Disclaimer: Neither myself nor Shinotenshi own the g-boys. If we did things would be very different and Relena wouldn't be around. ^_^ Also any original characters where created by us and are owned by us. Don't steal them!

Author's notes: Anything that is written in between these quotes ' ' is either said through the Zero System or telepathically.

Cai led the way to the first bombing site. "This is it." He said walking up to the police tape and pulling it up so Destiny could get under it without ducking.

Destiny walked under the tape and walked over to the remains of the building. "Thanx Cai. God there wasn't much left was there?"


"Nope." Cai said going under the tape and following Destiny.

"Do you have any idea what kind of explosives were used?" Destiny asked as she looked through the rubble.

"Not yet." Cai said. "We sent some samples to the lab but they won't be back until late tonight or tomorrow."

Destiny frowned and said, "This seems kinda familiar to me. It's like I've seen this before or something like it."

"A lot of explosions look alike." Cai said. "Maybe someone use the same type of explosive in your past."

Destiny continued to frown and said, "Maybe. Duo said that you met Shadow and her second in command. Can you tell me anything about either of them?"

"Not much really." Cai said. "Shadow had long pale blonde hair that was pulled back, knee-length boots, black jeans, black vest laced up the front, bracers with dragons, Jade eyes and an enchanting voice. Um... I didn't pay much mind to the guy. I think he might have had blonde hair."

Destiny snickered and said, "Duo was right. If I didn't know any better, I'd think you had a crush on Shadow."

"What?" Cai said looking defensive. "That's nonsense. She's the enemy."

Destiny looked at him and said, "You should listen to yourself then. That's not exactly how it came across to me."

Cai smirked. "Hey, just 'cause she's the enemy doesn't mean I find her ugly." He said. "Far from it actually."

Destiny shook her head and laughed. "I honestly don't know about you sometimes. Between Angel and now Shadow, I'm beginning to think you're more like Kazu every time I see you."

Cai frowned. "There's no need to get insulting. You're the one who brought it up. I don't torture girls like he does, but it doesn't mean I ignore them either."

Destiny rolled her eyes and said, "I wasn't trying to be insulting this time Cai. But I do have a question for you. How do you feel about my partner? Kazu didn't seem to happy with you earlier."

Cai turned quite red at them mention of Angel. "I like her a lot." He said with a sheepish smile. "Have for a while. Kazu hates the thought of me liking her, but I don't think he knows how much I really do like her."

Destiny smiled and said, "I wondered. The two of you never could seem to get along very well, especially when the subject came around to his younger sister."

Cai shrugged. "We get along most of the time. Of course, getting along involves beating each other to a bloody pulp, with the two of us."

"So I noticed. You ever planning on telling Angel how you feel about her?" Destiny asked.

"Eventually." He said. "I'm just... not sure how she feels. She's not an easy person to read you know. I'm a bit afraid she doesn't return the feelings."

Destiny sighed and said, "You never know unless you take the chance. I honestly couldn't tell you. I used to be able to read her fairly well, but lately she's blocked me out more then she used to. She's changed slightly and I don't know why." Destiny then rubbed one of her hands over her heart and a small sign of discomfort flitted across her face.

Cai stepped towards her looking concerned. "Are you okay?" He asked.

Destiny looked at him a moment before she looked away and said, "I'm fine. I've been getting a lot of this lately. It bothers me as I can't figure out why exactly I keep having this pain."

"I can take you to my mom and have her look you over." He offered.


Destiny gave him a weak smile and said, "Sorry Cai, but that wouldn't help any."

"Are you going to be okay?" He asked. "Is there anything I can do?"

"Like I said. I'll be fine. All I feel is physical discomfort or a little pain. It goes away, but it keeps coming back and that's what has me worried. Nobody knows, but I have a strange connection to Angel. The discomfort and pain I am feeling is coming from her." Destiny said softly.

Cai looked a bit confused for a second about her connection with Angel but didn't dwell on it. Odder things have happened. "So Angel's hurt? We should go find her then." He said looking more concerned now that it was both of them in pain.

Destiny laughed and said, "Angel's fine, physically and mentally anyway. Emotionally is a different story. When her emotions are running high, especially if something is bothering her. I can feel the emotional pain she is in. I've been getting a lot of that lately and she hasn't been telling me anything about it."

"Oh." He said, still looking concerned, unsure what else to say.

Destiny dropped her hand and said, "It's gone." Destiny then took several steps forward and turned around to face Cai. "I will tell you something that no one else knows and I want you to promise me that you won't mention any of this to the others. They are worried enough about Angel as it is." Destiny said.

Cai nodded. "I promise." He said.

"The explosion that changed Angel's appearance and almost cost her life. It almost cost my life as well. I didn't tell you everything about it. She released too much of the energy and couldn't draw it back in. So she went after the nearest source of energy and that was me. However, her powers reacted to latent powers that I have and rather then just taking the energy from me. The two of us combined into one person. Her name is Faith and she's extremely powerful. Both of us cease to exist when she appears. That is how I can feel Angel's emotions when they are extremely strong. Angel can call me to her if she so needs my help. That is one reason we are partners." Destiny explained.

