Note: Same as last time, I don't own Gundam Wing as might as I may wish and dream. Also for those who don't know Zechs Merquise and Milliardo Peacecraft are the same person. I'm using Zechs because it's faster to type and because even after Noin knew his name was really Milliardo she continued to call him Zechs. I also like Zechs better. Triton Bloom is also the name they assume was Trowa's before he took on Barton's name so sit back and let me know what you think when your done.

Prologue

Noin bit back a groan as she let herself into the apartment. Kicking off her shoes she forced her legs to move one in front of the other, after many minutes she finally managed to navigate her body into their bedroom. Not even bothering to turn on any lights Noin slowly moved around the room and thanked God that both she and Zechs were such neat people; otherwise she'd probably have tripped over something Noin thought ruefully. Making her way to her dresser Noin reached for one of her nightshirts, it was definitely time for bed.  Staring at the one in her hand Noin changed her mind and threw it back in, too tired to even close the drawer. Forcing herself to move she made her way to Zechs' shirt drawer and pulled one of them out. Stripping quickly Noin pulled the shirt over her head and sighed tiredly.  It was by no means as good as having him with her but it would have to do. Practically crawling now Noin made her way to the bed and with a sore sigh pulled back the covers on Zechs' side and hopped in. Laying her head on his pillow she breathed in his scent and tried to figure out how she was suppose to sleep without him there beside her. That and you shouldn't have had that last pot of coffee her conscious reminded her annoyingly. She shouldn't have drank it but she'd had work to do so now here she was dead tired with a system that was pumping with sweet addicting caffeine.  Absently Noin wondered where they were by now. They should be half way there and you'd better be behaving, Zechs Noin thought darkly. She'd noticed the looks Heero and Zechs had been shooting at each other and Noin wasn't too sure that Wufei could stop them if they decided to go at it. Which one would win would also be questionable though her money was secretly on Heero though Heero probably wouldn't kill Zechs for Relena sake but as for Zechs? Who knew? I should probably take some sleeping pills otherwise I'm never going to get any sleep and I need to get up early tomorrow Noin mentally told herself. But having never been the type she stayed in bed and slowly drifted off to sleep clutching Zechs' pillow.



Noin's Dream.

Lucrezia Noin Brant was many things but a coward she had never been. And I don't intend to start know the twenty-one year old girl thought as she spotted the approaching men who were headed for her ranch at a steady speed. She wasn't expecting anyone today and she didn't recognize any of the riders or their horses which was not a good sign.  They were obviously armed and Noin would bet her horse that this wasn't going to be a social visit by any stretch of the word. There had been a storm last night so they'd have to take the long way because of the river flooding though which meant she'd have some time to get back to the ranch and prepare for their arrival. Instincts kicking in Noin turned and at a run headed for the house with a speed that rivalled her horses, fear motivating her legs to move. A long legged girl she made it with minutes to spare and with an athletic grace jumped over her lazy and very ugly dog Dr. J as she crossed the lawn. Rushing past the old house she ran down to the horse corral where several of her ranch hands were working in and around.



"We've got some unexpected company, boys. There are at least a dozen of them and they're all armed to the teeth." Noin said as she came to a stop in front of them, slightly out if breath. Unlike most women she spoke with a tone that said to sit up and listen, the fact that from a distance she could pass for a boy helped as well. Despite the fact that it sent her grandmother into vapours Noin dressed like a man and kept her hair as short as a boy's. She did a man's job and it was easier to run a ranch when you were practically dressed.

"Do you think it's those men from the railway again, Noin?" Her foreman Triton Bloom asked as he pushed his long brown bangs from his face. He was younger then she was but he had such a gift with animals that she'd hired him on the spot regardless. There was something about him that said he was much older then most, not in age but in life. She had yet to even hear him laugh and he'd been working for her for several months now.

