Rapiers and Scimitars

by Figgy

* sheepish wave * Hola! yeah, a new fic... Oh, well... Can ya guess from the title who its about? Huh, huh, huh? ^_~

6. Rapiers and Scimitars (Part Six)

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing or any of its characters. I am not making any money off of this fic or any of my other fanfics. ^_^

Rapiers and Scimitars

By: Figgy

Part Six

Heero's cell phone began ringing as he drove Relena home and he answered it with a sharp, "What?"
"Heero, that Jezebel Willow seems to be quite popular. I checked out her license plate and it seems that very car is the same one that belongs to Dorothy's friend Collie. I called the help that works for Dorothy and the cook told me the car's match. But it seems, Dorothy was right. If Collie and Jezebel are the same they definitely don't look it. According to the cook, Collie is an arrogant, black-haired, green-eyed pixy of a woman… The only similarity between the two is their height, which is enough. Do you remember what Dorothy told us? I'm starting to think there's more to this than meets the eye." Duo spoke calmly, but in a steady rush and Heero slowly nodded as he listened.
"Get Dorothy and talk to her."
Duo snarled at the other end, "I already called Relena's and some old guy answered and told me she couldn't be found. I'm on my way there now. Get out of my way!" The last was directed at a car that had swerved in front of him, some fancy idiot rich teen nearly running him down in his new Jag.

*

Duo tossed his phone aside and focused on the road before him. He frowned as he took a sharp turn, his thoughts drifting even as his eyes kept a sharp lookout for cars. He could clearly remember the conversation he and Heero had had with the blond Duchess, but at the time… It had only seemed another piece of the puzzle that just didn't fit. Her words seemed to echo in his mind now, burning his ears with their intensity.

"Now, this is between us, gentlemen." Dorothy began as soon as Quatre had left the room. Duo felt sorry for his Arabian friend. He had to hurting over being sent away by the woman he loved. He turned his attention toward the blond Duchess wondering why she was acting so secretive suddenly. He realized her eyes were still on the plastic bag with the sample of Maca and she reminded him of Heero the way her eyes and face were close to expressionless. A quick spasm took her hand as if she was fighting with it not to reach for the herb. She licked her lips and raised cold eyes toward them both. "As you both know, I was a spy once. Part of my training consisted of having to learn how to please the flesh to get the information I needed." Duo's eyes widened slightly, but she continued as if she hadn't noticed the sudden pity in their violet depths. "Part of that training forced me to become immune to aphrodisiacs, after all, I was merely performing the acts to get information it wouldn't do well if I was also caught up in the moment." Her smile was a bit feral as she continued. "However, in my studies it was found that my system just couldn't destroy the effects of a few aphrodisiacs. None worried over it because they were rare herbs, hard to find…"
One graceful hand raised and tapped the plastic bag; "This is one of them. Very few people knew about this weakness." Her eyes seemed to bore into him as her next words came out, almost seeming to freeze the air with their frigid intensity. "The person behind this knew I couldn't handle Maca. It's a hard to find herb, yet it was used here. There are other aphrodisiacs that work much better, but this one was used. They knew I was there and they knew I could handle any other aphrodisiac they sent my way. Whoever is behind this has sources, powerful sources. My files are not open for just anyone and this information…" She tapped the bag once more and Duo realized one of her nails was broken and blood had clotted near the tip. "Was never even written down when it was revealed to those few. Those people are dead now except for maybe one or two… After all, they're spies like me and able to hide very well… And one of the first things we were taught, was that there's a very simple way for one to avoid notice… Fake your own death."
Duo frowned as her words penetrated. This was such a confusing jumble of a mess. Every time he thought he and Heero were getting close to the solution something new arose. "Why didn't you want Quatre to hear this?"
She stood, her eyes flashing, "Would you want anyone to know that you'd been taught how to spread your legs for some politician like some common prostitute?" When he didn't answer she smirked, "I didn't think so. If this information gets out, I will hold you two personally responsible and trust me, Gundam pilots or not, you do not want me mad." She turned and walked out of the room, swaying as she closed the door behind her.

Too many damn coincidences. A spy that knows Dorothy, yet tries to warn her. How close are Collie and Dorothy? Damn it. Why would Dorothy and Trowa both go missing like this? If these people are after Quatre why don't they just go in and attack since it seems they can get past dozens of Preventers without even sending up one warning.
Something about all of this reeks and I'm going to get to the bottom of it. The sooner the better.

*

"I'm glad you came, Trowa." Dorothy turned toward him as he entered her room, bidding the frowning maid a quick goodbye. She was dressed for bed, wearing one of her favorite nightgowns. She was vain, but only when it came to things that truly didn't matter. She nodded at the tall, green-eyed acrobat, without even fluttering her eyelashes once. What she had to say was more important than meaningless flirtation.
"I told you I would come. What is so important, Dorothy?" He didn't even blink at her choice of clothing. He wasn't made out of steel, he could appreciate the way the gown clung to her, but that was all. Anything else he felt for her was a need to help both her and Quatre.
She tapped a pile of folders; "This holds very important information. Very important. It holds my will." She smiled slightly as he raised an eyebrow in surprise. "An eighth of my fortune and a quarter of my stocks are to be split three ways for Jarella, Marilene, and Robert. Another quarter of my stocks and two-eighths of my fortune, that includes only my bank holdings, are to be sent to various charities. A small bit has been put away to help build a memorial to those lost in the war and to pay a caretaker that tends my father's grave. My lands, my houses, the rest of my stocks, and my money," she threw the folder at him, "go to you."
He caught the file and flipped it open, his eyes widening as he read the documents inside. Dorothy's smile widened as she watched him. "It's all correct and follows the law every step of the way. Two witnesses signed at the bottom, a doctor writes that I am of sound mind, and my lawyer typed it up so nicely."
"Why are you doing this, Dorothy?" He was surprised how calm his voice sounded.
She laughed, like the chime of a thousand bells, "Ask Duo and Heero what is one of the first things a spy learns and then you'll know why I've decided to begin worrying about my assets. Why I chose you?" She shrugged, "Relena has all the money and lands she could possibly ever want. Sell the land and the houses, use the money for your circus."
"You sound as if you're already dead."
Dorothy smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Let me worry about that."
Trowa tossed the file aside and it landed on her bed, the papers raining down. "You're planning on leaving, aren't you? Or planning some suicide attempt. Why?"
She raised an eyebrow, "Just accept what I've told you. Let me worry about my own life." She sat down on an overstuffed chair that adorned the room and glanced away from him and toward the curtained window. "Do you know what will happen when I die? Hundreds of pictures and various files will be sent through mail and computer to certain prodigious figures. For years now, I have held onto my seat as Romefeller's Director because I hold information that would prove most dire for certain acquaintances. When I die, that information will be revealed since it'll be no good to me dead. Various letters that I've written will also be sent out and a copy of every mission I've ever been sent on, every bit of information, every person I've ever assassinated, every word I've ever whispered in a politician's ear will be revealed to the Preventers. The Preventers will know everything I did to help start the war and help Romefeller rise. I do not have a pleasant past, but that information will also reveal people that have been working under my hand, people that will need close watching when I die." She smirked, "A man once said I was kind… Let that be my one true act of kindness for the world… That and myself dying. Two kind acts in one."
He was silent for a second, then slowly he nodded. "How many copies?" He motioned toward the file with its documents showered across the bed and floor.
Her smile bared her teeth in an unpleasant manner, "Too many for any man or woman to hide. I planned quite thoroughly, Trowa. Do not worry."
He nodded again. He wouldn't try to convince her to change her mind that wasn't like him He understood that to her this had to be done. He didn't know how exactly she was to accomplish these acts, but he hoped… He hoped one day she'd realize that she wasn't a spy any longer and could stay in one place and be happy… Quatre could make her happy if only he and she would both realize it. They were alike in more ways than one though both would probably deny it till their voices gave out.
"Where is Quatre?"
She waved a hand in dismissal and answered as if her mind was already on other things than a man that would inherit most of her fortune, "Sleeping in the sitting room, I believe."
He nodded, then slowly sat down on the bed, pushing the papers out of his way. "You don't have to do this, Dorothy. The killer will be found."
"I'm merely planning ahead." Dorothy seemed surprised to find him still there, but quickly smiled warmly. Too warmly actually, but he ignored that.
"What was your reason to celebrate Christmas?"
She blinked in surprise, Trowa didn't usually ask such prying questions, but she could tell he wanted an answer and her smile turned quickly into a frown. "Why should one celebrate such a holiday when in the past years the date was celebrated with the sounds of battle?"
"That was years ago."
Silently she stood and pushed aside her curtain to stare up at the sky. It was a bluish black and the moon was half hidden by a dark cloud. "Why should I tell you? Answer me that."
"I want to help you."
"Why?"
"Because you won't help yourself."
Blue-gray eyes turned toward him, her face a mask of rage. "I won't help myself? Who are you to judge me so? Are you of my flesh and bone? Can you read my mind? Can you see into my soul? God, help you if you can for it is an endless black hole that will pull you down."
"The reason, Dorothy." Her words didn't even cause him to pause, he just continued to stare at her with those calm green-eyes until she seemed to half-snarl and spun away from him, once again focusing on the sky outside.
"My reason… My reason…" She swallowed and licked her lips, proving how nervous she truly was to Trowa and he wondered if he should've pushed it. "My father loved Christmas. He used to tell me my mother also loved it and he would take me out, riding on his shoulders, and I'd catch snowflakes on my tongue. And Santa Claus would come to all the nice boys and girls and it is the birthday of Jesus. A perfect day… When my father died, my Christmas's were suddenly very… different… And I didn't want to hang onto the past. It only made it hurt more, so I stopped believing in Christmas. I stopped celebrating. Soon, I no longer cared. I do not care."
Trowa stood and the large grandfather clock in the hall suddenly rang. He placed a hand on her shoulder, "He'd want you to celebrate again, Dorothy. You don't have to be that woman anymore."
"You're wrong, Trowa. I've been that woman for so long that she is me now and the child… The child is long dead." She didn't turn to face him and he let his hand drop from her shoulder.
Trowa turned and left the room. Leaving Dorothy to her thoughts which weren't entirely pleasant…

