Only Time

By: Zarabeth McGregor

Chapter: 21

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing or Sailor Moon. Never have; never will.

Okay, some announcements:

Owing to the fact that I still can't find my notebook…*glares at we-all-know-who*, I had the opportunity to re-write my outlines for Chapter 23 onward, and I had to add two new chapters…so, it will be spanning 31 or 32 chapters. That means we have…*gets calculator* about eleven more chapters to go. *Sighs* Almost done…so sad.

Secondly, in preparation for the other installments of the aforementioned 'Only Time' series, I will be adding some more to the title of this fic. So, it'll look something like this:

Only Time, Part 1: At The Beginning

So, you know…

Okay, onwards to…

Questions or Comments and Answers:

Dragon Lady: Yes, I wonder how…you know anything can happen, right?

Kaiya: Resident Evil…unfortunately, I didn't get to see it *mumbles on about damned cold that week* anyway, I still take it as a compliment, 'cause I heard it was a cool movie…I'm still waiting for that email, BTW…

Myst Lady ML-chan: Thank you! Piccolo? Okay, I like the guy…uh…Namek…but…well…

Kate: I'm glad you did. Cool…I can do that…I think…

Oldestof3: So many questions…

Orion: Oh, don't go catching a cold on my account…

Autumn Ice: Once again…so many questions…

WikeD tEnShI: Thank you, thank you *Bows*

Callisto Star: Thanks! Well, it's a depressing situation…

Jchild: But of course I did!!! I was wondering about you! I have the power to let people starve themselves…Wow…

RoseGirl2000: I must say…Relena is starting to grow on you, it seems…

Jessica: Ooh…I'm a drama queen!!

Silver-Star: Oh, we have a Heero-lover…scandalous…Pokemon? Oh, that's got to be chaotic…

Solus Nox: True that! Who knew?

Sammie: What can I say…cliffies are my specialty!

Arella Hallo: Reply to One: Don't think I won't! Reply to Two: Uh…I don't know what Two was…

LadyMiaka11: Aw…thanks for the vote of confidence, but I still think I could've done better…*shrugs* Yeah, I mean, if you read Kaiya's new fic, you'll see that without Ami, the scouts are totally helpless. Twisted rectangle…there's a name for that…let's see what I learnt in Mathematics class…it's called a…rhombus! Yes, a love rhombus!

Crystal Dragon: Well, it's very much subject to change, so you never know.

Wicked Lady: Oui, he was! Well, if you say that's how it goes…*laughs*

Megami*Silence: Swiss cheese…Megs, I have a phone number that I can give you…very helpful; it helped me! As for the pineapples, I love them too! I swear to god, the pineapples grown where I live are the sweetest you'll ever taste.

Minimerc: LOL! I never laughed so hard yet! Where do you peeps come up with these things? Heero's not toast…well Lord…*laughs again*

Kid: Well, I try my best…

~*~

I stared at Relena in awe. Relena, pessimistic? Those sorts of things don't happen. She had bowed her head again and was sitting perfectly still, like marble.

"What are you talking about, Relena, of course we won't die here. The Alliance will find a way to negotiate with President Munez," I argued logically. After all, she was their Vice Foreign Minister, their mouth piece to the colonies. However, Relena shook her head at this statement, her hair shaking limply.

"You're wrong, Ami," she said softly, flatly. "The Alliance doesn't care about me, about us." I laughed.

"Come on, Relena, they're professionals. Sure, they have their little issues with you, but they'll never let you die here." At this, she looked up at me with those lifeless eyes of hers. I looked down.

"Do you know what else they told me on at the last meeting?" she asked rhetorically. "This was my last term; they'd make sure that they'll vote me out next election. I'm too rude, they say." I heard some emotion in her voice; distress.

"But…"

"Do you know how costly elections are? The campaigning, the organization behind it, everything. It costs a ton of money. Money that the Alliance has, but they won't spend. They don't want to. Now, it would be easier if they could just appoint their subordinate if anything unfortunate should happen to me," she ended softly and sighed.

"Okay, let's just say they leave you here to die. What would the media have to say about that? The people love you, they will question." I pleaded passionately. In the dim light of the moon, I saw her smile sadly.

"Ah, yes, they do," she said softly. "If only it were up to them…the elections, I mean." Relena's nostalgic mood suddenly passed and she returned to her depressed state. " But no. As for the media, you'd be surprised how the Alliance can put their own spin on things. They could say they were in the midst of negotiations, because the whole story about this hotel thing isn't out, when President Munez turned on them and killed me." she shrugged "It works. It worked before." By now, I was frowning deeply.

"Why do you think they hate you so much? The whole thing about being insubordinate doesn't flow," I asked her. Once again, she sighed.

"I'm a threat to their system. Their system is corrupt; it would make you blood curdle if you knew some of the things they did. During the Eve Wars especially. I'm a threat to them, because I can't go for corruption. I stand for truth and justice. The only reason they tolerated me for so long is because of the same people." She chuckled. "Like I said, they love me. And they know that. It keeps them happy to see me fighting for them. If they forcibly removed me, they would have full scale revolution. And they don't want that. They may be all-powerful, but they know that the people's happiness count."

