy crowd of guests in the lobby to head towards the elevators. "Don't worry, Quatre. You'll always have me."

"But, really!" Quatre began, gazing ardently up at his companion, "why does she have to act that way? I just can't believe the nerve of that woman!"

As they passed by the potted plants and open, airy tables of the restaurant area, an angry female voice called out from nowhere, "Having girl problems?"

Blinking, the two boys halted and turned to see Catherine storming up to them from a booth. "Well, now you have another one!" she cried, pointing furiously at them. "You ditched me! And," her eyes widened as they fell to their shopping bags, "you went shopping without me! Ugh, the nerve of you!" She then crossed her arms over her chest and glared at them both. "Well? Aren't you even going to explain yourselves, or do you have no excuse?"

Trowa said nothing, while Quatre began to stammer. "But, we didn't want to wake you, Trowa said your sleeping schedule—I mean, you normally sleep in, and we left early—and we only went to the military surplus store, really we didn't go anywhere good," running out of words, the blond gaped and began running a hand through his hair. "Oh, dear."

Deflating, the redhead shook her head. "Oh, it's alright. Nobody could stay mad at you! You're too adorable," she chuckled. "No wonder Trowa warmed up to you. It took forever to get him to warm up to me," she confided with a giggle. "Now come on, my, um . . . . Russian food is getting cold."

"Oh," Quatre quickly followed her as she hurried back to the table, "um, what did you order? Oh, hello, Miss Po." He beamed at the Preventer Agent at the table, then glanced back at Trowa to see his friend following, a slight smile on his lips.

"Not sure, really," Catherine bounced back into the booth, beaming now that she had forgiven them. "I can't remember what it's called! But it's good!" She picked up her fork and returned to eating as Quatre and Trowa reached the table.

The tall acrobat finally spoke softly, "May we join you?" and Catherine nodded and scooted over. Sitting next to her, Trowa continued, "I regret that our absence upset you. I hope that the next time I overlook something like that, you call me."

Quatre sat down next to Sally as she, too, gave him room, and watched in amusement as Cathy sent a glare Trowa's way. "Really, though, it was pretty boring," he added. "And I got a very, um, uncomfortable phone call not long afterwards that you are lucky you missed."

Trowa nodded to her. "I regret not missing it and I wasn't even privy to the other end of the conversation." His reward was another muffled giggle from Catherine as she continued to eat.

"So," Sally piped up from Quatre's right, "Have you two had lunch yet?"

"No, we haven't!" the blond smiled, "but we should, thank you for asking." He then waved over the waitress as Catherine's features fell guiltily for her lack of manners.

"Sorry," she added.

Trowa shook his head and nodded to the waitress as she approached. "Do not worry, Catherine."

Before anyone could order, the waitress began, "I'm sorry to do this, but I'm going to be going on my break soon." She bit her lip and pointed to another waiter across the room. "Dietrich will be your waiter for the rest of your meal."

"Um," Cathy shrugged, "okay."

"I'll go get him!" the woman beamed, then ran off.

As the four were left blinking at each other, a familiar voice interrupted the silence, "Hey guys, what'cha doin'?"

Catherine rolled her eyes and put down her fork again to turn and look behind her, only to see Duo, Hilde and Heero heading in from the foyer down the same path Trowa and Quatre had taken. "We're eating, of course," she replied haughtily to the long-haired boy.

"Hmm, food sounds good right about now," Duo exclaimed, then glanced over to his companions. "Wanna take a break? We sure covered a lot of ground today, we deserve a little respite."

"Any real food would be better than the fare Hilde subjected us to," Heero answered flatly, though Cathy could swear his eyes were twinkling as the brunette girl glared back.

"Well excuse me for trying to broaden your horizons. You're so ungrateful!" Hilde tossed up her hands as their group began to near Catherine's table, yet she didn't seem incredibly upset.

Wondering about that, Cathy waved at them as they came to a halt before the already-full table. "Hey there. Well, we'll have to move if you're gonna join us. But that's fine, I guess." Why not, the more the merrier, right? she convinced herself, though she was still uncomfortable around so many virtual strangers.

Just then, their new waiter appeared, bustling through as a grin spread across his chiseled features. "Well, then, I suppose that means you all will need a bigger table, da?" With a sparkling smile to Catherine, he added, "Right this way."