The memory slowly disappeared as Dorothy moaned and struggled to open her eyes. God, she was tired. She didn't think she could even move one finger, which meant she'd been dosed with drugs… Very few drugs could affect her. Her immune system was as good as the Gundam pilots, so she'd been right. Whoever was behind the attempts on Quatre and had now kidnapped her knew a lot about her, which confirmed that Collie was working for them as well as Michael.
"Don't try to move." A familiar, yet surprisingly weary voice spoke behind her and her head twisted around. A movement she instantly regretted. Twisting her neck around had shifted her shoulders, causing just a slight muscle tensing in her side and abdomen… The movement caused a gruesome and painful nausea to come over her and Dorothy soon found herself retching while lying on her side. She hadn't eaten much that day, which she was glad for, so it was merely dry heaves but the nausea forced her to squeeze her eyes shut as her body racked with spasms. She waited until the heaving passed and her body stilled.
"It's a new drug." That voice spoke and she could just barely see his bare tan feet. Her eyes moved upward without moving her head and she stared into the calm face of Trowa Barton. Like her, his feet and hands were cuffed, but unlike her he was also chained to the wall. His cuffed hands raised high above his head and latched by a strong metal bar that seemed to have no break that she could see. It appeared completely solid and she'd bet anything it was made out of Gundanium alloy. He was leaning against the wall wearing only a pair of pants and no matter his calm expression she knew he had to be worried and tired. Sweat dripped down his face and chest and every now and then he'd swallow, the drugs also effecting him.
"A new drug?" Her voice felt dry and she ached for a drop of water, but she could live. She could survive without water for a few days…
"Doctors working for the Preventers came upon it during testing. They named it Une's Rose, in honor of Une who funded the work for so long. They shouldn't have this technology."
"Yes, well, they seem to have a lot they shouldn't." She answered remembering the bomb that had been planted in either her or Quatre's car. She eyed him, "I thought you attacked me."
A bead of sweat slid down his forehead and down his nose as his green eyes stared at her. "No. There was a woman behind you. She hit you from behind and you fell. I attacked her, but there was more than one and they had the drug. They sprayed it in my face and I went down. They gave us each more of it when we were stowed away into their car. The amount they sprayed at me made my body feel numb and movement left me retching and twitching on the ground, but I was still aware. They knocked me out and I awoke in the car. The dose they gave us then made even thinking of moving deadly and forced me into unconsciousness. I wasn't sure if you'd live."
Dorothy chuckled, but that forced her to heave again as her stomach muscles tensed, then released. The attack seemed to last longer than the first, but when it was over Dorothy stared up at him fiercely. "It'd take more than a simple drug to kill me. I assume we're here as hostages for Quatre?"
He blinked away sweat from his lashes, "I don't know. They didn't expect me, just you. I don't see how they got past the guards."
"How many?"
"Four. One female, three male."
Dorothy raised an eyebrow, "So few…" She whispered, then licked her dry lips. "The woman, did you get a good look at her?"
"They were all masked."
"What about her height?"
"She was about 5'2."
Dorothy would've nodded if she could, "Collie… No wonder only four were sent… If this drug is so powerful I'm surprised my informants didn't hear something about it."
"Une kept it under tight security."
"Where are we?"
Trowa's eyes darted around the room that Dorothy couldn't see then back toward her. "I don't know. An abandoned base, I think."
"We're going to die." Dorothy replied calmly and Trowa didn't answer…

*

Quatre paced through the house. There was no sign of Dorothy to be found. The last the servants had seen of her was to say she was going to her room, looking as if she could barely stand on her own feet. A tired maid had admitted to seeing Trowa enter her rooms before she'd arrived. It seemed the maid had been reluctant to reveal such knowledge for fear of Quatre's response that Duchess Catalonia might have a lover.
He didn't give a damn if she and Trowa had been lovers for the last three years if it'd bring her and him in front of Quatre right this minute! Where were they? What was going on? He feared he knew though. Hostages… He'd tried everything he could think of to push her away, but she'd always somehow appeared back in his life. Tonight's little scene before the fire should've finally finished it all, but they hadn't believed… They had seen her as someone he cared about deeply and now she was gone. Damn them for being right. He did care about Dorothy, which was why he'd wanted her as far from him as possible, but now it was too late.
And Trowa was also missing. Could he have been taken as well? How could they have defeated a trained Gundam pilot? He knew it was possible, of course, but still… Trowa should be able to handle himself against a few thugs after Dorothy. Dorothy should've been able to handle them as well.
Quatre had searched the house a hundred times, except for her room. The first time he'd walked into Dorothy's room, he'd been awakened five minutes later by a worried servant. There was a light residue of something in the air, just hovering before the door… He was glad it was just a residue. The tiny bit he'd breathed in had caused him to nearly lose his supper when he awoke.
Now, as he glared at the crackling fire, he just wanted Duo to hurry up and get here. Outside a car screeched into the long driveway and boots slapped against the smooth concrete as they ran toward the door. Not shortly after the sound, another car pulled up and Duo, Heero, and Relena made their way inside.
Quatre quickly met them in the foyer and soon the three Preventers found themselves locked away in one of Relena's near empty rooms containing only a long table. She said she used it when discussing plans with Dorothy or Lucrezia when she visited. Relena also occupied the room, but she wasn't involved with the heated discussion taking place over various files and a laptop, all of which had been brought by Duo. Instead, she flipped open file after file, reading what was inside and studying the pictures.
"What I don't understand is why haven't they called? If they are using Trowa and Dorothy as bait for Quatre, shouldn't they have left some clue behind for him to follow?" Duo questioned after Heero had explained the effects of Une's Rose, which had been reported in Dorothy's room. The residue was slowly dissipating, but it still would not be wise for any to enter for the rest of the night to be safe.
Quatre frowned, "The drug. Maybe it's the clue."
"Une's Rose is kept in a heavily guarded lab beneath Preventer grounds. Only high-ranking officers have access and even they would have to have signed permission by Une." Duo shook his head, "I suspect a traitor within the ranks. Maybe a guard for the drug."
"A traitor." Quatre spat the words out, "How could someone betray the Preventers? How?"
"A colonist could join for revenge." Duo said quietly and Quatre wouldn't meet the American's eyes, instead glancing at Heero who was typing on the laptop.
Relena sat down and stared at the files before her. There were four folders open on the table, each one revealing a single picture attached by a paperclip to the report. "The shooting. The bombing. The fire. The break line." She whispered and Duo glanced at her.
"Whatcha say, Rellie?"
She jerked and raised her head, "Huh? Oh, I'm just reading these reports."
"Any ideas?" He grumbled, "We could use some."
"Actually," all eyes turned toward her, even Heero paused in his typing, and she slowly smiled. She was used to having thousands of eyes on her, theirs didn't bother her a bit. "The shooting happened here, which proves one thing. Someone had to be already inside to have let him get close enough to shoot. Which backs up your statement of a traitor within the Preventers. He shot at Quatre, Dorothy pushed Quatre, and was hit instead. He was shot for failure before even you pilots could handle him. Someone was inside and close by. Meaning they had to be outside and not dancing. But what if he was shot to keep quiet?" Relena frowned, then shook her head and moved on. "The bombing… It says the destruction was too great for you to figure out which car the bomb was planted, yet you do know it was a weapon that only the Preventers should have." Her eyes narrowed slightly, "A matter I am going to bring up next time I talk to Une." Duo winced, but still listened intently to the Minister. "However… It says Quatre had just pulled Dorothy from the car when it detonated. Meaning it was timed, which means whoever set the bombs was close by. I'll bet you that if you looked up the reports for a mysterious body with one bullet shot to the head, you'd find your bomber. I can see from the look on your face, Duo, that you didn't think of that." She tried not to sound smug. "It says the bomb has a constrained area of damage, which means that it was the gas leaking from Quatre's car that caused the explosion to destroy both cars so entirely."
"That might be pushing it, Rellie. We thought of that, too."
Relena nodded, "I know, but just hear me out. If it's true that the gasoline catching on fire caused the larger explosion then the bomb was planted somewhere on Dorothy's car. Now, the fire. I don't understand why you've underlined Maca so many times and placed Dorothy's name beside it, but it hints… I have never spoken to Dorothy about her past, but I've always had suspicions." Her eyes met Duo's and Heero's and after a minute she nodded. "Maca worked as well on her as it did on Quatre. It is too bad that the actual bottle and wineglasses were destroyed in the flames. I have a feeling they'd have helped greatly… The break line… Dorothy's break line was cut while a Lord Michael, a former Romefeller aide, distracted her. He purposely taunted her into driving away and driving recklessly in her hurry to get to Quatre. A mutual spy is said to have warned her, but that also hints to that spy working for the killer." She paused and sat back, her hands folded in her lap.
"And this all means…?" Duo finally asked, breaking the silence hovering over them and Relena sighed and delicately tapped a file.
"This whole time you've been following a killer after Quatre." She leaned forward, toward them, and her next words caused chaos to reign in the Preventers' minds. "What if you were wrong? What if it isn't Quatre they are after, but someone else? None of you, except maybe Quatre, have had any experience with politics. One of the simplest ways to catch your enemy off guard is to allow them to believe they are safe and that your attention actually lies on another, even while you weave snares in the night to catch your true enemy. Each attempt was made only when Dorothy was nearby. If they want to hurt Quatre so badly, why not go after his sisters? Wouldn't you choose an easier target rather than a trained spy? Simple tactic in politics. Pretend you are going after a man that it's known many would probably want his death while your true target is a Duchess that has few enemies that are not fearful of her death. If she dies this way, then she's just a sad casualty in an attempt on the man's life. A few more trivial attempts follow, then the group disappears since they've reached their goal. Eliminating their true target with no one the wiser."
"Allah…"
"DAMN!" Duo yelled, slamming a fist down on the table, while Heero merely stared at Relena before slowly nodding once and turned back toward the computer. "They damn tricked us! Those bastards tricked us!"
"But the shooting…" Quatre tried weakly, but Relena waved a hand.
"Either he aimed too far to the side or someone knows Dorothy well enough to know she'd jump in front of any bullet coming your way."
"Dorothy… I wanted to keep her safe and instead…" Quatre chuckled bitterly, "It was her they were after… It fits. It truly does fit. We were all too blind to the fact that we, Gundam pilots, have so many enemies that those around us might also."
Relena also felt worried for her friend, but she knew her place and knew that tears would have to come later. For now, she was the Vice Foreign Minister and one of her most trusted advisors and collaborators was missing and had to be found. "Duo, return to Preventer Headquarters and tell Une what's happening. She'll need to know. Also, warn her of the traitor."
He nodded and paused near the door, flashing an unsteady grin at her. "Hey, Rellie, if ya ever want to join the Preventers, I'll be sure to send in a good word for you." Duo shook his head, "To think, politics were what we needed all along." He left the room and she walked over to Heero and looked over his shoulder at the information on the screen. "Password not accepted?"
"Dorothy's file."
"Oh." She placed a hand on his shoulder, just a brief touch of her fingertips before moving toward Quatre. "Are you all right?"
"We have to find them. Trowa is like a brother and Dorothy… Relena, we have to find them. I can't believe we were so wrong…"
"It's only a theory, Quatre. Now, you and the others are looking at the situation from a different view. It may not be true, but till the leader is caught, we won't know." She sighed and covered his hand with her own; "I know how you feel. Dorothy and Trowa are both friends. But they can take care of themselves. They'll survive till we find them. You have to have hope."
He raised blue eyes toward her and his lips twitched into a small, sad smile. "Hope."

