Calabrian-Bayman space

"There is a craft approaching from the direction of Bayman, my lord."

Shamara watched as Duo crossed the bridge of the small craft to observe the viewing screen where they could see a shuttle in the distance. "Send a message and ask their intent. I was not informed a Bayman ship would be entering our space."

"We are close to entering theirs," pointed out Shamara. She was afraid there would be a battle in space, and although she trusted no one more than Duo Maxwell in the piloting of the one warbird stowed on board, she was more than a little anxious to be left on the transport with an inexperienced pilot.

Taeron's heart was in the right place, but he had never left Calabrian space. This was his first trip beyond the moons. Shamara knew why her father had chosen Taeron to be her imperial guard, and it certainly had nothing to do with watching out for her safety. Shamara could take care of herself. If Taeron was her guard and Duo was escorting her, then Taeron and Duo would be forced to spend time together. She wondered if Duo realized it also. He hadn't said more than a few words to Taeron since the ceremonies of the previous day when Taeron received his sword of imperial alloy from the emperor himself. Duo's congratulations to the young man weren't any more heartfelt than those he received from any other man. Shamara didn't know how Taeron couldn't feel resentment towards Duo. But having touched Duo many times, Shamara did know that Duo truly didn't believe Taeron was his son. Perhaps her father's conniving would bring them together.

"There is no response to our signal," Taeron told Duo. "I'm not sure the message was received. We are getting static in return."

Duo turned to the control panel and pressed some buttons. "They aren't running a jamming signal, but something is interfering." He looked at Shamara. "You should buckle into a seat. I don't like this one bit."

Shamara did as he suggested. "I sense some kind of power out there." Her nerves were tingling, and it was not from any perceivable danger.

"Is it from that ship?" asked Duo. He respected her power to sense, even trusted it more than the ship scanners.

"I …I don't think so."

"Perhaps there is a micro meteor shower in this sector," commented Taeron.

"Communications can usually be filtered through them." Duo was watching his scanning screen intently. "What are you feeling Shamara?"

"The power is growing." Shamara looked at the viewing screen. She saw the Bayman craft approaching. "It bears the royal insignia."

Duo chuckled. "I think the prince is coming to meet you."

Shamara didn't want to see Prince Dagan so soon! She hadn't come up with a plan to keep from marrying him. If Dagan was now coming to greet her, he was likely under some duress and wouldn't listen to her pleas. Only the gods could help her now!

She didn't have any more time to think about her dilemma as some unseen force shot through her, startling but not hurting, and then she was amazed to see a strange light appear near the Bayman craft. "Duo, what…what is that? Are they being attacked?"

The light grew, and she felt the thrusters lurch the transport forward. "We have to protect them," said Duo as he increased their speed toward the craft. "There will be hell to pay if Prince Dagan is on that ship and it is attacked in our space."

Shamara knew he was right. After her miserable visit and her father's reprimands to the ambassador to Bayman, they would be blamed if some disaster befell the heir of Bayman. Although she didn't want to marry Dagan, Shamara certainly didn't want him harmed. The light was growing in size, and the power she sensed was building in intensity. "Whatever it is," she told Duo, "I don't think we can stop it."

"They will have to protect themselves," said Taeron. "I can't raise any communication with them although I have tried every frequency in the spectrum."

Shamara watched the light grow and grow, then begin to spin into a vortex. The Bayman ship was no longer on a course toward them, but was being pulled back toward the vortex. "Lord Duo, what is happening?"

Duo was still staring at his scanning screen, but now he was swearing under his breath. "Whatever that is, it is taking us with the Bayman ship." His fingers were flying over the control panel, but suddenly he stopped, his hand frozen.

"What is it?" asked Taeron, trying to keep his own panic in check.

Shamara looked at Duo. She sensed a dread from deep within him. Now he spun around to look at the viewing screen, and she followed his gaze. The vortex had burst into a kaleidoscope of color and the Bayman ship had disappeared into the middle.

Their own transport was drawing closer, and Shamara realized what they were witnessing. "The gods," she gasped.

