***
Part VII
***
Dorothy watched Relena silently for a moment. "Miss. Relena?"
Relena looked over at her and then smiled slightly. "I was just trying to take in what you have told me so far. Where is Miriald staying by the way? I could offer him a room where I am at, there is plenty of room within the palace. I would be glad to take him in."
"He's staying with one of the other Preventers at the moment to keep his existence secret for the time being until they find just the right time to let it be known to the public." she said leaning back in her chair.
"Which Preventer? I understand the need for secrecy though, our family has enough press coverage as it is now.."
Dorothy nodded silently to the last half of the statement. 'And you putting your brother behind bars, so to speak, did not help it any.' "The Preventer was Shadow I believe.. Moon lives with Sun so could not take him in. As well as Shadow would not allow Heero to get near him and said as much. And he couldn't go with Mr. Milliardo due to where he lives currently."
"Shadow is that Maxwell character isn't he? I think my brother would be better off living with me in Sanc than with him."
Dorothy sighed softly at the animosity in Relena's voice. Sitting up, she reached down beside her for the small case she had brought with her. "Well, if he went to Sanc he would end up in the spotlight. Also I think he needs to adjust to being free and around others before going someplace big like that, that's also his birthplace. Plus if he returned at the moment the pressmen would take his accounting of events and twist them to get something dangerous to put in the news. As I have said Miriald and Mr. Milliardo are exact twins. It's not hard to see where they might think that King Peacecraft knew about both and tried to rid himself of the possible problem of which would be the heir to the throne. Although I doubt if he truly did know.. it had to be an advisor or some other behind the scenes player. I just cannot see him doing something so base.."
"Dorothy.. are you implying something? I won't listen to you insult my family." Relena said half standing from her seat, eyes narrowed watching her.
"I'm not implying anything, Miss. Relena. But let us put this behind us.. I have something here I need you to sign for me if you would be so kind." Dorothy stood as Relena relaxed slightly and sat back down behind her desk. She took out the sheaf of papers and then set it down on the desk.
"Since it seems that Milliardo was right, and that Mr. Treize is indeed alive. It's felt by both me and himself that he should no longer have to live within that institution that he's currently in. I've spoken with Lady Une and she agreed with me and has already signed the papers. All I need now is your signature, since it seems that there are standing orders that he's not to be released without both of the signatures on the forms." Dorothy sat back down and waited silently.
Relena glanced down at the papers and then frowned faintly before setting them aside with a small sigh. "I'm sorry, but I can't sign this release form. I am keeping my brother's best interests in mind, he needs to be in a place where he can escape the press and where he will possibly get over the fact that .." she paused for a moment and then continued. "that *man* is dead and is not coming back to him." She shook her head and sighed again.
Dorothy frowned faintly. "Relena.. you didn't listen to me. We found Treize. Your brother was right, he *is* alive. Mr. Milliardo is *not* deluded, nor is he crazed as you, yourself have sometimes implied."
"Dorothy, please. I will not sit here and listen to this.. I hear enough of it when I visit him. If you're finished, I do have a job to do."
Dorothy stood and picked up the papers silently and replaced them within the case. "Very well. Will you accept my invitation to come to my place for dinner tonight then? Or maybe I can come to yours? We can talk about your other brother if you like."
Relena glanced up at her. "I would be glad to come to dinner at your place. Will you let this nonsense about Milliardo and your cousin drop while I'm there?"
"Of course. I hope you don't mind, but I will be having other guests there as well as yourself."
Relena smiled slightly. "Good.. I don't mind at all. I look forward to it. What time?"
"8 o'clock, it will be casual of course." Dorothy then turned away and walked out of the office. Hailing a cab, she traveled back to her hotel and her rooms laying the case on her bed. With a small sigh she sat down in front of a small desk and dialed the Preventer's headquarters.
At 7 o' clock a black limo pulled in front of Dorothy's house. The driver got out and opened one of the side doors and a tall blonde stepped out, followed by a smaller young man with a chestnut braid that reached down past his waist. The driver closed the door afterwards and then left, pulling away from the house.
Dorothy stepped outside and welcomed both Miriald and Duo. Leading them inside she told both of them what she had planned on tonight during dinner. A half an hour later, Milliardo came and was also filled in. He agreed to it with slightly narrowed eyes.
Finally at eight, Dorothy greeted Relena and led her inside to the dining room where Miriald, Duo and Milliardo were already seated. They both sat down and dinner was placed on the table. Just as they were about to begin eating though the doorbell was rung. Dorothy stood up and left to answer it leaving the others alone.