Cai listened silently. "Wow." He said. "I didn't know that sort of thing was possible... but of course I didn't know Akani could throw me into a wall just by thinking it until she did it."

"Normally it wouldn't be possible, but something happened that caused it to happen. Even we haven't figured that out yet." Destiny said.


"Huh, wonder what it was." He said. "What ever it is, that's cool. It'd be a sight to see, I'm sure. But neither of you exist at all when you and her are Faith? What happens to you?"

Destiny frowned and said, "Neither of us exist and when Faith does appear. She has both sets of our memories and Angel's personality is dominant. Or actually what Angel's personality should be like anyway. It's rather hard to explain. You will know who she is if she ever shows up. Faith definitely stands out in a crowd."

"I see." Cai said. "Thank you for trusting me with this, Destiny. I'm honored"

"You are welcome Cai. I know I can trust you with this." Destiny said giving him a smile. "Besides if you 'care' about Angel so much, I thought I should let you know."

Cai blushed again and smiled at her. "Now you're just picking on me."

Destiny smirked and said, "Yup and I will continue to. Now back to business. Do you know if Akani would know anything more about Shadow's second in command?"

Cai shrugged. "Probably. She saw him twice. I couldn't tell you. I wasn't paying much attention to Akani either other than to keep her from getting us both killed."

Destiny spotted something on the ground nearby and she said, "Would you contact her and see if she does?" Destiny then walked over to the small object and knelt down to take a closer look.

Cai nodded and stepped off to the side and contacted Akani. "Ni-chan. You remember anything about that guy... the one with Shadow."

"Unfortunately." came the reply. "Why?"

"Destiny wants to know about him." He said. "Get down here."

"Yeah fine." Akani replied and moments later she was behind Cai.

Destiny didn't look up from where she was at and said in strangely calm tone. "What do you remember about him?"

"He had dirty blonde hair and dark green eyes." She said. "He was about 5'10"-ish"

Destiny picked up the object and stood up. She then looked at Akani and said, "Do you know what his name is?"

"Um... I think Shadow said his name was Donovan." Akani said.

Destiny narrowed her eyes and proceeded to go on a rant, that didn't make much sense to anyone else. After a few minutes she calmed down enough to look at Akani and say, "Hangerbay. Now!"

Akani jumped slightly and nodded. She placed her hand on Destiny and Cai's shoulders. Moments later they were in the hangerbay.

Destiny growled under her breath and said in a loud enough voice to be heard, "We have a VERY serious problem!"

Duo, Heero and Wufei, who had recently arrived, all looked up as Destiny spoke. "What's wrong?" Duo asked.

Destiny, who had yet to calm down, all but growled, "That miserable bastard is working for Nemesis. I know who Shadow's second in command is and it's not good."

"Care to enlighten us?" Wufei said.

Destiny stalked over to the nearest computer and pulled out a computer disk she always had on her. She placed it in the computer and typed in a few things. On the screen a file appeared and she enlarged it so they could see it. She stepped back and said, "Allow me to introduce, Donovan Cunningham. He's 18 and one the most sadistic people I know. He's a trained terrorist and loves to play with explosives. Donovan was also trained to be a Gundam Pilot, but he never actually received a Gundam as far as I know. The object I found at the first site, held an explosive that most people wouldn't recognize. It was created by Angel and Donovan. This thing can level a 30 story building with one explosive placed in the right spot."

Akani looked at the picture on the screen. "Yup, that's him." She said. "It would be just like Nemesis to use something Angel helped make. They're such bastards."

Destiny glared at the screen and said, "That probably isn't all they have used. Donovan has worked with Angel countless times while she was in training. I hate to say it, but they made a rather destructive pair. Angel has the knowledge to create almost anything and Donovan was always good at setting up the scheme, while she carried out the mission."

"What are you saying?" Heero asked.

"I'm not totally sure, but I can say one thing. Angel may have a better idea what he's been up to and she may even be able to find him. He always did care about her, even if she would have rather tossed him off a cliff most of the time. Between him and Shadow, I think Nemesis is more organized then we originally thought." Destiny said.

Akani frowned, not liking the thought of Angel having anything to do with him or Shadow. "This isn't good." She said, stating the obvious. "What do we do?"

Destiny looked at the three adults and said, "Do any of you have an suggestions? After all, I'm not technically apart of this investigation."

"I don't think Angel's particularly in a talkative mood." Heero said. "It's best not to bug her right now."

"I'm not sure there's anything else we can do." Duo said.

"Angel's never in a talkative mood anymore. The girl's hiding her feelings more then she used to." Destiny said in a low tone.

Destiny then minimized the file and typed in something. She sent it and waited. A few seconds later a picture appeared on the screen and a voice said, "What's up?"

"Where's your old friend?" Destiny asked.

"What old friend?" Angel replied looking thoroughly confused.

"Donovan Cunningham. It appears that he is working for Nemesis as Shadow's second in command." Destiny replied.

Angel did her best to look shocked. Inwardly, she was seething. She'd forgotten that Destiny may have recognized the explosives they used and that she would most likely remember Donovan. She glanced to the side and Donovan looked about as pleased as she felt. She turned her attention back to the screen and said, "I haven't seen him in quite some time. If he's working for Nemesis, it means bigger problems for us though."