"That is not the gods," snapped Duo. He spun back to the control panel. "It is a spatial disturbance, a wormhole. We can't let the ship get drawn in."

"My lord," spoke up Taeron. "We studied this in our space flight training. The recommended course of action is to cut all power or the craft will be inoperable on the other side."

"He's right," said Shamara. "Mama said their ship was damaged after going through because they tried to fight the gravitational pull. We cannot fight the will of the gods."

Duo was changing the course of the ship to attempt an escape. "We have no idea where it will take us."

"Lord Duo, it's not helping!" exclaimed Taeron as they were pulled even closer to the vortex. "Cut the power!"

"No!" He looked at Shamara, and she saw the pain in his eyes. She didn't want to read his thoughts, but she had no choice.

"I can't go back there."

He was afraid of what he would find if he returned to his own people. There was no assurance that they would be sent to his system, but she knew that he feared that above all. Understanding his turmoil, Shamara reached out a hand to him. "Touch me," she said softly. She could give him strength.

Duo reached out his hand to her, but before they touched, the ship lurched and he was thrown against the control panel where he hit his head and crumpled to the floor. Shamara saw blood pouring from a gash on his forehead, and she started to unbuckle, but Taeron quickly crossed to put his hand on her shoulder.

"Princess, I am to protect you. Please stay in your seat. I will take care of my…my lord."

But Taeron didn't have chance because the controls began to crackle and the light from inside the craft blacked out, leaving them in the strange light from the vortex. Shamara grabbed Taeron's hand and held tight, feeling his fear, first for the man lying unconscious on the floor, then for her, and lastly for himself. She sensed the injustice he felt at never getting a chance to prove himself to Duo. Taeron was certain he was going to die.

"The gods will protect us, Taeron."

"Thank you, princess. But I should be protecting you." Getting control of himself, he looked at her as he buckled himself in the seat beside hers. Although she sensed his desire to go to Duo, he knew that if something were to happen to him, no one would be left to protect her.

The craft was hurtled for several minutes uncontrollably through space, and as it picked up speed, Shamara began to feel fear of her own. Finally when the light died and they were in near darkness, still spinning out of control, she heard Duo groan. She turned her head to see him forcing himself to his feet. Were it not for his almost superhuman strength, he would not be able to move at all as the force of their speed kept Shamara pinned to her seat as well as Taeron to his.

The side of Duo's face was covered with blood that he wiped away so that he could see. "The controls are shot to hell. I can't stop the ship."

"Can you make it to a seat?" asked Taeron fearfully. "If we crash…"

"Hey, if we crash at this speed, me being in a seat isn't going to keep me from being turned into dog meat."

Shamara watched the screen as they spun around and around, part of her hoping to see the craft from Bayman, but it was no where in sight. She couldn't imagine what could possibly stop them from sure doom, smashing into a comet or asteroid or even a planet. They could spin forever. Her stomach was starting to feel queasy, but she could see that Taeron and Duo were hardly affected. She had had some training in space procedures, but certainly not the training an imperial guard did. If this didn't stop soon, she was going to empty her stomach. Her head felt like a lead weight.

Duo watched as Shamara's head began to nod weakly, then her chin drop to her chest as she lost consciousness. Damn, there was nothing he could do, and again he had no one to blame but himself. Taeron had been right, and Duo knew he should have cut the power, but he had been too overcome with a fear of the unknown. He should have realized the odds were against the wormhole opening back to the same part of space he had left behind seventeen years ago. Now they would likely die because of him.

"My lord, look!"

Duo focused on a flashing light on the control panel. "It's an intruder alert."

"Perhaps the Bayman ship made it through without incident," said Taeron. "They could help us with a tractor beam."

"If Dagan wants to marry Princess Shamara they could help us," said Duo. "Then again, if he doesn't, he could be rid of her without any blame."

The light on the control panel was becoming erratic, indicating that the approaching object was close, but Duo couldn't see it on the viewing screen. He was beginning to feel light headed as the transport continued to roll around and around. It was difficult to focus on the screen. He closed his eyes and tried to recapture his equilibrium.