*

Duo bolted to his car and cursed loudly as his eyes landed on a wide, long scratch across the passenger door. "That damn car! Who the hell does he think he is?! Damn it! This is a new car!" He searched his mind for the car's license plate number, like the other pilots he had something of a photogenic memory, and cursed as he realized the car had passed by so quickly he'd only caught half of it. "Damn rich teen driving like a bloody madman." He grumbled as he yanked his door open and climbed inside, his keys were actually in the ignition when it hit him.
The car had been a black Jag and the license plate matched the first half of Dorothy's spy friend's car. He whooped and jerked the door open and bolted inside. Duo skidded into the 'planning room' and flashed a wide grin. "Quatre, grab a flashlight and run outside and see if you see car tracks."
"I already have. The car was near the left, hiding behind one of the tall garden shrubs."
"Duo, you're suppose—."
"We can call Une, Rellie. I saw the Jag when I was driving here. Nearly ran me over and if I remember correctly it was heading due east toward the ocean." His grin widened as Heero stood, a gun in one hand, "Thought you might like that bit of info."
"Are you sure, Duo?" Relena asked, trying hard not to glance at Heero worriedly. She trusted him to come back alive, but still… She was human; she worried.
"Positive." He tapped his head; "It's all up here, princess." Duo glanced at Quatre who had also stood and whose blue eyes were orbs of ice. "You're coming along?"
"Someone has to warn Une." Heero spoke finally, "Quatre can do that. We'll relay our location to you as we drive if Duo's right."
Quatre looked ready to disagree then he tilted his head and nodded. "When I finish warning Une, I'll drive to the ocean following your directions."
Duo nodded, "You stay here, Rellie. The guards will protect you." He winced, "Unless one of them is the traitor. Maybe you should go with Quatre and stay at Headquarters." She sighed, but nodded her consent, and watched as Duo and Heero left and climbed into Duo's car while she and Quatre made their way to Heero's. For a second Relena stared after the disappearing car, then slowly smiled and climbed in beside the Arabian. Heero would do what had to be done and he'd live. She tried to ignore the shudder passing through her as she remembered the look in his eyes on the last day of the Mariemeia incident.
It was a quiet drive to the Preventer building and Relena slowly followed Quatre inside. She was surprised when instead of going straight to Une's office, he detoured toward an electronic locked steel doors and punched in five numbers rapidly. She hesitated before walking inside only to watch as Quatre confronted another pair of steel doors. This time it called for voice confirmation and Relena raised an eyebrow as the doors open, revealing a long hall. She blew out and a thin red line appeared in the air for a second before her breath disappeared.
Quatre walked toward a side panel and flipped it open. He pressed his hand against the monitor behind the panel covering and it let out a long beep. He walked down the hall without even glancing at her. She had a feeling she knew where they were headed now and her assumption proved right as they entered a room covered with heavy arsenal. He ignored the guns and bombs, instead walking to the far right corner where a wall of daggers, rapiers, and other blades waited. Relena blinked as he lifted a scimitar from the wall and a single rapier.
"Quatre…"
"I'll take a gun, too, but if this Collie is anything like Dorothy, a gun won't work very well. They seem to like working close up… I might need it and Dorothy might need this." He turned and took two guns from a shelf. "And Trowa might need one of these."
"I didn't realize you had so much…" Relena motioned toward the weaponry and he merely shrugged.
"We have to be prepared." They left the same way they came in, with him locking the doors and setting the security precautions back on. He led her toward Une's office where a secretary sat in a small room, one room half a window so she could see people coming for appointments. She yawned, then blinked at them. It was too late for appointments and from the way she was standing with one hand on her purse hinted that she'd just been about to go home.
"Is Commander Une here?" Quatre asked the woman and she shook her head.
"She left some time ago to get some sleep, I suppose. She's been really tired lately." She smiled sleepily, "Sorry."
Relena sighed and stepped forward, "I am Vice Foreign Minister Darlian and would appreciate it if you would please call her and the next ranking officer." The secretary nodded, her eyes wide, as she turned toward her phone. "Quatre, you need to go. I'll be safe here and I'll tell Une when she arrives."
He hesitated for only a second before nodding and bolting down the hall, the scimitar thrusted behind his belt and the rapier clutched tightly by the hilt in one hand. Relena smiled grimly as she watched him before turning to face the woman. Relena didn't recognize her; she had to be part of the night staff. Hurry up, Une.

*

Dorothy listened calmly to the lapping of water outside, "They didn't take us very far, did they? This base has to be located either near the ocean or on it." Her eyes traveled to Trowa's face; she chuckled cruelly. "Why, you look positively green, Mr. Barton." The chuckle turned into a grim smile, "To think, after all that trouble of making you my heir and now we're both going to die. At least, the Preventers will still get that information."
"What made you decide to send that information?" He asked, licking his chapped lips. The drug's effects were slowly fading, but a faint nausea still remained.
"Une convinced me. She wanted the information right then, but for now I might need that information… However, I won't dead. She should be happy when our bodies are found."
"Do you truly believe we are going to die?"
"Yes, don't you?"
Trowa blinked, "Perhaps…" He looked away and raised an eyebrow, as if pondering something. "Have you cried, Dorothy?"
"We've been over this before—."
Her mouth snapped shut as the slap, slap of boots echoed in the hall and a door opened somewhere behind her. In front of her Trowa's eyes widened and Dorothy gritted her teeth together as she rolled her body around to face the newcomers. Her own eyes widened, even as her lips twisted into a sadistic, deranged smile. Three people entered the cell, a girl with shoulder length blond hair and delicate features. Her gray eyes flinched away when she stared at the two prisoners. Collie. A man stood on the left, his stance one of arrogance, yet he held his weapon deftly as he smirked at her. Michael. And between them… Wearing a uniform with a cloak thrown over one shoulder and tall black boots…
Dorothy threw back her head, even as her stomach clenched sickeningly and her body trembled, and she chuckled coldly before asking. "You?!"
Trowa's eyes narrowed and the temperature in the room seemed to drop drastically…

*

Duo lowered a pair of night binoculars and grinned, baring his teeth in the night, "An old base, soldiers on the roof and walking the grounds." He tossed them to Heero who peered at the base a hundred yards from them.
"They wear Preventer sigils."
Air hissed between Duo's teeth, "I didn't see that. Damn. How many traitors? How many?!"
"Too many." Was the only reply he received, then Heero lowered the binoculars. "Quatre should be arriving soon. When he does, separate and enter the building from the left, I'll take the roof, Quatre will enter from the right. Find them, if they're alive, get them out."
"An actual plan!" Duo faked shock; "I don't believe it! You actually want us to work together and not have the Great Heero Yuy handle it all by himself."
Heero stared at him levelly, then shrugged. "I could handle it by myself, but I don't want you out here sulking and announcing our presence before its time."
"Sulking?! SULKING?!" Duo glared at his partner, "If that was a joke, it was a poor attempt." He sniffed, "Sulking, indeed." Soft footsteps reached his ears and he spun around to see Quatre walking across the sand, his eyes on the distant base. Duo raised both eyebrows at the rapier in his hand and the scimitar at his waist, but didn't say anything.
"They're in there?" Quatre asked as he joined them. Duo nodded and the Arabian's lips thinned, "What's the plan? Duo informed him since Heero had already left during the short time Duo had been distracted by Quatre's presence. Duo cursed his Japanese partner as he and Quatre separated.
Duo grinned as he walked in the shadows; he couldn't wait for this to be over so he could get home to Hilde. She still had that surprise waiting for him and he loved surprises.

*

"It is unfortunate that you were dragged into this, Trowa. I fear, however, that your interests will not coincide with what is best for the Preventers. This is a sad day." Une tsked as she eyed Officer Barton. "I'm truly sorry. Lady Catalonia, your sacrifice is for the better good of the world. It is unfortunate that after all our hard attempts to place blame on a conspiracy against Officer Winner that we've been forced to these extremes."
" 'Attempts to place blame'? What does that mean? You've been using him as bait to kill me?!" Dorothy spat on Une's black boots. "You could've killed an innocent man!"
"But to her it was worth it, wasn't it, Une?" Trowa spoke softly, "The disks in Dorothy's will. If she dies the information is transferred to the Preventers. You wanted her dead so you could have the information now instead of years later when you could possibly already be dead by the time Dorothy dies naturally. There was always a chance someone might link you, the Preventers, the disks, and her will so you planned it all. Made it look as if Quatre was the true target when it was actually only his present companion. You even had someone that knew Dorothy from when she was only a child, someone who knew nearly her every downfall."
Collie glanced at the two and locked eyes with Dorothy for a brief second. The letter the spy had written the Duchess seemed to play in Dorothy's mind now.

Dorothy,

I'm in a bit of trouble. Serious trouble. Have you ever been involved in something so horrid that you'd gladly sell your soul just to fix it all? I hope you never are. I'm going to be gone for awhile. Don't search for me. You won't be able to find me. I'll drop by to explain a bit more in detail, but I can't truly tell you anything. Stay safe.

C.