Relena glanced over at Miriald, ignoring Duo who sat between the two Peacecrafts. "It must have been horrible to have lived through what I've heard.." she began.
Milliardo glanced over at Relena, lips parted slightly. Duo laid a hand on his arm and he glanced over at him to see Miriald sign. / I don't wish to speak of it. /
Relena nodded. "I understand. It must have been terrible, I don't blame you for not wanting to talk about it." She cast a glance at the hand that still laid on Milliardo's arm and disapproval seemed to radiate from that one glance and her demeanor.
Duo could feel the tenseness of the arm underneath his hand. He was almost certain that Milliardo was moments away from doing something regrettable. Thankfully though, Dorothy came back into the room and then spoke softly to the person that was behind her. She walked back over to her seat and sat down once again. He felt the arm under his hand relax suddenly and glanced over to see why. He smiled slightly as he watched Treize walk towards the seat that had been left beside Milliardo's.
The former general took one of Milliardo's hands in his and lightly kissed the back of it before sitting down. Duo withdrew his hand and turned his attention towards Relena and Dorothy again. Relena hadn't seemed to notice the new arrival. He glanced back at Treize and smiled at him, noting the haircut and the navy patch that now covered his right eye. He thought of something and grinned slightly. "So.. Treize, have you decided what you're going to do yet?"
Treize glanced over at him and sighed softly. " Most likely what was suggested. Paperwork, the behind the scenes would fit with what I want and need now." Treize gave a small silent glance at Relena before continuing. "Of course, once Milliardo leaves those estates and is able to live with Me.."
Relena sighed softly and shook her head. "Dorothy, I thought we had decided to put this matter to rest. Milliardo will not be leaving Meadows and that is all I have to say on the matter."
Dorothy glanced from Milliardo's dark expression, over Treize's slightly shocked one to give her complete attention to Relena. "I did not bring it up."
"Don't be such a sea-lawyer, I am not signing those papers. Even if he *did* come back from the grave I *still* wouldn't.."
"SILENCE!"
Duo jumped in his seat and then looked over towards Milliardo who had stood up and was now glaring down at Relena. Relena looked over at her brother and sighed. "Very well, I'll be happy to drop.."
"I said *shut up*."
Relena blinked once as if she didn't understand what was going on and opened her mouth to respond, only to close it due to the visible rage in the azure eyes. She nodded silently and turned her attention back to the plate in front of her. Milliardo glanced at Dorothy silently for a moment before speaking. His tone still held anger, but it wasn't as heated as before. " I am sorry, but I find I no longer have an appetite." He walked out of the room.
Duo glanced at Miriald silently and found him watching Relena intently. He lightly touched his arm to get his attention. Miriald glanced over at him and he lowered his voice. "If you want me to, I'll explain when we get home." A blonde eyebrow raised slightly and then he nodded turning his attention back to the plate before him.
Treize stood up then and gave his cousin a small slight bow before excusing himself and following Milliardo into the other room.
Relena glanced up then and smiled slightly as if the past several minutes had not occurred. "How would you like to see Sanc?" she asked Miriald.
Miriald glanced up at her and then set his fork down once again to answer. / Maybe after everything has settled down. /
Relena nodded. "Of course. Do you have a place to stay? I'd be happy to have you stay with me. We could get to know one another, make up for lost time."
Duo glanced at Dorothy. He could of sworn Dorothy had said that she had already answered this question. Dorothy just sighed softly and leaned back in her seat. He turned his attention to Miriald.
/ I do. I am staying with Duo. We could come to visit you during the holidays maybe./
Duo grinned and turned his attention towards Relena. Her smile had faded and there was obvious hostility in her gaze towards him. 'What is her problem..?' He looked away from her turning his attention back to the meal that had gone mostly untouched so far. He felt a light touch on his arm and glanced over at the older man beside him.
/ Don't mind her, it doesn't matter what she thinks of it, I *am* going to continue to stay with *you* /
That brought another grin and he winked silently at him before returning his attention to his plate. The sound of a chair being scooted back got his attention and he glanced up to see Relena was now standing and glancing at Dorothy. "If you will please excuse me, I'd like to use your phone." Dorothy seemed to consider and then nodded. Relena turned and then walked out of the room.
Duo watched the doorway for a moment. "Sure that was wise? You know the strings she likes to pull, especially when she doesn't get her way about something."