Destiny didn't say anything, but she narrowed her eyes and looked at the screen. Angel began to look a little uncomfortable while under her scrutiny.

Cai looked over Destiny's shoulder as she talked at Angel. "Isn't there any clues you could give us as to his possible where abouts, Angel?" He asked.

Angel looked at Cai and then shook her head. How the hell was she going to do this? She heard Donovan move, but didn't look in his direction. Angel went to reply to Cai's question, when she sensed someone come up behind her. A gun was then pressed against the back of her neck and all she said was, "Damn."

Donovan moved the camera slightly, so it showed Angel and himself. He smirked and said, "I believe I'm the one you are looking for."

Cai's eyes widened then narrowed at Donovan. "Get the hell away from her." He growled.

Donovan smirked and said, "Now why would I want to do that? After all you can't hurt me, but I can hurt her."

Angel looked about ready to kill something and she was chewing Donovan out telepathically. It took all he had not to wince at the cold litany being thrown at him

"You harm one hair on her head and I swear by my honor that I'll hunt you down and rip you limb from limb!" Cai growled.

Donovan rolled his eyes and said, "Like I care. You won't ever find me. Hell, Angel wouldn't even be able to find me. It just so happens though, that I've been looking for her and now I've found her."

Cai was seething mad. "When I get my hands on you, you'll regret ever being born!" He growled. Wufei pulled Cai away from the computer.

"That's enough Cai, you're not helping." He said.

Cai tried to pulled out of his father's grip. "Let go of me, Old man." He growled. "Damnit let go!" Wufei Ignored his son's yelling and pulled him out of the hangerbay. Loud angry Chinese curses echoed through the halls.

In spite of the situation, Destiny had the urge to laugh at Cai's reaction. If there was one thing she knew, it was that Donovan wouldn't hurt Angel.

Angel was mentally sweat dropping and was planning Donovan's funeral, despite the fact that she still needed him around.

Donovan blinked at the screen and then laughed. He looked at them and said, "And this is who you are sending up against Nemesis? That's hilarious. None of you would last a minute against Shadow."

Akani mentally groaned at Cai's reaction. Heero ignored Cai entirely and focused on his daughter. 'You don't seem the type to get taken hostage, Angel.' He said to her telepathically.

Angel frowned and replied to Heero. 'I'm not usually. It's usually the other way around, but he knows how to kill me out right unlike most people.'

'Is there any way we can help you?' He asked.

Angel mentally shrugged and said, 'Well, from what I know you guys wanted to find him. You might as well ask him any questions that you might like answered. He's not stupid enough to kill me or harm me until he's got what he's here for.'

'And what about after he has what he wants?' He asked.

"Hell if I know. He'll probably take what he's after and leave. Donovan knows what I can do and he won't risk killing me. He wants my talents for Nemesis.' Angel replied.

'Alright. Just be careful.' Heero said. 'Ai shiteru, musume-chan.' He looked to Destiny. "You wanted to find him. Ask him what you wanted to know." He said to her.

Destiny nodded to Heero and said, "It's been awhile since I've seen you Donovan. I never thought you of all people would join Nemesis, but I should have known better."

"Yes, you should have Sierra. I believe in what Nemesis is doing. Now why where you looking for me?" Donovan replied.

Destiny shrugged and said, "Why else? You killed a lot of innocent people today. I never thought you would go this far, Donovan. Why Nemesis? Why are you helping Shadow? Why were you looking for Angel?"

"You wouldn't understand, Destiny. You've never got the rotten end of the deal from the government. They create something for a purpose and then decide that it wasn't worth the trouble. Nemesis is giving me the chance to get back at them. Shadow isn't your ordinary leader. She has the ability to succeed in what she is trying to do." Donovan paused a moment before he continued. "As for why I was looking for Angel. I would like her to join Nemesis. However, she refused but I can still get a few supplies while I am here. Don't worry, I won't harm her. She's far too important."

Destiny sighed and shook her head, while watching Donovan on the screen.

Donovan brushed the back of his free hand against Angel's cheek and said, "It's a shame you won't join Nemesis. I'd enjoy having you around. You're extremely beautiful, Angel."

Donovan removed his hand and Angel muttered, "Do that again and I'll bite you."

Donovan smirked and said, "Is that a promise?"

"Screw you!" came the pissed off response.

"Anytime, sweetie."

"Sadistic bastard!" Angel growled.

"You know you love it." Donovan replied still smirking, but looking very pleased with himself.

Angel narrowed her eyes and glared at the computer screen. She said telepathically to Donovan, `You're a dead man, you know that?'

`Yup, I do. But it's so much fun to pick on you.' He replied.

Destiny just watched the exchange between the two and shook her head.

"At least that hasn't changed." She muttered to nobody in particular.

Akani glared at the screen. How dare he speak like that to her. Thank goodness Cai was already dragged out of the room. The screen may not have survived. She looked at Duo and Heero and they looked equally displeased. Akani opened her mouth to speak but Heero stopped her. She turned her glare to him. She was really getting tired of people doing that. Duo knew what Akani was going to ask, he planned on asking, and Heero wouldn't stop him.

