Chapter Three

Echoes of Vengeance

Tiana lay in a white hospital room, covered only by a thick, white blanket. An oxygen mask was strapped over her nose and mouth. IV's hung from rods down into her arms, keeping her asleep and away from pain.

Trowa stood back. I could've stopped him, he thought. If I had moved faster she wouldn't be dying. There were so many "ifs." He thought of nearly every one as he watched the steady rise and fall of Tiana's chest. She's so pale. She doesn't deserve this. Not after what she's been through. Tiana's body moved as if to roll over, then stopped. Her mouth opened slightly as if to let out a scream. He squeezed his eyes shut. Tiana, his mind cried out. Tiana, don't die!

In front of Trowa's eyes flashed the events of the past day. Everything had happened so fast.

*****

As Trowa leaned against the wall, shaking, Quatre stood up from where he sat, across from the door. Trowa didn't notice him for a long time. He looked up to find Quatre studying him.

"What happened, Trowa?" Quatre asked quietly.

Trowa shook his head. "I'm not quite sure."

The door hissed open and Tiana walked out. She stopped and looked at Trowa. Both pilots turned toward her. No one said a thing for a few moments.

"I…guess I should leave you two alone," Quatre said, a touch of jest in his voice. Silently he crept back down the hall.

Tiana and Trowa didn't seem to notice. Perhaps they didn't. After a few moments, Tiana looked down at her feet, then back at Trowa. "I want to… apologize…for frightening you."

Trowa shook his head, still in a slight daze. "How did you do that?"

"I'm not quite sure," Tiana said, seeming to look past Trowa. "I only know that it has to do with why I was imprisoned."

"What happened? What do you mean?" Trowa asked.

"I'd rather not say it," Tiana started. Trowa's shoulders sagged. "here," she finished. "If we could go somewhere else…"

Trowa brightened and led her off to a small conference room. They sat down together and Tiana began her story. How she had grown up with the Peacecrafts and then lost touch with them after the Sanc Kingdom fell. How she had wandered the streets in England and found herself as a part of an Earth based rebel group. Her training with them and her capture at Lake Victoria.

She told him how she had trained along side Zechs and Noin, falling just short of them in scores. She explained how she had been chosen by Oz for "Special Forces operations" and how that eventually led to the failed experiment. Trough all of this, Trowa sat silently, almost in disbelief.

Trowa could say nothing in response, but soon found himself telling his own story. Being raised as a soldier. Nanashi. Midii. The traitors of his group that had joined the Federation. How he had made it into space and received his name along with Gundam Heavyarms. He told all about Operation Meteor and how he had come to know the four other Gundam pilots. How, after trying to stop Quatre's madness, Catherine had found him wandering a colony without any memory.

The two sat in the conference room, sharing their pasts, bonding to each other with ties that neither had known before. They each knew something about the other that few, if any, people knew. As the hours ticked away they each said their good-byes and departed, going their separate ways.

His past is so full of heartache, that's why he pretends to be so cold, Tiana thought as she walked away from Trowa.

She's a strong woman. Even Wufei could respect the kind of courage it took for her to survive, Trowa thought as he retreated to his room.

*****

Tiana laid in her bed, exhausted, but still awake. Images of her newly revealed past floated in her mind, bringing back every emotion she had ever felt. Desperately, she tried to build up walls to block the pain out, but somehow, Trowa had made it so she couldn't. "Damn you, Trowa," she said quietly, half-heartedly.

After a few moments, Tiana heard a soft knock on her door. "Come," she said, barely audible, but the door opened anyway. Noin stood there shocked for a moment. Without looking up, Tiana said quietly, "Lucrezia."

"How…?" Noin started.

Tiana sat up and looked at her through tired eyes. "Don't ask, it's a long story."

Noin walked into the room, holding an old picture in her hand. She held it out hesitantly toward Tiana. "It's been a long time," she said, trying to start a conversation.

Tiana nodded absently, looking at the picture. "Too long," she agreed. Tears began to burn in her eyes as she looked at the picture of her, Noin, and Zechs. Noin sat down next to her. Swallowing, Tiana blinked the tears away.

"How is he," Tiana asked.