"I heard that they caused trouble at the Maxwell place. They might be coming to give us our share of trouble." Noin said with a twisted grin. "If that's the case I intend to show them what happens to those who enter the Wing Ranch and try to cause problems."

"Yes ma'am." Triton said as he handed the reins of a horse to one of the younger hands who'd been watching him put the animal through his exercises. "I'll go scout it out and see what we're up against. Noin, you get your family into the cellar for safety, men get your weapons and take up position around the perimeter as you've been trained. If they intend to cause trouble then we'll show them the door, Southern style."

Normally she would have objected to Triton doing the ordering but something told her he knew what he was doing and this kinda thing was definitely not her area of expertise. Not even questioning his orders all the hands headed for the bunkhouse and the tack room where there were plenty of ammunition and rifles to be found. Not even bothering to watch Noin headed for the house again and was met at the door by her younger brother Ian. 

"What's going on, Noin?" He asked as he blinked at the blinding sunlight. His grandmother had stuck him in the school room for lessons and this was the first time that he'd managed to get outside to help his sister. After all he was the man of the house...technically.

"Ian I need you to do something for me and its very important." Noin said clutching her thirteen year old brother's shoulders tightly; wanting to make sure he understood how serious she was. "I need you to get your gun and help me convince grandma to go into the cellar."

"Why?"

"Some people are coming and they might plan to make trouble so I need you and grandmother to stay in the cellar while Triton and I handle things. If it turns ugly I want to make sure there's still one Brant at least to keep the railroad's greedy hands away from Wing." Noin said looking deeply into his eyes which were the same dark purple as her own.

"Ah gee, Noin, can't I-I promise I'll protect her with my life." Ian said with a proud tilt even though he wasn't happy about the fact that she'd shook her head about staying with her. He would have preferred to go with his sister to confront their impending guests but he knew she was right. Better to have insurance against whatever they had planned for them. Nodding her understanding Noin grabbed his hand and together they rushed into the house. Heading for the stairs Noin took them two at a time as she raced up them while her brother headed for his room to get his rifle from under his bed. As she reached the top of the stairs Noin turned and headed to her grandmother's room and knocked sharply.



"Who is it?" Her grandmother asked crossly from behind the doors as she sat comfortably in her rocking chair. She rarely left her room anymore and Noin was sure this was going to take some major sweet talking on her part. Unfortunately she wasn't good at it.

"Grandmother, it's me. I need you to come out and to go down into the cellar with Ian." Noin said calmly trying not to let her urgency show.

"Lucrezia? Why would I want to go into that death trap of a cellar, girl?" Her grandmother demanded calling her by her given name. "You trying to kill me?"

"There are some men coming who might be here to cause trouble. I want you and Ian to go into the cellar because you'll be safer there."

"Who's coming?" Her grandmother demanded.

"I don't know but it looks like they mean to cause trouble." Noin repeated carefully. "Would you please let me in so that I can help you down. Ian is waiting for us."

At the mention of her beloved grandson Noin's grandmother slowly unlocked the door and stared critically at her granddaughter. "You're wearing breeches again, Lucrezia. If God had intended you to wear those things he wouldn't have made you a girl."

"Yes, grandmother. Now lets go." Noin said as she lead her grandmother down the stairs carefully while the old woman complained about what a tomboy she was and the fact that she was twenty and still not married. She was destined to be an old maid and her grandmother was ready to wash her hands of her. Nodding patiently Noin tuned out the lecture she could probably recite word for word and with her brother's help managed to get their grandmother into the cellar.

"Why did you let that boy with the weird name go, now you'll be a spinster for sure. It never would have happened if you'd tried to act like a lady every once and a while." Ignoring the comments Noin practically threw her grandmother at her brother as they met up at the bottom of the stairs. With orders not to open the door until he was sure it was safe Noin quickly left her brother and grandmother in the cellar and headed for her room. Grabbing her six shooters and rifle she headed out the door just as the riders came into view. Putting the gun belt around her waist Noin confidently walked towards them as she sprinted off her porch and to them. Sensing her hands around her Noin allowed herself to take stock of her guests as they filed in through the lane. There were thirteen of them in all shapes and sizes, the only thing they had in common was the fact that they were all loaded down with rifles and guns.



