No warped Author's Notes this time, sorry. Never got around to do them. We've been missing that disclaimer for a long time, haven't we?

DISCLAIMER: It sucks to be poor.

On with the fic!

Mobile Fighter G Gundam: Promise of a Rose

Chapter IX: All in a Day's Work

I walked down the hall, basking in my own thoughts, when I heard something from the room in front of me.

"Shirley, what I've been trying to say is that…Shirley, I love you."

That sounded like Chibodee! After pondering that first thought for a moment: Chibodee? Confessing love?

"What are you trying to do, Chibodee Crocket? Why are you lying to me?!"

"But Shirl, I—I'm not lying!"

"I know you Chibodee Crocket, like I know myself. You could never be anything more than a carnal playboy. You've never considered a serious relationship in your life. Well guess what? I won't fall for that 'I love you' line! I WILL NOT END UP IN YOUR BED!"

I watched as Shirley stormed out in front of me, and I caught the glitter of tears as she passed. She was followed by Chibodee.

"No, Shirl, wait! Shirley!!" he called, but she ignored him. He turned to me angrily, masking the hurt in his eyes. "What're you looking at, you French preppy priss?!"

"Nothing, mon ami, nothing at all," I said. He glared at me then went back into the room, slamming the door behind him. I decided to follow Shirley, see where she was going. Normally, I wasn't a nosy person, but I wondered. Who had given Chibodee the courage to say that? Who was Shirley going to confide in? To my extreme surprise, I arrived at Renee's room. I heard sobbing from within.

"Renee, why'd he say that? It just tears me up that he looks at me like nothing more than a bedmate when I--when I…"

"It's okay, Shirley. It's okay."

"But it's just not fair! I love him and he…he takes advantage of that fact."

"He doesn't know."

"Why'd he say it?"

"I told him to."

"You WHAT?!"

"Yesterday, he told me he loved you. It was after the Princess had left, and we were talking. He was trying to coax a confession out of me, when the subject turned to him. He does love you, Shirley, just give him a chance."

"But he's never--ever--even come remotely close to thinking about a serious relationship. How can I believe him now?"

"Because he loves you, and because you love him. Love trusts."

"But--"

"Shirley, listen to me. Sometimes, you have to take risks to get something done. Nothing is without risks. Chibodee, he took a big risk when he told you of his feelings. And you brushed him off. Like an annoying fly. Now, he thinks he'll never be good enough for you, no matter how hard he tries. You've got to show him he's wrong. You've got to show him you care."

"How?"

"Simple. Say this: 'I love you.' It won't fail."

"Thanks, Renee. To tell you the truth, I never thought you could listen so well when I got here. I thought you were a conniving little bitch out to tear George to pieces. I guess I was wrong about you."

"Most people are."

"Renee?"

"Hm?"

"You can talk to me whenever you want, okay?"

"Thanks."

Then I heard chairs moving and I walked around the corner. I heard the door open, but I never heard it close. I walked around the corner again, to see Renee standing with her back to me. Her hair was still the hot pink I had dyed it, but there was a bit of the normal blonde color showing through. She was dressed in her normal form-revealing wear: a pink backless halter-top and short, tight-fitting black shorts. I took another step forward and she turned to face me.

"Oh, Frenchie," she said, somewhat regretfully. "What're you doin' here? Thought you'd be somewhere mopin' over your Princess."

"She left, though I would have liked it to be otherwise, I can do nothing about it," I said softly.

"Hn," she said. Then, "Can you point me in the direction of the library?"

"The library?" What would she do in a library? "It's--go down the hall and take the first left. It has mahogany doors. I doubt you'd miss it."

"Thanks, Frenchie," she said, then walked off down the hall.

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I wandered into the library. Guess ol' Chib-chan was good for somthin'. Yesterday, when we talked, I finally admitted to myself that I liked George. Maybe more than just liked… I greeted the librarian and asked if they kept books on fencing. She nodded and pointed to a tall bookshelf.

"Top shelf, all the way down," she said. I gaped. TOP SHELF?! That was like…30 feet up! "There's a ladder," she added when she saw my expression. Oh, duh. I thanked her and walked over, located the extremely tall ladder and pushed it over to the correct spot. Luckily it was one of those ladders on wheels, so I could push myself along as I wished. I climbed up and pushed myself over, reading the spines of each book. Fencing for Experts, The World Of Fencing, Comprehensive Essays on How a Fencing Sword is Unlike a Samurai Sword, and Fencing for Dummies. I took the last book. It was hard-cover, heavy, with what looked like a leather cover. I slowly climbed down the ladder, but the book unbalanced me, and on the next rung down I slipped.

"HEELLLPPP!!!" I screamed as I tumbled down…down…down…and (**go down for alternate ending) was soundly caught. I opened my eyes and looked up into violet eyes. "Oh…uh…hiya, Frenchie."

"Hello," he said, staring at me in surprise. Gently, he put me down. I retrieved the book I had let go of. I looked at George again. "Um, thanks," I said, then reached up and gave him a peck on the cheek. Then I hightailed it outta there.

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I stood in surprise, blinking occasionally. First, Renee had fallen into my arms. That was surprising in and of itself. Then she went and kissed me on the cheek. THAT was…terrifying. Renee showed compassion? I felt my face getting hot, and couldn't stop blinking.

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Moving some books aside, I looked at Frenchie. He was standing there in total shock, his face bright red and his lovely…ack! Violet, just violet. Anyway, those violet eyes were wide, blinking every other second. I couldn't help but giggle. Then I took my book to a table and sat down to read.

After about twenty minutes of reading on "how to hold a fencing sword"--who gives a damn?--I put the book down with a frustrated sigh. Obviously, fencing was not as easy as I thought it would be. And reading about it… Even watching the grass grow was a hell lot more interesting! But if I wanted to learn how to fence, "read on" was my only option. Maybe readin' about the different terms used in fencing would be more interesting. I grunted. Yeah right, the excessively small smart side of my brain told me. This was going to be one hell of a boring day.

As I looked around me one last time before submerging into the word of fencing, I noticed George had left. I sighed again, wiping a strand of loose hair back behind my ear. Great. Now even my good view was gone.

I growled in frustration. At least with my lessons with George I had something to look at. This…this was crap. I sighed sadly. Then I closed the book and looked at my watch. HOLY CRAP!!! I had spent around four hours just sittin' here reading this Fencing for Dummies. I checked the book out and headed for the place my uncle would most likely be: Gundam Rose's hangar. And there I found him, working on one of the many Bits.

"Hey, Uncle!" I shouted. He looked at me.

"What is it Renee?" he asked.

"Can you tell my what the hell these people are sayin' in here?" I asked. He looked at me for a moment and then got down off of his perch. I handed him the book. He opened it to the first page.

"Renee, why are you trying to learn to fence? You tried with Master George, but obviously that didn't work," he said.

"I…was curious?" I said, hoping he would drop the subject. This wasn't my day.

"Curious?" he said skeptically. "Renee, I'll ask you again. Why are you trying to learn fencing?"

"IwannaimpressFrenchie," I mumbled, barely audible. My uncle stared at me in shock.

"Why?!"

"'Cuz I want to!" I said sharply. He searched my eyes, then placed the book aside.

"Fine, Renee. Let me try this time."

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**Alternate ending (we couldn't resist):

"HEELLLPPP!!!" I screamed as I tumbled down…down…down…and SPLAT!!! I was no more. Here ends "Promise of a Rose." For the REAL story, please continue reading.

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