Canta Per Me
Episode Eight: A Day at the Park
Disclaimer: I don't own a lot of things. I don't own Noir and Gundam Wing. I get no money for this…
Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews. ^_^ I think this fic is doing just as well as Regretting Nothing, if not better. I like this one better anyway. As you know, big brother has made the scene, increasing the chances of Noir getting caught, but we're not even halfway through the story yet. The story is more twisted as I go forward, and I'm glad there aren't any lags in this one like the others. Every scene is important to the story, and I like the flow very much. This part is to give yet more dimension to the characters. You get to see more of Meia's development, and how Relena acts outside of her Noir mode for a little while. You still see traces of what she was as Relena in the series, but it's very small and lasts for only a moment. We're in Paris for the whole thing.
* * * * * *
"NOIR.
The word
designates the name of destiny from a distant time.
The two Virgo
reign over death.
May the Black
hands over the green field…
Please protect the newly born peace."
- opening from the anime, Noir.
Paris, France
Relena was surprised to hear from Noin after so long, and to top it off, Noin asked to meet her at a bistro for lunch. Relena reluctantly accepted after much thought and consideration. She wondered what Noin wanted because Noin and she had not spoke to each other for almost a year. Her instincts told her to be suspicious of Noin. They had just returned from Italy three days prior, and Relena still had a bandage on her right hand, except it was smaller than the earlier one. Meia was watching people roam the streets below as she did often. It was like she was watching the world from the outside looking in. Relena shook her head and decided to do something about it.
"Why don't you go out and join the people down there?" asked Relena.
"Eh?" said Meia.
"The world outside is best enjoyed with others," said Relena softly.
"I suppose so," said Meia as she looked at Relena. She really didn't need Relena's permission to do anything, but she sought her approval. Relena nodded giving it to her.
"Walk with me until the park. I have to meet someone for lunch today," said Relena handing Meia her coat. They put on their coats and set out for the day. Meia looked around with observant eyes at everything around her. 'Perhaps, I should take her to the Louver one day or the Eiffel Tower,' thought Relena as she watched Meia. Meia stopped at an art shop window looking at something. Relena stopped when she noticed that Meia was no longer walking with her to the park, so she doubled back. "What are you looking at?" she asked. Meia pointed to an object in the window display. "Sketch Book," Relena read. Meia continued to look at it. "Do you want that?" asked Relena, and Meia looked at her and nodded slightly.
"Hmm…let's buy it before I'm late for my meeting," said Relena as she entered the shop with Meia following her closely behind. They bought Meia a sketch book with some other supplies to draw with and some paint. They separated with a wave, and Meia made her way to the park to see what she could draw. Meia walked and walked until she came to the embankment near a little pond. She sat down the ground and began to paint without sketching with the pencil first. A shadow cast over her when she turned, she found a tall mall with dark hair and a cigarette in his mouth holding a sketch book and a small bag of supplies in his right hand.
"Most people draw with the pencil first, and then paint," said the man.
"Oh," said Meia as she looked down at her painting.
"It's alright as long as you draw what you like. It will be beautiful," said the man as he walked off to a spot under the shade of a tree. Meia looked at her painting again and picked up the brush to paint some more.
* * *
Noin sat at the table in the bistro waiting for Relena to come. She knew that nearby Zechs was watching them because he was the one who wanted them to have lunch. He wanted to see his sister, and Noin couldn't say no to his request as always. Noin tried not to look towards where Zechs was, so she looked down at the table until Relena came. Relena was dressed in black pants, a while collared long sleeve shirt, light tan suede jacket, and had a part of brown leather ankle boots. Her honey blonde hair was in a hap hazard bun, but it was very fetching on her.
"I'm here to meet someone one, the reservation is under Noin," said Relena at the front.
"Relena!" called out Noin happily. Relena walked over to the table with a smile, and Noin hugged her.
"How are you?" asked Relena who still thought of Noin as a sister even after all the years that had past.
"I'm fine. I'm happy to see, Relena. Tell me what have you been up to since I've see you last?" said Noin as they both took a seat.
"I've been working mostly and doing some traveling for work. I just came back from a business trip in New York City," said Relena.
"You've been working so hard that you can't make any time for your friends," said Noin cautiously.
"What friends are those?" asked Relena.
"The Preventers, you know, Heero, Duo, Trowa, Quatre, and even Wufei. I knew that you went to the party for Duo and Hilde. Are you going to the wedding, even though the invitations aren't out yet?" asked Noin.
