Ello Everyone! There is a slight warning as this chapter could lead to a few sniffles. However there are laughs to so Enjoy~ Ciao


The sun beat down on her back as she walked the mile long stretch back to her home. She laughed lightly at the giddiness and peace that settled over her with each step closer. Three weeks she'd been gone, off on her own, and the last two had been hiking alone through the Carpathian Mountains. Constance had been right about taking time out for herself. She hadn't felt this good in a long time. To be truthful she probably hadn't felt this good since she'd been nine. It was twisted but it was true. Those few months where it had been just Serene, Boy, and her were some of the best she'd ever known. The living conditions were horrible and the food sucked but they had each other. They were their own support group and they made the chaos livable.

The time she had lived with Treize and been his ward had been like living in a dream. However, every time she'd close her eyes she'd seen Serene hiding in that corner, broken. She'd seen Boy's laughing face and never knew if she'd see him again. It had been a constant give and take of happiness and regret. Pain had been her constant companion. The pain of knowing she'd failed them and left them.

'They're safe now.' The voice whispered to her like a voice on the breeze. She took a deep breath and let the tension go. Even though it wasn't perfect, they were out. Maybe not safe but they at least were all out from His control.

She shifted the small bag on her back, and stopped walking. She lifted her face to the sky and just enjoyed the warm rays of the sun bathing her face in its light. She was going to have to take these trips more often. The last two days she had just sat and let time flow around her. She hadn't been able to sit that still in a very long time. She couldn't explain the feeling of that much peace. And then the message had come. The only piece of technology she'd take with her had been her satellite phone in case of an emergency.

"Treize." She opened her eyes and started walking again. The only message had been three simple words. None of them being his name, but she just had a feeling that it was about him. That had been a little over twenty-seven hours ago. The long trek through the mountains to the closest village had taken a little longer than planned as a storm had popped up, and then the renting of a Jeep that should be in a museum had set her back. However, after finally making it back to town and then hiking back on her own, she was almost there.

She couldn't wait. Even with the trouble that was going to meet her she was excited to be back with everyone. The remodeling was almost done just two more weeks left and her home was going to be better than new. Serene was fitting in with Constance and Daniel beautifully and Treize was… well she wasn't sure on that part yet.

It didn't take her much longer to make it the rest of the way to the house. The fresh smell of all the flowers from her garden wafted through the air and if she wasn't mistaken there was the smell of fresh baked bread. Her mouth watered at the thought as she entered the code to her security code and jogged the rest of the way home.

She entered and sighed as the cool air of her shaded home hit her heated flesh. While her body screamed for a shower and sleep, her nose led her in the direction of the kitchen. It was following the smell of the fresh bread. However, when she reached the counter it was very hard to miss the note in front threatening harm to any who touched the fresh loaf before dinner. Even though she could take on well trained soldiers blindfolded she would never cross Constance. She wouldn't lie the thought did cross her mind but she wasn't stupid; so instead she went to the fridge and froze when she saw that it was stocked full of different kinds of vegetables.

Where was the meat? Where was all the good horrible food? She closed the door and went to the snack cabinet only to find it empty. There was fruit in the second cabinet but still all of her food she kept for quick energy or down time was gone. She had been living off of C-Ration's for the last two weeks and she wanted more than green stuff.

"You're finally back."

She spun around as she heard Serene's voice. "Where's all the food? Where are my snacks?" She turned back and opened the empty cabinet still in denial. She followed Serene's movements as the younger girl came forward opened up the fridge and pulled out a portioned size bag of tiny carrots before holding them out to her.

"What's that?"

"A snack."

"No that's a side of a side of a side." Serene shoved the bag into her hands.

"It's a snack." She couldn't seem to grasp what she was hearing. Where had all her food gone? Then it clicked.

"Constance…" She looked up at Serene and saw the nod. She couldn't believe it. She'd been gone for only three weeks and Constance had already started on portion control and proper eating.

"I'll take care of it."

"Treize had some memories come back. That's why I called you. Dr. San-Ju said to give him a sedative until you got back. Should I wake him up?"

"No, let me get freshened up and then I'll go take care of it. It was violent wasn't it?" The question hung between them and she knew it didn't need to be answered for she had been right. She just had to keep telling herself that he was alive and that was all that mattered. She looked back over at Serene and noticed a strip of blue in her blonde hair.