"So? They're many people like you around this world. Why do you think they want to kill you?" I asked again; I still couldn't see it.

"About six months ago, when I was giving a speech, there was an attempt on my life. Someone tried to snipe me, but by some miracle, he missed. Just barely, however. Later after a meeting, I heard the Chairman say to a few of his friends, with my own ears, 'He shouldn't have missed,'" Oh, my blood just froze in my veins. Jestingly or not, that was cruel. I closed my eyes and sighed deeply, as if I was in pain.

"Have I convinced you?" she asked monotonously. I could feel sweat pouring down my face. I just realized: if Relena was screwed, I was screwed too. Unless…

"What about the pilots?" I asked excitedly. I saw her frown.

"What?"

"The Gundam pilots. They'd never make you die here, not when they know the situation which they undoubtedly will," I saw her brighten for a second before the spark went out.

"They work for the Preventers; the Preventers are hooked up to the Alliance. The Alliance knows how close I am to Heero in particular," the name momentarily reminded me of the stress in my life, but that seemed so very insignificant compared to this. "They will try procrastinate my rescue and it will work; because the Preventers cannot act on matters this important without their approval.  And don't worry," she added, seeing I was ready to comment. "They will try to cover it up, and it will work."

"But you can't believe that they will leave you here because the authorities say not to rescue you, their dearest friend. If you do, you obviously have no faith in them," I said. I thought briefly that the ending statement was too harsh, but I wasn't ready to take it back. I heard her chuckle lowly.

"True," she admitted. "But even if they do, it will take a very long time for them to get organized, trust me. The Alliance will hold back information about our kidnapping and it will be hell's work to get it out of them."

"No faith," I murmured. "They will come through for us, I know they will." But even as I said this, I know what she said was probable, even logical.

~*~

I jerked my head upward suddenly. The sun was streaming in with all its glory. I can't believe I actually fell asleep after last night. I looked ahead at Relena.

She was looking to her left, outside a small window. She obviously didn't get any sleep. Her eyes were all red and puffy and dark lines circled them, giving her a haggard appearance. The sun failed to highlight her hair as it usually did, which was tangled and tousled, falling flaccidly to her shoulders. Taking a closer look, I noticed that her face was streaked. I realized that they redness of her eyes didn't only come from the lack of sleep; she had been crying. At this point in time, she turned to me and smiled wanly.

"Good morning," she said. "Beautiful morning, no?" The way she said that, so calmly and serenely made me wonder if the stress of situation had taken a toll on her…

"Are you alright, Relena?" I asked quietly. I noticed absently that they had changed the guards. Her smile grew brighter.

"Of course I am," she said. "You see, I thought about what you said last night and it made me realize that I should have faith in the guys." She sighed. "They'll come, and they be right on time." Her expression suggested that she knew something that I didn't. What brought this sudden burst of confidence? Even I was having my doubts. How were the pilots going to bet here without their Gundams? As far as I knew, that was the quickest way one could get to outer space from earth. I mean, from all reports, the Gundams had been destroyed after the Mariemaia revolts. But anyway, I didn't voice them to Relena; I didn't want to put her out of her good mood. 

"Maybe they won't have to sneak around, maybe the Alliance will help," I suggested. Relena frowned.

"Maybe they'll finally develop a sense of professionalism," Relena said after a pause, he voice quite sardonic. "But I won't hold my breath."

For the next few hours, Relena and I had some casual chats, nothing particularly important. We talked about random issues, made dry, hollow jokes and small talk. It made the time pass. We were given lunch, which was quite good compared to what I was expecting. Soon, the sun was setting in the sky. By then, we had exhausted all topics. Then was when president Munez came in.

Correction, stormed in was more like it. President Munez came in with a look of total disdain and anger on his face. He stopped in his usual place between us. I saw Relena smile up at him placidly.

"Hello, Mr Munez. How has your day been?" she asked sweetly. He glared down at her.

"They are stalling, making excuses, finding every reason to delay the grant to the hotel. 'Oh, it's a very long process; we can't do it just like that!'" he mocked in a high falsetto voice. He stomped over to the table that accommodated the unlit candle. "Bull!" he screamed, knocking over the table, causing me to jump. "Pure, unmitigated bullshit!" The room was deathly silent; one could hear a pin drop. Then Relena started to chuckle. It was soft and quiet at first, then she threw back her head and it developed into all out maniacal laughter. President Munez whipped around and stared at her, as I did too. Was she crazy?

"What are you laughing at?" he raged madly, rushing to her. He took her by both shoulders and shook her roughly. But that didn't stop her laughter; instead it swelled even more. He continued shaking her violently, but it didn't quell her laughter. Instead, it seemed to swell.

"Oh, my poor, poor, President," she said, breathless from laughter. He had turned from her and raked a hand through his hair. "You are so immensely clueless!" she shouted the last word after him. He turned back to her, all the rage gone from his expression, from what I could see. Instead, he wore a look of complete confusion.

It was an intense moment, passing between Relena and President Munez. There was he was, once standing regal and dignified, now his expression was totally befuddled, his shoulders slumped. And there was Relena, the one who should be distressed; instead she was sitting with such confidence and command, equaling that of a sovereign, though she was in a position of helplessness. I held my breath unconsciously.

