A.N. Ello, everyone. We thank you for staying with us and hope you all are enjoying the story. Please be patient, we're wanting to make sure these chapters are the best they can be. Like always we do not own anything from the Gundam Wing universe. Have fun and enjoy! ~ ciao


The colony was silent all around her as she walked down the sidewalk with the beat of the club still pounding in her head. Upon seeing the lights from the hotel she smiled. She couldn't wait to get out of these heals even though she loved them. They were the ones given to her from Treize for her sixteenth birthday and she could walk in them for hours but she wasn't a masochist. Slowly making her way through the front lobby of the hotel she listened to the echo of each step bounce around the empty room. There wasn't anyone up except for the host who just glanced at her as she headed towards the elevator. She pressed the button for the 20th floor and leaned back against the wall as the doors slid shut.

She sighed, closing her eyes as she felt the elevator start its rise to the designated floor. She wasn't actually staying on that floor, however. She was one higher but she had never gotten off on the actual floor she needed unless she couldn't help it. It never mattered if the day had gone wonderfully or if she was completely exhausted. As a safety precaution she would always exit on a different floor and take the stairs to her actual floor. She never took the same route anywhere either. A habit she had to make sure no one could ever track her.

She watched the numbers slide from one to another as the elevator rose from each floor. She laughed as she found herself humming one of the songs from the local clubs she had visited that seemed to fit the rhythm set by the changing numbers. She smiled as she realized she would have made Constance proud tonight. There was a very healthy party scene on this colony and seeing how her job was done she had taken the time left and enjoyed it. She had been a young adult and had fun before she left. For tomorrow she was heading off to the Carpathian Mountains for two weeks of roughing it in nature.

The ding announced her arrival and she quickly exited and after making sure no one was around headed for the stairs to gain her floor. While walking up the stairs a game formed in her head. At the beginning of the week Rebecca had informed her that a politician was staying on her floor. She'd quickly found out that the Politian was none other than Quatre, and she still couldn't believe the smallness of the universe. However, on her floor there were three rooms, and Rebecca had told her that the third room had been requested empty by the politician. Yet on the day Quatre arrives the third room becomes taken. It hadn't taken her long to reason that the room was being used by his guards during their off duty rotations. The request that it stay empty had been a way to not advertise the number of guards to early. So after realizing that there was a room full of guards, and seeing how she was still wired enough to want to have some fun. She had a choice. She knew she should leave them alone. She'd already had two too many run-ins with Quatre and playing with his guards would surely get his attention. But guards were just too much fun not to play with.

It was a hard choice. Leave it alone and not have fun, or go play. It didn't take her long to decide as when she finally left the stair well she stumbled and glared down at her ridiculously high shoes before giggling like an average young woman who had had too much fun at the clubs while on vacation. Just to make it a bit more fun she made sure to add the same Southern accent she'd used when she met Quatre at the restaurant.

"Shake it! Work it! Tatatatata dada lala. Forwards now backwards. Round and round. Drop it to the floor and make them want some more!" Her voice bounced slightly down the hall before being muffled by the carpet as she danced in a ridiculous wavy path to her room. However the door was in her way and when she went to open it the handle wouldn't turn and she ran into the wood hitting her head on the door.

"Ouchy!…." When she tried it again she glared at the inanimate object. "Monkey pogo…" She cursed before bending over to get a really good look at the handle and realizing that she needed her little swipey thingy. "Oh right! Card key" She giggled and then hiccupped before laughing again. If anyone was watching they would get a very amusing show as she reached down for her purse and started to rifle around in it for her key card. Yet as she was trying to find it she started turning in a circle to try and reach deeper into her bag.

"Yatzi!" She cried out as she finally found the card and then bent back over to try and slip it into the slot. However, every time she did, it buzzed and flashed red at her.

"Sttttuppid plastic…cardy thing" She grabbed the handle and started shaking it up and down.

"OPEN!...Door work and OPEN!" She had to bite the inside of her lip when a stream of curses in a couple different languages could be heard coming from the other side of the door. It just made her double up her efforts to get in before the door swung wide open and she stumbled forward into the arms of a large man. She gave a small squeak as she started to fall but his arms quickly held her and stopped her from falling flat on her face.

She tilted her head up to look through thick curly pieces of hair and tilted her head to the side. "What are you doing in my room?"

"I fear you are mistaken, Ahmar, this isn't your room." His voice was deep and she could feel it run up from his hands that were on her arms then down her spine.