Noin looked down sadly. "Commander Milliardo Peacecraft," she said as if reciting information. "Leader of the White Fang."

Tiana looked up at her, shocked. "Why did he do that."

Noin shook her head, "Your guess is as good as mine."

"Hn." Tiana looked back down at the picture in her hand.

*****

On the way to his room, Trowa ran into Duo. "Hey Trowa," Duo said, trying to be cheerful. Trowa looked at him. Duo's shoulder's sagged and he sighed.

Trowa took a deep breath, making a weak attempt at being, if not as cheerful, at least courteous to Duo. "Hello, Duo."

Duo grinned, "Well, it's better than Heero and Wufei. Those two are as crabby as ever. Heero's tinkering around with that Virgo carrier we recovered. I don't know what he wants that thing for, but…"

Trowa chuckled quietly. Duo looked at him quizzically. "Hey, Trowa, are you ok."

The corners of Trowa's lips turned up ever so slightly. Duo looked ready to collapse. "I'm fine, Duo." Trowa started forward. "Good night, Duo."

Duo watched Trowa go with wide eyes. Next thing ya' know, Heero will be running around and laughing, Duo thought, walking away, half expecting Heero to bounce around a corner grinning like a maniac. He shook his head and laughed at the image that produced.

*****

"Hey Howard," Sally said, watching Heero mess with the Virgo carrier. "What do you think about Tiana?"

"I don't know," Howard said, shaking his head. "She might be able to help us, if she's willing."

"If you ask me," Wufei said, poking his head around the leg of the Taurus suit, "she's nothing but trouble."

"She did help us get out of MO-2, Wufei," Heero stated. Wufei looked up at him, about to say something. "And she fought off fifty Leos with that thing." He gestured to the Taurus.

Wufei grunted. That doesn't mean anything, he thought stubbornly. Yes it does, ugh. Wufei resisted the urge to throw his hands up in frustration. I'm going mad, he thought.

*****

Covered by the white hospital blanket, Tiana's body began to shake. Trowa leapt to life, taking the blanket and pulling it up around her bare shoulders. Tiana, he thought tenderly.

Trowa reached out his hand, holding it just over Tiana's forehead. He could feel the heat coming off her. As tears began to form in his eyes, he lowered his hand to rest on her forehead, brushing her sweat-soaked bangs aside. As he began to stroke her long, loose hair, Tiana's shaking subsided.

If only I had been there sooner, Tiana. I'm so sorry.

*****

Vai sat at a table in the cafeteria. He rubbed his eyes, taking a sip of his coffee. "Vai," he heard someone say. He looked up to see a tall, husky man standing over him. "Hey, are you ok?" the man asked.

"Yeah," Vai said, clearing his throat, setting his coffee down and making himself sit up right. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"You sure, buddy? You look a little out of it," The man said.

"Luca," Vai snapped, "I'm fine."

Luca raised his eyebrows. "Whatever," he huffed, sitting down across from Vai.

"I'm sorry, man…" Vai started.

"Don't bother, Vai. You just saw the woman who killed your brother. I understand," Luca said, as sincere as a man of his build can get.

"Yeah," Vai said, looking down. "You know…" Vai raised his hand and slammed it down on the table, shaking his head. "Six years I've looked for that damn woman." He looked up at Luca. "SIX YEARS! And now, she comes waltzing onto the ship I work on, claiming that she doesn't remember a damn thing and somehow gets the sympathy of those bloody gundam pilots." Vai huffed. He opened his mouth to say something. Luca put his hand on Vai's.

Luca shook his head. "Don't do anything here, Vai. You'll get yourself killed. Especially since the gundam pilots have their eyes on her."

"They're just kids. I will get her back for my brother." Vai began to breathe heavily, a glint of insanity shown in his eyes.

"Vai…" Luca started. "Vai, think of how many people have made the mistake of underestimating those 'kids.' If you're lucky, you may get a shot off. But they'll find you. You're on a space ship, Vai. There's no where to hide."

Vai looked madly at Luca. He stood up. "I will kill her," he said. "I will give her what she deserves. And I will kill anyone who gets in my way."

