Author's note: a short one, I know I know. I'm writing the ending at the same time so it's about linking it all together. Enjoy while it's fresh!

"Knock Knock!"

Relena heard her friend's voice across her hospital room's door. It was Anabelle.

"Please come in!" she answered

Anabelle entered the room carrying a paper bag. "I brought you a change of clothes! You're leaving today! Isn't it great?"

"Yes it is, thanks Bella!" Relena answered, flatly.

"Emmm, Crystal? Are you doing all right? You seem down for a girl who's finally coming out of this place! What's up?"

Relena wished she could answer her question with the truth. She was not all right. For the past few days, she had been wondering if she should go back to her old life. After all, she had found out her true motive for being here. She had proved to herself she could do more than just talk people into pacifism. She could be... well, she could pretend to be like her brother, Noin, or Heero . But she wasn't. She was Relena; raised to be a politician, not a soldier. She felt like a hypocrite ever since she had heard Heero say Relena had let him and the people down. Was it true? How good could she be as a Preventer instead of a Vice Prime Minister? How long could she keep up this masquerade? Should she tell the truth to Anabelle or Pierre, with whom she had become good friends? Should she tell Heero?

Her feelings towards him confused her. She knew the love she had put behind a couple years ago had resurfaced, against her will. Still, she was disappointed when she found out the "nice" Heero she thought he'd become was part of a hallucination. Was she even in love with the real Heero, or with the character she'd made up in her mind?

"Are you like in some sort of post-trauma state thing? Hello Crystal? I said: what's up?"

"Oh ...I'm sorry. I still feel a little foggy from all these treatments. But don't worry, I'm fine."

She did feel fine, physically. But she wouldn't be able to keep all these questions to herself. She had to talk to someone. Maybe she would try to contact her sister-in-law.

"Go change Crystal, they're waiting for us outside. We're bringing you home."

"They?" Relena asked.

"Yes, TP and Instructor Maxwell. We shouldn't leave those two alone for too long, I'm afraid of what they could come up with next. When I left them, they were discussing how they could throw a mega new year's bash without Lady Une knowing about it. I'm starting to believe they really come from the same planet!"

"What's TP doing here? I thought he was sent home after the tests."

"Oh he was" Anabelle explained "but all cadets were called back since the threat of an armed rebellion has been eliminated. We'll graduate early, probably in a month, and they'll continue with the regular program."

A month. She could hold off her decision for a month. Then she'd be a fully fledged Preventer. She could then decide on her path. Remain Crystal Bolian, the Preventer or return to being Relena Darlian, the politician... Somehow, she wished there were another option...

Duo walked Crystal up to her apartment. He was unusually silent. Relena herself was feeling quite uncomfortable. Why was he so serious all of a sudden? As she turned the key, Duo took a deep breath, breaking the heavy silence.

"Sally told me"

Relena couldn't believe it! A sudden wave of panic and anger rushed inside of her. Anyhow, she kept a calm appearance.

"I'm sorry" she said as she opened the door, "is there something I should know?"

Duo looked around tomake sure nobody was in the hall, then shoved Crystal into her room and quickly closed the door behind his back.

"Relena!"

"Geez Duo, quiet!" Relena scolded.

"It is you! I knew you looked like her! You've been here all this time? Holy shit! Wait 'til Heero finds out!"

"No, no... Heero doesn't find out. Nor does anyone... else. Why did Sally tell you anyway?"

"Ah... hum..." Duo seemed suddenly embarrassed as he put his arms behind his head. "Well... when I went to sign your hospital release, I noticed the word "implants" on your file. I made a... a...comment... then she told me these were cheek... face... implants. Then I asked her what they were for... Sally felt cornered so she spilled the beans. It's not her fault, really."

"Okay then..." Relena replied, almost amused.

Duo sat on the couch, followed by a relieved Relena. They would have a long conversation, about what they have went through before and during their time at the Academy. But right now, all they could do was smile at each other. Someone knew. Finally.