"My lord! What is that beast?"

Duo's eyes popped open and his heart did a flip. "By the gods, it is a gundam!" Not just any gundam, but his own gundam. This could not be happening! As he watched the wings of the Deathscythe pop open, Duo was certain that he was having another dream from which Shamara would awaken him.

The communication panel was beeping, but he could not reach it and he dared not leave his seat again. But Taeron could, and he quickly unbuckled and lurched toward the panel to push the button to open the communication line.

"Unidentified craft," they heard a feminine voice say. "You are on a direct course to Cinq Kingdom Colony L12. Please reset your course."

Taeron turned to Duo, his brows raised. Of course, the young man didn't understand. Duo explained the message to him in Calabrian, then said, "Just repeat what I tell you. Sound for sound, Taeron: We are unable to control the craft. Our systems are down."

He listened as Taeron stumbled over the pronunciation and he hoped Taeron could be understood. There was a moment's delay before the woman piloting the gundam responded. "I have to stop your craft before it causes damage to the colony. Please secure your passengers."

Duo ordered Taeron to sit again, and once he was buckled in tightly, they both sat back to wait. The gundam blasted ahead then turned back in their path. Duo gripped the arms of his chair, then glanced at Taeron to see that he was clearly afraid.

"We will be all right, Taeron."

Taeron's eyes met his. "I will not make you ashamed of me, my lord."

Duo reached out to put his hand on Taeron's shoulder. "I could not be ashamed of you, Taeron."

His hand was jarred off when the ship made contact with the gundam. He could hear metal twisting and hoped that the containment field around the bridge would hold or they would be sucked into space. After what seemed like hours of terrifying noise, the ship came to a stop.

"We are still alive," said Taeron with awe.

Duo unbuckled and went to Shamara. She was still unconscious, and her pulse was strong. He then went to the communicator that was flashing.

"Is everyone all right in there?" asked the woman in the gundam.

"We have minor injuries," he told her.

"You speak our language! Super!"

"Is there any damage to your gundam?" Duo couldn't help but feel concern for Deathscythe.

"This piece of junk? I don't think anything could harm this tough old bird." Deathscythe was pretty old. He should be surprised it was still in use. "I'm taking your craft into Cinq Kingdom Colony L12. You will have to be quarantined until the medics are sure you aren't carrying any kind of diseases. How many are in your party?"

"There are three on this ship. Did another ship pass by?"

"I didn't see another ship on my scan, but I just came on patrol. Was there another in your group?"

"The other ship wasn't with us. They were coming out to meet us when they were drawn into the wormhole."

"There is no sign of the ship on my scanning log or in the log of the patrol I relieved," she told Duo. "But he's a lazy jerk, so he probably wasn't doing his job. If I hadn't relieved him, your ship would probably be lodged in the officer's commissary by now."

Duo chuckled. "I was a little hungry."

She laughed in response then said, "Sit back and relax. We'll be docking in a few minutes."

The communication closed and he guessed she was relaying information to the colony about their visitors. Duo looked at Taeron. "These are my people. I think we will be safe."

"Your people?" Taeron seemed worried. "Will you…will you be…be…"

Duo realized what was bothering the young man. "I will not be staying among them, Taeron. I have responsibilities for Calabria."

Taeron couldn't hold his sigh of relief.

Duo closed his eyes and rubbed them between his forefinger and thumb. Taeron needed him, but Duo didn't want to be needed by anyone. What could he offer Taeron? Worse, what would Larya expect of him if he accepted Taeron as his son? It wouldn't hurt to call Taeron son as long as Larya didn't make any demands on him. Maybe taking Taeron into his lonely life would fill a void. Taeron would never shame his house, of that he was quite certain. He had been the top imperial cadet, and by right, Taeron should have received his sword from the hands of his father and become Amyr's imperial guard. Instead, Trey had presented it to him and now the young man was watching over Shamara like a chaperone. When Duo returned to Calabria, he had every intention of chewing out Trey for his bad judgment.