"What?" he whispered softly, still looking to her. "Clueless?" Relena nodded eagerly.

"Yes, very clueless," she said lightly. "If you had been paying attention to colonial/Alliance affairs, you would not be in this unfortunate position."

"Unfortunate?" he said with a short chuckle, but he was clearly intrigued. "How is this unfortunate?" Relena gave a small, mysterious smile.

"Ah…it's quite easy to figure out…" she said and trailed off deliberately. He rushed to her, placing his arms on her shoulders, squeezing them. She winced slightly, but her smile stayed fixed to her face.

"Speak, woman!" he shouted into her face, spittle flying. She laughed again.

"Say it, don't spray it," she said, wrinkling her nose disdainfully. "Ugh, and somebody had garlic for dinner…" By now, my jaw was completely slackened. What the hell was Relena doing?! Purposely trying his patience, obviously, but why? President Munez leveled her with a deadly glare, while she smiled sweetly back at him. Finally, with a growl, he released her and turned away. He paced the floor in front of the window, away from us. I took this opportunity to mouth to Relena:

"What are you, crazy?" she just smiled back at me. Okay, now she was just plain scaring me.

"Okay, here what I can do," President Munez suddenly announced, excitement in his voice. He walked back to the little space between us, before turning back to Relena. "I can use you! I can make a video tape with you begging them to follow my command!" he cackled joyously. "Yes, that's what I'll do…"

"Won't work," Relena said immediately. I groaned and rolled my eyes. For God's Sake, if she had a death wish, go skydiving with an amateur. Don't risk my life too! President Munez looked at her curiously.

"What do you know that I don't, hmm, my little Relena?" he asked, his voice disturbingly nice. He walked up to her chair and crouched in front of her. "Huh? Tell me. Please?" Relena scoffed.

"The Alliance wouldn't give a damn anyway," she simply said. He continued to look up at her like she held the secret of eternal life.

"Why?" he implored softly. Relena sighed deeply. I leaned forward along with President Munez. Was she going to tell him what she told me last night? She looked down at him and smiled.

"I can't tell you that. Sorry," she said with a grin and a shrug. Okay, I was convinced. Relena has fallen off the apple cart. He growled again and barked her a hard, resounding slap. I gasped loudly. The impact of it made her neck snap to the side.

"Stop being such a difficult bitch and tell me!" he roared at her. Relena simply turned back to him, her eyes burning with a fire and intensity that I never seen her possess before. The rapid reddening of her cheek seemed to add to her passionate expression.

"Okay, Sherlock, you want to know why you're such a dumb ass?" she asked through clenched teeth. She shrugged. "Alright, I'll grace you with my knowledge." She paused and took a shaky breath. The fire never left her eyes, which never left President Munez.

"You just granted the Alliance's greatest wish; they have an opportunity to get rid of me!" she declared terribly. "The don't give two shits about what happens to me, just as long as they aren't implicated in it. So you know what they are going to do? They're going to leave me here to die, and then," she chuckled at this. "Then, they'll make it look like all your fault. You were in the middle of negotiations with them, when you flew off your rocker and killed me. Talk about you scandal! Then, they can get rid of you as well, and your hotel proposal!" she was panting by now, but her expression was still livid. "Don't feel so clever, now do you?"

President Munez stared at her in open wonder. He rose slowly and walked back over to the window, like he was just told his son had died. He leaned on the ledge and bowed his head in defeat. I looked over at Relena, who was glistening with a thin veil of sweat covering her body. The redness of her face that resulted from her excited state was slowly fading, making the imprint of his hand more prominent.

Then, President Munez turned. He turned so quickly that I could barely see his movement. But, I did see him withdraw something from his pocket. In his hand was a shiny, black Magnum. Pointed straight at Relena. Terror filled me immediately. However, Relena looked as calm as ever.

"Shoot me," she said softly, glaring at him. Their eyes locked, each pair glaring into the other. She thrust her chest out the best she could. "Shoot me." she ordered again. "Will it get you anywhere? Hell no," she smiled that sardonic smile of hers. "But if you think it will satisfy you, go ahead. However, I do have one last request." She turned to look at me. "Release Ami." I drew a ragged breath. Now both of their attentions were on me, though President Munez's gun was still on Relena.

"This is between me, you and the Alliance. Ami is completely innocent. A civilian. She doesn't have to be caught up in this. Release her and you will not be tainted." She said passionately, while still focused on me. I looked up at President Munez. His composure seemed to be cracking. His gun was being lowered. Relena smiled.

"That's right, let her go. Keep this between us," she said softly. The intensity of the moment made me breathless. It was like Relena was one of those negotiators that tried to get crazed gunmen to give themselves up. Sometimes they agree.

Sometimes they don't. President Munez suddenly regained his stability. The gun was focused on Relena again; his eyes were steely and cold.

"No," he said lowly, but firmly. "No, the both of you will die together." And with that, he turned on his heel and walked out of the room, leaving Relena and me alone with the guards.

Ooh, the plot thickens!