"No I'm not…This is 2103…My room" She took a step back and gave him her best drunk glare. "What did you call me…?" Yet she hiccupped again and couldn't help the giggle that followed.

"This isn't 2103. This room is 2102. You have the wrong room, and I…"

"Hey Rashid, hurry up it's your turn." A voice called from inside. "And the snacks are ready."

"Did I hear snacks?" she stopped giggling and followed Rashid's look inside. "Is there popcorn?" She called out.

"Nice and fresh….Wait who's that?" Rashid rolled his eyes before turning back to the woman only for her not to be there.

She couldn't let the change go. When he had turned to look into the room he'd left a large enough hole that she could enter without him even knowing. She couldn't believe her luck either. She'd heard some great things about the Maganac Corp, and she was finally going to get a behind the looks at this group of guys. So after slipping around Rashid when his back was turned she quickly made her way into the main sitting area.

"Wait you can't!"

"Rashid, who's that?" Everyone had stopped what they were doing and turned to face her all on the ready. She was impressed by their readiness even while 'off duty'.

"Wow! There's a lot of y'all... here… in this suite." She gave a slow glance around the room taking in everyone of them. She took a small step back but ran into a rather hard obstacle. When she glanced up she saw Rashid looking down at her "Hello, again."

"You're not meant to be in here, Ahmar." She smiled innocently up at him.

"Land sakes! You're right…I'm sorry. I don't know what's gotten into me. Probably shouldn't have had that last shot… Or the five after that." She giggled looking back down and saw a table with cards already dealt out. "Were y'all going to play a game?"

"Yeah we had just dealt out the hands for Poker."

"Poker? I've never played poker. I've always wanted to learn but I've never had anyone to teach me. I don't get around a lot. This is my first big trip in a long time…" Every single one of the guys looked at each other before glancing at Rashid. She had to look down and play with her hair to keep the smile off of her face. This was so much fun and so easy.

"Would you like to learn?"

"Really?" She turned to fully face Rashid and gave a couple bounces. "Could I stay and learn? I know I came in without being asked and I'm in the wrong here. But I would really like to learn."

"Yes Ahmar, you can stay."

"Well Whoop-dee-doo!" She gave a small fist pump. She knew perfectly well how to play poker. And it was going to be so much fun wiping the floor with them. She quickly moved to the table and sat down. "Ok what's first?"


"She's there? She's there, learning poker?" Quatre couldn't believe his ears. Rashid was on the phone to inform him that the girl that had been nagging at him for over the last 24 hours was on his floor. Not only was she on his floor she had somehow wiggled her way into the Maganac's room.

"I have a feeling she wasn't quite truthful. She's seems to be winning more than learning." Rashid couldn't help but be amused as he watched her win yet another round. Her laughter filled the whole room and his men's look of confusion made it all the better. There was something so simple and yet so complex about this young girl. He knew Quatre was already intrigued but there was more to her then even Quatre understood.

"How long has she been there?"

"About an hour. I was going to let you rest and inform you in the morning but when I found out that you hadn't slept well lately I thought you could use this distraction."

"I'm on my way." Quatre could almost hear Rashid's laughter through the rooms as he ran out of his suite. There was something so familiar about this person. The two times he'd seen her she'd been like two different people if not more. There were so many things he wanted to ask her. Like why was she meeting with a man that had turned himself in for multiple charges of illegal activity? Why was she wearing a wig for another thing? It was an amazingly well put together thing but after thinking about it he could tell it wasn't real; there were just so many questions. However the first thing he was going to ask her was her name.

As he was moving quickly down the hallway he stopped as the last door caught his eye. He neared it and couldn't believe it. 2103 was leafed in gold on a plaque next to the door. That number. It was the clue. How could he have missed that?

'Because it was so obvious it was completely hidden.' He laughed at himself and shook his head as he turned back toward the Maganac's room. He didn't need to knock as when he neared the door Rashid was there holding it open.

"No shoes?" Quatre looked down and noticed he was just in his pants and a slightly unbuttoned dress shirt.

"Didn't really think of them." He gave a slightly nervous laugh and shrugged his shoulders.

"Come on, she's on her last hand. Says its 'getting time for her to hit the hay'."

"Do you believe she's really from America, let alone from the south?"

"Is she American I have no idea, but as to the southern part, no. However, her accent is very convincing. If she isn't what she says she is she plays the part well. I don't understand why she does it but I think she's just playing with everyone."