"I afraid that I'm over booked with work. I'll have to tell them ahead of time, so that they won't waste anything. I know how expensive formal invitations are. I'll send them a gift, of course," said Relena quietly.
"I see…" said Noin as she noticed the bandage around Relena's right palm. "What happened to your hand?" she asked.
"I cut myself when I was cutting something for dinner," lied Relena.
"You should be more careful Relena," said Noin.
"Why did you arrange this meeting, Noin?" asked Relena after a moment of silence.
"What do you mean, Relena?" Noin asked back.
"This meeting. I know that you were probably told to by someone. Who? Lady Une? Heero? One of the other Gundam Pilots? Maybe someone else? It doesn't matter. I don't care," said Relena as her tone changed to something cold and challenging.
"I just wanted to meet with you because I haven't seen you in a while. I think your brother would have wanted me to," said Noin in a calm voice, but she hid her sudden alarm at Relena's change in mood. However, Noin couldn't blame her.
"Never mind him. I don't appreciate anyone prying into my business these day, Noin. Everyone thinks I can't take care of myself. I can and I have for the past four years away from everyone else. I deserve to have some peace. How can have that if I'm not allowed forget about the things that's happened? How can I live my life, if I'm not allowed to do so under my own will? I am sick and tired of people asking me if I'm fine," said Relena in an increasingly agitated tone.
"Relena, I'm sorry about that. I suppose we still look out for you like family," said Noin in a tone that she would hope would calm her down.
"Don't talk to me about family, Noin. You're the one who never visits my brother's grave," said Relena in a cold tone. Noin felt her mouth go dry, and how could she answer her? Noin wanted to look for where Zechs was. He was sitting across the street in a small café watching and listening to everything. He never thought that Relena would stand up for him like because she was always calling for Heero when she was younger.
"Relena…the next time you visit your brother's grave. Give me the flowers instead," said Noin softly.
"You make your peace your way, and I'll make mine my way," said Relena as she stood up from the table and left the bistro.
* * *
Three days had passed by since Relena's lunch with Noin. Relena didn't really mean to explode like that, but she wanted everyone off her back. It was bad enough that they were almost inferring with the contracts that Noir had to carry out. Meia at the park again, so that left Relena to her own devices. She decided to do some shopping because she hadn't done that in a while. She looked around the shops and went for a haircut.
"I heard that you did the job in St. Tropes," said Petra, her stylish. She was an old operative who worked for the Alliance many years before and after Operation Meteor; she was one of the few people who knew what Relena did for a living. She was also one of the few people who could provide Relena with information when she needed it.
"It's no big deal," said Relena. She always had a private appointment with Petra, so the shop was empty, but they both knew that the wall could have ears; they were always careful about the way they talked.
"I have some information for you," said Petra as she cut Relena's hair. Relena preferred to keep her hair in a short length sleek style, and her bangs had grown out, so she didn't look like a little girl anymore. It was a recommendation from Petra.
"What?" asked Relena.
"Remember the contract in near Lake Victoria in Africa?" asked Petra. Relena's brain processed to retrieve the information. In African, she had taken out a band of smugglers when she was just working by herself.
"Yes, what about that job?" asked Relena.
"Javier is in Paris. He's out for blood because of what happen. He wants Noir's blood," said Petra. Relena wasn't the slightest bit disturbed by that piece of information because things like that were bound to happen. The job in Africa was sloppy, and Javier was the second in command who had ran out before Relena could take him. She didn't accept the money from that contract.
"I'll look into it. Keep an eye and an ear open for me, Petra. Thanks for the cut," said Relena as she paid Petra for her services and left. Relena had to pick up what she was going to cook for dinner, and on the way back Relena saw Meia in the park talking to the man. She stopped for a moment to watch them, and then continued to the apartment.
"You have very good skill," said the man to Meia.
"Thank you," said Meia. The man got up from where was and said, "Goodbye. I'll see you later," Meia sat there a little longer, but then she noticed that he had left his old coat behind, and when she picked it up, something fell out of it. It was a military metal. Meia looked it, but put it back into the pocket. She ran to catch up with the man.
"Wait! You forgot your coat," called Meia. The man turned around.
"I thought it felt a little drifty," he said with a smile. They were standing in front of the art supply store. The man turned to look at a painting that was a small one the size of a postcard.
"It's beautiful," said Meia with awe; it was a picture of Paris in a sunset. It look so real like a photograph, but with more depth.
"It's done by the owner of the shop. See? It's always sold out. He should make more," said the man.
"Goodbye," said Meia.
