Okay, this chapter was just doing its own thing here. But hey! I like it. So enjoy. And just because I haven't said it in awhile....I do not own Gundam Wing....heck I don't even have a car.





Rosald Winner sat back in the office chair, a small smile of triumph on his face. He had everything in his grasp, or so it was in his perspective anyway. His eyes landed with a wicked look on the picture of the father and son that rightfully belonged to someone else's memories.

" He's mine now Brother. Your son's life is mine." The boy in the picture continued to smile up at his father with so much pure love that you could see it in everything about him. This seemed to anger the man for some reason and he threw the frame across the room where it shattered on the wall. He watched as the picture floated to the ground, unmarred and glinting in the sun. Rosald shook off the feeling of dread that settled in his stomach and told himself once again that he had won. Relena Dorlain would soon fold under the pressure without the support of Quatre and his followers, though she held out with every once of strength she had. Without her the ESUN would be weak and turn to him, he would have them under his finger soon enough. With the rest of the Gundam pilots in jail for the death of their comrade no one would oppose him. Though he couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong with his plan.

Rosald growled lightly in the back of his throat as he rose from his chair. Papers flew from the desk to land in disarray all over as he hastily grabbed folders. After all, four innocent men wouldn't condemn themselves.

The court room was in a tense buzz. The four young men on trial sat stiffly in the front of the room waiting for a chance to prove their innocence, though chances were slim. Looking behind them they could barely see the door for all the people crowded in the small space. Several of Quatres older sisters sat on the opposite side of the room, shooting pained glares to them every now and then. The Magaunacs sat directly behind them along with Sally and Noin. A week had already passed from their capture.

" Ey, Heero?" Duo turned back in his seat and looked to Heero beside him. " Don't you think this seems kinda rushed?"

" Yes, Rosald wants to make sure blame falls on us. This way there isn't more time for investigation and we get put out of he way quicker."

" Oi...whata jerk." Casting a glance toward Wufei on his other side. He could guess by the look on his friends face that he could come up with stronger words than 'jerk' to describe their lovely accuser. Wufei currently was muttering a few of them under his breath in every language he could think of. Trowa, on Heeros other side, was sitting with his eyes closed, appearing asleep to anyone else in the small room. Duo knew better. They all knew how this could, and would, end if Rosald had his way. Though he knew that wasn't what was immediate on Trowa's mind. They hadn't been able to talk much in the cells for fear of prying ears, but the message had gotten across in code. Quatre was out there on his own with a bullet wound not completely healed in his abdomen and there was no way to help him without revealing he was still alive. If that happened he would be taken back into Rosalds hands and probably wouldn't live a month, and Rosald would make sure they were still convicted for attempted murder and kidnaping. 'Jerk.'

Noin looked at the four boy's in front of her as they whispered quietly to each other or sat unmoving. She would not, could not, believe that they were the ones who had taken Quatre from this world. He had been stolen from them too. Noin knew them too well to even consider that it was possible that they had done that. Somewhere in her logical mind she wanted to keep hope that Quatre wasn't dead, but even with no body there was simply too much evidence to prove otherwise. Tears sprang to her eyes for the hundredth time in the last week, but they quickly dried in anger as they swept the other side of the court room. Rosald Winner sat among the Winner women consoling the teary eyed sisters who had been shooting the boys disdainful glances all morning. Only a few of them seemed uncertain of the accusations and were searching their brothers supposed killers faces for the truth. Noin really felt like smacking those that didn't. She knew most of them didn't even really know the young man they called brother, if they had they would know how much he meant to them. She turned her attention once more to the pilots as Wufei muttered a particularly loud curse. She could understand how he felt, to have someone who he was just beginning to understand better and let in, just taken away. Someone he had let himself care for again. She felt that way too. Ever since the last battle on Libre they had become a team that was inseparable and she hated to see them being torn apart.

Sad eyes turned to the men around her. The Maguanacs were holding up little better, but their grief was turned to anger. It may not have been directed at the boys but they had no reason to turn it to Rosald either. Une had decided it better not to press their luck by telling the thirty-nine over protective men who the real murderer was thought to be. A small smile tugged at her unwilling lips as she remembered a time when Quatre had got the receiving end of their over protective wrath. She shook her head, she would never know how he dealt with it all. He had come home from a mission with Heero with a cut on his head from a rather brash stunt he had done to save Heero's life. As soon as they heard what he had done the fifteen of them their gathered and Rashid, they had been doing something or other as a favor for Une, had quickly turned from worrying over him to an all out verbal knock down. They had cornered him, as he tried to hide behind Heero, and sat him down. She and the others could only watch as he was scolded from fifteen different points like a child who had been caught painting his cat green. Then he got it from Rashid. Now she could see the care lines on all the faces. They truly had come to love and respect the kid. Noin nearly did let the tears fall as she looked at Rashid. He seemed to have grown some gray hairs in the last few months, his face was carefully non-emotional but his eyes told his secret. She was sure he would have adopted the kid in a New York minute had he been given the choice. Her gaze was drawn to the doors as they opened once more and she gasped slightly.