Vai stormed out of the cafeteria, nearly plowing into Trowa in the process. Trowa seemed to shrug it off. Vai glared as Trowa entered the cafeteria. Don't get in my way, boy, he warned silently.

Vai turned on his heel toward the bridge of Peacemillion. Though there were few out in the halls at this time, those who were steered clear of the angry soldier.

Sitting down heavily at his post on the bridge he stared at his controls, remembering the night his brother died.

*****

"Vai," the ten-year-old Hal whispered to his sixteen-year-old brother. "Vai, I'm scared. I don't want to go."

Vai knelt down next to Hal, looking him in the eye. "Tiana will take care of you, Hal. You'll be ok." Vai looked above Hal to Tiana who was leaning casually against a wall. He looked back at Hal. "Just do what we planed. I wish I could go to…but I'll be helping you from over here." Vai stood up, patting his younger brother on the head and messing up his hair. Hal grinned and attempted to smooth down his hair.

"Thanks, Vai," Hal said, looking up at Vai.

"Now go on and get ready. I'll see you when you get back." Vai watched as Hal left the cement room.

Tiana looked up at Vai. "You seem confident that everything will go as planned."

Vai glared at Tiana. She's been Jazon's favorite since the beginning, he thought angrily. "It will go as planned," he growled. He grinned sadistically. "Because, if anything happens to Hal," he raised his eyebrows in mock kindness, "You had better not come back."

Tiana was unfazed. "Jazon can't protect you forever, Tiana Moore," Vai continued. "The only reason you're even going on this mission is because you beat me once in the sims. Once." Tiana's expression took on an air of victory at Vai's admission. Vai's face tightened. "Don't think for one moment that I would hesitate to kill you if it didn't mean endangering my brother."

"I wouldn't dream of it," Tiana said dryly, looking levelly at Vai.

*****

Vai tightened his fists as beads of sweat popped out of his forehead. He clenched his teeth to stop himself from growling. She will pay, he thought angrily. If it's the last thing I do, I will make her pay for killing my brother.

*****

"How's the princess," Tiana asked. She had been avoiding that question for a full hour since Noin had come into her room.

"Relena?" Tiana nodded. "I don't know. She's being held prisoner on Libra right now. I'm expecting that Heero will go get her soon."

Tiana took the information silently. "You still feel like it's your responsibility to watch after those two, huh?" Noin asked.

Tiana nodded. "They're the only reason I survived my childhood. I guess it's true…old habits die hard." Tiana managed a weak smile.

Noin looked at her. "Don't worry about them. Zechs is still looking after Relena no matter what. Plus, she's got Heero watching out for her now, even if she won't admit it."

"But who's looking after Zechs?" Tiana asked.

I am, Noin thought. "He's got the White Fang and luck with him. He'll be just fine. I'm sure."

"Thanks Lucrezia."

Noin smiled, standing up. "Get some rest, Tiana. You look like you need it."

Tiana grinned. "Good night."

"Good night," Noin said as she walked out of the room.

After exiting the room she headed off toward the bridge. She seems so sad. I wish I could help her…somehow.

*****

Tiana laid back in her bed, grateful that she and Noin had talked. It felt good talking with an old friend. She had been free to talk about things that she had kept hidden inside of her…things that only a friend would understand. Things she hadn't been able to tell Trowa.

Tiana let her body relax as she imagined the beaches of her home. Earth, she thought, will I ever see it again?

*****

Quatre walked down a hall of Peacemillion headed away the bridge. Distracted by what he was holding, he barely noticed Noin walking past him. "Hello, Miss Noin," he mumbled.

"Hello Quatre," Noin answered. "What are you reading?"

"Huh? Oh, this," Quatre said, slightly distracted. "Personnel files. There are a couple people who are taking Miss Moore somewhat…negatively."

"'Negatively'?" Noin asked. "You mean they hate her or they don't trust her?"

"Both I guess," Quatre answered. "I'm just checking to see if any of them have had run-ins with her in the past."

"Good luck," Noin said as she continued on her way.

"Thanks," Quatre mumbled, already absorbed in what he was reading.

*****

The bridge was completely silent when Noin entered except for the occasional beeping of instruments and a low muttering from one of the soldiers. Noin shivered a little from the cool air as she leaned back against a wall.