"Goodbye," said the man.
Later on,
Meia made it home and greeted Relena, "I'm home, Lena!" she called. Relena was fixing dinner and the billiard
table was set for dinner. They sat down
to have some chowder with crusty bread that Relena had toasted for them.
"Do you see that man in the park that often?" asked Relena.
"I've seen everyday since I've started going there," answered Meia.
"What's his name?" asked Relena.
"I don't know," answered Meia.
"You shouldn't see him anymore. It's not safe for you do so," said Relena quietly.
"Eh?" said Meia.
Relena didn't say anything else, and Meia didn't ask why she shouldn't see the man at the park anymore.
* * *
Zechs couldn't believe the reaction he saw at the bistro. How could Relena behave so rudely towards Noin? She seemed different now, and she wasn't the little girl he thought that she still was.
"You know Zechs, she's become more and more like you," said Noin with a slight smirk. She took it in stride because she was use to dealing with the Peacecraft.
"There's something wrong with her. It's like she's hiding something. I don't like it," said Zechs. Noin took his hand, and they looked at each other.
* * *
Javier wanted to know where Noir was. He knew that Noir was a female assassin, at least the latest incarnation of Noir. He wanted to take her down for the indignity he had suffered in Africa. The leader of the smuggling ring was like his brother, and it was a crime that couldn't go unpunished.
"Do you know where Noir is?" Javier asked his driver.
"She's somewhere in Paris," said the driver.
"That's not a good enough answer," said Javier in a hiss.
"We'll find her," reassured the driver.
"You'd better. She owes us blood," said Javier.
* * *
Relena and Meia were sitting together at a restaurant during for dinner. Relena was well aware of the fact that there was someone watching them from another part of the restaurant. There was no need to do anything for the time being as they had the after dinner coffee. Someone else had spotted them from across the restaurant, and soon a group of people came to their table.
"Hey, Relena," said Duo when he greeted them at their table. Relena saw Hilde, Trowa, and Quatre with him.
"Hello Duo," said Relena in a good effort to remain calm. She knew that the other person who was watching them would know who they were, and she had to get rid of Hilde, Trowa, Quatre, and Duo before Meia and she could do anything about him.
"Who is this?" asked Quatre.
"This is my assistant, Meia Krane," said Relena, and Meia nodded to the group.
"Your assistant? It's a pleasure to meet you, Meia. And here I thought you were working alone the entire time," said Duo.
"Aren't you a little young to be an assistant business analyst?" asked Quatre.
"No," said Meia.
"Duo, you said that we could get some ice cream. I'm sorry Relena, but I have these cravings," said Hilde as she looked at Relena.
"I understand. We still have some plans to discuss. I'll see you around," said Relena with a smile. They said their goodbyes and left the restaurant. Relena remembered that there was still something she wanted to say to Meia, "Are you still seeing that man in the park?"
"Yes."
"Stop it,"
"Why?"
"It would be better if you would. That's all I'm saying," said Relena as she took out her compact under the pretense of looking at face, but she used the mirror to see if the person who was following them was still there.
"Is he still there?" asked Meia. Relena nodded, and they got up and left the restaurant. They walked down the park on the way home well aware of the fact that now there was more than one man following them. They stopped at a large fountain, and then took off running in separate directions as they drew their guns. Relena saw a man, shot the hand which held the gun, and then shot him in the chest. She took off running again looking for more of them because they knew who they were.
Two men walked near the big fountain looking for Meia, suddenly two shots rang out, and the men were dead. Behind, the running water of the fountain, she saw them and took them out. Relena shot two more men, and she saw Javier and took off after him. Javier ran even though he had a gun to shot her with. "You're a damn coward. Just like in Africa. That's how you stay alive!" shouted Relena as she continued her pursuit. Two men were shot from behind by Meia. The only one left was Javier. Relena was about to catch up with him, and Meia was nearby when a car sped in and nearly ran over Relena. She tumbled back and was safe.
"Get in!" shouted Javier's driver. He got in the car quickly. Relena got up to join Meia who was firing her gun at the car as it sped away. They realized it was too late to stop them, so they lowered their guns and gazed at each other.
"I heard that they weren't too shabby, but I didn't think they were that good," said the driver.
"I will kill them," said Javier with a sneer.
* * *
The next day, while Relena was working, Meia decided to go to the park to do some painting and drawing. She found her friend at the park, and they painted until sundown. They walked together until the corner and separated. Meia continued walking until the art supply store and saw something at the window. The painting that he talked about was actually in stock. She ran into the store and bought it for her friend. She had to give it to him, so she took of after him. A car pulled out of the corner and followed her slowly.
