Hey, people! DarkDragon's away in some far-off distant land having the time of her life while I'm stuck here goin' to school and all that junk. So, I sort of put myself in charge of this thing, which really wasn't smart, but oh well… Enjoy!

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Mobile Fighter G Gundam: Promise of a Rose

Chapter X: Miracle

My back hurt like hell, my feet were throbbing, and I couldn't even feel my hands any more. But I was satisfied. No, more than satisfied. After seven hours of rigorous training (yep, it was about eleven at night), I had finally gotten the hang of fencing. And now I couldn't wait to show Frenchie!

So I didn't. I said a hasty goodbye to my uncle and raced noisily up a staircase that led to George's apartments. Thankfully, the three guards that were standing at the doorway were all sound asleep. I rattled the doorknob and when it did not open, I got down on my knees and used the age-old "paper-clip maneuver"—a.k.a., picking the lock. Works every time.

As quietly as I could (which wasn't very softly) I crept through the luxurious living room, glaring at every picture of that bitchy Marie-Louise I saw. Sorry, Princess, but that knight is so gonna be mine, I thought smugly. All mine. Although waking him up in the middle of the night probably wasn't the best way to get Frenchie to like me, I considered. Naw. I shrugged to myself. Can't let him think anything's up.

Leaving the living room, I walked down a small hallway and soon came to a large oak door with roses engraved in it. A small smirk crossed my face, and without further ado, I opened the door. Wonder if the bitch ever got this far into Frenchie's private life, I wondered to myself. God, it made me feel so good to know that the Princess would never have a chance at my knight. There I go again… I scolded myself. He ain't mine… Yet.

I rubbed my eyes, adjusting to the dark. Looking around the room, it only took me a moment to spot the gigantic bed in the middle of the overly lavish room. Now, making as much noise as possible, I strolled over to Frenchie's bed. My face looked calm, but I could hear my hear pounding in my ears. Quickly, so as not to get chicken at the last minute, I pulled the covers down off the bed.

Oh my god! He looks so damn cute! I just stared there, hovering above the adorably cute, sleeping body of George de Sand. He was on his side, and some red tresses had fallen over his eyes. He looks so…innocent. And handsome. I shook my head, but couldn't rid my self of a little idea I had suddenly gotten. I mean, if he was asleep, he really wouldn't know if a certain mechanic had ever kissed him, would he? Just a little kiss, nothing big. What if he wakes up? a little part of my mind asked me. Then maybe I shouldn't—Well, it didn't really matter what my brain wanted, 'cause I just wouldn't let the opportunity slip through my fingers.

Gently, I placed my hand on Frenchie's shoulder and carefully turned him a couple degrees so that he was facing me. Too cute to be true. I wiped a few strands of red hair out of the sleeping knight's eyes and took a deep breath. Here goes nothing… Slowly, I lowered my face closer to Frenchie's face until I could feel his breath on my lips. My heart was beating like crazy. Then—

"Exactly what are you doing, mademoiselle Renee?" Two violet eyes suddenly popped open and I leapt back. Frenchie sat up, and I could have sworn he was blushing.

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What had she been doing? I asked myself silently, glaring at Renee, who was standing a good, safe four feet away. It seemed as if my mechanic had been about to— Impossible! I shook my head slightly to rid myself of the impossible notion.

"Um…nothin'," Renee muttered, looking at the floor. It was more of a question than a statement.

"Well then," I sniffed indignantly, "would you be so kind to do nothing somewhere else. You have no right to enter my private chambers."

Renee's head popped up. "N—no! I—I wanted to show you my fencing."

I blinked. "Renee, you don't know how to fence," I pointed out acidly. No one—and I meant no one had ever entered my rooms without permission before. I have every right to be infuriated with her, I reminded myself when I saw Renee's lively face drop to a sullen look.

"Aw, c'mon Frenchie. I've been practicing all afternoon," Renee pleaded.

I sighed and fell back on my pillows. Suddenly, I was a bit too aware of the fact that I was simply in my night garments and that Renee was in one of her skimpiest outfits.

"C'mon, Frenchie!" my mechanic begged.

"No," I said definitely and was about to pull the soft covers back up over my chest when Renee threatened:

"I'll tell the King and Queen that you and Marie-Louise kissed."

I turned beet red, clenching my fists in anger. And this was the gratitude I received for saving Renee from being dismissed! "All right," I agreed sullenly and got out of my comfortable bed. "Wait in the living room. I shall only be a few minutes." Renee nodded and walked out of the room with a joyful expression. Though how far she walked, I did not know.

Sighing once more, I pulled my shirt off and went over to the drawer were I kept the numerous pairs of my daily outfit. I pulled one shirt out and flattened it on the bed, to crease out the few wrinkles. I quickly whirled around as I heard a gasp behind me. Just before it disappeared, I spotted a wisp of curly, golden hair. Renee's curly, golden hair. My eyes darkened, but I continued to change. After a couple more minutes I walked out. Renee was leaning against the wall, legs crossed, and appeared to be in deep thought. Wait. Thought? Renee? I pushed that troubling notion out of my mind and cleared my throat rather loudly. Renee jumped slightly, and when she saw me she averted her eyes. I could have sworn she was blushing, but it was too dark to be sure.

"Renee, why haven't you turned on any lights?" I asked.

"Thought it would be better if you came out and wasn't blinded by brightness. It wouldn't be good to duel with a half-blind fighter," she said nonchalantly. Then, with no more than a glance, she walked out. Wondering, I followed her. We walked out of my quarters and into a brightly lit part of the garden. To one side stood Raymond, looking quite tired and a bit annoyed. I couldn't agree with him more.