"I wouldn't worry if I were you, Collie." Dorothy intoned and the gray-eyed woman stared down at her with a touch of surprise. "I don't think you have a soul left to sell." The spy flinched as if physically struck and the Duchess allowed herself a smug grin.
"You're in for a bit of surprise, Une. I changed my will just yesterday. Sorry." Trowa watched without betrayed anything. He knew she was bluffing, he'd seen the will that night. The disks were still to be sent to the Preventers, to one Lady Une. Dorothy's grin widened, "You're too late. Killing me won't do a damn thing now."
Une pulled a file from under her coat and waved it. "Lying will not help you, Lady Catalonia."
Dorothy growled, recognizing the file holding her will. "Then at least let him go."
"We can't do that. I'm sorry." Une truly did sound sorry and she smiled apologetically at Trowa before turning away. "Question her for an hour then kill her." She ordered Collie, "I want to know anything that she might have left off the disks." She left the cell with Michael trailing behind her like a lost puppy.
"I know you." Trowa spoke before Collie could speak. "You were at the celebration. I danced with you." Dorothy raised a questioning eyebrow and Trowa continued. "She was a waitress. She pulled me onto the dance floor right before you were shot. I remember she seemed nervous and disappeared as soon as the song ended."
"You reminded me of someone I once knew." She answered softly, "Before…"
"You fit your name quite appropriately. Do you roll over when she tells you to also?" Dorothy asked pleasantly, she sounded as if she were asking what the time was.
"I had to, Dorothy. She knows things about me that… I had to."
"You had to betray me? What things could she possibly know that could hurt you so much that you'd do all of this?"
Collie looked away and her next words came out in a low whisper, "She knows my past."
"The past is just that, past. It can hurt, but after time… After time…" Dorothy hesitated, remembering the night she'd danced on Relena's lawn under the moon… "It will always hurt somewhat, but you can't hide from it. Hiding from it only gives it more power over you."
"You don't understand!" Collie yelled and Trowa watched the two silently.
"I don't understand?! I lost my father when I was seven because of rebel colonists. I couldn't even show hate or anger toward them because it might ruin my mission and I was taught not to feel such things! Taught that only battle and war was the place for emotions! That humans were just cruel, uncaring animals! Do you have any idea how I feel going through each day realizing that bit by bit I'm becoming more and more human?! For eight years I never shed a tear till Libra! It took me two more years after that to allow myself to cry for my father's death! Everyday I wake up with a feeling of confusion whenever I think about one man and I'm not even sure if it's truly love I feel! I'm scared that the man I love may one day look at me and see a common whore. I'm scared that the man I love is a colonist like those that killed my father. Do not tell me I don't understand, Collie. Do not." Dorothy was panting by the time she had finished and her face paled once she realized all that she had actually said and the meaning of it. "Dear God above have mercy…"
"Dorothy…" Collie kneeled beside the trembling Duchess. She swallowed then squeezed her eyes shut. "My name is Midii Une. Years ago I volunteered to spy on a troop of enemy soldiers to save my father and younger brothers. I succeeded and failed… I met a boy named Nanashi and I told him I hated him… But I envied him and I think I loved him. He had no family to worry about, not even a real name. After that I came home only to find that my father had died and my brothers wanted to become soldiers. They were young, but were taken away any ways… To a war orphanage. I never saw them again. I was taken to where you were being trained since it seemed I had skills in espionage. Once there… I wanted to forget so I forsook my name and past and took up a new identity. I no longer envy that boy… Having no past or real name is a sad existence full of loneliness. I saw you dancing one night and you were crying… You looked so graceful and free and I… I envied you, Dorothy. But then I heard what you said and… The moon is crying… After all this time, I realized, you still find it hard to admit you're human."
Unknown to the two women, Trowa's eyes widened and he stared at the blond spy in shock. "Midii."
His voice caused their heads to turn; forcing Dorothy into dry heaves as Midii eyed him. "What?"
"I sometimes wondered if you survived and why I didn't shoot you…" He answered softly, "To this day I don't truly know why I spared your life. I was brought up as a mercenary, your life should've meant nothing, but I couldn't. I became a mechanic after that… Then a Gundam pilot… I took on the name Trowa Barton."
"Collie, Midii, please. Set Trowa free." Dorothy interrupted before either could begin again. "Please." The word sounded strange coming from her mouth, but what was even stranger is the way she sounded as if she meant it. Dorothy's eyes raised so she wasn't looking at either of them. "He doesn't deserve to die for my mistakes."
"A long time ago you gave me some advice, Dorothy." Midii stood, trying to control the trembling in her hands, and she blinked rapidly to keep tears from spilling over. "Loyalty only to myself. I made a promise, Dorothy…" Now, the blonde, gray-eyed girl stared at her tiny hands and the repressed sobs could be heard in her words. "I don't think I've kept it very well."
All three heads jerked up as the room shook slightly and explosions sounded in the distance. Another smaller explosion reached their ears from near the steel door. A person from outside kicked it open and Duo grinned at them all. "Your coach awaits, milady." He pointed his gun at Midii, "Move away. I'd hate to have to mess up that pretty little face." He moved toward Trowa and cursed once he saw the metal holding the acrobat's arms. "I can't get this off! There's no lock, it's all one piece!"
"Then just destroy them." Dorothy told him after he'd unlocked her own cuffs. She lay on her back, staring up at the ceiling, hoping she'd be able to make it out of the building without falling. The drug was wearing off, but major movement still brought a sick feeling to her tongue and her skin would seem to ripple.
"I don't have a diamond-edged saw. This is gundanium, remember?" Duo cursed again and looked around. "There has to be something."
"Leave me." Trowa spoke calmly and Duo's eyes widened.
"Leave you?! I can't leave you! We came here to get you and the Duch. How is the metal even staying in place?" He asked, turning toward Midii who hadn't even moved an inch since the braided American had entered the room.
"It's electronic. A computer chip was planted inside and it's controlled by an extensive program in Une's computer at Preventer base."
"Une's computer? What's her computer have to do with anything?"
Dorothy laughed dryly, but it was Trowa that answered. "Une is behind all this. She wanted Dorothy dead so she'd inherit a number of important disks that are willed to her to help the Preventers. She thinks it's for the better good of the organization."
Duo let out a low whistle, "So… Rellie was right. They're after you, Duch… Damn! Une?!" He shook his head and pulled out a radio, "Hey, I found them, but there's a bit of a problem." He waited, then Heero's voice came over from the other line.
"What problem? The soldiers on the roof have been taken care of."
"I can't Trowa's cuffs off. They're being held on by gundanium and supposedly can only be removed through a program in Une's computer at Preventer HQ. Seems she's behind all this."
"I know, I just saw her. They know we're here now. Stay with Trowa, Quatre is coming to get Dorothy."
"Is Wufei at HQ? Maybe he could unlock the stupid things from there!" Duo kept a close eye on Midii during the conversation, but she didn't look as if she would run anytime soon.
"Sally and Wufei left this morning."
"Damn! We can't trust anyone there, Heero! She could've left anyone there to watch her computer!"
A commotion started outside and Duo pulled out his gun and aimed it, the radio falling to the ground. A shot rang out, then a shout, and there was silence except for footsteps. He waited… The figure stepped into the room, in one hand a gun and a scimitar had been shoved behind his belt, and in his other hand he held a bloody rapier. Quatre's eyes darted from Duo, Dorothy, Trowa, and Midii, then he shook his head and smiled slightly.
"Alive…"
Dorothy's eyes widened and she struggled to stand, ignoring the waves of dizziness and nausea that washed over her. She faced him and held out a hand and closed her hand around the familiar feeling of a rapier's hilt. Quatre and her locked gazes for a second before she turned away and faced Midii. "Will you come?"
"Can you forgive me for what I've done? You two know about me, now… I can't hide any longer." The gray-eyed woman answered, her eyes darting toward Trowa who was talking quietly with Duo and Quatre.
"I'm not one to forgive easily." Dorothy answered truthfully.
"I know… I'm coming. I'm the one that created the program for Une's computer. I can disable it or use it to remove the cuffs." Midii answered and Dorothy nodded and the two walked toward the three men. Mere seconds had passed so far… But they only had mere seconds before more soldiers came and they were overrun.
"Go to Preventer HQ and try to disable it." Duo ordered, but concern shone in his eyes. "Try to think of someone you trust completely to do it over the phone if you can… I won't be able to hold them off forever."
"We won't be able to hold them off forever." Heero intoned from the door. "Twenty soldiers are behind me, ten coming from the other direction. Get out of here, Quatre."
Quatre nodded and he, Dorothy, and Midii bolted from the room and down the hall toward the ten. He took them down a sharp right turn before they could run into the guards and Midii shook her head and ran some ways before the two of them, muttering something about how she knew this place better than they possibly could. She took them down three more halls before reaching a door that led to soldier quarters. They made their way around the bunks until Midii kicked one bed over and pulled open a small metal door in the floor. She motioned for them to go through and they quickly did, with her following them down the ladder into the darkness below.
She waited a second, listening, and smiled as she realized that no one was following them, yet. If any guards had seen them, they had probably recognized her and thought she was just running with two other soldiers, following orders. Midii jumped the last foot and landed beside Dorothy. "This runs to a cave that has a small beach near the ocean. I hope you can swim." She told Quatre; she knew Dorothy could. "We can swim to shore."
Quatre nodded, "I can swim." They began to run, their footsteps echoing around them in the dark tunnel. Dorothy was suddenly glad at her lack of clothing and shoes. Swimming in clothes would have been torture. An opening yawned ahead and the stars shone down on them as Midii and Quatre removed their shoes and outer clothing and weapons were tossed aside, including the rapier and scimitar. Dorothy ripped at the flowing hem of her nightgown, fearful that it might wrap around her legs as she swam. Once that was done they stepped off the small sandy enclosure and into the icy water. The shore wasn't far, but they were all tired from running so much and it pulled at their muscles. The effects of the drug used on Dorothy had faded once she had begun to run, which was good. She had a feeling that if she was still being affected by the drug she might have drowned.
They struggled onto shore, each panting and shaking water off their cold bodies. But each were trained professionals and soon were following Quatre to where he'd hidden his car. It was some ways off and as they ran Midii wondered about the three men they had left behind. Nanashi… He was alive and he had been right there! Their whole escape had probably taken around ten minutes. Were they even alive still? The two men were Gundam pilots, so they could probably handle the situation for awhile, but… They were still only human.
Quatre yanked his door open and climbed into his car, his wet boxers dripping water onto Heero's car seat. Dorothy climbed in beside him while Midii took the back. He turned the key and tossed his car phone to Dorothy. "Call Une's secretary and ask for Relena. I left her there before I left for here. We can trust her."
"Why didn't you mention this earlier?" Dorothy asked as she dialed the number and held the phone to her ear, listening to it ring.
"Heero would've have liked the idea of putting her in danger, but there's no way we'll be able to reach Headquarters in time to save Trowa and the others. You know how to disable the chip right, so the cuffs will just fall off, right?" He asked Midii, his eyes watching her in the mirror. She nodded and he focused on the road before him.
"Yes, may I speak to Minister Darlian?" Dorothy paused, then rolled her eyes. "Thank you. Relena, are you near Une's office?" Quatre wondered what Relena was saying by the way Dorothy's face paled. "I don't believe this! I'm not. Relena, go into her office and bring her computer up. I'm about to hand the phone to another, follow her directions, ok? And try to be quick." Another pause… Then Dorothy handed the phone to Midii who began barking out directions to the Minister on the other line.
"What did she say?" Quatre asked softly as he watched her out of the corner of his eye. Her blonde hair was soaking wet and she was trying to twist it into a strange ponytail, but it kept coming undone. The nightgown clung to her and any other time he might have blushed and stuttered, but now he barely even noticed. She was alive. That was all that mattered.
"That the night news announced that I'm dead and that certain files have been sent out… The blackmail I used against people to keep them quiet during the more fragile years of peace has just been revealed to millions of newscasters around the universe." She cursed softly, "I'm not dead." She eyed him, "What was the scimitar for?"
He was silent then, "I thought she might be like you. A close range fighter. I use a scimitar better than a rapier or fencing foil. I'm used to them since they were part of Sandrock's weaponry."
"Is that the only reason?"
Silence.
"I wanted to hurt them." He finally admitted and Dorothy slowly nodded.
"For taking Trowa?"
He jerked and stared at her, eyes wide and his mouth hanging open. "For both of you!"
Dorothy raised an eyebrow, "Are you trying to say you care about me? Don't be foolish, Mr. Winner. I thought you were beginning to realize the type of person I am."
"Dorothy…" Quatre swallowed, "I said those things because I wanted you to leave… I didn't want you to get hurt again, so I wanted you to stay as far away from me as possible. I didn't mean any of it and I'm sorry."
"Sorry?" Dorothy hissed, "Sorry? You treated me as a whore! A one-night stand! Don't talk to me about you being sorry or not meaning any of it! You're just like the rest of them." She turned her face away and stared outside.
"It wasn't just a one-night stand! We were forced into it, but… What I said that night, I meant. Please, Dorothy, look at me." She turned her head around and glared at him. "I meant what I said that night."
Dorothy snorted, "Did you say anything that night? Did either of us? We were acting too much like animals for us to do anything, but act."
Hurt shone in his blue eyes, "You don't remember?"
"No. Now, Mr. Winner, focus more on your driving and less on conversing." Dorothy looked outside once more and a very melancholy and grieving Quatre turned his attention toward the road before him. The Duchess squeezed her eyes shut, trying to close off the sight of his hurt face… And the words that echoed in her head.