The man turned around to see Meia running towards him. The window in the car lowered to reveal a machine gun. A round of shots were fired. Meia turned around just in time to tumble to a shaded area and take out her gun. The car sped off after that, but Meia saw Javier's face as he lowered the gun. When she turned around, she found her friend on the ground with his art supplies scattered. There were bullets in him. Meia's eyes widened, and she rushed to his side.
He coughed up blood as Meia cradled him in her arms. She had her gun out, and he saw it. He looked at her, and Meia felt suddenly ashamed for having it. "It's okay. I understand. I always thought that I would die like this…I killed people during the war with guns, and I got a medal for being so good at. This is divine justice…at least I know I was forgiven for what I've done. Otherwise I would have died alone," he whispered. Meia looked at him with sad eyes, but there were no tears in them. He died on the street with Meia holding him in her arms.
* * *
Later on that evening, Meia and Relena were near the large fountain in the park waiting for a phone call. Meia washed her hands in the running water to get ready. Finally, Relena's portable went off, and she answered, "Yes…thanks, Petra. Put it on my next haircut bill," and she hung up. Meia turned around to look at her. "He's at a run down place in the East of Paris," said Relena. They left for Javier's place.
* * *
Heero Yuy was still in London working on something. There came reports from Italy that the head of the Mafia had been taken out recently, and the assassination of two of the Mafia's upper elite members. He frowned as he looked at the files on his table. Even though, Lady Une told him to stop investigating the Perkins' case, he still had a copy of the file. Along with that, he had file on the terrorist group in the Middle East. He suspected that they were done by one group or person. It was difficult to tell because the Mafia hits were different from the others. There were just three bodies found in Sicily as well as the leader of the Mafia. Whomever did the hits was highly trained and skilled. Heero felt he had the best chance of catching the assassin or rather the assassins because he was one himself.
* * *
Javier was playing poker with three of his men, including his driver, at a run down building in the east of the city of Paris. He suddenly heard the sound of the lookouts scrambling followed by gunshots. "Noir!" shouted one of the men at the table. Javier nodded and two of the men, except for the driver, left to go look for Relena and Meia.
Relena saw one of the men, and it was obvious that he was afraid of her. He fired his gun straight at her, but his hands were so shaky that none of the bullets touched her. He ran out of bullets and nearly tripped over another body on the carpeted floor. He saw a gun in the dead man's hand and attempted to get it, but Relena shot him before he could. Meia shot the other man without any hesitation. There were two ways to get out of the room that Javier and his driver were in because there was a bathroom joined the room with another.
Relena shot through the door, but Javier took off running out of the room when she hit his driver. She slowly opened the door to avoid any gunfire. The driver was on the floor bleeding to death. His hand reached over to his gun that was laying on the floor nearby, but he was in great pain. Relena looked in him in the eye, and he looked back at her as she shot him.
Javier went down the stairs to get out of the building as quickly as possible. When he turned the corner to go down another flight of stairs, he met Meia on the last flight of stairs. He didn't hear her because the stairs were carpeted, but she could hear him breathing like a wild animal in terror. He saw Meia standing there waiting for him. She raised her gun at him, but didn't fire it. Javier smirk because he didn't think she was going to fire, but when he raised his gun, she fired. He fell on the carpet in a silent heap.
Relena came down the stairs and jumped over Javier's body. They stepped over one more body before they left the scene. When they got outside, Relena simply said, "Let's go home."
* * *
Meia was sitting in front of the window again looking outside. She didn't feel like painting because her sketch book and art supplies got destroyed during the attack. On a small table next to the window, Meia had the picture of Paris in sundown, a military medal, and the pocket watch. Relena was sitting at the billiard table doing some work, but she couldn't concentrate because of her. Meia was quiet, but there was a palpable sadness emitting from her. Relena could feel it, so she got up abruptly from the table.
"I told you to stop, but you wouldn't listen to me! That's why I told you to stop!" spat Relena angrily as she stalked out of the room. Meia never turned around to see Relena when she first stood up. Relena's gait changed to a stagger when she reached the entrance of the small kitchen. She leaned against the entryway, placing her arms around her chest, and letting her hair obscure her face, she stammered: "That's why…that's why…" Her body trembled slightly as she tried to calm back down.
In their line of work, it was best not to get attached to anyone.
Next Episode, Episode Nine: The Black Jungle of Death