Jaid: Yay! A new chapter!

Jad: A short chapter…

Jaid: *gets out her frying pan*

Jad: Eep! I'll be quiet!

Jaid: Just to tell you, yes I am working on the sequel to "Seventeen". It's gonna take some time, okay? And thanks to rokjai, who was the only one to review my story. Rokjai you rule!

Disclaimer: Do I have to keep typing these things? Sheesh, just see the first chapter.

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Chapter Three

Mieran tapped her fingers on the counter, bored. It wouldn't be the first time. She hated the daily monotony, but Wu Fie had reminded her several times that it was better than the railroad. And she couldn't argue with that.

"Good afternoon, Mieran." Relena Marquise walked in, smiling.

"Good afternoon." Mieran answered.

"I need some more chalk." Relena told her. Mieran nodded, and quickly got it. Relena paid, then picked up the small packet. She paused before walking to the door.

"Mieran." She said.

"Yes, miss?"

"I was wondering if you've seen anything of Miss Hilde lately."

"She came in yesterday for some cloth. For her wedding dress."

"I see." Relena paused. "How did she seem to you?"

Mieran shrugged. "Happy, I guess. Why?"

"I'm just wondering. I'm not really sure she wants to marry Deputy Winner or not." Relena frowned, lost in thought.

"She did seem a little lost." Mieran offered. "She kept staring at nothing and didn't hear me when I spoke to her."

Relena smiled again. "Thanks Mieran, that really helps me right now. I'll see you later, okay?"

* * *

Duo fidgeted as he waited for the last of the children to leave. He didn't dare try to contact Hilde himself, for fear that the Sheriff would hear. Finally, he saw Relena wave good bye to the last child. Standing, he quickly made his way to the schoolhouse.

* * *

"Quatre doesn't want to marry Hilde?" Duo asked. "Then why the heck did he ask her?"

"I don't know." Relena admitted. "But you know who he really loves? Dorothy Catalonia."

Duo choked. "You're joshin'."

"Nope." Relena shook her head. "Somehow they got engaged but they don't love each other. Quatre told me this morning that Hilde had admitted to him that she's not sure if she does love him, but she likes him a lot. He's convinced she still has feelings for you, but is afraid of getting hurt again."

"Yeah." Duo sighed. "That'd be my fault."

"Well, I'll talk to her, but you're going to have to see her sometime." Relena said.

"What about your brother?"

"I'll take care of my brother. You've got bigger things to worry about." Relena commented. There was a short pause. "Duo, Hilde said that Heero was on the train too."

"Yeah, he was."

"How was he?" she asked.

"Physically, the same as always. Emotionally? Well, I'm not sure. Of course, with Heero you're never sure."

Relena nodded, looking as if she had expected that answer. "Does he ever mention me?"

"In his sleep." Duo said, giving her a half-smile. Relena smiled slightly back.

"I think he's a little confused right now." Duo said. Relena nodded, then sighed.

"Goodness!" she exclaimed. "It's getting late and Zechs'll be worried if I don't get back. I'll see ya in a couple of days."

"What'd ya mean?"

"Duo," Relena rolled her eyes as she left the building. "Tommorrow's Saturday." With that, she left.

* * *

That Sunday after church, Relena approached Lucrezia and Hilde with an invitation to come for dinner. They accepted.

Needless to say, Dinner was rather tense. Hilde and Relena discussed the wedding, while Lucrezia and Zechs tried not to laugh at Quatre's red face. He kept glaring at them and making faces, but that just set them off even more.

Quatre was relieved when dinner was over and the "womenfolk" shooed them outside. He collapsed on the steps of the porch and gave a low groan. Zechs laughed.

"It isn't funny!" Quatre exclaimed.

"It is from this view." Zechs said.

"Yeah, well you're not the one who's getting engaged." Quatre commented. "You could at least sympathize with me. Everyone else is just congratulating me."

"Sorry." Zechs sat down next to the younger man. "I've got a posse together. We'll leave tomorrow morning."

Quatre nodded. "Good."

* * *

Relena knocked on the door. Duo stood behind her, fidgeting.

"Relax, Duo. It'll be okay." She said. Duo frowned.

"I'm not so sure."

"You're selling Hilde short." Relena pointed out. She was about to say more, when Hilde answered the door. She was wearing an apron and blushed a little when she saw Relena.