Angel watched the screen and mentally groaned as she watched them. She had a feeling trouble was brewing and both her and Donovan would be in serious trouble.

Angel called Shadow Starfire and said, 'I need your help. Donovan has gotten himself into a pickle and he's dragged me along with him. Shadow needs to make an appearance and you know I can't do it.'

'Alright, Angel. I'm on my way.' Shadow replied.

"Angel, how the hell did he manage to capture you?" Duo asked.

Angel didn't say anything and Donovan didn't have a clue what to say, when he heard the door open.

"That would be my doing. Not Donovan's." a voice said.

Donovan smirked and Angel stood suddenly. He grabbed her shoulder, pulled her back away from the computer slightly and Shadow said, "I wouldn't try anything Angel, unlike Donovan. I will not hesitate to kill you."

Shadow then walked into camera range.

Akani clenched her teeth and glared at the screen. "You!" She growled. Heero gave Duo a look.

Duo nodded and grabbed Akani's wrist and said in a low tone, "Nope, you're not getting in a screaming match with the vid-phone." He said. "That's why Cai had to leave. It won't help Angel any." Akani nodded and fell silent.

"Well if it isn't Akani Maxwell. And whom do we have here? Two of the original Gundam Pilots. Duo Maxwell and Heero Yuy. I didn't expect to see either of you, yet. And lastly, we have Sierra or Destiny since you don't go by your real name anymore. Donovan's told me a lot about you."

Destiny glared at Shadow and growled, "I'm sure he has."

She walked up to Angel and looked at her before she looked back at the computer screen.

Shadow smirked and said, "Why are you so worried about her? What's so special about her to all of you?"

"You leave my sister alone." Akani growled.

"Akani." Duo warned.

"But…"

"Hush." Duo said then looked back at the screen. "Don't play games with us, Shadow. You know why she's special to us."

Shadow gave them an innocent look and said, "Sister? Well, how interesting. The last time I checked, you never had a family Angel. For your information, you've just told me why she's so important to you. Thank you for that information, Duo Maxwell. It will be useful in the future."

Heero glared at the screen but stayed silent. Duo shot Akani a look. She looked back sheepishly. He didn't know what to say. He never expected the call to end up like this.

Shadow smirked and looked at Donovan.

"The supplies have been loaded. Let's get out of here. I've got other things to accomplish."

Donovan nodded and pulled out a syringe filled with a clear liquid. Angel looked at it and he said, "Sorry bout this beautiful."

Her eyes widened and he injected her with the contents of the syringe. Donovan caught her as her legs gave out from under her and carefully laid her on the floor.

Akani watched worriedly, Duo looked over at Heero who was watching silently and calmly then looked back at the screen. There was nothing they could do and he hated that.

Donovan stood up and nodded. Shadow looked at the computer screen and said, "Oh don't worry. It's just a sedative. She won't be out for long. I still have plans for your daughter."

Donovan looked at Shadow and said, "Let's go. It's a regular sedative and she has a strong resistance to most medicines, unless they were created by herself."

Shadow nodded and turned to leave the room, with Donovan following her.

Duo sighed. At least that was all over. He turned to Akani. "Go check on Cai." He said.

"I doubt he needs checked on." Akani said, already knowing how Wufei handled Cai's outburst.

"Then go check on Kazu." He said.

"What? Why?" Akani asked.

"Because he's being quiet, and that's never good." Duo said. "He's either slacking off or causing trouble. Now go." Akani grumbled but walked off.

They both left the room and Shadow returned to her original form. Donovan sighed and said. "Now we have to wait."

Destiny looked at the screen and then bowed her head. She was confused about everything that was going on. Especially when it came to Donovan.

"Why is this happening? It's all so confusing to me. Angel……..help me figure this out. Kudasai." Destiny said softly as she leaned on the edge of the console.

Heero placed his hand on Destiny's shoulder. "Daijoubu desu ka?" he asked.

Destiny looked up at Heero with a slightly hurt expression on her face and said, "Iie."

"Shikkari Shite, Destiny." He said. "Everything will turn out okay."


Destiny frowned and said, "For some odd reason, Heero. I don't think it will."

"Have faith in Angel." He said. "She won't let herself be controlled."

Destiny stood up straight and said, "You don't understand. Neither of you do. It doesn't matter whether she wants to be controlled or not. Angel 'can' be controlled."

"So what are we supposed to do?" Duo asked.

She looked at both of them and looked back at the screen.

"Make sure Donovan and Shadow don't get their way. If they manage to control Angel, this side is basically doomed. She's way too powerful to be used by Nemesis or anyone else for that matter. I'll show you something." She said.

Destiny leaned closer to the screen and looked at the unconscious girl on the ground. She then spoke in a loud distinct voice.


"Angel omega phi 983 - Authorization: Sierra."

Destiny then watched as Angel moved and stood up as if in slow motion. When Angel was standing, she turned and faced the screen. Her eyes were cold and hard. They were completely emotionless. She then spoke in an emotionless tone and said, "Awaiting orders."

"What did you just do?" Duo asked. "What's wrong with her?"