She sighed inwardly and closed her eyes. It's been so long since I've seen her. She's changed so much. She's so cold.

A quiet grunt drew Noin's attention to her surroundings. She opened her eyes just in time to see an angry soldier turn away from her in his seat. She unfolded her arms and walked to stand behind him.

"Can I help you soldier?" She asked in a firm voice.

The man turned around. Sweat glistened on his forehead. You could die. "No, ma'am."

Noin looked at the man a moment longer before speaking. "What's your name and rank, soldier?"

The man swallowed nervously, but his eyes glistened with an insane anger. "Tech-sergeant Vai, ma'am," he answered coldly, his eyes turning to ice. If you get in my way woman I'll kill you too.

The two looked at eachother for a moment. Is he one of the people Quatre was talking about? What is he up to?

A tall, husky man bumped into Noin's shoulder, taking her eyes away from Vai. "Excuse me, ma'am."

Vai held back a sigh of relief as Luca came into his filed of vision. He looked up at Luca, then back at Noin who was returning to her wall. Damn woman.

Luca tapped him on the shoulder. "Go ahead. I'll take over here," he said in a barely audible whisper.

"Are you sure?" Vai asked in the same volume.

"The guards change in twenty-three minutes. That should give you enough time to get ready."

"Thanks, Luca," Vai said, standing up.

Luca sat down in his place. "Just don't screw up."

Vai walked off the bridge with one glance at Noin who was leaning against the wall with her arms crossed.

Once Vai left, Luca moved his elbow on the consul and felt something give way under it's weight. He grinned.

*****

What are those two up to? Noin thought as she watched the exchange between Vai and the husky man. They're keeping their conversation so quiet. What are they hiding? Vai stalked past Noin, out of the bridge. Her eyes followed him. She turned to look at the husky man. He was grinning.

Vai, huh? I should find Quatre and see if this could have anything to do with Tiana.

In front of her and to her left a soldier began to toy with his headphones and controls. He twisted around in his chair. "Uh, Miss Noin."

"What is it??" Noin asked, unfolding her arms and taking a step forward.

"It's Major Sally. She says she needs to talk with you," the soldier reported. "She says it's urgent. She's in the sub-bridge with Howard."

"Tell her I'm on my way," Noin said. She started for the door. As the door began to open she heard a soft click. Reflexively she jumped back. The instant she moved a bomb went off, knocking her off balance.

*****

Quatre looked up from his papers. Miss Noin?

*****

Tiana bolted up in her bed. What happened? Her mind echoed from an explosion. Lucrezia?

*****

Noin looked up to see the smoke begin to settle. What was that? She steadied herself and turned to see the husky man pulling out a gun. Instantly her gun was in her hand and a bullet from it knocked the man's gun to the ground. He looked up at her in surprise.

"Who are you?" She demanded, looking him in the eye, daring him to move. He returned her stare with cold eyes. She clenched her teeth. "Restrain him," she ordered. Two of the other soldiers drew their guns and held the man at gunpoint. Noin lowered her gun.

As she walked off the bridge she heard one of the soldiers mutter, "What were you thinking, Luca? Are you out of your mind?"

"Hn." Noin stalked away to find Quatre, not even thinking of putting away her gun. Howard and Sally will know soon enough, but I can bet they're not in the sub-bridge right now, Noin thought as she hurried past startled personnel.

*****

Quatre turned and began to run toward the bridge. What on earth could have happened? Dodging the people who were beginning to come into the halls to change shifts Quatre nearly ran headlong into Noin as he turned a corner.

"Miss Noin! What happened?" Quatre asked.

"Let me see those files of yours, Quatre," Noin demanded, hardly noticing Quatre's question.

"L...T...V...Vai. Tech-sergeant Vai," she thought out loud, rummaging through the files. "His younger brother was killed at Lake Victoria six years ago. Tiana was there," she mused. "That has to be it."

*****

Tiana stood up and then sat back down. Her head spun. Why now? she thought. Come on, get up. Tiana stood back up and steadied herself. Not bothering to turn a light on she tugged on her boots and headed for the door. The door hissed open. The light in the hall blinded her, creating a silhouette that blocked her path. Trowa!