The ship was hauled into the docking bay, and once it had been de-pressurized, Duo left his seat, unbuckled Shamara and lifted her. She moaned softly, so he knew she was probably only feeling some space sickness. Taeron popped the hatch to the ship, then stepped back as what appeared to be creatures in white protective suits came to them. Duo translated for Taeron, telling him that they were as worried about the health of the Calabrians as they were for the well being of the inhabitants of the colony.

They were escorted to a sealed chamber, and then several scans were passed over them for what seemed like hours. After a few moments, Shamara regained consciousness and huddled close to Duo, obviously afraid.

"Don't worry," he told her. "These are your grandmother's people. I might even know someone."

She looked up at him. "These are the people who know my father as Trowa Barton?"

"They will help us to return to Calabria."

"What has become of Prince Dagan?"

"I don't know." Duo wondered what was going to happen if Dagan did not return to Bayman. He wouldn't be surprised to return to a war. "Perhaps he wasn't on that ship."

"He was," murmured Shamara. "I felt his essence."

Before Duo could question her further, the door to the chamber opened, and a young woman wearing a red flight suit stepped inside. The suit fit so snugly to her form that Duo felt uncomfortable and Taeron was gawking in shock. She was a pretty young woman, and by the look on her face, she was very used to being in control. She seemed familiar with hair a muted shade of red that she had trapped in a braid, but he couldn't place who she might be. She was too young for him to have ever met her.

"The doctors say you can leave. After they have taken care of your injuries, I will escort you to the security offices where they will question you." She came closer, looking intently at Duo. "I've seen you some place before."

He raised a brow. So she had the same feeling? "Were you piloting that gundam?" he asked curiously. Her voice was also familiar.

She smiled and held out her hand. "Now I know! Your face is in the logs I studied when I began piloting it. You must be Duo Maxwell."

Duo reached out to shake her hand. "You probably know everything about me."

"Not really. Most of your files were erased. I accessed a history of my gundam and read about you." She crossed her arms over her chest. "So, the lost lamb has returned. A lot of people will be surprised to see you."

A man wearing a lab coat appeared. "Captain Nelson, are you finished? They should be taken to the infirmary."

She stepped aside, and Duo left the chamber holding Shamara close. He didn't need her powers to sense she was afraid of the unknown and still feeling disoriented by their trip through the wormhole.

Captain Nelson glanced at Taeron with more than a little interest. "Now there's a fine specimen," she commented. "I wouldn't mind doing a little experimenting on him. What is your name?"

Duo bit his lip to keep from laughing at the shocked look on the young man's face. "His name is Taeron. He doesn't speak your language. He is… he's…well, he is my son."

Shamara glanced up at him. "What did you just tell them?"

She knew exactly what he had said, having learned their language from her grandmother, but he repeated it in Calabrian anyway.

"My lord!" Taeron looked ready to explode with joy.

Duo looked away, already regretting saying it. "I'll tie the two of you to me, that way they won't separate us."

Shamara nodded. "I understand." She looked at Captain Nelson. "I am Lord Duo's concubine."

"What the hell!" Duo could not believe she had said it, and speaking language Captain Nelson understood.

She blinked, then looked at Duo. "Whatever works for you," she remarked with a wink.

Duo glared at Shamara. "What did you say that for?" he whispered furiously.

"You said…"

"Never mind!" he snapped as they came to what appeared to be a medical facility. "Don't make up any more stories."

"I think she is clever," said Taeron. "If they believe she belongs to you, they will not bother her unless they wish to risk crossing blades with you, my lord."

"This isn't Calabria," Duo reminded him. "Women don't need that kind of protection and we are the only ones walking around with blades."

"I would rather have that kind of protection," said Shamara as she huddled closer to Duo.