"Is that a ribbon?" She took a step forward and just before she could touch it Serene spun around with her eyes so huge it was comical.

"NO!...No it's not….It's a ….a….I've got to go." Serene dashed backwards out of the kitchen before running around the freshly dug swimming pool.

"Well she left in a hurry."

"She was wearing a ribbon, and when I commented on it she ran." Thiana turned to look at Constance and smiled. "I think you've been very busy, and I'm not just talking about wardrobe." She held up the bag of carrots.

"Oh that. You had been babying her Thiana. She had no idea of portion control and if someone saw her eat the way she did they would know something was wrong. I went through the same thing with you."

"I know, but Constance…First off, where is all of my food? I've been eating C-ration's for the last two weeks and I want more then carrots."

"They're over here." Constance pulled out a key and opened one of her new cabinets. "All of the meat is out in the pool house."

"I'll be back." With that Thiana went to collect the meat and with-in a couple minutes she was sitting in front of Constance with a delicious looking submarine sandwich, chips, water, and the carrots Serene had handed her.

"Better?"

"Much." She took another bite and enjoyed the many different flavors.

"Now you were going to say something before about Serene. What was it?"

"I understand why you're doing what you're doing but I would like to ask you to not be so forceful about it. Yes, we both need to learn how to distribute food over the day so it doesn't look like we're abnormal, and we also need to eat food with larger amounts of protein, iron, and probably take vitamins. However, when we are here in this home, when we're with people we trust let her eat this way for now."
"But Thiana, if she doesn't learn it here, when she goes out in front of people she'll not realize what she's doing."

"I know but for the last 8 years she's been locked in a room living on a diet of mush, a slice of bread, water, and a vitamin shot. She hasn't known the joy of food for a very long time. You asked me a little while ago if I wanted a certain kind of life for Serene and I said no. Well letting her eat what and how she wants when she's on her own is a way to let her be free."

Silence fell between the two as Thiana finished her meal. She could tell Constance was deep in thought and she knew why. Constance was making the connections between what she'd just told her about Serene to Thiana's own life before Treize.

"Don't yell at yourself too much. You didn't know, and it is a needed lesson but let's just take it a little slower."

"You're right…I'll start re-arranging everything."

"Thank you, Constance." She stood up and took her dishes to the sink. "Don't get rid of everything though. We do need to eat more of that green stuff." The face she gave was the same one she'd given when Constance had started her in on the same training years ago. The reference made the two of them laugh before Thiana headed out and around the last minute construction looking for a finished bathroom that she could clean up in before going to see Treize.


The sun was starting to set and it gave the room a warm orange glow. However she didn't notice as the room started to fill shadows as time ticked by. Her focus was mainly on the man before her slowly coming to as the medicine wore off. The laughter of children that filtered in through the open window had her glancing outside to see Tommy and Amy being chased by Serene.

It was so normal that it was scary. But she loved everything about it. She had never seen herself as having a normal life. There had always been that voice telling her that she was too dangerous to be normal. Even while living with Treize she'd been planning revenge. Even though Constance had said she'd taken time to act her age she hadn't been her age since before she could remember. She hadn't been anyone's definition of normal ever.

Yet now as she sat in the room it felt so normal that she wanted to laugh. Daniel and Constance had become like adoptive parents to Serene and the kids wouldn't let her back out of anything. It made her smile. She had found a sort of mental balance while being gone in the wilderness for two weeks and it was good to see that Serene had found some too. She really had no idea where her life was going to go in the coming year but it was so comforting to know that she had all of this to fall back on. She didn't have to leave. She could let Thiana Khushrenada fade right along with 'Treize's' death. She wasn't going to but it was a nice realization. After living a life with really only one choice, it was refreshing to know she had many options before her.

She stood up and walked over to the digital music player that held some of Treize's favorite songs and hit play. She hadn't wanted to push him to remember, but she had worked very hard to keep everything she could remember of his favorites around. She was glad because when he had awoken during all the stress of not remembering those items had given him comfort, safety, and peace. He didn't remember any person or event but he had remembered that he enjoyed the scent of roses. He remembered that he liked classical music mixed with subtle blues and jazz. Also that he could get lost in a philosophical debate or a good game of chess. He might not have had the memories but he had still been Treize.

