Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing or anything for that matter. I make no $$$ off of my stories, I write them for pure enjoyment.

Chapter 3

8 months later . . .

Zechs sat behind the Tudor style desk in his study. Numerous papers, stacked into neat piles flanked him on either side. He felt like he was fighting a never-ending war with the paperwork. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't concentrate on his work. Hell, he couldn't eat or sleep either. Every time he closed his eyes, or had a spare minute, he would think back to the day he found his sister dead.

It had been 8 months since they had buried her, but the ghosts of that morning still walked the halls of the mansion.

Since Relena's death, he and Noin had tried to continue her fight for peace. Zechs had a greater appreciation for his sister now than he had before. He and Noin had a hard enough time with the two of them. 'How had she been able to handle all of this by herself?' In disgust, he threw down his pen and pushed away from the desk. Striding to the window, Zechs looked out on the gardens.

Even now, he could have sworn that he could see Relena in the garden. The garden was her safe place, her little hid away. She would crouch down in the dirt, a big floppy straw hat shielding her face from the afternoon sun. Every afternoon, she would sneak outside and lose herself in the roses. Humming softly, she would prune and collect the pink blooms. Zechs would always watch her from the window in his study wondering if she would ever be able to have a simple life. He wouldn't have to wonder any more.

Noin had entered the room and saw Zechs standing at the window. Even now, he couldn't go through a day and not look out on the gardens, looking for her. Clearing her throat to get his attention, Noin started toward him. Zechs never moved from the window, so she joined him there.

"Zechs, enough is enough. You have been pushing yourself too hard for far too long. You need a break, we need a break. Quatre has invited us to join him on L4 for the weekend. Zechs, if I were you, I would accept the invitation." Gently she placed a kiss on his cheek and turned and left the room.

Zechs watched her leave the room, but turned back to the window when he thought he heard someone humming. But of course, no one was there. 'Maybe I do need a break.' He considered as he ran his hand through his hair. Walking away from the window, Zechs decided to head upstairs and pack his bag.

****************

Sally Po sat in her office at Preventers Headquarters, finishing up her last report before heading home for the weekend. Stretching her arms over her head, she tried to work all the kinks out of her neck, when the intercom rang.

"Ms. Po?"
"Yes?"
"Dr. Ramirez is here to see you. He said that it is important."

Sally was puzzled by the doctor's sudden arrival and what news the forensic scientist could be bringing her. "Show him in, Dorothy."

The door to her office opened quickly and was slammed shut. Stunned by the doctor's abnormal behavior, Sally asked, "So, what is this all about Nick?"

"Sally, pardon the intrusion. I realize that it is a Friday and almost the end of the day, but what I'm about to tell you could not wait over the weekend."
Laying her hands on the desk, she answered, "Okay Nick, I'm all ears."
"You remember the Peacecraft murder?"
"How could I forget it, Nick. Relena Peacecraft was a friend of mine, why do you ask?"

Nick handed her a file marked CONFIDENTIAL. Taking a deep breath, Nick began his explanation. "The police work was shoddy. No murder weapon was ever found. No suspects were ever named. Sure, plenty of people had a motive, but everyone had viable alibis for the night of the murder."

Pausing, he focused his gaze on Sally as he continued to pace. "A suspect always leaves a part of himself behind at a crime scene, whether he is aware of it or not. Whoever did this was good, since nothing could be found. He or she must have read up on forensic science. Something didn't seem right to me, so I called in some favors and got copies of everything: pictures of the crime scene, blood, evidence, autopsy reports...etc. And well . . .read for yourself." Nick stopped pacing the office and sat down in the chair across from Sally.

Sally opened the folder and began to slowly scan each document contained inside. About 20 minutes later, Sally turned her head up to look into Nick's face. Her eyes wide, her face pale.

"Nick, are you positively sure about this?!"

Nick Ramirez stood up and faced Sally. "100% positive, I've had other scientists look over the information, exempt all mentions of Ms. Peacecraft, and they all supported my findings."

Sally rose from her chair behind the desk and extended her hand toward the doctor. "Thank you, Nick."

"You are welcome, Sally." Nick said after he shook her hand and walked out of the office.

As soon as Sally heard the door to the outside office close, she picked up the phone and began to make some calls.

****************

"Sally? What? Slow down, and tell me again. No, we're getting ready to leave. L4, why do you ask? The shuttle leaves in about 2 hours. Okay, we'll see you soon." Zechs turned a puzzled look to the phone and hung it up.

"What was Sally so worked up over, Zechs?" Noin asked as she watched her husband pace back and forth in the library.

"Sally wouldn't tell me over the phone. I told her that we were getting ready to leave for L4. She told me not to leave and she would be here as soon as possible."

'I wonder what is so important. Could it be another mission? I hope not, he doesn't need that now.' Noin thought to herself. She had finally been able to get Zechs to walk away from his work and take a break. Surely, Sally understood the importance in getting him away from the Sanc Kingdom.

As if on cue, Pagan opened the library doors and announced Sally. Sally strode into the library, looking distressed. Her usually cool demeanor had been replaced by agitation.

"Good, you are both here. I'm sorry to keep you from your trip, but this IS important."
"Sally . . ." Zechs began.
Sally interrupted. "Zechs, you may want to sit down with Noin." The tone of Sally's voice told him that he needed to do what she asked, for her sake if not for his.

"Earlier today, Dr. Nick Ramirez, a well-known forensic scientist came into my office. Dr. Ramirez has worked with the Preventers before doing psychological profiling of serial killers. Anyway, calling in some favors, he obtained a copy of the reports done about Relena's murder. Something about the murder bothered him, so on his own, he reviewed all the details of that morning, the police reports, autopsy reports . . ."

"Sally, please just get to the point." Zechs interrupted. Talking about Relena's death was upsetting him and he just wanted to get it over with.

Handing Zechs the CONFIDENTIAL file she had received from Dr. Ramirez, Sally looked him straight in the eye and said, "It was a set-up, Zechs. The young woman we buried 8 months ago was NOT Relena Peacecraft. Your sister may still be alive."