Captain Nelson disappeared while they were cared for in the infirmary. Duo received laser sutures for his head wound, then had to convince Taeron to put away his sword to allow the doctors and nurses to check the princess for any injuries. Neither enjoyed being touched by strangers, but they allowed it only because Duo insisted. When the examination had concluded, Captain Nelson returned, but this time she was dressed in a dark uniform that was much less revealing. Although she wore pants and a jacket, she received quite a few double takes from the men that passed. Taeron didn't seem at all interested in the attractive young woman.

"I am to escort you straight to the governor's office," she told Duo with a smile. "You look a lot better cleaned up."

Shamara nudged her way between them. "Lord Duo belongs to me."

Duo snorted with laughter then bit his lip to keep from guffawing. There was a twinkle in Shamara's eyes when he looked at her, and Taeron's lips were twitching with a suppressed smile. Maybe the boy had a sense of humor.

They walked in silence for a few moments before Captain Nelson spoke again. "So, you are from Calabria? I've heard some tales about that planet. Not many have seen it, and yet you have made your life there."

"I didn't have much choice in the matter," pointed out Duo. "But my life on Calabria has been good. I have no reason to complain." Glancing at Shamara, he knew that was true.

As they walked, many people turned to stare at them. Duo realized they were strangely dressed, but aside from that, they didn't look any differently from any of them. Shamara stayed close to Duo while Taeron looked around curiously. Duo suspected that he was planning defense and escape routes in case they were attacked.

"How far away from L10 are we?" Duo finally asked the pretty young pilot. What he really wanted to ask was where he might find Trynity Stryfe, but he wasn't sure if he should seek her out after all this time. His heart told him otherwise, but his head controlled his actions these days.

She looked at him. "About a week's distance between here and there. L11 is between, and most people stop at L11 for a layover before continuing. L11 is a nice vacation spot with plenty of resorts. I'm going there for my first leave." She rubbed her hands together. "I have plans to hit the beach."

"Is L10 still a research colony?" Was Trynity there?

She shrugged. "I suppose so, but now that the wormhole has opened up, I imagine all those brainiacs will be running here to investigate."

Was she one of those brainiacs? He couldn't imagine her not wanting to study the wormhole, so Trynity might already be planning to come to this colony. Duo wasn't sure what his next approach should be, and he turned his scrutiny on the young woman again. Where had he seen her before? Then he noticed the name stitched on her uniform. "Captain Nelson, I once knew a Lars Nelson. Are you related to him? He was a pilot like you, but of the gundam Epyon."

Captain Nelson turned to look at him. "You knew my father?"

"Your father?" Duo couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Lars is your father?"

He noticed a look of pain on her face before she looked away, and her long lashes batted away at the tears that made her green eyes shimmer. "Was. My father is dead."

"I'm sorry to hear that." The girl was obviously choked up about him. Duo had a hard time picturing skirt-chaser Lars Nelson raising a daughter, especially not the responsible young woman escorting them now.

They came to a light-rail stop and after she had a short exchange with the guards, they boarded a comfortable car that soon sped away from the colony military base. Duo watched the scenery passing by, marveling about the technology he had once taken for granted, and he noticed that Taeron and Shamara were whispering to each other about the sights that kept them wide-eyed.

After he had seen enough, Duo turned his attention back to Captain Nelson. He had thought there was something familiar about her face, and now he knew why. So she was Lars' daughter! She didn't look much like Lars. Who did she look like? Her mother? What foolish woman had ended up with him? As he stared at her, the answer started to come slowly to him. The arch of her brows, the shape and color of her eyes and the curve of her lips were all features that he thought he would never forget. And yet he had.

Pain shoot straight through him so quickly that he found it difficult to breathe.

Shamara sensed his mood change and looked quickly at him. "What is wrong, my lord?"

He shook his head at Shamara, then looked back at young Captain Nelson. "Your…your mother…she wouldn't be…Trynity Stryfe?"

She smiled at him. "Did you know my mother, too?"

Duo felt so sick inside that he couldn't answer.

Captain Nelson went on. "My mom doesn't talk much about her life before she married Pops. I don't think she was very happy, and Gramps told us not to nag her about it. I'd be interested in anything you can tell me about her."