"Animals, Quatre. Passion, emotions rule over common sense any day."
"Not animals, Dorothy." His words seemed to roll through her mind. "More than animals."
"How's that?"
"Animals can't love."

She did remember.

*

Relena's fingers flew over the keys, her eyes plastered on the screen before her as she listened to the feminine voice snapping orders at her like a drill sergeant. The secretary had been positively flustered when Relena had demanded to be allowed in Une's private office, but a quick reminder of who Relena was had had her opening the door. Now, Relena wondered what exactly was going on. Had she been right in Dorothy being the true target? Why was she disabling a program in Une's computer? Was Une involved in this? What was going on?! Where was Heero? Why was she doing this?
A click was her warning, then the cold sting of metal as the gun was placed against the back of her neck. "I' d stop right there, Minister." The flustered secretary smiled coldly, "The Lady doesn't want you ruining her plans."
The feminine voice called out from the phone Relena held to her ear, "Just press enter, now." Of course. The woman couldn't see Relena's predicament…
Relena smiled and her finger lightly pushed the enter button down. "Too late."
A gunshot shattered the room's silence.

*

Duo detonated the small bomb before throwing it into the hall. An explosion and startled shouts were his answer as he waited with Heero and Trowa. How long had they been playing this game? They only had two more explosives and their guns… It seemed hours had past since the others had left to disable the program holding Trowa's cuffs on. They weren't going to make it. There was no way Quatre would be able to reach HQ in time. Hilde… He squeezed his eyes shut as he thought of her… Her smiling eyes teased him as she flounced about their home, her mouth pouting so irresistibly, her chiming laughter. I'm sorry, Hilde. I don't think I'll be making it home…
Trowa suddenly fell forward as the bar of gundanium holding his cuffs against the wall fell to the floor. Heero quickly unlocked the cuffs around the acrobat's wrists and ankles and Duo grinned widely. "They did it. They did it!"
Heero shook his head, "Who did they call? Who did they call to disable the program?"
Trowa stood, rubbing his wrists as his blood began flowing normally. "You said Quatre dropped Relena there. They trust her." Duo nodded and from the look on Heero's face the idea had already crossed his mind… And he didn't like it.
"We've gotta blow this joint." Duo tossed his braid over one shoulder and raised his gun, "Come on, party time!" He tossed the extra gun Quatre had brought to Trowa and the three ran into the hall, dodging bullets and shooting over the shoulders as they did. Duo grunted as a bullet caught him in the shoulder, but he'd survive.
He'd survive.
Hilde.
Duo whooped loudly and, ignoring his wounded shoulder, shot wildly at those behind them with a devious grin. He chuckled and the soldiers realized why he was called Shinigami.

*

Midii gasped and the phone slammed against the window as she threw it aside in shock. She fumbled for it as Dorothy turned around to stare at her. "What is it? What's wrong?"
"Hello?! Hello!?" Midii yelled, but received no answer. "A gunshot! I was talking to her and suddenly… A gunshot… The phone fell and no one's answering."
Dorothy snatched the phone out of Midii's hand and listened. She jerked as another gunshot went off, something fell to the floor, she heard a crashing sound as if glass was breaking, then a scream, and a sort of frizzling hiss. "Relena? Relena!"
Silence.
Someone was panting and then the phone went dead.
Dorothy stared at the phone, "Nothing."

*

Relena sat tense, one finger still on the enter key, as the woman behind her went still in shock. Relena licked her lips and waited… Waited… The woman's hand shifted slightly and Relena slammed backward with the rolling chair, ducking her upper body as she did. The woman gasped and pulled the trigger. The gun flew over Relena's slumped body and into the computer. Relena jumped out of the chair, rolling till she was under the computer desk.
The woman glared at the desk, then aimed her gun at the supposedly cowering Minister and fired. Relena lunged upward, using the force of her weight and her leap to shove the desk with its computer equipment over and onto the secretary. The computer's remained glass shattered and the woman screamed, then silence… Except for the hiss of electric wires that had been exposed when the equipment had broken. The woman lay still, but when Relena checked her pulse she found that the woman was still alive. She had just been electrically shocked.
Relena sighed and cursed herself for acting so hastily. She shook her head; she'd deal with her actions later, for now she had to get help. Relena reached for the phone only to find that the phone had gone dead when the computer had fallen on it. She sighed and snatched her purse from the ground beside the chair. She pulled out her cell phone and dialed. "Yes, I have an emergency…"

*

On pulling into the Preventer's parking lot, the scene seemed to confirm the three's worst suspicions. They climbed out and darted to the ambulance where two police cars also waited and about a dozen Preventers. Dorothy's eyes widened as she spotted the woman answering to both a policeman and a Preventer. "Relena!"
Relena looked up and smiled, "Dorothy." She raised an eyebrow at their strange appearance. Each soaking wet, wearing only their underclothes or in Dorothy's case a torn, clingy, white nightgown.
"What happened here?" Quatre asked as they joined Relena who was constantly glancing worriedly toward the ambulance where a woman was being loaded on a stretcher.
"Une's secretary tried to kill me when I was disabling that program." She answered calmly, her eyes landing on Midii who was hanging back, unsure of what to do around so many officers of the law. "Who is she?"
"Midii Une." The spy replied, glancing once at Dorothy. She was right. I can't hide from my past anymore and what I've done… I betrayed her trust, but I will make it up to you one day, Dorothy. To you and Nanashi… Or Trowa.
"The drill sergeant." Relena murmured and Midii raised both eyebrows.
"Huh?"
Relena grinned, "Oh, nothing. Where's Heero and Duo and Trowa?" She searched their faces and her grin disappeared and she paled. "Where's Heero?!"
"We had to leave them. They're still at the base." Quatre explained softly about the computer chip and why they had needed her to disable the program. Relena tried to hold onto her political mask, but it was hard. She managed to explain what had happened after the first gunshot and Dorothy coughed lightly upon hearing how Relena had survived.
"Violence, Miss Relena, solves nothing." Dorothy told her quietly and received a glare for her troubles.
"The woman awoke when being transferred to the stretcher. They say she'll survive, but she began shouting names and telling me she'd tell us everything. It seems Une trusted her secretary with a great deal of information. I have a few things to ask her, but I thought you might want to come with me, Quatre. We can question her while she's being escorted to the hospital."
Quatre glanced at Dorothy who ignored him and turned her head toward Midii and began speaking in a low voice. He sighed and turned back toward Relena, "You were right. They're after Dorothy. I can't just leave her."
"Then she can come, too, and you, Miss Midii." Relena motioned toward the two talking women, but Dorothy shook her head.
"I believe I will be staying here. I need to speak to a few choice people. Police officers and Preventers, who can't all possibly be traitors, surround me. I'll be safe." The Duchess walked away and talked softly to a nearby Preventer. He nodded and pulled off his jacket and allowed her to wrap it around her body.
"I'll stay with Dorothy." Midii announced and trotted after the blonde Duchess. Quatre watched the two, one foot stepping out as if to follow, then he shook his head.
Relena placed a comforting hand on his arm, "Come, Quatre." She bit her lower lip as they walked and Quatre pushed away his own sorrow to deal with hers.
"Heero is safe, Relena. If it wasn't for you, he probably wouldn't be, but because of you disabling that program, I'm sure he and the others are making their way out right now."
"I can only hope, Quatre." They climbed into the ambulance and drove away.

*

The three stared down at the base from the original hill Heero and Duo had observed it from earlier. Duo pulled the detonation button from his coat and tossed it to Trowa. "You can have the honors, Tro-man."
Trowa calmly pressed the small red button and the three watched as the base exploded, the fires licking at the black sky above. Duo and Quatre had planted the explosives all along the base and now… They turned away and began walking toward Duo's car. "Do you think Une survived, Heero?"
"I doubt anyone just died in that explosion, Duo. Une and the others will be taken care of."
Duo whistled, "So, she went off her rocker once again. You know, Une just doesn't have a good record when it comes to a sane mind." He climbed into the car, settling behind the wheel, and grinned. "Now, off to Headquarters, pick up Rellie, get the Duch under serious protection, and then I can finally go home. Hilde has a surprise for me." He told them as he started the car only to have his wounded shoulder twinge. He grumbled as he was forced to switch seats with Heero, but he regained his good mood quickly. "I can't wait to find out what it is!"
Trowa smiled slightly and shook his head. He figured Duo would make a good father… Even if he could be incredibly oblivious at times. Heero didn't seem to be paying attention as he urged the car to go faster so he could reach Relena.

*

"You're not staying, are you?" Midii asked as she walked alongside Dorothy. The blonde Duchess didn't answer, but raised her head toward the starlit sky and the moon above. She breathed in deeply, then turned toward Midii and slowly pulled the jacket off and handed it to the spy.
She stared into Midii's gray eyes for a minute, then slowly nodded and turned around. Midii watched as her childhood protector, friend, ally, and enemy walked away… Disappearing into the shadows of the night.
Midii hugged the jacket to her chest and a tear slid down her face. She didn't look back once.
Goodbye, Dorothy…

*

The information the secretary revealed helped the Preventers to arrest and punish those that had helped Lady Une. Une was taken away to receive the help she needed. Quatre stretched and smiled at Relena who was on her fourth cup of coffee. "Tired?" He asked and she nodded.
"I feel sorry for her." Relena spoke softly, "Her love for Treize tore her in two so many years ago and I doubt she'll ever heal completely."
He nodded, "Yes, but I'm just glad it's over."
Relena stood, "I think I'll be going home. I need sleep after the night's events." She smiled as she glanced at her watch; "It's 1:24. Merry Christmas, Quatre." She walked out of the room and down the hall where Heero Yuy waited for her with his usual stoic face. He and the others had arrived soon after Quatre and she had begun questioning. He joined her and Relena smiled to herself. "It's Christmas, Heero." They stepped outside and he stared at her. Relena tilted her head at him as they stood on the steps leading to the hospital and suddenly she leaned over and kissed him softly. "Merry Christmas, Heero."
He reached out and lightly touched her cheek with one finger, then nodded and began walking down the steps. Relena watched him before starting her own trek down the steps. She was surprised of the lack of reporters then realized they were all probably too interested in the blackmail Dorothy had had sent to them if she ever died… Too bad she wasn't really dead. Something cold landed on her nose and Relena blinked as she lifted her head to the sky.
Another snowflake landed on her face, then another, and another. Relena laughed and threw out her arms as the snow increased and showered down on the two. She ran down the steps and twirled as the snow fell. Heero glanced at her and she quickly regained her composure, but an impish smile danced across her lips.
He turned away and jerked as a loose ball of snow hit him in the back. Heero turned slowly to face her, only to have a handful of the cold, white snow thrown in his face. "What are you doing, Relena?"
"Consider this my present." Relena threw back her hair, "One night of just me being me. A crazy twenty-four year old who wants nothing more than to be loved by her knight in gundanium."
Heero thought about for a second and Relena's smile began to fade as she saw the stern set of his jaw. She sighed, "Fine, Heero. Let's just—!" Her eyes widened as she wiped snow off her face and caught the small, tiny smile on his lips. "You do realize, this means war."
His smile just widened.