"I don't think she was playing with the guy at the dinner or the man in the park." Quatre spoke as he thought about the two times he'd observed her. With the guy in the restaurant she'd been welcoming but very cold and the confrontation that had occurred seemed mellow compared to what it could have been. Then the mental picture of the man, who he had no doubt was an ex soldier, picking her up and spinning her around came to the fore front. The man had been looking like he was going to burst from happiness and it had been because of this intriguing woman.

"Well Hot Dog!" The low mumbles of 'No' and 'How?' greeted him as he entered the main living area. The sound of her voice, with that adorable accent, made him smile and the visual he received in addition was hilarious. Six people were sitting around the table and five of them had complete looks of shock on their faces. He'd played poker with these guys multiple times and three of them of were extremely good. Yet they all had just nickels and dimes left while she had piles of money in front of her.

"I can't believe it, I won again!" She gave a small bounce in her chair and clapped her hands

"I thought you said you'd never played poker before?"

"I haven't played before…" she bit her lower lip looking like she wanted to say more.

"But?"

"Well I've watched a lot of it on T.V. and I've been told I have a really good poker face." She gave a dead pan face so quickly that Quatre couldn't believe it. Everyone was wondering how she'd gone from a laughing care free woman to a stone face. Then it was just in as an unbelievably quick transition that she was back to her smiles. It had all been done so quickly that everyone gave a small shake of their heads, confused.

"Well, I want to call it beginner's luck but you played a good game." The comment had her light up in a smile that drove every negative thought out of the other men about any lost money. Quatre couldn't wait anymore as he gave a small cough and everyone who hadn't noticed his entrance before looked in his direction except her. She was looking down collecting up her winnings before slowly standing up. She walked around the table and stood just in front of him with her back to him.

"Thank y'all again for teaching me and letting me play with ya. Maybe we'll cross paths again." It was when she turned back that she finally gave him any of her attention. "Walk me to my door?"

"Of course." He gave a slight nod and motions for her to lead. He wasn't even going to think about what the guys were going to say as he followed her back out into the hallway. They were quiet the whole way and it wasn't until they reached her door that he finally spoke.

"I finally understand your clue. How did you know I'd figure it out?"

"I didn't. If you were meant to understand it, you would." She laughed slightly to herself and she quickly withdrew her key card.

"I still don't know your name…"He knew he sounded pushy, and maybe even a little desperate. Yet, this was the third time meeting her and he still didn't know who she was.

"This is the third time, isn't it?"

"You do this thing a lot?" The way she had nonchalantly talked about the whole thing spiked a feeling inside that he wasn't comfortable with.

"No, you're the first." She laughed again. "And it's April White." She turned to face him; holding out her hand. He returned the hand shake and looked up so they were making complete eye contact. It struck him so quickly He gasped and then he couldn't seem to catch his breath. It felt like the weight of the world had landed on his chest. The pain that he felt coming off of her almost dropped him to his knees. He was bombarded with so many different things that he was quickly going into sensory overload.

"Are you ok?" Her concern reached his chaotic mind and soothed the pain choking him. 'How?' He couldn't understand it. Any time this much pain came from a person it would send him out of control and yet she calmed it in him. She took it back so to speak. She introduced him to a world of a thousand competing ideas, thoughts, and outcomes. He was shown the effects of each, the pain that would be caused, and even the good that could happen.

It was complete madness, utter chaos. Yet there was an order to each flash that had it all making complete sense. All in one blinding moment he understood why a person would complete a horrendous act, all for the protection of a few. Then why when something happen which would cause pain to a large amount of people would kick start a new age where the resulting end would be better for all. He saw and understood the evil dark side of people and just when he started to believe he was going to fall into the madness, she took it all back.

The grip of her hand in his and the touch of her hand on his arm where she had reached to steady him were like the effect of aloe on burns. He felt drained and yet invigorated at the same time. It all felt like déjà vu he just couldn't place why. The last time he felt he'd come up against this kind of chaos it had turned out very differently in the end, and that was when it hit him. He'd felt, and seen all those conflicting visions when he had piloted the Zero system. Yet this had seemed so pure; untainted in its view on everything. The Zero system had been twisted and never gave that resting moment at the end to make a choice. It would push you over into madness. However he couldn't argue that they weren't almost the say. So, why? How was this woman connected to the Zero system?

"Yes, I'm sorry. I became light headed all of the sudden." He joked lightly and looked down at where their hands were still joined in a firm grip. They both quickly let go and apologized at the exact same time which made her laugh, which was a sound similar to the giggle of a happy little girl. He couldn't help looking back up at her and just studying her.