Dorothy looked over at him. "I have a few of my own, should she try anything involving Miriald. I am sorry for this evening. I thought that *maybe* if I could get her in the same room with Treize, she would *have* to acknowledge the fact that he *is* alive. I never realized she could be so stubborn and blind when she choose to be."
Duo rolled his eyes and sat back in his chair. "Hell I knew that, but I would just *love* to know just *what* is her problem with me. I haven't done anything *to* her.. sure I crack a few jokes, but that doesn't deserve the dirty looks she gives me."
"I don't know. Maybe she considers you the reason she can't get to Heero?"
Duo shook his head and sighed. "Heero isn't near interested in me. You want Wu-man. Heero hardly says two words to me anymore.. no make that three. Anyway, what we going to do about Milliardo? Before you came in here with Treize, he was ready to snap. Her statements afterwards just served to push him over that edge. Personally, I think she *is* trying to drive him crazy."
/ What good would that serve? And why can't he leave where he's at? /
Dorothy sighed. "Well, it would give her an excuse to have him retired from the Preventers, thus cutting him off from the outside world. Actually, now that I'm thinking of it, she might be feeling some anger maybe towards him as well for stepping out of the succession. He would *officially* be the King of Sanc if he hadn't refused her publicly like he did. Of course, she might be looking at placing you in that spot, but that wouldn't be very wise because.. well you know what I mean."
Miriald nodded and then signed his second question again. /Why can't he leave that place?/
"Well, she somehow gathered some kind of proof that Mr. Milliardo was in need of a place that could keep him out of the media's spotlight, basically it meant that he couldn't take care of himself. She added to it by saying he was deluded in that he thought Treize was alive. She seemed to have conveniently forgotten that Miss. Noin held the same conviction about Mr. Milliardo after the war. She convinced Lady Une to help her and together they forced him into those estates."
/ The way you say estates, does not sound good. She said something about Meadows.. would that be the name of the estates?/
Dorothy nodded. "The place is a collection of rather nice houses, surrounded by a high brick wall and the gate is monitored by a guard 24 hours a day, all week. In some houses they monitor the people within, but fortunately that isn't the case. Mr. Milliardo just can not leave unless it is for Preventer business, or of course, I pull what few strings I have to get him out for a couple hours."
Miriald shuddered slightly. / It sounds too much like that other place, couldn't he get out without her signing whatever papers she was speaking of?/
"I tried that, and apparently she set up specific orders that he is *not* to be released unless she has signed the paperwork. Lady Une already signed and tried to help me get him out, but it didn't work."
"Hell, couldn't someone just bust him out of there?" Duo said as he turned his chair to face both Miriald and Dorothy.
Dorothy smiled slightly. "He would be searched for and then put back in, and placed under heavier surveillance. Also they might end up forcing him to retire early from the Preventers."
/ What if he wasn't found?/
"They wouldn't be able to put him back in of course, but he couldn't continue to work as a Preventer if he was brought out that way. Maybe if we were sure of everyone in the Preventer's HQ, he could work behind the scenes with Treize."
Duo grinned at the plan. "Sounds good to me, now we just need to talk to him and work out the bugs, since I think its plain to see, he's not going to get out any other way."
"Sadly, I think your right. Very well.. I'll speak with Lady Une tomorrow about it and see who we can trust with this." Dorothy then placed one finger in front of her lips and glanced towards the doorway. The door opened and Relena walked back inside.
"My ride home is here now, so we'll be leaving now." she said glancing once at Dorothy before turning her attention to Miriald.
"Good night then. Hopefully the trip home will be uneventful." Dorothy said rising from her seat. "Would you like me to walk you to the door?"
Relena smiled and nodded. "Yes, you can walk us to the door, if you wish."
Duo glanced between Relena and Dorothy. "Us?"
Relena glanced briefly at him before looking back at Miriald. "Yes, Miriald is leaving with me."
Duo saw Miriald tense up at her words. / I *told* you I did *not* wish to go with you. I am *staying* with Duo./
Relena narrowed her eyes briefly before sighing. " You should be with family, not strangers. Besides I'm not going back to Sanc yet, so that's not a problem yet. We'll go as you've said, when things die down."
/ I am *not* going *period*. Duo is *not* a stranger, he is my *friend*, and I *will* continue to live *with* him./
"Fine. I'll speak to you again in a couple of days then, brother. Take care." She turned and walked out of the room again. Dorothy sighed and followed her out.