"Evening. We're looking for the owner of the ranch." One of the men said spitting chewing tobacco out of his mouth a few feet from her. She'd never seen him before but she recognized him for what he was, trouble with a capital T.

"That would be me." Noin said looking him straight in the eye. She had no intention of letting them think they intimidated her.

"You're woman." The man stated looking her over with a look that made her temper go up a notch. A lot of hands in the past had figured that because she didn't act like a proper lady all the time her values weren't proper either. She'd broken the nose of more then one cowboy who'd looked at her body the way this man was doing now and she was itching to show him the dirt.

"Yes I am last time I checked. And if you want to get off my ranch in one piece I suggest you stop looking at me like I'm a saloon girl for sale at half price." Noin said with a cold stare that emphasized her words.

"Well aren't you a little spitfire. Boys if I didn't know any better I'd think she didn't like me." The man said sarcastically and Noin watched as the men leered and laughed at her. They wouldn't be laughing for long Noin thought darkly.

"What business do you have with me?" Noin said when the laughter had died down. "Because I'm pretty sure we haven't met."

"We're looking for you to sign up with the railroad company." The man in front stated as he leaned over his horse to stare at her. It was most definitely not a friendly look at all.  "It would be in your best interest to sell out to them, maybe then you'll be able to afford to dress like a girl."

"I have no business to do with the railroad. You can leave if that is the only reason for your visit." Noin said with a smirk, not intending to budge on that.  Ever.  "I don't intend to sell and watch you destroy my family's land and you can even quote me on that, Mister."

"We intend to change your mind. We can be quite persuasive." One of the men said as he grinned at her with an unholy light.

"The lady said she wasn't interested." A voice said from behind her, one she recognized as her foreman. Triton had appeared out of nowhere and now stood beside her, his right hand resting on his gun holster.

"This has nothing to do with you, boy." One of the men called out from the bunch.

"I'm making it my business." Triton said with no emotion as he stared back at them, his eyes as hard as green ice. Noin was glad he was on her side, something told her that if provoked he would be just as dangerous as these thirteen men put together.

"And I'm also making it mine." Noin stared straight ahead as another man appeared at her other side standing slightly behind but still making his presence felt. That voice she knew so well and had thought not to hear again. It was a well loved voice she hadn't heard in two long years and the voice of someone who was to be feared. The voice of the man who'd practically left her at the altar!


"Who are you and what do you want?" The leader of the group demanded. He had obviously not expected this much resistance. He probably thought it would be like taking candy from a baby, he was in for a surprise Noin thought as her confidence rose at the simple fact that Zechs was there. Maybe she was mad as hell at him but right now she needed him and for the first time in a long time he was actually there.

"I'm called Zechs and that's all you need know. The lady you're threatening is under my protection so I suggest you leave before I rid her of your presence, permanently." The man who stood slightly behind her said in a voice filled with warning and coldness. It was the voice of a man not to be crossed and Noin couldn't help but feel her heckles rise at him saying she was under his protection and acting all macho and high handed. He'd given up the right to talk about her like that a long time ago.

"This is between the lady and us, Mister. You can just leave the way you came, take him with you while you're at it." The leader said motioning to Triton as well.

"We're not going anywhere." Triton said as he lightly moved his finger along the handle of his gun. If there was to be a fight then he was more then prepared.

"Till we meet again, Miss Brant then . I hope you'll have changed your mind by then.  For your sake." The leader said turning his horse around rather then risk trying anything else.  Following his lead the others moved to leave as well and watching them turn away Noin felt the lump in her throat begin to recede and leave. Everything was all right, they hadn't succeeded in their mission to terrorize her into submission to them. They would be back but she would be ready for them. Taking a deep breath Noin turned on her heels to view her surprise visitor, the only one today that was even close to being welcome. They'd parted as friends and that was all they were now. Friends.