*

"Trowa?" A soft voice whispered behind him and he spun around to face the blond-haired woman. Midii glanced around nervously as doctors and nurses passed the two by. She wore a borrowed Preventer uniform and bit her lower lip. "I just wanted to say… I'm sorry for what happened when we were younger."
He held up a hand, "It's in the past. You were protecting your family."
"Oh… Well, thank you for understanding. And Trowa?" He raised an eyebrow and she smiled slightly. "I like Trowa, but even as Nanashi you were still someone to me." The petite woman turned around and walked away, a slight sway in her walk, and he watched her go with a sense of wonderment.

"I like Trowa, but even as Nanashi you were still someone to me."

He smiled.

*

Midii cautiously joined Quatre and he stared at her with a raised eyebrow. "I thought you were staying with Dorothy." She shook her head and stared at the ground and a sharp worry suddenly struck him. "What is it?"
"Dorothy's gone, Quatre. Dorothy Catalonia died tonight. She's not coming back."
"What?!"
Midii raised sympathetic eyes toward him, "She's left. She's dead to the world. Somewhere she'll live, but not as Dorothy Catalonia. I'm sorry."
"Dorothy!" He shouted, his hands closed tightly in fists. "How could she do this?! It's over now!" Quatre stared at something beyond Midii and frowned. "I will find her. One day… One day she has to stop running."
"Is she running?" Midii asked calmly and he glanced down at her. "Maybe she's finally realized how to live. Search for her, Quatre. I'll even help you, but… But she won't be found till she wants to… Even if she doesn't realize it or not."

*

Walking found her before the ruined remains of Quatre's mansion. She walked forward and kicked at a blackened board. She continued until she reached the dining room and there Dorothy kneeled, ignoring the soot that dirtied her pale, white skin. She was lost… In the very beginning, Quatre had broken through her shields and torn apart every ideal she'd ever believed in. Then he'd come into her life, trying to help her and heal her, showing her friendship. They had made love here and he had hinted that he loved her, but was any of that real? Could someone love her after everything she'd done? She drew a finger through the ashes. Then he'd said those things… Words that had hurt. He had opened her heart and then ripped it in two with those words. Later, he said it was just to protect her.
But what if it was true? He didn't know her entire past. God, she wasn't just a political spy. She'd been a whore in every way, except worse… She had used everything to get the information she needed or her grandfather needed. The killing and death didn't bother her so much as that. She understood death and yes, she regretted some of those deaths, but… She had merely been doing something to another. But in the other, she had allowed another to…
She was ashamed of what she had become. Where had the sweet, little girl gone? She wasn't even certain who she was anymore. She was Dorothy Catalonia the trained spy, Dorothy Catalonia the politician, Dorothy Catalonia the confused woman. She couldn't be all three. Yet, she couldn't change her personality. She would always be sharp and sadistic at times… She'd always love politics and the dangers of it… And she would always hate and love one man till her dying day.
"Miss Catalonia?" A deep voice asked and she jerked and turned to face Rashid. She had forgotten that the Maguanac's housing hadn't suffered from the damage. Rashid stared at her concernedly, yet also a bit warily. All of the Maguanacs were like that. They knew Quatre was trying to be her friend, so they treated her kindly, but they still remembered the woman that had stabbed the Winner with such ruthlessness years ago.
She stood and he blinked in surprise at her tattered gown. "Hello, Rashid."
"Are you all right, Miss?"
"Just thinking." Dorothy responded, her eyes drifting toward the charred remains of the dining room table. He had kissed her there, held her, made love to her. But it hadn't been real… None of it had been real.
"I do not mean to interfere," the giant hesitated before continuing, "but may I ask, how do you feel towards Master Quatre?" He watched her closely as she never took her eyes off the table.
"Why does it matter?" She asked, "Most seem to believe I love him. I do. Most believe I hate him. I do. I also fear him and respect him. But why does it matter?"
Rashid turned away and walked off a foot and his next words seemed more to himself than her. "He wasn't always a kind man. He was actually quite self-hating and he cared little for those around him when he was younger. He believed his father created him and his sisters just to have someone to tell what to do. Quatre held very little pride in himself and considered himself unloved. He once told me that nobody loved him and he loved nobody."
"He'd never—." She started, but the giant interrupted her.
"He saved me and my men the day I met him, but I think we saved him that day, too. He found pride in himself and he began to care. Underneath it all, I knew he was a kind person, but he was just confused. He opened his eyes that day. He's not perfect. No one is, Mistress." She blinked at the title then stepped back as he turned around to face her. "No one is perfect." Rashid nodded once to her then began walking away and Dorothy stared after him.
His words rang in her head.
No one is perfect.
Quatre wasn't perfect and neither was she. Her mouth twitched as she thought of what Rashid had revealed to her about Quatre's past. Had he truly been like that? Had he truly been a mere spoiled brat before the Maguanacs? Her own childhood had been one of laughter and playing with her father.
But still, that was nothing compared to her own past.
She brushed ashes off her legs and stared dejectedly at her black hands. Dorothy shrugged and began walking away from the scene.

*

Quatre hoped Duo didn't mind him borrowing his car, but the Arabian had to find Dorothy before she disappeared. He drove first to Preventer HQ and searched the lot for her, asked the few remaining officers if they had seen her. Many had pointed down the road, saying she had just started walking off. He followed their directions and climbed back inside Duo's car. He passed his old mansion and glanced at it somewhat fondly, but with a tightness at the corner of his eyes.
He'd been with her in that house. He had kissed her lips and felt her beneath him. He had felt whole that night. Like before then he'd only been half a person and she was his other half. He shook his head and drove by, his eyes darting along trying to spot a figure dressed in white.
He nearly passed her. She was covered in ashes that smeared her white nightgown and smudges of soot covered her face. She walked with such grace, yet there was a sense of hopelessness in her gait. As if, she had no where to go. He pulled the car up beside her and she turned her face toward it, her eyes shining in the sparse lighting. Her stance was aggressive as she waited for the driver to reveal himself.
Quatre climbed out and stared back at her, watching as the fighting stance disappeared into something more aloof. Dorothy raised one elegant eyebrow, "What do you want, Mr. Winner?"
"Dorothy, don't leave." He walked around the car and toward her, but stopped when he saw her body tense. "Miss Dorothy, I'm sorry. I should never have said the things I did to you. That night with you was… Perfect. In trying to protect you, I hurt you and I'm so sorry."
She waved a hand, "It was nothing. Nothing. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get home."
It was then that the snow started. It came down in soft flurries then slowly began to come down harder. Dorothy raised her head and stared at the snow in shock. "It hasn't snowed in years…" She whispered and reached out a trembling hand to catch a snowflake, which quickly melted.
"It's beautiful." Quatre's voice was laced with awe and sorrow as he watched the snow land and cling to her long hair and eyelashes.
Her blue-gray eyes suddenly snapped on him and he jerked as if physically hit. "I told a friend once that I do not forgive easily. I don't. I am not like you to forgive a slight. No one is perfect and I will not pretend to be. I am not this image of a confused princess that needs saving. My past is dark and full of things that still give me nightmares. I hate you, did you know that?" She tilted her head at him; "Yet, I love you, too. You represent everything that is kind and caring, but you also represent the colonists that killed my father." She turned away and raised her arms to the sky; "A wise man once told me that he wanted to help me because I wouldn't help myself. He was true. I've been so focused on what's wrong with me and running from it all these years, making excuses so I wouldn't have to face the facts. I will never be that innocent little girl again. I will never be that cold-hearted spy who would do anything to accomplish a mission, including sleeping with the right man." His eyes widened slightly at that, but not with disgust or pity. Just compassion… "I have become someone that I don't truly know. But I've finally stopped running."
She smiled slightly, "So, I forgive you, Quatre Winner, for your false words, but I cannot forgive you for opening my heart to pain and joy. It will take me a long time to do that, I fear. Did you mean it?"
Quatre blinked at the question, he was drinking in her every word with an almost eerie intensity, "Mean what?"
"That night… You said what we were doing wasn't like animals because animals can't love. Did you mean it?"
"I thought you didn't remember." She didn't respond and he nodded slowly. "Yes."
A cold hand lowered and slipped into his, Quatre squeezed her hand tightly as if he'd never let go. Dorothy's eyes darted across his face then slowly she nodded. She turned her face away and motioned toward the snow, "My father loved Christmas and every year we would play out in the snow, just he and me. He was such a kind man and…"
Her soft words seemed to sing around him as she spoke and Quatre smiled wistfully as her hand tightened around his. Somehow he'd prove to her that he was truly sorry so she would forgive him… And he had a feeling that she would give him the chance to.

*

Officer Yuy and Officer Maxwell's Report on the Winner Case

Duo grumbled as he sat before his computer. First, Quatre stole his car while he was having his shoulder tended to and now Heero left him to type their report! It wasn't fair! He wanted to go home! He grumbled some more, then sighed and began typing.

The target Quatre Winner was a decoy. Duchess Dorothy Catalonia was the true target. An unstable Lady Une, former Head of Preventer HQ, suffered a mental attack that forced her to believe that the death of the Duchess was for the better good of the Preventers since upon the death of the Duchess, certain important disks were to be sent to Lady Une.
Une is reported to have stolen invaluable Preventer weaponry including various ammo, guns, and explosives. She also stole an advanced electronic explosive, the new drug Une's Rose, and various communication devices. She is being sent to Pleasant Groves to receive the proper care she needs. She is charged with theft, homicide, and attempted murder. Her trial is set for the 16th of January.
Midii Une, formerly known as Collie, is a trained spy that reportedly helped Lady Une because of blackmail. She created an extensive program that controls a computer chip that can be inserted into gundanium. Strangely, the chip has no effect on any other type of metal. She is charged with theft and homicide. However, the charges against her have been dropped and she is now enrolled in training as a Preventer.

Duo blinked at the other sheet of paper he was reading that had revealed this information. He'd known the petite spy for shorter than a day and already she was being enrolled?! He shook his head, he'd bet anything the Duch was behind this… or maybe Trowa.