"That is apart of her training. Different codes will equal different results. You could tell her to go destroy something and kill a lot of innocent people and she wouldn't hesitate to do it. They wanted an emotionless soldier and they did achieve their goal to a certain extent. I know the codes that can activate certain responses. She's a pawn, whether she lived or died, didn't matter. As long as the mission was achieved." Destiny explained.

"That's horrible." Duo said, then noticed Heero was eerily silent. He looked over and saw Heero staring at the screen, transfixed by the image. Seeing on the screen what he used to see in the mirror all those years ago… nothing. No life, no emotion, nothing. "Heero?"

Heero blinked, snapping out of his daze like waking from a bad dream. He looked at Duo then he turned to Destiny. "End it." He ordered.

Destiny just nodded and said, "Angel omega phi 762 - Authorization: Sierra."

Before anything happened Destiny said, "Don't say anything about this. She knows that it can be done, but she never remembers what happens while she is in this state."

Angel suddenly closed her eyes and stumbled back a few steps. She blinked a few times to clear her mind, before she looked at the screen. Her eyes were no longer blank slates and held a slightly confused look in them.

"Wha.......What's going on?" Angel said in a confused tone rather then the emotionless tone she had just used before.

Heero visibly relaxed. Duo wondered for a moment who he should be more worried about. "Are you alright?" Duo asked Angel.

Angel sat down in the computer chair and said, "I would be better if I knew what had just happened. Why? Is something wrong?"

"Donovan, or what ever his name is, gave you sedative." Duo said. "So you're feeling okay? No ill effects?"

"I'm fine, but that doesn't explain how I ended up standing in front of the computer." Angel said as she looked at them.

Destiny didn't say anything and she looked eerily calm and collected. Angel narrowed her eyes at her and said, "You didn't."

Destiny refused to comment and Angel growled, "That's all I needed to know. You did do what I thought you had. It's the only explanation for this memory gap. How could you?"

Destiny looked away from Angel and didn't say anything. Angel laughed bitterly and said, "I should have known."

"I'm glad you're alight." Heero said, still looking slightly pallid but not as bad as he had been.

Angel glared at Destiny and she turned and walked away from them without another word. Angel then looked at Heero and said in a concerned tone, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." He replied. Duo rolled his eyes.

"Fine isn't the word I'd use." Duo said to Angel. "That little trick managed to completely freak out the `perfect soldier', something I've never seen happen before." Heero turned and glared at Duo.

Angel looked at Heero and asked, "Why?"

Heero looked at her for a moment before turning away, not wanting to answer. "Bad memories." Was all he said.

"Of what you used to be like?" Angel said.

Heero returned his gaze to her. "I don't like seeing you like that." He said.

Angel sat there in silence for a moment before she said, "Not many people cared back then. It took me three years to overcome the training and programming that had been done. In the end, I wonder if I ever actually did though. It's still second nature to me and I fall into without realizing it. I didn't think I would ever be able to get control of my life back, but then again. Life wasn't something I always wanted."

Heero stared at her in complete silence looking slightly white again. Her words mirrored the things he used to think… and still does. A deep pain wrenched his soul, almost causing him to physically flinch. Having her turn out like him was the last thing he wanted.

Angel looked at him and said, "It hurts, doesn't it? To know that I'm almost an exact copy of you. To know that there isn't anything that can be done about it. That I could easily go back to the way I was and it wouldn't even truly bother me because that is the way I was trained."

Heero couldn't bring himself to answer. What could he say to that? Though she had one thing he never had, a life before the training. Knowing that had been ripped from her hurt more than anything else. A single tear fell down his cheek, startling him out of his thoughts. He closed it off, blocked the pain. Why couldn't Duo had just left it alone? Why did he have to tell her he wasn't okay? He was okay. He had to be or he'd fall into the emptiness of his own soul. There were only two things that truly mattered to him… Angel and Kazu. He forced it all away. "You are not their tool anymore." He said finally. "Follow your heart. It will lead you in the right direction."

Angel looked at him and said softly, "You're hiding from the pain. I can tell. It's the only way to live with yourself after everything you've been through and have done. I do it myself to keep from losing what I have managed to gain, but in the end. Even hiding the pain doesn't make it get better or go away. It just continues to grow worse as time goes by."

Heero was trembling visibly now. Tears falling unheeded. "You're right. It is the only way I can live with what I am." He said, his voice shaky. "I have no parents, I had no family, I had no friends, I have no name. I could fire a gun before I could hold the bottle. My earliest memory is of killing a man. I am a soldier, that's all I am, That's all I've ever been, that's all I'll ever be. Emotions are useless to a soldier. All opening my heart has ever brought me was pain. You and Kazu are the only ones I'll let in. The only ones I'll ever let in. Everything else is just useless to me."

Angel had a strange expression on her face and suddenly she cut the connection to the bay. She then stood up and vanished, reappearing in the bay next to Duo and Heero. She placed her hand on Heero's shoulder and said softly, "It hurts to know and remember all of that. Originally I was never going to come to either of you and tell you who I was. For once in my life, I was scared of what might happen if I had. But in the end I had nothing to lose and everything to gain. You have people here that care about you very much. All you need to do is to try and talk to them. It feels better to share the pain with someone then it does to hide it and let it grow worse. But it's hard to open up and let people in for fear of getting hurt again."