*****

Trowa held his cup of coffee in shaky hand. What were those two talking about before I came? Why was the one so angry? I'm sure they're up to no good. Trowa didn't relax even after the larger man left.

Looking into the deep brown of his coffee his mind reflected on the past few days. All he could think about was Tiana. He shook his head. He had to think about what was coming, what he was fighting for. He thought about what would happen to Tiana if she was recaptured by Oz. Stop it Trowa.

For a minute or two Trowa let his head rest on the palm of his left hand. He closed his eyes and tried to clear his mind. After a while he gave up and started to stand, picking up his coffee to take a sip.

Trowa! Trowa dropped the mug and it shattered on the floor spilling its contents. The thought was not his own. Tiana! TIANA! I'm coming. He took off as fast as he could down the halls. Where are you Tiana? he thought, not really expecting an answer.

Her room. The knowledge came to him as if someone had shouted it through the halls. He raced to her room. She's in danger.

*****

Tiana backed away from the door. "Who are you?"

"You don't remember me, Tiana Moore?" the man asked in mock disappointment. Tiana shook her head. The man grinned, then his face hardened as he stepped into her room. The light of the stars glanced off his cold eyes. "I remember you, all too well."

"Vai?!" Tiana breathed. Vai raised his gun and clicked off the safety. "Why are you doing this?"

"Because you killed my brother, dammit!" Vai screamed, close to tears. The door shut behind him as he took another step forward.

"Vai..."

Tiana's eyes widened. She couldn't breathe. Her ears rang with a sharp echo of...something. After a moment of shock she felt a surge of pain. Suddenly she felt she was dying. Her eyes squeezed shut as she let the pain roll over her. Her head snapped back. Dimly, she could feel her jaw pulsing. Terrified and frantic, Tiana reached out with her mind and grabbed hold of Vai. She fell to her knees, her head dizzy with lack of oxygen. She felt like she was drowning as blood began to bubble up in her mouth. Vai crumpled up into a ball, dropping his gun as the pain Tiana felt overwhelmed his senses. She's paying. That's all that matters. She's paying for what she did, Vai thought as he tried not to move.

*****

Quatre's breath caught in his lungs and he doubled over. "Quatre!" Noin yelped, dropping the files. "Quatre, are you alright?"

Quatre moaned in pain. "Miss Moore. She's...dying," he said through clenched teeth.

Noin gasped.

"Go," he demanded, struggling to regain his composure. Noin ran. Quatre started off toward the medical room.

*****

Trowa staggered near Tiana's door, gasping for air. He caught onto the wall. What the...? He drew himself up and took out his gun, pushing himself into Tiana's dark room.

Even by the dim starlight he couldn't see anyone. Tiana? He heard a soft moan. His breath caught as he noticed a dark figure kneeling and bent over. Her long hair identified her for him in the dark, hanging ragged over her shoulders and creating a curtain to hide her face.

"Tiana," he whispered as he darted over to where she was. He put a hand on her shoulder and she raised her head. Their eyes locked. "Tiana!" With one last struggle for breath her eyes rolled back and closed. She sagged limply in Trowa's arms. "Tiana," he whispered hoarsely, "who did this?"

It was then he heard a grunt from behind him and a shuffle of someone standing up. Trowa turned and fired without even looking to see who it was. The man went down with a bullet in his shoulder; his gun dropped out of his hand.

Trowa's eyes blazed with a cold fire as he stood over the man on the ground. He aimed his gun at the man's head, tightening his finger on the trigger. The man looked up at Trowa in fear as the door swished open.

"Trowa, don't!" Noin ordered.

Trowa looked up at her. "He killed her," he said, his voice flat and stoic. "I will kill him."

Noin grabbed his arm. "Let him face a court martial, Trowa." Trowa shrugged her hand off his arm and clicked the safety off his gun. Noin shook her head. "I thought you had more honour than that, Trowa. To kill an enemy who is defenseless. I thought..."

Trowa placed the boot on his right foot on the man's throat. The man's hand grabbed Trowa's ankle as he pressed down. "If you so much as twitch, I won't hesitate to shoot."