Michael Trisp, another aide of Une's, is charged with theft, homicide, attempted murder, assault, and resisting arrest. He has been stripped of his lands and titles and his trial is sentenced for the 2nd of February.
The rest of Une's group was Preventers doing what they thought was their job. They are all under close supervision and on leave till further notice.
Duchess Dorothy Catalonia is being safely guarded till the trials of Lady Une and one Michael Trisp.

Duo leaned back and placed the last sheet on top of the large sheaf of paper and closed the file. This page was just a quick summary, the rest was what he'd spent half the morning (it had been 2 when he started, now it was 4:45!) typing. A thorough explanation of every move done by Une and the others and what he and Heero had done about it.
He stood up and picked up a red stamp pad and the large stamp and grinned. He soaked the stamp thoroughly before slamming it against the file and the first page of the report.
Case Closed.
Duo sighed happily and spun around, then jerked back, the file clutched to his chest as he faced a smiling Hilde. She leaned against the doorframe, in one hand she held the handle of her bag, and she wore a fond smile. "Hilde! What are you doing here?!"
"Since it seemed you were never coming home. I decided to come to you." Her smile widened, "You look so cute when you're diligently working." She dropped her bag and he tossed the file onto his desk as he picked her up and hugged her tight.
"I've missed you so much." He whispered into her hair before kissing her earnestly, trying to make up for lost days. She giggled into his mouth and leaned against him once they had to break away for air.
"I missed you, too."
"Hey!" He held her out at arm's length, "Did ya bring that surprise you were talking about? I'm dying to know what it is!" His impish grin and innocent, mischievous violet eyes made her laugh.
"Duo, I love you." She whispered and his grin widened.
"I love you, too, Hilde babe."
"Duo," she smiled, her face a radiant beam of love and joy, "I'm pregnant. You're going to be a father."
Duo grinned and nodded his head; "You're pregnant. I'm going to be a father." His eyes rolled backwards and Hilde caught him as he fainted. She laughed as she waved a hand over his face.
"Oh, Duo, I love you." She kissed him on the nose before grabbing an empty file and using it to try and wake him back up. Hilde watched her husband with undying love and adoration. No matter what, she'd always love him and she knew he'd always love her. "You're just a sweet big lug." Duo blinked and stared up at her.
"Hey, Hilde. You know I had the strangest dream. You were pregnant and I was going to be a father."
"It wasn't a dream, you lug." She told him tenderly and his eyes widened, then he was up on his feet and swinging her around, whooping loudly. "I'm gonna be a father!"
"You're not upset?" She asked once he had pressed her against his chest and was holding her tightly.
"Upset?! Hilde, this is the best Christmas surprise ever!" He told her like a happy child and Hilde laughed even as she cried into his shirt. Not cries of sorrow… Never those; not with Duo. But ones of pure joy… She was happy and he was happy and soon they'd have a happy little child.
Everything was perfect.

End of Rapiers and Scimitars

Extra Scenes and other Tidbits : These are scenes that you understand happened during the fic, but are never actually revealed except in conversations. I decided to put them in here as a sort of bonus for people to understand how exactly some things happened. If you've ever seen Wild Things then that's where I got the idea to do the extra scenes. It's a strange movie, but it really keeps you guessing till the very end.

The tidbits are just little things that I fit into the story for no real apparent reason except to amuse myself. They do not have full scenes, just short little explanations.

WARNING!!! - Not really, but you do not have to read the extra scenes or tidbits to understand the story. The next bit is just for my own amusement when I was bored. There's a few things in the tidbits that hint at a sequel. Which I'm thinking of writing, but not sure... But again, you do not need to continue reading to understand the story! *^_^* The following just adds some extra information.

Une Recruiting Midii

A figure in black with shoulder-length blond hair and dove-gray eyes leaned against an old, abandoned warehouse, and nervously drew deeply on the lit cigarette in one hand. Her eyes darted around the deserted area and she spotted movement coming toward her. Midii tossed the unfinished cigarette down and came down on it hard with the heel of her boot.
"Midii Une." The figure spoke and the petite woman mentally winced.
"You have the wrong person. My name's Jezebel Willow."
Une smiled, "Oh. You remind me of someone I once heard of, a trained spy whose first job consisted of spying on a band of mercenaries to save her father and younger brothers."
The spy tensed, "What do you want? I got your message."
"I want you to help me."
Midii raised an eyebrow, clearly distrusting this strange woman. "That's all? Help you with what?"
"I need information on a woman. I've heard you've known her quite some time. I need her to die without anyone pointing blame toward me. I have a plan, but first I need information."
Her body had tensed again, "What woman?"
"Duchess Dorothy Catalonia."
The air hissed out of Midii as if she'd been punched. "Forget it. You can't possibly know enough about me for me to betray her." The spy pushed away from the wall and started walking by Lady Une when her voice caused her to pause.
"Your brother sends his love."
Midii felt a tremble travel through her body as she spun around to face the older woman. "Robbie?" Her voice came out in a plead, but she couldn't help it. She hadn't seen either brother since they'd been taken away from her. She had received a notice that Chris had died in battle, but Robbie…
"Information, dear Miss Midii?"
She squeezed her eyes shut.
Loyalty only to yourself.
A wise woman had given her that advice a long time ago… And now, Midii would be using it to turn against that same woman. She nodded her head.

Midii's Role at Minister Darlian's Ball

Midii carried the tray of wineglasses like the others and watched as the people around her danced. It surprised her how these people were responsible for peace, yet acted so normally. The Minister was sweet, just like she was portrayed on TV, but Midii had also heard a brief argument between her and a man named Heero Yuy. Lady Une only glanced at her once when taking a glass of champagne, but Midii understood that one glance. It was going to happen and happen soon.
Her body swayed to the music and she lowered her tray to the table. One dance couldn't hurt. She looked around and spotted a handsome, quiet fellow with sharp emerald green eyes. She'd always had a thing for men with green eyes. She walked over and pulled him onto the floor with her.
He didn't say anything, just stared down at her in surprise before seeming to resign to his fate. They danced quietly and she was glad for that. She didn't like talkers… Rambling annoyed her or amused her depending on her mood at the time. She couldn't keep herself calm, though. Her eyes kept darting around the room till she spotted Dorothy dancing with the Winner man. Soon. Oh, god.
She swallowed as the dance ended and quickly moved away from the tall man. He was a great dancer, too bad she hadn't been able to truly enjoy it. Midii made her way outside, waiting… A shot rang through the air and she watched with wide eyes as Dorothy fell. Midii raised her gun and quickly shot the shooter in the head once. Three more shots rang out and she blinked in surprise before hiding her gun once more and joining the others inside.
Now, she was just another waitress.
She watched as Dorothy Catalonia was taken away.

Heero and Relena's Argument at the Ball

"Are you enjoying the night, Heero?" Relena asked softly once Quatre and Trowa began to walk away, Sally dodging off to find Wufei. She eyed him as she spoke, watched the way his eyes caught the light, yet instead of reflecting it they seemed to drink it in. His eyes were dark ocean waters that she'd gladly drown in… If he'd let her.
"I see no point in this. Why bring everyone together and remind them of the wars that still plague their minds?" Was his cold reply and Relena's mouth thinned.
"Sometimes we must take the good with the bad, Heero. Just because some memories are awful and hateful, doesn't mean you forget all of them!" Relena smiled as she felt she had scored till he glared at her.
"Memories can kill." Was his serious reply and she sighed.
"In some ways, yes. But even during the war good things happened." She smiled wistfully and he raised an eyebrow, clearly questioning her to tell him one of those 'good things'. "If not for the war, I'd have never met you, for instance." Relena smiled warmly at him.
His frown deepened, "It would've been better if you hadn't met me."
Relena's eyes widened, then narrowed and she spoke quietly, yet fiercely with her hands motioning toward the people around them. "How can you say that? Without you, I would never have started on the path on total pacifism! I'd probably be dead if not for you. You brought me strength when I thought I had none. Without you, I wouldn't be the person I am today. My life would've meant nothing if I'd never met you!"
Her words seemed to hang in the air
My life would've meant nothing if I'd never met you!
If anything Heero's look seemed darker and without a word he turned and walked away. Relena watched him go and sighed. She grabbed a passing wineglass and drank half the bitter wine before meeting gazes with Quatre. He worried about her so much; she could see it in the Arabian's eyes. She gave him a small smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.

Sally and Wufei at the Celebration

"Where is that man?" Sally muttered; this was the second time he'd slipped away when she was talking to him. She spotted Quatre and Trowa and darted in front of them. "Have you seen Wufei? He seems to have wandered off and I cannot find him anywhere." She tried to smile, but she had a feeling her anger was still evident.
"He went outside." Heero answered from where he was talking to Relena and Sally blinked.
"Thank you." She turned away and walked toward the patio doors. What was he doing outside? Didn't he enjoy spending time with his friends? Did he even consider these people his friends? She sighed as she stepped outside. Does he even consider me as a friend?
She could see him standing with his arms cross, his eyes focused on something in the distance. "Wufei Chang, you listen to me—."
He cut her off without turning around, "I became evil to fight evil. What right do I have to stay in there with those people? They fought for justice, for their families, while I fought for evil and became evil believing there was some justice in what I was doing. How can I look them in the eye after all I have done? I disgraced the name of justice by saying I fought for it when I was doing the opposite."
Sally's eyes widened, then she slowly nodded, realization dawning on her. "Wufei, that was years ago. You weren't the only soldier that felt fighting for Mariemeia was the only way to live. Many were disillusioned and confused when it came to peace. These people understand that. They're your friends. I'm your friend." She knew why he'd been so distant the last few days now. She'd thought him over it, but inside he still felt guilty about fighting against his former comrades in the Mariemeia incident and now in a few days it would be Christmas, the anniversary of the two wars so long ago.
Sally was glad he no longer felt guilty about the death of Treize. That was one good outcome of the Mariemeia deal… Somehow during the ordeal he'd let Treize's ghost lie. She placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled, "Come back inside, Wufei. It's cold."
He turned around to face her and Sally stared into his onyx eyes and licked her lips as she removed her hand. God, she was an idiot at times. Noin happily loved telling her that when it came for the former Doctor's feelings for her younger partner. But Noin couldn't understand. Sally understood him. They had both grown up in strict, tradition families. He had stayed with his while she had fled with a young boy from her village. She knew about the death of his wife when he'd been forced into an arranged marriage and how he hadn't realized till his wife was gone how much he had cared for her.
In some ways he had suffered more than any of them… In some ways… She understood why he didn't like women fighting and why he believed so intensely in justice… For her. He did it so in some way he might be able to make it up to his dead wife… And in some way keep her alive.
He still mourned a wife he had never truly been given the chance to love.
Music drifted outside and Sally smiled warmly at Wufei, a mischievous twinkle in her merry eyes. "One dance?" She asked and he blinked in surprise before frowning. She widened her eyes and pouted her lips, "Please?"
Wufei growled, "Don't do that, woman." He hated it when she made that face. It always made him feel like he was kicking a puppy if he didn't go along with what she wanted. Damn woman. He held out his arms stiffly and Sally laughed as she placed her arms around his neck.
"I'm not going to hurt you, Wufei!"
He muttered something and tightened his hold around her. The first few seconds of the dance was stiff and Sally sighed. It was sad really. He was so graceful, yet this close and he tensed like she had the Black Plague. But after awhile, Wufei started to relax as he listened to her hum along with the song and the dance became more natural and soothing.
Sally cursed her height for she couldn't put her head on his shoulder… But it didn't really matter. She grinned slightly as his arms tightened. Maybe he does consider me a friend.
For some reason the night didn't seem quite so cold anymore.