He didn't have a chance to tell her that he didn't have anything to tell her because the car came to a stop before a huge, modern residence. When she stepped out, guards demanding some documentation immediately confronted her.

As she dealt with them, Duo didn't know what he should feel. He had left Trynity and not returned, so he had no right to feel betrayed. Then why did his heart feel like it had been ripped in half?

She beckoned them out of the car. "All clear. They are expecting us."

"Where are we?" Duo asked. He could see that Shamara was consumed with concern for him, but Duo wouldn't ask her for help, no matter how bad the pain became.

"Governor's residence," she informed him. "You are guests of the Cinq Kingdom as ambassadors from Calabria."

As they walked up the steps to the residence, Duo explained their position to Shamara and Taeron. Hearing that they were honored guests had little effect on Taeron; he still walked close to the princess he had given an oath to guard. Duo felt even more depressed as he looked from Taeron to Captain Nelson, Trynity's daughter. She was as much proof as Duo needed that Taeron could not be his son. He had wanted to believe, maybe as much for his sake as Taeron's, that Larya had not lied. Now his carefully constructed world was coming apart, and he had to act as if he weren't suffering while keeping Shamara and Taeron out of trouble.

Servants opened the door, and as they entered, Duo could see that they were arriving at a bad time. Decorators were rushing about, carpenters were busy, and workmen and women were busy scrubbing the huge reception hall that opened to what appeared to be a ballroom.

A young man left a group of workers, and Duo saw by the tag on his pilot's uniform that he was undoubtedly the son of Heero Yuy. "Is this them?" he asked with a brief glance at the visitors.

"Duh! What do you think? They are wearing the newest thing from L11? Where are your parents, Chaz?"

"Upstairs. Mother had a freak out over the flowers that arrived today, so father suggested she get away from the preparations for a while."

"Something going on?" asked Duo curiously as he looked around.

The young man held out his hand and Duo took it. "My name is Chaz Yuy. My father is the governor. I guess you already know him and my mother. They are both waiting upstairs. Father would go through the whole welcome to our solar system speech, but he thought you'd want some time to adjust before he did his Cinq Kingdom routine."

If Duo weren't still in a daze over discovering the existence of Trynity's daughter, he might actually enjoy talking to Heero and Relena's son. As it was, he really wanted to find somewhere to lay down…and die.

"Relena is giving a formal ball to celebrate the arrival of new pilots from Earth. She's been waiting months for Chaz to graduate…"

"We all can't be as smart as you, Quynn, to get out of that rat hole academy early." Chaz turned and held out his arm toward a lift that would take them upwards in the several stories high residence. "Shall we? Our private residence is in the penthouse suite, which is above the main governmental offices for this sector of Cinq Kingdom Space Territories."

Nobody spoke as the lift carried the group swiftly upwards, and when it came to a stop, Chaz keyed in a security code that opened the doors to an elegant foyer. Chaz then led them to a salon where he left them for a few moments. Duo tried to keep his eyes from returning to Quynn Nelson, but something drove him to cause himself more pain. She was a softer version of her mother, her hair, now in a loose braid, was not nearly as curly and bright, and her eyes were blue, not hazel. Sensing his scrutiny, she turned her head to smile at him, but before she could speak, the door opened.

"Oh my God! It is true!"

Relena stood in the doorway, her eyes wide with disbelief. Heero came from behind her, and Duo was surprised that other than the obvious physical changes that age and maturity brought, Heero didn't seem all that different. While Relena remained rooted to the spot in shock, Heero came to Duo and took his hand first and clasped it in a warm welcome. There was a smile on his lips as he tilted his head up to look him in the eye.

"What the hell have you been eating? You must have grown a foot!"

Duo shifted uncomfortably, aware that Relena hadn't welcomed him. "You don't want to know what I've been eating."

"I think you're bigger than Lars was," chuckled Heero. "Too bad we can't have a rematch between the black and red knight."

"Too bad," agreed Duo. They didn't know the half.