"Zechs." She said softly as she tried to look into his blue eyes which were partial hidden by the Stetson riding low on his head. His long blonde hair was drawn back at the nape and it was almost white from the sun bleaching it. He stood straight and tall in front of her, her age in years but much older like Triton. He had had a hard life that had made him what he was and she knew that there was much she didn't know about him, and yet she knew him best.

"Still wearing your breeches I see." Zechs said dryly as he looked at her from head to toe. Blushing Noin wished for the first time in a long time that she was wearing a dress. He'd always done that though, made her wish she was more feminine, gracefully and beautiful like his sister.

"They're better suited for ranch work." Noin said sticking out her chin a little in a show of pride. That had always been one of the few things she'd always disliked about him, the fact that he could convey so much in a minimum amount of words. Triton did it too.

"You shouldn't be doing any ranch work." Zechs said staring at her intently.

"Well if I don't do it who will?" Noin said as she crossed her arms in front of her chest.



"Well, well look who we have here, Heero. The great Zechs Merquise has returned to Our Home Sweet Home. Ring the bells and call the newspapers the great Texas Marshal has decided to honor us with his presence." Everyone turned to see David or Duo Maxwell stride up the lane on his horse Scythe with his brother Heero close behind him shaking his head at his brother's antics. Both were handsome men with their dark brown hair and blue eyes, Duo with his laughing purplish blue eyes and Heero with his solemn Prussian pair.  Both pairs of eyes were being trained on her and Zechs as well.

"Well I'm just having loads of visitors today." Noin said as she walked up to meet them with more enthusiasm then usual. Anything to put distance between her and Zechs while she recovered from the shock of seeing him again. The Maxwells were family friends and they were as welcome on the Wing as she was at their home. "Here to cause some mischief and mayhem, Duo?" She added teasingly. Duo was well known for his practically jokes and slightly hair brain ideas, you never knew what he'd do next.

"Of course not, my fair lady. We heard word that trouble was coming your way and so we raced to your rescue. Right, Heero?" Duo said as he jumped from his black stead with a gracefully bound. Grabbing her hand he kissed it noisily then wiggled his eyebrows suggestively at her. Laughing Noin gracefully pretended to curtsy and then held her hand up to fan herself in an imitation of a Southern belle. Shaking his head at their foolishness Heero dismounted and grabbing the reins of his brother's horse as well moved over to where Triton still stood.

"Everything all right here? Some of our hands saw heavily armed men coming this way and we got here as fast as we could. We met up with them on the way out, they won't be bothering Noin or anyone else any more if they know what's good for them.  Which we made quite clear." Heero stated quietly as he nodded at Noin. "When did you get back Merquise?" He added turning his attention to Zechs who'd been watching Duo and Noin playing around.

"I just arrived." Zechs said calmly. "I see your brother hasn't changed at all."

"Neither have you." Heero said looking at him before smiling a greeting as Duo and Noin joined them, Duo's arm slugged across her shoulder. "So Noin, where's Ian?"

"I'm right here. What are you doing here?" Ian said glaring at Zechs from under his rather messy bangs. No matter what his sister said he knew Zechs had hurt her when he had left and former hero or not no one hurt his sister while he was around to say something about it.

"A gang I've been trailing is working near by. Relena wanted to visit our relatives in the area so I decided to use here as a home base. It's nice to see you again, Ian. You've grown." Zechs said looking slightly surprised at the boy's welcome.

"Yea well I've become a crack shot too." Ian said telling Zechs without words who he'd like to practice his skills on. "Heero and Triton taught me. They're almost like my brothers, or brother in laws."