Relena walked confidently down the aisle toward the front of the room. Soft blue eyes rested on the chocolate spikes that belonged only to one. He turned toward her as if he knew she would be there and the deepest of blue met the shine of a thousand sunrises. A small smile spread easily on her face as she sat and he visibly relaxed and lifted his head in confidence.

All attention was brought to the front of the room as the judge's presence called for order. It was starting.

Quatre quickened his pace as they neared the shuttle port. Anders strode beside him, nearly having to run despite his longer strides to keep with the boy. Suddenly Qautres pace wavered and he searched the crowd frantically. His eyes didn't lie, he recognized more of Rosalds men closing in on them by the second. He swung around an took a step, but they were surrounded. Anders saw them too and hid Quatre behind him hoping they hadn't spotted him yet. He knew they had come for him, he had thought he had lost them after he entered the city. Pushing back he shoved Quatre behind him into the dark ally. As Quatre stumbled backwards the thought of how much he was beginning to hate these places flitted though his head before he turned in hopes of a quick escape. He was met with a dead end.

" No."

The trail dragged on with only few brakes to calm the frayed and breaking nerves of the people present. The boys sat resolutely as the crime was stated again and the kidnaping according to Rosald was presented to the jury and judge. The whirl wind trial seemed well planed on the puppeteers part, every detail was covered down to the murder weapon and finger prints. They watched as the lawyer chosen to flay them on the bench stood to call his second victim. Auda had already been interrogated. Not surprisingly his version of the kidnaping was altered from the original, and Une had informed them he had been mysteriously absent from the Magauanacs for day or two. Rosald was really covering his back. Attention was drawn back to the lawyer as he cleared his congested sounding throat.

" I call Duo Maxwell to the stand." His cold eyes leveled on Duo. Rosald seemed to have brought more of his 'friends' or lackeys to help in sending the boys away. Duo could see it in the mans eye, he knew what he was doing and that they were innocent.

Slowly Duo stood and began walking to the bench. As he passed Trowa a hand grasped his wrist and a gave a gentle squeeze in reassurance. Duo smiled grimly and laid a hand on Trowas shoulder before moving on. He sat on the bench and prepared himself for the questions to come.

" Mr. Maxwell," The lawyer, who he had by now code named 'sleeze', sauntered over, " what is your relationship ship with Quatre Winner?"

" He's one of my best friends."

" You mean was, right?" Duo gritted his teeth at the statement and sent a silent prayer to anyone who was listening that the statement would remain false. Duo shared a comforting look with the others before turning his attention to the rest of the room. He was ready for whatever they threw at him. 'Sleeze' strutted around the small area before the stand and tried his best to look thoughtful. To Duo it looked more like he was really constipated.

" Is it true, Mr. Maxwell, that on the day before you and your companions disappeared that you had a fight while on the Vid-phone with the deceased?"

Duo twitched at the last part but held his tongue for better use then to tell this guy where he was probably going anyway. Then the question really sunk in and he began to seethe. How could anyone know what had gone unless they had been watched for longer then he had thought. The conversation came back to him and he could see how anyone who didn't know them could take that as a fight, when it had been bantering between two friends. He couldn't remember ever being really mad at Quatre in the time he had known him.

" It wasn't..."

" Just yes or no Mr. Maxwell."

" Yes." He sighed out.

" And is it not true you threatened the child?"

" Child! He's done more in his life then you will ever do! You son of...."

" MR. Maxwell!"

" Stop calling me that!"

" Mr. Maxwell! Just answer the question."

" I.."

" Mr. Maxwell."

" Yes." His eyes locked with four others and he saw the hurt in his own heart burning in theirs as well. One little jest had nearly completely condemned them, and the one person it was against was the one person that it would never be taken out on. He was now regretting his mock threat.

" Mr. Maxwell, is it true you were once a Gundam pilot?"

" That doesn...."

" Mr. Maxwell!"

" .....Yes."

" Now Maxwell, why did you kill Quatre Winner?"

" No."

" What?"

" No."

" Maxwell answer the question!"

" Yes." Duo smiled smugly at the 'sleeze' as the man tried to control the twitch he had developed suddenly in his lip. Duos eyes widened as the an odd gleam sparked in the mans already cold eyes and he smirked evilly before swinging around to face the jury.

" See! He evades the question!" The man looked over to the rest of the stoic pilots and some very pale Arabian men.

" I would never harm Quatre he is my best friend and I would do anything for him you jerk." He couldn't but help but smirk cheekily at the shocked face before him.