Quynn came to him and before Duo could react, she tucked herself under his arm. "I guess he is a little bigger than Pops was."

Heero and Relena exchanged a pained glance, and Duo stiffened. He was saved the awkward task of disengaging himself from the young woman when Shamara stepped forward, her eyes aglow with outrage. Seeing her, Quynn moved quickly away, and Shamara fitted herself against Duo. He felt relieved.

Heero then looked at his wife. "Get over here and welcome our guests."

"Guests? Since when is the governor's residence a refuge for space riffraff?"

Heero gave Duo an apologetic smile. "She hasn't changed much, has she?"

Quynn laughed. "Come on Chaz. Your mom is on a rampage, and I'm off duty. Let's get something to eat while your mother lays into someone else for a change."

"Good plan. See you later, mom."

Relena took a step toward him. "Just a minute, young man! I told you…"

They disappeared out the door before she could complete her sentence.

When the two young people left, she turned back, and with a sigh, Duo said, "Let me explain."

"Explain what?" demanded Relena, her voice rising, her cheeks red with anger. "Where are you going to start? Back when you hopped into that escape pod?"

Duo felt such a strong wave of guilt and regret that his stomach knotted and he swayed. Shamara slipped her arm around his waist and placed her hand on his chest. The pain quickly subsided, but Shamara shuddered as she accepted some into her own body. He would have to be more careful with her. "I want to start with my companions. This young woman is Trey's daughter, Shamara."

"I am his concubine," she told them with a proud lift to her chin.

"Trey's daughter is your concubine?" Relena was shocked, and Heero's brows raised.

"No!" Duo glared at Shamara until she lowered her head. This explanation should be easy but she was messing it up. He looked back to Heero. "Shamara thought she would be safer if she were identified as my concubine."

Shamara raised her head. "In truth, I am not exactly sure what a concubine is, but I know that the men of a house were once responsible for protection of their concubines."

Although a slight smile danced on Heero's lips, he nodded to Taeron. "And the young man?"

"He is my imperial guard," Shamara announced.

Duo sighed. "He is also my son, Taeron." He thought claiming Taeron as his son might make him feel better about discovering that Trynity had children. It didn't.

"So!" Relena came forward, her hands on her hips. "You think you can march in here like nothing happened?"

"I didn't really march in here," Duo reminded her. "I was escorting Shamara to Bayman so that she could marry Prince Dagan when that damn wormhole opened up."

"So you didn't want to return?" Relena was glaring at him.

"Relena, you are still a bitch," snapped Duo. He didn't need this aggravation now.

Heero laughed and put his arm around Duo's shoulders. "Come in and sit down. Relena, maybe you should show Shamara and Taeron to their rooms. I think they will be our guests for a while until their ship is repaired."

"Thank you," said Duo.

Although she seemed reluctant to leave, Relena caught an imposing stare from her husband, so she did not argue.

"I will stay with Princess Shamara," he heard Taeron state as Relena lead them out.

"That is ridiculous," said Relena in broken Calabrian. At least she remembered the language.

"I am her imperial guard."

The rest of their argument was lost as they disappeared around a corner, but Duo knew that Taeron would get his way.

"Can I get you something to drink?" asked Heero as Duo settled on a comfortable sofa.

"Water," he said.

Heero poured water from a pitcher set on a side table, then handed it to Duo who quickly drained it. There was a moment of silence before Heero spoke again. "You met Quynn."

Duo closed his eyes and rubbed them with his fingers. "You were right, Heero. She must have gone right into his arms."

Heero shrugged. "Was Trynity supposed to sit at L10 for the rest of her life waiting for the wormhole to open? Would you be happier if you found her a miserable wreck?"

Duo couldn't answer that question, probably because he was a miserable wreck.

"How is Trey?" asked Heero, changing the subject.