Part VII
***
Dorothy watched Relena silently for a moment. "Miss. Relena?"
Relena looked over at her and then smiled slightly. "I was just trying to take in what you have told me so far. Where is Miriald staying by the way? I could offer him a room where I am at, there is plenty of room within the palace. I would be glad to take him in."
"He's staying with one of the other Preventers at the moment to keep his existence secret for the time being until they find just the right time to let it be known to the public." she said leaning back in her chair.
"Which Preventer? I understand the need for secrecy though, our family has enough press coverage as it is now.."
Dorothy nodded silently to the last half of the statement. 'And you putting your brother behind bars, so to speak, did not help it any.' "The Preventer was Shadow I believe.. Moon lives with Sun so could not take him in. As well as Shadow would not allow Heero to get near him and said as much. And he couldn't go with Mr. Milliardo due to where he lives currently."
"Shadow is that Maxwell character isn't he? I think my brother would be better off living with me in Sanc than with him."
Dorothy sighed softly at the animosity in Relena's voice. Sitting up, she reached down beside her for the small case she had brought with her. "Well, if he went to Sanc he would end up in the spotlight. Also I think he needs to adjust to being free and around others before going someplace big like that, that's also his birthplace. Plus if he returned at the moment the pressmen would take his accounting of events and twist them to get something dangerous to put in the news. As I have said Miriald and Mr. Milliardo are exact twins. It's not hard to see where they might think that King Peacecraft knew about both and tried to rid himself of the possible problem of which would be the heir to the throne. Although I doubt if he truly did know.. it had to be an advisor or some other behind the scenes player. I just cannot see him doing something so base.."
"Dorothy.. are you implying something? I won't listen to you insult my family." Relena said half standing from her seat, eyes narrowed watching her.
"I'm not implying anything, Miss. Relena. But let us put this behind us.. I have something here I need you to sign for me if you would be so kind." Dorothy stood as Relena relaxed slightly and sat back down behind her desk. She took out the sheaf of papers and then set it down on the desk.
"Since it seems that Milliardo was right, and that Mr. Treize is indeed alive. It's felt by both me and himself that he should no longer have to live within that institution that he's currently in. I've spoken with Lady Une and she agreed with me and has already signed the papers. All I need now is your signature, since it seems that there are standing orders that he's not to be released without both of the signatures on the forms." Dorothy sat back down and waited silently.
Relena glanced down at the papers and then frowned faintly before setting them aside with a small sigh. "I'm sorry, but I can't sign this release form. I am keeping my brother's best interests in mind, he needs to be in a place where he can escape the press and where he will possibly get over the fact that .." she paused for a moment and then continued. "that *man* is dead and is not coming back to him." She shook her head and sighed again.
Dorothy frowned faintly. "Relena.. you didn't listen to me. We found Treize. Your brother was right, he *is* alive. Mr. Milliardo is *not* deluded, nor is he crazed as you, yourself have sometimes implied."
"Dorothy, please. I will not sit here and listen to this.. I hear enough of it when I visit him. If you're finished, I do have a job to do."
Dorothy stood and picked up the papers silently and replaced them within the case. "Very well. Will you accept my invitation to come to my place for dinner tonight then? Or maybe I can come to yours? We can talk about your other brother if you like."
Relena glanced up at her. "I would be glad to come to dinner at your place. Will you let this nonsense about Milliardo and your cousin drop while I'm there?"
"Of course. I hope you don't mind, but I will be having other guests there as well as yourself."
Relena smiled slightly. "Good.. I don't mind at all. I look forward to it. What time?"
"8 o'clock, it will be casual of course." Dorothy then turned away and walked out of the office. Hailing a cab, she traveled back to her hotel and her rooms laying the case on her bed. With a small sigh she sat down in front of a small desk and dialed the Preventer's headquarters.
At 7 o' clock a black limo pulled in front of Dorothy's house. The driver got out and opened one of the side doors and a tall blonde stepped out, followed by a smaller young man with a chestnut braid that reached down past his waist. The driver closed the door afterwards and then left, pulling away from the house.
Dorothy stepped outside and welcomed both Miriald and Duo. Leading them inside she told both of them what she had planned on tonight during dinner. A half an hour later, Milliardo came and was also filled in. He agreed to it with slightly narrowed eyes.
Finally at eight, Dorothy greeted Relena and led her inside to the dining room where Miriald, Duo and Milliardo were already seated. They both sat down and dinner was placed on the table. Just as they were about to begin eating though the doorbell was rung. Dorothy stood up and left to answer it leaving the others alone.