"Ian!" Noin said sending him a look that said he was going to get hell for his comment later. "Go make sure that all the other men came back all right." Sending her an annoyed look he gave Zechs another warning glare very similar to Heero's before heading off towards the barn.



"So Zechs, your lovely sister came with you?" Duo asked innocently as he deliberately looked in his brother's direction to distract everyone from Ian's hostility. Of course it had been no secret around town that Relena, Zechs sister fancied Heero but Zechs would have none of it and Heero would give away nothing either way. Noin personally thought that they would make a fine pair but Zechs would definitely not agree with that little idea. Heero stood a better chance with Relena then she'd ever had with Zechs, not that he'd probably ever realized her feelings for him ran as deep as they did. If ever there had been a man who might have been worth wearing a corset and turning lady like for it was him. But he'd never noticed how much she cared and she'd never pressed the idea. Better to be his friend then nothing at all. He'd asked her to marry him because he'd thought she'd suit, he'd ask because he needed a wife and he thought his tomboy best friend would be as good as any. Never mind that she'd said yes because she loved him. But then one time after another he'd been called away on work and finally he'd come to the decision that he didn't need a wife and had asked if she'd mind him withdrawing the proposal or at least for a couple of years. She'd given him back his ring and wished him well. Of course later she'd cursed him a blue streak but that was another thing about her he didn't know, would never know.



"Relena is with me." Zechs said as he followed Duo's gaze. Noin had a feeling Heero would be in for another lecture on staying away from Relena real soon.

"We'll have to drop in and say hi then." Duo said elbowing his brother's side. "Huh, Heero."

"Whatever." Heero said with a shrug. "Do you want us to send some hands down here for extra protection?  Or if you want I could stay here for a while, you'll be needing help with that load of horses you bought at the auction anyway."

"You don't need to do that Heero but thanks." Noin said smiling at him. He was probably partially motivated to volunteer to stay over just to annoy Zechs but that was besides the point. "Triton and the hands can handle it and if not I'll stop by and bribe you with some strawberry jam to come help."

"Where is this Triton you've told me about? Shouldn't he have been here protecting you instead of leaving the boy to do it?" Zechs said as he motioned to the boy who stood by her side still, watching them all with quiet eyes.

"I am Triton." Triton said as he looked at Zechs calmly, use to being dismissed because of his age. "Thank you for your help, I'm sure Noin appreciated it."

"Yes, thank you, Zechs. Will you be heading back to town now that they're gone? You don't need to worry, Triton and I have everything under control." Noin said trying to imitate Triton's calm look. He was much better at it then her.

"He's only a boy, Noin. Why on earth would you make him your foreman. Are you that hard up?" Zechs said looking concerned.

"No I'm not hard up on money and as for why I hired him I had my reasons and seeing as it's my ranch it's my choice. Now I don't want to seem rude but our past visitors put a real wrench in the work schedule and I really have to head out to the north pasture." Noin said trying to hide her feelings from him which had never been easy since he could usually read her like a book.

"I'll ride with her if it will make you feel better, Zechs. I have to convince her to go with me to the Sunday picnic any way." Duo said with another wink. Shaking her head at his foolishness she was surprised to see that Zechs didn't look at all amused. In fact he looked angry.



"Is there something wrong, Zechs?" Noin asked stepping closer to him. He usually showed no emotion and yet here he was showing more emotion then he usually showed in a whole year which was worrying her. Weird.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?" Zechs said and without another word grabbed her arm and practically dragged her down to the old barn that they'd use to play in as children. Once they were inside Zechs locked the door behind them then removing his hat he simply stared at her like he'd never seen her before in his life.

"What's wrong, Zechs?" Noin said really worried now.  Ignoring her self preservation instincts she stepped in front of him and placed her hands on his shoulders, feeling his muscles tense under her hands. "What is it?"

"Starting a harem, Noin?" Zechs asked tensely after minutes of silence.