"Oh, hi. I was just fixin' supper…" she trailed off when she saw Duo. "What's he doin' here?"

"Hilde, listen,"

"No!" Hilde looked at Relena in a hurtful manner. "How could you bring him here like this?"

"Just listen to him Hilde." Relena said. "Give him one more chance. He's just as heartbroken as you. Please."

Hilde frowned, then crossed her arms. "Fine."

Duo stepped forward hesitantly. "Hilde, I have to admit that I've been a danged fool. I guess I didn't realize how much I would miss you if I lost ya for real." He paused. "I know I don't deserve anything, but could I have your forgiveness, at least?"

Hilde swallowed hard. "You've always had that, Duo." She admitted.

"Really?" Duo looked up hopefully. "I swear Hilde, if you wait for me, I'll do whatever it takes to prove my self to you. I swear."

"He's already talked to Lucrezia about a job." Relena put in.

"Really?" Hilde looked surprised. "Did you, Duo?"

"Yeah. She said she'd think about it."

Hilde was quiet. "It's not going to be that easy this time Duo. I'm scared you'll leave again."

"I can't blame ya." Duo admitted. "In fact, I wasn't expecting this much."

"What about Heero?" Hilde asked.

"I'm not riding with him ever again. Not as an outlaw."

Hilde looked at him for along time. "And you promise to be steady?"

"I'd propose to you now if you weren't already engaged."

Hilde's eyes got wide. "Really?"

Duo laughed. "That your favorite word or something? Yes, really."

"I guess you've grown." Hilde commented. "I'll think about it."

"Bout what?"

"Your proposal. Good-night, Lena." Hilde went inside and closed the door.

Duo looked at Relena in shock. "Did she say what I thought she said?"

Relena giggled. "Yep. You're not dreaming."

Duo grinned. "Yeah, I'm not."

* * *

Dorothy sat in the small room. She'd been here for several days, with no one but Trowa to talk to. And he was being rather tight lipped. She tapped her fingers on the edge of the chair. The door suddenly opened, and a girl came in. She was Dorothy's age, with pale blonde hair and gray eyes. She was dressed in dirty ragged clothes. Dorothy stood when she entered, but the girl didn't say anything. Just stared at her in silence.

"Hello." Dorothy said. No answer.

"I'm Dorothy."

"I know." The girl answered.

"Oh. Do you want something?" Dorothy asked.

"No." The girl answered. "I just wanted to see what you looked like. Maybe give me a clue why he loves you."

Dorothy blinked. "Who?"

"You don't even care do you?" the girl said. "Trowa. He's in love with you."

Dorothy licked her dry lips nervously. The girl continued to stare daggers. Dorothy frowned and peered at her.

"Midii?" she asked. Midii jumped.

"How'd you know my name?" she demanded.

"A lucky guess."

"Yeah right."

The two women stared at each other for a long time. The silence was broken as the door slowly opened and a man entered…

* * *

Mariemeia shifted slightly. Where was she? And what had happened? Mariemeia slowly sat up, and then it cam back to her. She and Duo had been exploring the mine. Mariemiea slowly sat up, and then it cam back to her. She and Duo had been exploring the mine when Heero and Relena had come up. She and Duo had turned to talk with them, but Mariemiea stepped on a loose rock. The last thing she remembered was her ankle twisting as she fell to the ground.

Mariemeia rubbed her head, then noticed that her hair was not in its usual sleek skullcap. It was in two braids. Mariemeia's blue eyes snapped opened and to her shock, she was wearing white stockings, brown boots, and a red calico dress.

"Uh-oh."

* * *

"Well, Ms. Catalonia." The man said. "It's nice that you finally joined us."

"I'm not sure that I have joined." Dorothy said. The man smiled, rather coldly.

"Midii, go get Trowa up here." He commanded. The girl left the room.

"Ms. Catalonia," he said. "I'm afraid you'll have very little choice about your next steps."

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Jad: Oooo, bad guy!

Naga: No duh, Captain Obvious.

Jaid: Cut it out you guys. Okay, ppls, I need ideas, 'cause, to be truthful, I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE I AM GOING WITH THIS!

Naga: Sheesh, did you have to shout in my ear?

Jaid: Please review!

Naga: Or else! *brandishes scythe and grins wickedly*