"If you're light headed you should probably get some sleep then, or something to eat. That normally helps me."

"Yeah, haven't got much sleep. There's been a lot going on."

"Right! You must be here for the 'Peace' talks tomorrow."

"Why do you say it that way?" He watched her wave her hand at the word and realize she had very unique feelings on the subject.

"Oh I don't know… I suppose it's because people think that if there's no 'fighting' then there's peace. However, this group is still arguing with that group over something, and these people don't like how those people are doing something. Peace isn't really here yet and when there is peace it'll take constant battles of words and wit to keep it. It's a dance, that can't even start. Seeing how every time people try to work towards it, there's a break down because the 'dancers' don't understand what's really going on. It's still a war just fought in the conference room instead of a battle field. Maybe if people realize this they won't feel back about having debates. Debates start the process of working towards a balance. Like I said a dance; a give and take between two wills that create a beautiful visual. If they don't, however their 'talks' will keep going on getting nothing done, and the people of the colony's and Earth are being left to fend for themselves."

He couldn't believe the fire that shown from her as she spoke. It was like watching a living flame flashing and throwing sparks around. She was a live wire and it wasn't because of her hair. It was her soul. There was a passion for people that showed through. Yet viewing this whole thing as a dance spoke to probably a love of battles. Even with all of his convictions however she made him feel differently, like he would readily follow her where ever she wanted to lead. He truly believed in the peace talks; in people maturely working out problems through conversations. He'd never viewed them as a battle. They tried hard to keep debates out of whole process but was this what they needed? Was this really a battle? He knew they had to get to some agreement because there were people relying on them. He didn't know how he felt. He stood by these negotiations, and wanted to believe that there were no longer needs for battles anymore of any kind. However, he wasn't going to kid himself. If she asked him to, he'd fight for her. He realized he'd felt this burning desire and confusion when he'd read an excerpt from a new book and that was when he recognized her name.

"You wrote An Ode To A Soldiers' Mind, didn't you?" His questions were being answered but he was even more confused and intrigued now than before. With each layer he peeled back he found hundreds more.

"Yes I did." He looked back into her eyes and he felt a wave of pride in the book and pain over the stories. It was twisted together in such a way that when it rushed him it made him slightly stumble.

"You really need to go to get some sleep. Thank you for walking me to my door." She gave him a soft push and with that touch she took back the pain from him. He was so wiped that he just nodded his head and turned to head back towards his door. He'd only taken a few steps. Before he turned around realizing what she'd done.

"Hey!"

"Yes?" He could see she tried for an innocent look but he wasn't buying it. "You need to rest. Not stand out in the hallway and talk to me." He knew she was right so he just gave a small nod, and smiled.

"How can I get a hold of you?" He saw her give a thoughtful look and didn't think he'd like her answer.

"How about we let fate decide? If we're meant to meet again we will."

"Ok…" He didn't like it. However, he felt like they were going to be crossing paths a lot in the future. After all, they had bumped into each other three times in two days. Anything could happen. "We'll let fate decide."

"Until next time." She smiled and turned to unlock her door

"Until next time." He turned to walk away but then stopped just as quickly. "One last thing please." She paused and looked back at him. "What were you doing on this colony? If you don't mind me asking?"

"I was just helping a friend." She replied softly before shutting the door leaving him alone in the hallway.


She leaned back against the door and she couldn't explain the tightening in her chest. She hadn't felt this light hearted in a long time so why did she suddenly feel the need to scream? Zech's face came to mind and with it, the memory of a time when they had just been teasing each other. The look on his face matched the look on Quatre's earlier and she understood.

"Zechs, why?" it had been months since he'd left but she realized she hadn't truly dealt with the realization that he wasn't hers anymore. He was going to leave and she had to move on. Now, as another person looked at her the same way it scared her. She didn't know how to handle it all. The two weeks in the wilderness couldn't come at a better time, and maybe she could come to some sort of understanding.

She lifted her hand and wiped at the tears that fell. She didn't have to ask why this was happening now. It had all to do with Quatre. He'd seen into a secret part of her after only a handful of meetings that had taken Zechs years to even scratch. It was too much.

She pushed off the door and headed towards her room and started her final packing. She was leaving at first light and that was only in a few hours. She'd already finished a lot of the packing and most of what was left was to just change her club clothes out for the cargo pants, tank top, and jacket that were designed for her wilderness trip. She pushed thoughts of Quatre and Zechs to the back of her mind. It was the coward's way out but she'd do some soul searching while in the mountains. Not right now.