However, now it seemed the past was coming back into a clearer light for him. But it wasn't being gentle. He had passed out and almost caused harm to himself as he'd had what Dr. San-Ju could only describe as seizers later on. They had only happened once but that was why he had been in a medical sleep until she returned because he had been continually calling out for Panther.

She hated how she'd wished for him to remember just one thing when now the remembering was causing him physical harm. If a balance wasn't created his brain could shut down; simply turn off the functions that were inducing stress and harm to the body. In other terms it would send him back into a coma and Dr. San-Ju didn't know if he would ever awaken if that happened.

She turned the volume up slightly and settled her own racing thoughts. It hadn't happened yet so there was no reason to worry. Because if it did happen there wasn't anything they could do to stop it. She hated that realization but she wasn't going to argue with the truth. The only thing that could save Treize was himself.

"Panther…" the word of barely a whisper but she heard it none the less.

"Panther…" The next time it was slightly louder and she was by his side speaking calmly to try and abate the terror that was rising in his voice.

"I'm here. I'm right beside you. Treize, I'm here. Just open your eyes and you'll see." She was lightly running her hand against his face like a mother would to a terrified child in a nightmare. She hoped if she could just get him to make eye contact that he could focus on her and realize that this was real.

"Panther…" His voice had dropped back to a whisper and the gasping for air rattled his whole body.

"Yes, I'm right here Treize. Look and you'll see me." She grabbed his hand and gave a reassuring squeeze trying everything to get him to snap back to reality. Minutes passed like sand in an hour glass as they went in a dance of words around each other. He would call out and she would give gentle reassurance that it was over and she was there. His words were random and chaotic. She could tell that flashes of memories were being recalled but they were all out of sync. He was calling out for people from his past she had no idea about, and then he would be mumbling about decisions made just before the final battle. She was so confused by the jumble of events that flowed out that she couldn't even begin to imagine what it was like in his own brain.

A single lamp was on giving off a soft light as she settled back taking the needed break. He was starting to calm and after hours of working through these mental roller coasters she was thankful for the pause. She glanced at the clock and gave a sigh as it read 4:38 a.m. After nine hours he still hadn't opened his eye. It was like he was locked in a mental cage and the only way to get out was to process his memories. Yet as marvelous as the human brain was this was taking it into over drive. She stood up and replaced the cloth on his forehead with a fresh, cooled one. He'd developed a fever around midnight and she wasn't surprised. If a computer could overheat if worked too hard too quickly, it wasn't hard to imagine a human's brain could too.

She picked up the bowl of orange slices and walked over to the open window enjoying the fresh breeze wafting through. She didn't know how much more his body could take, and while Dr. San-Ju told her she might have to sedate him again she didn't want to. She was nervous about sending him back under with so much still unresolved. She didn't trust that he would come back again. She sat down, balancing on the window sill and gave her mind a mental break. It was like a mini nap. Her brain and body could recharge but she was still on alert. She was slowly eating the slices of oranges when she heard him. She gave a small sigh believing that it was time for round eighty-seven but when she looked over at him he was staring back at her.

"Treize, you're awake." She could have almost have hit herself for that idiotic statement but instead she slid off of the window ledge and walked towards the bed. She moved slowly to make sure she wouldn't startle him but it was so hard. Because she just wanted to run and hug him.

"Panther…" His face was tight and she knew he was remembering something horrible. "I did so much wrong." She sat on the edge and gave a slight nod.

"Yes, but you're not alone in that statement. Many people have done horrible things. I'm not saying that makes it right but we can't dwell on them. We have to be better, make better choices. We have to live better lives." She didn't know how much he remembered but for right now she didn't need to know. He would process all this remembered information and she would be there along with everyone else in this house to help. She smiled when he reached forward and gave her hand a squeeze.

"I never thought I would see you again. When you left I thought I had lost you. How did I end up here?"

"What is the last thing you remember?"

"I remember many things up until the time you left. However, after that it's all hazy. I remember setting up the gundam pilots to murder good men. I remember finding the plans and building Epyon. I had it built for you, or I built it because of you…"

"What?"

"It reminded me of you and I had fooled myself into thinking that it could give me answers. It would be like they were coming from you. But it didn't work that way." Silence settled for a moment as she didn't know how to respond. Of all the things to think about, of all the things he'd remember, it was that? She let it go to ponder at a different time because he had started to speak again.

"That's the last thing I … Wait I remember talking to you via vid-screen. I was going to take someone's place, but I can't remember whose." He tried to remember more but it caused a headache to start to form.