Relena glanced over at Miriald, ignoring Duo who sat between the two Peacecrafts. "It must have been horrible to have lived through what I've heard.." she began.
Milliardo glanced over at Relena, lips parted slightly. Duo laid a hand on his arm and he glanced over at him to see Miriald sign. / I don't wish to speak of it. /
Relena nodded. "I understand. It must have been terrible, I don't blame you for not wanting to talk about it." She cast a glance at the hand that still laid on Milliardo's arm and disapproval seemed to radiate from that one glance and her demeanor.
Duo could feel the tenseness of the arm underneath his hand. He was almost certain that Milliardo was moments away from doing something regrettable. Thankfully though, Dorothy came back into the room and then spoke softly to the person that was behind her. She walked back over to her seat and sat down once again. He felt the arm under his hand relax suddenly and glanced over to see why. He smiled slightly as he watched Treize walk towards the seat that had been left beside Milliardo's.
The former general took one of Milliardo's hands in his and lightly kissed the back of it before sitting down. Duo withdrew his hand and turned his attention towards Relena and Dorothy again. Relena hadn't seemed to notice the new arrival. He glanced back at Treize and smiled at him, noting the haircut and the navy patch that now covered his right eye. He thought of something and grinned slightly. "So.. Treize, have you decided what you're going to do yet?"
Treize glanced over at him and sighed softly. " Most likely what was suggested. Paperwork, the behind the scenes would fit with what I want and need now." Treize gave a small silent glance at Relena before continuing. "Of course, once Milliardo leaves those estates and is able to live with Me.."
Relena sighed softly and shook her head. "Dorothy, I thought we had decided to put this matter to rest. Milliardo will not be leaving Meadows and that is all I have to say on the matter."
Dorothy glanced from Milliardo's dark expression, over Treize's slightly shocked one to give her complete attention to Relena. "I did not bring it up."
"Don't be such a sea-lawyer, I am not signing those papers. Even if he *did* come back from the grave I *still* wouldn't.."
"SILENCE!"
Duo jumped in his seat and then looked over towards Milliardo who had stood up and was now glaring down at Relena. Relena looked over at her brother and sighed. "Very well, I'll be happy to drop.."
"I said *shut up*."
Relena blinked once as if she didn't understand what was going on and opened her mouth to respond, only to close it due to the visible rage in the azure eyes. She nodded silently and turned her attention back to the plate in front of her. Milliardo glanced at Dorothy silently for a moment before speaking. His tone still held anger, but it wasn't as heated as before. " I am sorry, but I find I no longer have an appetite." He walked out of the room.
Duo glanced at Miriald silently and found him watching Relena intently. He lightly touched his arm to get his attention. Miriald glanced over at him and he lowered his voice. "If you want me to, I'll explain when we get home." A blonde eyebrow raised slightly and then he nodded turning his attention back to the plate before him.
Treize stood up then and gave his cousin a small slight bow before excusing himself and following Milliardo into the other room.
Relena glanced up then and smiled slightly as if the past several minutes had not occurred. "How would you like to see Sanc?" she asked Miriald.
Miriald glanced up at her and then set his fork down once again to answer. / Maybe after everything has settled down. /
Relena nodded. "Of course. Do you have a place to stay? I'd be happy to have you stay with me. We could get to know one another, make up for lost time."
Duo glanced at Dorothy. He could of sworn Dorothy had said that she had already answered this question. Dorothy just sighed softly and leaned back in her seat. He turned his attention to Miriald.
/ I do. I am staying with Duo. We could come to visit you during the holidays maybe./
Duo grinned and turned his attention towards Relena. Her smile had faded and there was obvious hostility in her gaze towards him. 'What is her problem..?' He looked away from her turning his attention back to the meal that had gone mostly untouched so far. He felt a light touch on his arm and glanced over at the older man beside him.
/ Don't mind her, it doesn't matter what she thinks of it, I *am* going to continue to stay with *you* /
That brought another grin and he winked silently at him before returning his attention to his plate. The sound of a chair being scooted back got his attention and he glanced up to see Relena was now standing and glancing at Dorothy. "If you will please excuse me, I'd like to use your phone." Dorothy seemed to consider and then nodded. Relena turned and then walked out of the room.
Duo watched the doorway for a moment. "Sure that was wise? You know the strings she likes to pull, especially when she doesn't get her way about something."