"A what?" Noin said, thoroughly confused now. Surely she'd misunderstood what he'd said to her, after all it didn't make any sense. Why on earth would he think she was starting a harem?

"You heard me. I've counted three so far, should I me expecting more or did you decide to stop at three." Zechs said leaning closer so that their faces were only inches apart. Noin could feel her eyes go wide at the barely controlled anger in his eyes, what was wrong with him? She'd never seen him like this and she didn't even have any idea what she'd done to make him so angry.

Three? Noin thought and then it hit her as she put the pieces together. He thought...Heero? Duo? Triton? Three men. He thought that she... That she was involved with?  My God he's absolutely serious, Noin realized when he didn't even smile at the expressions that must be running across her face. How dare he!

"How dare you." Noin said glaring at him with anger and outrage written plainly on her face, getting more then a little pissed off herself now that she'd put the pieces together. "You have no right to say those things, Zechs Merquise and you have no right to judge me or order me around like I'm one of your men. I'll do what I like and there's nothing you can say or do to stop me."

"I know you're mine and that's all I need to know, Noin." Zechs said as he latched onto her shoulders as he crushed her lips with his own. Kissing her with all the anger and passion he had Zechs sent Noin's head spinning wildly as she closed her eyes on a moan of pleasure. She'd imagined this so many times and kissing him back with everything she had Noin slipped her arms around his neck and hung on for dear life, feeling her body catch on fire at his touch. Digging her fingers into his long hair she gasp as he deepened the kiss further, holding nothing back from her. Feeling her limbs turn to jelly Noin slumped against him and holding on she broke off the kiss in a desperate move for air. As oxygen returned to her lungs so did his last words before he'd kissed her. You're mine he'd said and though she wish she was he'd given up the right to call her his years ago and how dare he waltz in here and think he could just change his mind again.

"Noin." Zechs breathed as he tried to tip her head up for another kiss.

"No thanks, Zechs. I don't belong to you and I never will. You chose for us to be just friends and I respect that but you have no right to grab me and maul me like that whether I stopped you or not. I have no intentions of being your temporary girl or warming your bed so if that's what you came for you can forget it. Now get out before I do something I'll regret later." Noin said staring him straight in the eye.

"Noin I......"

"Get out."

Nodding Zechs set his hat back on his head and without a word unlocked the door and walked through, closing the door behind him. Listening to the sound of his boots walking away Noin slide to the floor in a painful heap. What am I going to do Noin wondered as she felt her salt tears fall down her cheek. Why do you do this to me, Zechs? Laying her head on her shoulders Noin gave into her emotions and began to soundlessly dry her heart out for a man who would never realize what he was giving up.



Noin jerked awake with a start. What was in that coffee? she wondered as she rubbed her hands over her eyes. Talk about a weird dream, Noin thought as she sat up and leaned over to see what time it was. She still had two hours before she had to get up, Noin thought with some relief as she ran a slightly shaking hand through her tangled hair. That dream has really shook me up, Noin realized and then she realized that her cheeks felt wet. Placing a hand on either side of her face Noin could feel the drying tears on her cheeks and her eyelashes were wet. She'd been crying Noin realized in surprise and she never cried. That dream was really intense, Noin thought rubbing the remaining tears away, it had been like she was really there. Wishing she had someone to talk to Noin flopped back on the bed. Poor her other self Noin thought with a sigh. She was so in love with her Zechs and he was too stupid to realize it. I wonder what Duo would say if I told him I'd been dreaming about him, Noin wondered humorously, cheering herself up with the thought. Now that would be funny. Well I hope that you get your man Noin, Noin thought as she lay back down on her pillow. Because if your Zechs is anything like mine then he's definitely worth the wait.



***Note that's it for Noin and Milliardo for now. Next up is Wufei and Sally and I'm thinking the Vietnam War for a setting. What do you think? Please review and let me know. Hope to hear from you soon and have a great day. C Queen ***