"Trey has fulfilled every promise he has made to his people. There is peace and prosperity on Calabria, and he has expanded the contacts of his empire to other regions of space. Although the Wastelands are a relic of the past, and Calabria has become a fruitful planet, none of his success has come without a price. But many of the dissenters have settled on the moons, and I have been given the task of keeping the zenoites that have settled on the second moon from revolting yet again." Although there hadn't been an armed insurrection in several years, Duo knew that those that did not wish to abide by the changes Trey had made schemed incessantly.

"And how are Arora and Apolo?"

"Apolo hasn't changed. He is still the gods' gift to women. As for Arora, she is busy with her children, all seven of them."

"Seven!" Heero chuckled. "I cannot even handle the two in my own home. Relena has been a competent enough parent."

"I heard that!" Relena returned and glared at her husband. "I think you can say I am a bit more than competent."

Heero pulled her down next to him on the sofa. "Trey has seven children," he told her.

"I am not surprised," she sniffed. "He didn't have anything else on his mind except the making of one." She looked at Duo. "Shamara tells me you have been unhappy. Well, it serves you right!"

"She didn't say any such thing to you!" Duo couldn't believe Shamara would betray his confidence.

Relena smiled. "Just a guess. Anyway, I hope you have been damn miserable. I was with Trynity when she got your note. Really, Duo, couldn't you have recorded a message? You misspelled several words."

"I'm not taking this crap from you." Duo started to get up, but Heero grabbed his arm.

"Don't go."

"I'm sorry, Heero, but I am tired. I feel like I was on a roller coaster for hours, my head is throbbing, and I have just gone through the terror of thinking that not only was I going to die, but Shamara and Taeron were going to die as well. Shamara is like my daughter. I was more afraid for her than myself."

"I understand." Heero stood with Duo. "I'll show you to your room."

"I think I had better stay with Shamara and Taeron."

"We aren't on Calabria," Relena reminded him tartly. "They don't have anything to fear. This is the governor's residence. It is well protected."

"I still feel that we should stay together. They might be frightened." Duo would feel more comfortable with them, and not necessarily for their sake.

Heero walked him to the room Relena had directed them to, and at the door he hugged Duo. "I can't tell you how happy I am to see you again."

Duo didn't return the hug. He didn't feel as though he belonged here.

Heero put a hand on his shoulder. "I notice that you didn't ask about Trynity. Don't think she has forgotten you."

"Maybe we can talk tomorrow. I need some rest right now." He didn't want to think about Trynity. The pain was becoming unbearable.

"Your things will be brought here. I suggest that you do get a lot of rest because Relena is throwing one of her events tomorrow, so we're going to need to be prepared for anything. I'm sure she's thinking your arrival is an omen."

Duo went through the door and found Shamara and Taeron pacing anxiously, but they stopped, visibly relieved when they saw him. Fortunately the suite was large enough to accommodate them all. A cot had already been delivered for Taeron to sleep on although he seemed to view it as an extravagance. He had been prepared to sleep on the floor at the foot of Shamara's bed.

But Shamara insisted that Duo lay down on the bed, and although Duo wanted to sleep on the small couch nearby, he did end up lying on the bed. When he closed his eyes, he saw Quynn Nelson's face. Trynity's daughter. Lars' daughter. His mind conjured images of Trynity and Lars together.

He was unable to stop his groan, and Shamara came quickly to him, putting her hands on his cheeks. "Let me take the pain, Duo."

"I'll get through this on my own," he insisted, not opening his eyes. "I don't want you to be harmed. I know what this can do to you. Your powers aren't as strong as Apolo's."

"I would gladly suffer any pain for you," she said softly. "You do not deserve this."

Duo felt another hand touch him and he opened his eyes to see Taeron looking at him with concern. "What can I do to help you, my lord?"

At that moment, Duo wished Taeron were his son. "Nothing, Taeron. Watch out for Shamara. I may not be much help while we are here."

"I will watch out for you, too, my lord."

Duo closed his eyes again, but this time he saw the grassy plains of the Calabrian moon where he lived. "I asked you not to do that," he murmured.

Shamara pressed her lips to his forehead. "I am disobedient."

"Thank you," he breathed before he drifted off to a peaceful Guerani induced sleep.