Dorothy looked over at him. "I have a few of my own, should she try anything involving Miriald. I am sorry for this evening. I thought that *maybe* if I could get her in the same room with Treize, she would *have* to acknowledge the fact that he *is* alive. I never realized she could be so stubborn and blind when she choose to be."
Duo rolled his eyes and sat back in his chair. "Hell I knew that, but I would just *love* to know just *what* is her problem with me. I haven't done anything *to* her.. sure I crack a few jokes, but that doesn't deserve the dirty looks she gives me."
"I don't know. Maybe she considers you the reason she can't get to Heero?"
Duo shook his head and sighed. "Heero isn't near interested in me. You want Wu-man. Heero hardly says two words to me anymore.. no make that three. Anyway, what we going to do about Milliardo? Before you came in here with Treize, he was ready to snap. Her statements afterwards just served to push him over that edge. Personally, I think she *is* trying to drive him crazy."
/ What good would that serve? And why can't he leave where he's at? /
Dorothy sighed. "Well, it would give her an excuse to have him retired from the Preventers, thus cutting him off from the outside world. Actually, now that I'm thinking of it, she might be feeling some anger maybe towards him as well for stepping out of the succession. He would *officially* be the King of Sanc if he hadn't refused her publicly like he did. Of course, she might be looking at placing you in that spot, but that wouldn't be very wise because.. well you know what I mean."
Miriald nodded and then signed his second question again. /Why can't he leave that place?/
"Well, she somehow gathered some kind of proof that Mr. Milliardo was in need of a place that could keep him out of the media's spotlight, basically it meant that he couldn't take care of himself. She added to it by saying he was deluded in that he thought Treize was alive. She seemed to have conveniently forgotten that Miss. Noin held the same conviction about Mr. Milliardo after the war. She convinced Lady Une to help her and together they forced him into those estates."
/ The way you say estates, does not sound good. She said something about Meadows.. would that be the name of the estates?/
Dorothy nodded. "The place is a collection of rather nice houses, surrounded by a high brick wall and the gate is monitored by a guard 24 hours a day, all week. In some houses they monitor the people within, but fortunately that isn't the case. Mr. Milliardo just can not leave unless it is for Preventer business, or of course, I pull what few strings I have to get him out for a couple hours."
Miriald shuddered slightly. / It sounds too much like that other place, couldn't he get out without her signing whatever papers she was speaking of?/
"I tried that, and apparently she set up specific orders that he is *not* to be released unless she has signed the paperwork. Lady Une already signed and tried to help me get him out, but it didn't work."
"Hell, couldn't someone just bust him out of there?" Duo said as he turned his chair to face both Miriald and Dorothy.
Dorothy smiled slightly. "He would be searched for and then put back in, and placed under heavier surveillance. Also they might end up forcing him to retire early from the Preventers."
/ What if he wasn't found?/
"They wouldn't be able to put him back in of course, but he couldn't continue to work as a Preventer if he was brought out that way. Maybe if we were sure of everyone in the Preventer's HQ, he could work behind the scenes with Treize."
Duo grinned at the plan. "Sounds good to me, now we just need to talk to him and work out the bugs, since I think its plain to see, he's not going to get out any other way."
"Sadly, I think your right. Very well.. I'll speak with Lady Une tomorrow about it and see who we can trust with this." Dorothy then placed one finger in front of her lips and glanced towards the doorway. The door opened and Relena walked back inside.
"My ride home is here now, so we'll be leaving now." she said glancing once at Dorothy before turning her attention to Miriald.
"Good night then. Hopefully the trip home will be uneventful." Dorothy said rising from her seat. "Would you like me to walk you to the door?"
Relena smiled and nodded. "Yes, you can walk us to the door, if you wish."
Duo glanced between Relena and Dorothy. "Us?"
Relena glanced briefly at him before looking back at Miriald. "Yes, Miriald is leaving with me."
Duo saw Miriald tense up at her words. / I *told* you I did *not* wish to go with you. I am *staying* with Duo./
Relena narrowed her eyes briefly before sighing. " You should be with family, not strangers. Besides I'm not going back to Sanc yet, so that's not a problem yet. We'll go as you've said, when things die down."
/ I am *not* going *period*. Duo is *not* a stranger, he is my *friend*, and I *will* continue to live *with* him./
"Fine. I'll speak to you again in a couple of days then, brother. Take care." She turned and walked out of the room again. Dorothy sighed and followed her out.