Noin sighed in relief. The door swished open again as medics rushed in, followed closely by Quatre. Two medics hurried over to Tiana and another to the man on the floor. Quatre stood next to Noin.

"Trowa, what happened?" Quatre asked.

"I don't know," Trowa said, tears stinging his eyes. "I got here and both of them were on the ground."

"She's still alive," one of the medics gasped.

"Yeah, but not for long if we don't get her on oxygen real soon," another of the medics retorted.

"Let's go," the first medic said and both men hefted Tiana's body onto a stretcher in the hall. The other medic was helping the man stand, or more accurately, pulling him up with one hands as his other held a gun to the man's temple.

"Move it," the last medic said as he pushed the man out into the hall.

"I'm so sorry, Trowa," Quatre said after the door had closed. The room was lit with a blue glow from the stars. Trowa looked at where Tiana had been. The carpet was dark. He tried not to think of what was on it.

Trowa closed his eyes. "Trowa," Noin started. Quatre put a restraining hand on her arm.

"Just leave him alone," Quatre whispered softly.

Trowa spun on his heel and stalked out of the room.

*****

Trowa closed his eyes as he recalled that moment. Quatre had told him what he had found out from Vai, the man who shot Tiana. I'm sorry, Tiana, he thought as he had countless times in the past twelve hours. I'm so sorry.

*****

Heero looked up from his work. Finished, he thought, examining the Virgo carrier. There was still a good deal of damage to the port-side rudder and drive power, but it wasn't at risk of exploding and it would do for the trip he had planned.

Heero looked around the hangar, noting for the first time that no one else was there. He got up and brushed himself off. Just then Noin entered the hangar.

"Heero," she called, unable to see him.

"What is it?" Heero called back. He jumped down from his perch, landing in front of Noin.

"Trowa is still in the medical room with Tiana," she stated.

"So."

"So, I figured maybe you would be a friend and try to talk some sense into him."

Heero looked blankly at her.

"Heero, Trowa helped you when you needed it," Noin said after a moment of silence. "He needs your help now, but in a different way."

"Where are the others?"

"Quatre and Wufei are in the cafeteria. I don't know where Duo is, but they've all gone in there and tried to bring Trowa out. Now it's your turn, Heero."

"Alright," Heero finally complied.

*****

Heero walked swiftly through the halls of Peacemillion toward the medical room, for some reason remembering when he and Duo had escaped from the Alliance hospital. He shook his head and entered the room.

As the door swished closed behind him he saw Trowa withdraw his hand from Tiana's. His hand tightened into a fist at his side.

"How is she?" Heero asked, trying to be sensitive, as much as was possible.

"The doctor's say she has a good chance," Trowa stated, not looking at the other boy.

"I'm going out on the Virgo carrier, so if anybody asks, tell them I've gone to fight Zechs," Heero stated, not quite knowing what to say. Trowa nodded absently. Heero turned to leave. So, I figured maybe you would be a friend and try to talk some sense into him, Noin's words echoed in his mind.

Heero stopped and turned back to Trowa. He hesitated a moment before speaking. "Wufei and Quatre are in the cafeteria." He paused for a long time. "Maybe you should join them."

Trowa bowed his head, his back still to Heero. Taking that as a 'no' Heero silently left. Trowa opened his eyes, tears threatening to spill over. He shook his head. Why am I doing this? Heero's right. I'll go join the guys. He stood and turned, taking a last backwards glance at Tiana's sleeping form. With a little more hesitation he left the room and headed for the cafeteria.

Inside the two other boys were silent, absorbed in simple, mindless activities. Trowa picked up a magazine and tried hard to focus on it, not really seeing the pages. His mind kept wandering to the woman in the room he had just left. Tiana, I'm so sorry.

A/N: I know this is a bit of a cliff-hangar, but it's all I've got so far. I'm a bit preoccupied with other fics but I will get back to this one as soon as I'm done or as soon as my ideas run out. :P then the ppl reading my other fics can crucify me. *shrug* I do have an idea for the next (last) chapter so it shouldn't be too long until it's up. Thanks for reading and I'm really sorry.