Heero closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He opened them again and stared straight forward, no emotion in his eyes, taking a moment to regain control. He managed to regain enough to end the tears and stop trembling. He blinked and the emotion returned to his eyes. He looked at Angel lovingly and placed his hand over hers. "I'm too old to go cry on someone's shoulder, musume-chan. My pain is my own, they don't need it bringing them down. Thank you for trying to help me. Knowing you care does make me feel better." He said. "You and your bother are a part of my soul, the only good part. You're what keeps me going."

Had Angel not been extremely good at hiding the pain, she would have lost it completely after hearing what her father had said. She pushed the pain back and concentrated on keeping her voice and expression the way they were. She couldn't let them know just how much Heero's words had hurt her. It had felt like he had put a knife through her heart and left a gaping wound that would never heal. She closed her eyes and leaned her forehead on his hand, which was over hers and said softly, "I will always care. You are my family, something I never truly had or understood when I was growing up. You've always been there for me, since I came to both of you and I will be there for you. I know what it's like to be alone, but it doesn't have to be like that anymore. I love you both very much and that's something I never thought I would be able to do."

Heero smiled softly at her. "And we love you." He said. "I know I'm not alone anymore, but old habits are hard to break." That was when Heero noticed a sniffling sound. He looked up and saw Duo was crying. "There's tissues on the table, Duo." He said. Duo nodded and walked over and got a tissue.

"It's like a sad chick flick or something." Duo said. "You should write a book or something. You'd make a fortune."

Angel looked up at Duo and snickered.

"Hmm…..That's not a bad idea. Then we can show the world that the self proclaimed God of Death was crying like a little baby. I'm sure people would just love to see that."

Duo smirked. "Yeah, whatever." Duo said. "Are you two going to be okay?"

Angel smiled and said, "Yeah. I'll be fine. A lot of things have happened today, that's all. Although I think I'm going to need a good night's sleep after all this."

She looked around for a second and then said, "By the way, Where'd Akani go?"

"I sent her to check on Kazu, and cool off." Duo said. "She was rather upset, and I haven't heard a peep from Kazu and that's never a good thing."

"Is it so hard to believe that he might be doing his job?" Heero asked.

"Yes." Duo replied.

Angel rolled her eyes and started to walk off.

"I'd better go find her and let her know I'm okay."

"That's a good idea." Duo said. "We'll be here working on the gundams if you need us."

Angel nodded as she headed out of the hangerbay and to the Ops Deck. She spotted her brother and sister and said as she walked over to them.

"Staying out of trouble?"

"Trouble? I never get into trouble." Kazu said as he continued trying to put back together his laptop. Akani smiled at Angel, glad to see her.

Angel rolled her eyes and said, "Oh please. Am I supposed to believe that? What happened to your laptop?"

"I think I broke it." He said.

"You think?" Angel replied.

"Well it stopped working." Kazu said. "Won't even boot up."

"How did you break it anyway?" she asked.

Kazu turned it over revealing that part of the casing was smashed then pointed to the wall behind Angel where there was a rather large dent that looked as though something solid had been hurled against it rather hard. "It blue screened five times in a row on me, while I was doing something important."

Angel looked at him, shook her head and said, "So you just got mad at it and threw it at a wall?"

"No, it committed suicide." He said. "Jumped right out of my hands."

"Yeah, I'll bet it did. With a little help maybe." She said.

Kazu smiled. "Nope, none at all. I was just typing away when it blue screened five times then grew legs told me it couldn't take it anymore and hurled itself against the wall." He said. At the point Wufei came over to them with Cai, who was unconscious, over his shoulder. He set Cai on the floor next to Kazu.

"Keep an eye on him, would you?" Wufei said.

Angel looked from Wufei to Cai and then at her two family members and said, "Why do I get the feeling that I've missed something? And yes, we'll keep an eye on him."

"He's been given a mild sedative and should be waking up within the next hour." Wufei said and walked off towards the hangerbay. Akani poked at Cai but got no reaction from him.

"Never seen him get that upset before." She said. "Even when I tried to get him angry."

"Upset? Oh yeah. Donovan would be the reason behind that." Angel said.

"What set him off like that?" Kazu asked. "Mr. Chang dragged him out of there cursing up a storm… I've never heard words like that come out of his mouth."

"Um…..well……Donovan just doesn't know when to give up." Angel said being slightly evasive.

"That doesn't answer my question, sis." Kazu said. "What did he say? Cai's a rather calm hearted guy. I've only seen him flip when he get compared to his pop, even then it was never that bad."

Angel looked at Akani and said, "You where there. Did you tell him anything about what happened?"

"I told him about Donovan and Shadow trying to get you to help them." She said.

Angel sighed and said, "Donovan used to be an old friend of mine. We worked together on quite a few missions and he has a major crush on me. He deliberately antagonized Cai with several things. One of which Cai couldn't do anything and Donovan could kill me if he so wished."

Angel hoped he wouldn't ask for any more details. She didn't think Kazu would take to well to Donovan's teasing.

Kazu frowned. "Well that explains a few things." He said. "I'm just going to have to kill him when I run into him."