"Shall we begin?" I asked. The sooner we start the sooner we end and then I can continue to sleep, I thought moodily. Renee nodded and picked up a fencing sword from the ground. She motioned to the one next to it and I picked it up. After testing it to make sure that this was not some cruel prank, I got into position. To my surprise, Renee mimicked me perfectly. "Are you ready?"

"Begin!" she shouted and lunged. I sidestepped and was about to knock the rapier from her hand when she pulled back. I thrust and she parried. She feinted left, and stuck right. I was able to block her just in time. We went on like this for some time when Raymond finally called a draw. I put my rapier down and Renee followed suit. Both our chests were heaving.

"Good duel," I commented. She smiled happily.

"Why thank you, Frenchie," she said. Then, tweaking my bangs in that annoying way of hers, she left. I turned to my butler.

"Did you teach her to fence like that?" I asked him. He nodded. "Why?"

"She said she wanted to impress you," he said with a shrug.

"Why would she want to impress me?" I asked incredulously. Raymond shrugged again.

"Who knows what goes on in the head of the devil?" he said. "But, if you could excuse me, I would like to get some sleep."

I watched in puzzlement as he left. Why would Renee wish to impress me, of all people? My mind wandered back to my room, when she had been trying to something…something I didn't wish to think about. Something she had no right to do. I stared at the stars, hoping they would answer my questions. With a shake of my head, I too retreated to my quarters.

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"Renee, Renee, wake up. Breakfast is being served."

I turned on my side, and burrowed under the covers again.

"Renee Bishop, get up if you want breakfast!"

"Five more minutes, Uncle," I said groggily and drew the covers over my head. I faintly heard a sigh from above me and then drifted back asleep.

I yawned loudly and slowly opened my eyes. The drapes were closed, so the room was dim, thankfully. I yawned again and stretched. Then I flopped back down onto the bed with a sigh. But I didn't go back to sleep. Instead I thought. About last night. Or early this morning, as I didn't go to sleep until after midnight. I summoned an image of George shirtless to my mind. I'm sure the Princess never saw that. I was strangely proud of the fact that the Princess had little over me in that respect. The only thing that she had done that I haven't was to kiss him and actually get him to love her. The second thing might be hard, I mused. Then I noticed the clock. 1:00 already?! You have got to be kiddin'! I better get up… I threw the covers off of my body and quickly refreshed myself. It wasn't that I didn't want to stay in bed and think, it was that I had promised Raymond that I would meet him at two to practice. And I really didn't want to be late.

I parried a blow from my uncle's sword and lunged. He stepped gracefully aside. "It has come to my attention," he started as he thrust, "that both your birthday and Master George's are coming up."

"When's Frenchie's birthday?" I asked.

"November 11," Uncle replied. I faltered.

"WHAT?!" I shouted when I regained my footing.

"The same day as yours," Raymond said calmly.

"But…but…but that's not possible!" I exclaimed.

"Of course it is. You just happen to be a year younger," he said with a shrug. He was doing that a lot.

"Great…" I muttered. "What am I supposed to get him?"

"I don't know. If you want, Renee, I can cut this lesson short," he offered.

"Really? That would be great," I said, preoccupied. I handed him my fencing sword. He handed me a credit card. I slipped it in my pocket and walked off. What the hell was I supposed to get Frenchie?!

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Raymond walked up to me, looking somewhat smug. I raised an eyebrow. "Yes, Raymond?"

"Master George, did you realize that Renee's birthday is coming up?" he asked me. I shook my head.

"I had not the slightest idea. When is it?" I asked.

"November 11," he said casually, and walked off. I stared after him. That was my birthday! November 11 was…tomorrow! Of course, proper etiquette required that I present Renee with a gift, and I had nothing to give her! I ran after my butler.

"Raymond!" I called. He turned to me.

"Yes?" he inquired. I caught up to him.

"What should I give her?" I asked, feeling a bit uncomfortable.

"I don't know. Maybe you should ask someone else," he said vaguely and grinned. I could have sworn Renee was rubbing off on him. I sighed in defeat.

"Who do you have in mind?" I asked warily.

"As I last recalled, someone who acts much like Renee happens to be residing in premises," he said absently and turned to walk away. I groaned. Not Chibodee. Anyone but Chibodee.

A couple minutes later I stood uncertainly outside the door leading into Chibodee's room. There had been a careful absence of the boxer and his crew the last day and a half. The reason I hadn't knocked yet were the…unholy…noises coming from inside. I decided to leave the matter for the moment and walked away, distinctly unsettled. I bumped into Cath on my way out.

"Oh, hey George," she greeted.

"Hello, Cath," I replied. "I haven't seen you, Bunny, Janet or Shirley for the last two days."

"Well, we've been busy. Especially Shirley. Anyway, do you think Chibodee's in his room?" she said.

"Yes, but I recommend you avoid the room for the moment," I advised. She looked at me quizzically for a moment, and then realization dawned on her.

"I see," she said carefully. "I think I'll be on my way now."

"We'll meet again later, then?" I asked. She nodded and I continued out of the palace.

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DarkDragon: *sigh* I love G Gundam.

ShadowTide: No duh. I love George!

DarkDragon: No duh! I love Chib!! *glomps Chib* He's all mine!!

ShadowTide: George is mine!!

Renee: He's MINE!!

ShadowTide: Mine!!

Renee: MINE!!

Stalker: And so it continues…

DarkDragon: He's still alive? Oh, well. I guess that means I can kill him again… *giggles*

Domon: Maybe he's possessed by DG cells!!

DarkDragon: Where did you come from?

Domon: Uh…uh…uh…uh…

DarkDragon: Forget it.