"That's good. You remembered a lot. More than you did when you first woke up."

"When I first woke up?" He paused before realization dawned on him. "I've been awake for a while. You're not here alone. Daniel, Constance and their children are here. Also there's another girl. One who reminds me so much of you when we first met yet she's different."

"Yes, the wars over, and we're all living here creating a family."

"Wait, what about Une, Zechs. Where are they?"

"Well Zechs is off coming to terms with some things, and Une is well. If I'm correct she's in Brussels heading a new organization called Preventers."

"They don't know I'm here, do they?"

"No, they both believe you're dead." She held his gaze knowing this was going to be hard to come to terms with.

"Why do they believe I'm dead?"

"You don't remember, but there was a final battle that nearly took your life. I was just barely able to save you, but if people knew you were still alive it would detour the progress that the Earth and the Colonies needed. Even without you there are still people who fight in your name believing that this peace is wrong. The last time we talked you were going forward with the intention to sacrifice your life while fighting the mobile dolls. You had hoped if you couldn't win the battle that your sacrifice could change things and it did. I, however, saved your life to give you a second chance at living. If you were meant to die it was only going to be after I tried everything to save you." She looked down taking a deep breath. "I had to try. You were family and I couldn't lose you." She met his gaze again and continued "You might never be able to fully be Treize Khushrenada again and I'm sorry about that. But the world is doing better. There is still fighting here and there but I wouldn't apologize for having your death faked. Because without you, right now a balance is being found." The silence that followed was almost defending, yet his next words released all of her tension.

"You're right." He looked out the window. "I had wanted to lead the world to something better but I had needed the power to put my name at the top of it. I manipulated things so I could keep control and destroyed lives because of it. I failed and I can't be sure if given the chance I wouldn't fall back into the same mistakes." He looked back at her and gave a small nod. "It is better that Treize Khushrenada is dead."

She returned his nod and gave a small smile. It had worked out. She didn't know how but she was so thankful that it had. She had feared when he remembered he would either curse her for saving him or try and reclaim his former goals. He did neither and it was beyond relief.

They sat in a comfortable silence till the sun started to rise again. "What about you?"

"What about me?"

"Well over the last two weeks I've been listening. Just because I couldn't remember anything didn't mean I was deaf. Now that I have my memories I'm connecting the dots. You stepped out of the light before the war. You had the strength to hold to your own convictions and walk away from the power I was offering you."

"I couldn't support the path you were going to head down."

"I know. I'm glad." He moved to get up and after she got out of the way he walked towards the window. "It's because of that that you don't have to stay hidden. With the name Khushrenada you will have money and with leaving me during the war you can stand above the mess I made. It won't be easy and people will throw at you everything I did but you are strong enough to handle it."

"Treize, if I go back it'll be my own choice and on my own terms."

"I know. You're to head strong to be told what to do. However, this is my own punishment and as more memories come I accept that. Yet you are more than a recluse author running around in secret. You need to be out there."

She came over and leaned against the window sill. "I know."

"You already have a plan don't you?" He glanced over at her and shook his head. "I get most of my memories back and yet I forget the simplest thing about you."

"What's that?"

"You're always on top of what has to be done; for others and for yourself. I remember how much I missed that."

"It's good to have you back."

"It's good to have you back too." He stretched and ran his hands through his hair. "I'm having a sudden craving for chocolate cake, and cinnamon hot chocolate."

"Well if Constance had anything to do with it that might be hard. But I think I can scrounge something up. Let's go to the kitchen." They both slowly made their way from the pool house back to the main house. The birds were already awake and all the signs were saying it was going to be a hot August day. But Before they made it in Treize's eyes caught on the nearby field that was covered in flowers.

"The girl, Serene."

"Yes?"

"I remember she asked me a very interesting question before my little attack."

"I wouldn't call what happened a little attack."

"Well, that wasn't the point of that statement." He entered the kitchen and went to sit at the brand new counter.

"Ok, what was the point of that statement?" Thiana started searching through all of the cabinets trying to find the needed ingredients.

"Serene asked me a very interesting question." He paused and she could feel his gaze as she waited for him to continue. "A question about a very interesting topic."

"And what was that?"

"She asked what it was like to kiss someone."

"WHAT?!" The crash of a pan could be heard before laughter filled the kitchen.