TIDBIT! : When Dorothy and Michael have their little scene, he mentions that he knows another reason Dorothy brought him along. His reason – He thought she wanted to make a certain blond Arabian jealous. True or not, we never know.

TIDBIT! : The picture in Dorothy's hospital room of a young girl and her dog is supposed to be the same young girl and dog Heero accidentally killed during a mission.

Quatre's Nightmare at the Hospital

He was walking down a familiar hall and like so many years ago he could feel her presence pulling at him. He walked toward the panel and tapped in the right code and stepped inside the dark control room. The door slid shut behind him as he faced a younger Dorothy Catalonia, she held a gun in one hand and a foil in the other.
It was that day on Libra… Exactly… And he was watching it from some corner of his brain, detached and not really part of the scene. She shot his gun out of his hand and then challenged him to a duel. It happened the same as years ago. He tried to refuse, but she lunged and he had to grab the extra foil to save himself.
He knew he was fighting her, but it felt as if another's body was moving… As if another was trying to convince her to stop this… His own sword had already flown out of his hand and had lodged into one of the many screens. Dorothy was raising her own foil. Now, it came. Now she would stab him.
He watched as the foil came toward him. And things changed. Instead of the foil stabbing him, he moved and pulled his own foil free. Her eyes widened in surprise as she stumbled and then Dorothy's mouth opened as his foil pierced through her spacesuit and into her flesh.
And suddenly he wasn't just a watcher. He was himself and he had stabbed her this time. She stared up at him, one hand covering her bleeding wound, and smiled. "Touché, Mr. Winner." Her eyes closed and Quatre threw the blood-covered foil aside, his eyes widening in horror.
"NO!"

He awoke with a start to find Relena on her knees, in pain because of his tight grip on her wrist. "Relena! I'm sorry!" He released her…

Dorothy's Nightmare at the Hospital

She was there again. Back on Libra, watching as Millardo refused Treize's offer for a duel. Mr. Millardo couldn't possibly kill Mr. Treize. They were friends, they were the closest thing to family she'd had over the years. They couldn't kill one another. So why was Millardo announcing that he was going to fire upon Mr. Treize? And calling her a traitor? She watched as he took the place at the control panel, wishing to press the button himself, and something inside her snapped. Her father had died and she'd been too young to do anything about it. Her grandfather had died and she had merely watched it, trying to convince herself that it was okay because he'd died in battle.
She could not stand there and watch as Millardo killed her cousin. She lunged forward at him, trying to shove him away from the panel. "Mr. Millardo! You can't! No!" She struggled with him, trying to pull him away from the panel… And somewhere she realized something was wrong. In reality he had already pressed the button only to have Une save Treize, but now… Millardo was struggling with her and now he shoved her and she slammed against the panel, one hand flailing behind her as she winced at metal digging into her back…
And her hand fell on the button. She gasped and spun around, watching as the beam flew out toward TallGeese II, except… She knew, deep in her heart, she knew it was not Treize in that suit. "I didn't mean to! Father!" Before her eyes the beam hit her father's suit and exploded… Just as a voice called her name from somewhere above and she opened her eyes…

TIDBIT! : Crystal, the talkative nurse, is actually based on a real person at my school. She's a friend, she seriously talks non-stop. At times I wonder if she's truly human. She doesn't seem to need air!

Behind the Bombing

A figure dressed in black watched with cool eyes as the amateur placed the bomb under Dorothy's car, then struggled underneath Quatre Winner's to cut the man's gas line. Once finished, the figure darted away behind a hedge to watch when chaos erupted. The front door of the Catalonia manor opened and Midii watched as Dorothy and Quatre walked toward their cars.
She bit her lower lip, urging Dorothy to notice something. Anything! But Dorothy was climbing into her own car so she could move it out of Quatre's way, then Midii saw it. The Winner's nose twitched, then he was on the ground. He had found the cut gas line. She struggled to not run out there and throw her arms around the rich blonde as he yanked Dorothy out her car.
The two were thrown back during the explosion, but she could see that they were moving. Her eyes darted toward the amateur, but when she finally found him she groaned. He had stayed too close to the explosion and a piece of metal was lodged in his throat. Midii rolled her shoulders before setting to the dirty work of first removing the metal and then dragging him away.
Once far enough away that no one would hear, she pulled out her gun and shot him in the head. Une had given specific orders and Midii wasn't one to go against orders… Yet.

Officer Yuy and Officer Maxwell

Lady Une looked up from a sheaf of papers as Officer Heero Yuy and Officer Duo Maxwell entered her office. She couldn't quite keep the surprise off her face as she studied them. "May I help you?"
"We want to take the Winner Case." Duo grinned impishly at her, "We're the best for the job, after all, and Quatre is important. He needs the best of the best to be on this case."
Une bit the inside of her cheek. She didn't want them working on this case… It would mean she'd have to hide her tracks even more carefully. Yet, if she refused them it was sure to make Heero suspicious. He suspected everyone of everything till proven innocent, except Relena, of course. She smiled widely at the two, "You're positively correct, Maxwell. You and Officer Yuy are the now in control of the Winner Case. Good luck to the two of you."
Duo's eyes widened in surprise, then he flashed a cheeky grin. "That's great! I thought for sure that we'd have to convince you. Come on, Heero. We've got work!" The braided American winked at Une, "See ya, boss!" He walked out of the room, but Heero hesitated. The Japanese pilot eyed her for a second and Une stood.
"Of course, Officer Yuy, you are in charge of the investigation."
He nodded once then turned and walked out of her office. Une slumped into her chair. She hated this hiding, but many just wouldn't understand! Dorothy's death was necessary for the better good of the Preventers! It was!

TIDBIT! : Maca is an actual aphrodisiac herb that is being used now in some kind of pills. * shudders * I had to do research for this fic and typing in aphrodisiacs in a search engine brings up some truly traumatizing sites. * sniffs * I'll be going to a shrink for years now. ^_~

Lanetta and 'Jezebel Willow'

Midii parked near the Winner gates and climbed out of her black Jag, still a bit shaky over her conversation with Dorothy. She'd had to do it, though. She walked toward the house and went inside through a side door, stopping when Lanetta Green appeared before her.
The maid held a bottle of wine in one hand and led Midii to the kitchen. Neither said a word as they walked. Lanni was silent because she feared this strange woman named Jezebel Willow and Midii was silent because she was trying to see if there was some way for her to sabotage this plan… But there wasn't.
She pulled out a small plastic bag and handed it to the maid. "Place this is the wine bottle and shake it well. Then take the rest of the herbs and mash them. Rub their juices around the rim of the Duchess's cup." Midii knew Dorothy was vulnerable to the herb, but there was no reason not to be careful… And she had to be careful. That damn woman knew too much about her and no matter how much Midii owed Dorothy, she had to do this.
Lanni nodded, "I understand."
Midii eyed the maid. Lanni had been working for Une for years now and had come to work for Quatre to see if his feelings for the Duchess were real. She had been a spy for Une all these years and the poor Winner didn't even realize it. Midii shook her head and she turned around and walked out. She had nothing to do, but wait now… Wait to see if Lanni succeeded or failed. Wait till it was time to shoot the maid either way. After all, they couldn't have witnesses wandering about.

TIDBIT! : The scene of Dorothy remembering her father and dancing with the Moon was inspired by a fic by Lauren called My Weaknesses, it's on my webpg. It's a lovely piece of work and I advise everyone to go read it! Now! * shoo, shoo * ^_^

TIDBIT! : When Dorothy is dancing, who are the two people watching her? Well, Midii admits to being one and you can guess she's the one that disappears into the shadows so despairingly. But who's the second? Sadly, I can't reveal this since I'm thinking of writing a sequel to this and that is a major point in the sequel so far.

TIDBIT! : When Dorothy believes she is going insane she visits Sally Po for answers. After she leaves its revealed that Duo has heard every word through a secret passage. How did he get there if he was originally heading for coffee when he first sees Dorothy? Preventer HQ has a fake wall in the kitchen that moves to reveal a passageway that leads to five different locations. One is the place behind Sally's wall, another is to the underground lab. What are the other three locations it leads to? Well, they're not revealed in this fic.

Une Steals the drug, Une's Rose

"Lady Une!" The Preventer guard saluted as she walked past him and into the lab below Preventer grounds. This was a natural thing for her to do since everyone knew she was funding the research and liked to know what her money was going into. She walked across the silent lab, the doctors had left like most of the staff, and toward the large cooling chamber. She opened the door and stepped inside, her body stopping only when she stood before a tall shelf where five vials of Une's Rose rested.
Une removed three of the vials and carefully poured their contents into a larger container, which was placed gently into a padded suitcase. She took the now empty vials to a nearby table and smiled as she poured a mixture of chemicals into the vials till their color resembled Une's Rose strongly. She placed them next to the two real Une's Rose vials and closed the chamber door.
Carrying the suitcase gingerly, Une stepped out of the lab and watched the guard with a wondering eye. He began to fidget and she smiled. "How would you like to work on a very special case, Officer Robert?"

TIDBIT! : The book Dorothy is reading is A Crown of Swords page 712. It is part of The Wheel Of Time series by Robert Jordan, Great series. If you've ever read the book then read the page, then read the section with Dorothy and Quatre. You'll see what I mean if you do.

TIDBIT! : When Relena goes to meet Heero, she thinks about how Une helped her. The reason – Une wanted her and Heero to be distracted as Midii kidnapped Dorothy.

TIDBIT! : The scene when Midii and Quatre talk where Midii tells Dorothy's left. Midii truly believes that Dorothy is leaving to start a new life. And in a way she is correct. That night Dorothy died and became a new person… One that decided to finally confront her past and fears and future. Whether she'll ever truly run away is left unknown since the fic ends with only a hint of Dorothy and Quatre.

Extra Note: I rarely ever write fics that have other couples in the first stages of their relationships. So, forgive me, if the scenes between Heero & Relena, Sally & Wufei, and Duo & Hilde were too sappy or whatever. I've always enjoyed writing Dorothy more than any other character, which is obvious if you read my fics. However, I'm open to requests if anyone has any. I won't promise I'll agree to it, but ya never know! Ciao! *^_^*