Angel looked at him and said, "What? Other then the fact that he's working with Shadow, you haven't even met him."

Kazu shrugged. "No one threatens my sister and lives." He said calmly.

She looked at him and said, "Um…Okay. If I don't strangle him first, you can do what ya want with him. However, you'll have to most likely go up against Shadow as well."

Kazu shrugged again. "Yeah fine. It's bound to happen anyway, her being the leader of Nemesis and all." He said. "One of us will have to fight her."

Angel smirked and said, "Oh really? Are you volunteering then?"

"If she wants to take me and Fire Feather on, she's more than welcome." He said. "I won't back down."

"Maybe not, but you could get yourself seriously injured or killed. Nobody knows what Shadow can do. In all technicality, we don't even really know that much about Nemesis." Angel replied.

"We know Shadow killed a bunch of innocent people." Akani said.

"If they'd been in any way associated with the government, it wouldn't be so bad." Kazu said. "But they were just innocents."

"What exactly does that have to do with this? I know all that. But you can't just take someone on when you don't know anything about them or the organization they are working. You don't even know why Nemesis is doing any of this." Angel said.

"Do you?" Kazu asked. "You know this Donovan guy. Why is he doing this?"

"Why do you think he would tell me?" Angel asked.

"You said yourself he has a crush on you." Kazu said. "And you seem to be defending them, so you apparently know something we don't."

Angel looked at her brother and thought to herself, 'You don't realize just what information I could give you. None of you realize who you are dealing with.'

"Yes, he does have a crush on me, but that doesn't mean that he's going to tell me what Nemesis is up to. And yes, I may seem like I'm defending them. But I also know that you can't judge a book by its cover and that applies to any organization and the people in it." Angel replied.

"Well what are we supposed to do, Angel? Just let them keep killing innocent people? It's our job to defend them, you know." Kazu said. "If they do have some reason for doing this they're keeping it to themselves."

"Leave her alone Kazu." Cai said sitting up. "You'd probably be acting the same way if it was your old friends."

"Why don't you just go back to sleep and stay out of this." Kazu said.

"Defending them isn't our only job, you know." Cai said. "We're also supposed to be investigating these things."

"I have couple questions for all of you. You are all Preventers and are supposed to help maintain the peace and help keep organizations from toppling the government and everything it stands for. Do you actually know what you are protecting? Do you really know anything about the government that this world has and what they truly want to accomplish?" Angel asked.

"They want peace." Kazu said.

"Or so we're told." Cai said. "They've kept us so busy training with the gundams and limited our access to information we only know what we're told."

"All you actually see is the front that the government wants you to see. They won't actually tell you anything. You are just supposed to follow the orders that you are given. That is why I don't work for the government. I could if I truly wanted to, but I won't." Angel said.

"I missed something." Akani said in a confused tone. "When did we become the bad guys? I don't want to be the bad guy."

"Shut up, Akani." Kazu said. "If you two are so sure Shadow's right why don't you go join her?"

"We never said she was right, Kazu." Cai said. "But did you ever stop to wonder why our access is so limited?"

"Because if everyone had access they'd be vulnerable." Kazu said.


"Maybe they have something to hide. Maybe Shadow found them out." Cai said.

"Well why don't you just ask her." Kazu growled.

"Do YOU know how to find her?" Cai growled back. "'Cause I sure don't."

"Stop it both of you! Fighting amongst yourselves won't solve anything." Angel said angrily.

Cai gave Kazu one last glare but sat back, "You're right Angel." Cai said. "I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry." Kazu said.

"I'm sorry." Akani said. Cai and Kazu looked over at her.

"Why?" Kazu said.

"I donno." She said. "I'm confused."

"That's nothing new." Cai said.

Angel looked at Akani and just shook her head before she transferred her gaze to the guys.

"As an answer to a question when you two were fighting. It wouldn't take much to find Shadow. Don't try and find her. Make her come to you." Angel said.

"How?" Cai asked.

"Use something that she may need or want. You'd have to guess at what that is, since we don't know much about her. Then leak out some information about whatever it is and someone from Nemesis is bound to pick up on it. Setup a place for whatever the bait is and wait. Shadow's bound to show up herself. She doesn't seem like the type to leave everything to the people working under her." Angel explained.


"How are we supposed to know what she wants or needs?" Kazu asked. He looked at Cai who shrugged. They didn't bother looking to see if Akani new.

"Take a guess. Almost all of the underground organizations need many things. Valuable information, weapons, explosives and things along those lines. Nobody can tell you what Shadow really needs and I highly doubt she would ever tell you. But you should be able to find something that she wouldn't be able to resist." Angel said.

"Like what?" Cai asked.

"What about plans for a gundam." Akani suggested.

"That could work." Kazu said.

"I can go hang with some friends down at the mall and talk to them about how you'll have the plans with you when you go to Kendo practice, Cai." She said.

"Yeah I guess." Cai said.

Angel looked at them and said, "That would be a good thing to use as bait. Nemesis shouldn't be able to resist something that big."

She then looked at Cai and said, "You don't sound to enthusiastic about all this Cai. Something wrong?"

"If she's as strong as everyone says, when she finds out I don't have the plans, she might not be in a talkative mood. I wouldn't stand a chance against her on my own." He said. "I wish there was a better way than to trick her. Besides, I don't know what to ask her."

Angel frowned and said, "There isn't much that can be done about that. I highly doubt she would kill you. She had that chance earlier today and she didn't take it. But if you would rather not do it, somebody else could 'carry' the plans."

"No, I'll do it." He said. "I'd rather hear what she has to say myself. That and Akani's already biest against her because of what happened and Kazu's to pig headed to listen."

"Hey, watch it Cai." Kazu said.

Angel looked at him and said, "No need to insult Kazu, even if it is true most of the time. When will this be taking place?"

Cai smirked. "There's always need to insult Kazu."

"Just keep it up, Cai." Kazu said. "I'll kick you're…"

"Anyway!" Akani interrupted. "I'll leave for the mall in a few minutes. Cai has kendo practice a 3:00 tonight."

"That only gives you a few hours to spread the word." Kazu said.

"Kazu?" Akani said. "Remember what those girls are like. The entire city will know before 1:00."

"She has a point." Cai said. "We'll be lucky if it's not on the evening news."

Angel snickered and said, "Have fun and try to not to get yourself hurt. Shouldn't you let someone know what you are going to do?"

"No." Cai said.

"No way." Kazu said.

"Yeah right, Mrs. Chang would kill him." Akani said. "Not to mention the lecture I'd get from my dad about telling people about the gundams."

Angel laughed this time and said, "All of you actually agreed on something, for once. Well, I hope everything goes okay. I won't be around to see what happens."

"You're taking off again?" Cai said sounding slightly disappointed, which got him kicked by Kazu.

"Don't get captured again." Akani said.

Angel glared at Kazu and said, "Yeah. I've got to get back to what I was originally doing. Plus I still haven't got Starfire yet. I don't know how long it will take me to get the information I'm after. Try not to get hurt Cai."

She smiled at him and then said to Akani.

"I never planned on getting caught in the first place, but it won't happen again."

Cai smiled back. "I'll try." He said. "Take care of yourself."

Angel smiled and said, "I will. Let Duo and Heero know that I left, will ya?"

Then telepathically she said to Kazu, 'You are way too overprotective sometimes.'

`You're too good for him.' Kazu replied. `I won't have him treating you like he treats Akani, the one he calls his "best friend".'

'Kazu, I appreciate the sentiment. However it's my life, not yours. Stay out of it once in awhile.'

`Yeah, yeah, I just worry about you shimai-chan.' Kazu said.

'I know you do, but I can take care of myself. I will try to get back as soon as I can. In the meantime, stay out of trouble.' Angel replied.

`Trouble? I never get into trouble.' He replied with a smirk.

Angel rolled her eyes and said, 'Whatever.'

She took several steps back and said, "Later." She then vanished from the room and returned to where she had been.

"I'm off too." Akani said. "See you guys later."

"Ja ne, Ni-chan." Cai said.

"Bye." Kazu said then looked at Cai. "Where's Destiny?"

"I don't know, I've been drugged." Cai said. "I'll go look for her." He said and walked off. Just outside the hangerbay Cai found Destiny. "There you are. I've been looking for you." He said walking up to her.

Destiny looked at Cai and said, "I see you're awake. What can I do for ya?"

"We hadn't see you in a while, just coming to make sure you're okay." Cai said.

"I'm fine. Just have a lot to think about." Destiny said looking away from Cai.

"Would you like to talk about it?" Cai asked in a concerned tone.

Destiny gave him a weak smile and said, "Not really. I've got to sort a few things out first. Thank you for your concern though."

"Alright, if you're sure." Cai said. "If you change your mind, I'll be here… well until 3:00, but I'll be back after Kendo practice."

"Thanks Cai, but I may take off soon. I've got a few things to check on." Destiny said.

"You girls never stick around." Cai said with a sigh. "Ah, well. Take care. If you need anything, you know where to find me."

Destiny snickered and said, "We try to keep busy. Although you would be happy if Angel had stuck around longer."

"You talk like I wouldn't be happy if you stuck around." Cai said with a smirk.

Destiny smirked and said, "I never said that, but I know better. You would be happier with Angel around, even if you haven't told her how you feel yet."

Cai shrugged. "I donno, Kazu doesn't kick me for talking to you." He said.

"I know, but let Angel worry about her brother. I don't think she's to happy about that." Destiny said.

Cai rolled his eyes. "Who would be?" He said.

"Nobody, but Kazu will listen to her by the time she gets done with him." she said.

"I hope so." He said. "I don't like getting kicked all the time."

"I can't imagine that you would. Just keep an eye on her for me. I get this feeling that something's wrong with all this, but I'll be damned if I can figure it out." Destiny said.

"You can count on me. I'll keep both eyes on her when she's around." He said.

"Thanx Cai. Now if ya don't mind. I'd like to be alone for a little longer." Destiny said.

"Sure thing, Destiny." Cai said. "I hope you feel better soon." He said and walked off.

Any Japanese words or phrases are translated below:

Ai shiteru = I love you

Kudasai = Please, please do so for me

Daijoubu desu ka? = Are you alright?

Iie = No

Shikkari Shite = Hold on, Don't give up