The trial was quickly cut short and the boys returned to their cell. So far nothing had been resolved, at least for them. The trial, all though well planned, was speedy and was beginning to hit bumps with the rush. Even with those bumps, things were not looking up for them. A week had passed with the trial beginning and no word of Quatre, they knew they couldn't even tell Une about him. With no proof to back up their stories Rosald had them for now, and if Quatre suddenly came back he would be returned to him and probably wouldn't last a month if Rosald had his way. So even if the corner looked tight they could at least hope that Quatre was safe somewhere.



Duo sat with his head in his hands, tears threatening to break free of the barriers and pour down. Lifting his head he observed the others as they each sat in their personal thoughts. Wufei sat meditating quietly, though every now and then he would mutter something Duo could only take as another threat on someone's life. His gaze shifted to Trowa who was sitting silently trying to compose his own emotion, much like Duo. A small noise drew his attention to his last companion. ' Oh, Heero'... Heero sat gazing at the locket he had just opened, his heart was breaking. Yet Duo could see the determination in his friends eyes. If they were going down Rosald was going down one way or another with them. All through this they had managed to hold on to hope and determination and they weren't about to give up now. They had Quatre rooting for them somewhere of that he was sure.

His own thoughts were broken when the door to the cell opened and their guard walked in. He motioned silently to the pilots to follow him out of the room where more guards were waiting. The four stood and followed while shooting each other quizzical looks. None of the guards that walked beside them said a word as they left the containment area and walked toward what they suspected was Commander Unes office. Duo leaned over toward Wufei as the silence between them and the guards grew.

" Yeesh, the guards at Rosalds place were more sociable!" He whispered while eyeing their 'guides'.

They were ushered quickly into the spacious office quickly. Matching scowls darkened their faces as they spotted the man who put them in this position. Rosald smirked evilly at them as they came to a stop, standing side by side facing Une and her guest. Heeros eyes never left Rosalds face and one hand grasped the locket firmly, seeming to draw strength from the neckless. He could feel he others tense beside him as they faced their adversary. He watched as the man began to walk slightly around them as they stood in the middle of the room. Unes voice called his attention, but Rosald never left his line of sight as the man sat.

" Boys, the trial is not looking well for you."

" Che, don't worry Lady." Duo spoke up as he turned toward Rosald, a promise in his eyes. " We're good at these losing battles."

" Duo." Lady Une called his attention. with a sigh she continued. " Mr. Winner," the named came out a bit strained, " wishes to speak to you about closing the case now, quickly."

" Forget it." Trowas spoke quietly but forcefully.

" He's right Lady, no way are we gonna listen to anything that tyrant has to say." Duo looked amazingly calm for a man who was about to be convicted of a murder he didn't commit.

Four pairs of eyes watched as a livid Roslad rose from his seat and stalked to the middle of the room.

" How dare you, you insolent little punk!" He raised a fist not noticing th sudden gasps or surprise. " My dear little boy is gone now because of your selfishness!' You..."

" No Uncle, you."

The voice floated though the shocked room with conviction and strangely, love. Heero eyes shone as they found it's owner standing proud and tall behind his uncle. Sunlight streamed down through a high window seeming to spotlight the young man as he stood and faced his fears. No one had heard the boy enter yet his presence seemed to fill the room with a welcome warm.

The room was in a stunned silence as Rosald stared in horror at his nephew. Quatre was standing in a defiant pose and looking the man straight and unerringly in the eye. His clothes were slightly torn and dirtied, but that only seemed to add to the majesty of the moment. Rosald was shaking his head in denial, quickly that turned to anger but in a flash it was covered up.

" Quatre. My boy, you're alive!" Rosald forced a smile and a look of relief.

" Disappointed?" He began to walk forward slowly, breaking the shocked spell. Quatre moved to stand in front of his uncle with a small smile on his face. It seemed to disconcert the man more than anything ever had...yet.

" Don't w.worry boy. We'll take care of everything and put these kidnapers away. We'll get you the best doctors!"

" I really don't think so." Quatre shook his head, still smiling though a sad look had crept onto his face. " Anders please be sure to tell Lady Une all you know."

As he said this another unnoticed man stepped forward from the far wall and walked over to the Lady's desk.

" I can tell you everything you need to know."

Immediately Rosald was surrounded by grinning Gundam pilots.

" Games up Winner." Wufei nearly spat out, a grin eerily similar to Duo's in battle, on his lips. The grin faded though as he turned wide eyes to his lost friend. They were together again. " Good to see you Quatre."

In the small distraction when attention turned to his nephew, Roslad made a break. He ran at full speed to the floor to ceiling windows that served as the only barrier from a fifty story drop.

" No don't!" Quatre raced after his Uncles heels quickly but in one jump the windows shattered outwards, sparkling in the noon day sun as they descended like rain. Quatre skidded, trying desperately to stop but he was to close too fast. As his feet hit air an arm wrapped around his waist and held as he fell. Quatre smacked into the window below causing the arm around him to lose its grip. His hands locked with the others before he could fall. There was a loud commotion above him but his eyes remained trained on the falling form, his world narrowed to a point as the form grew smaller. He looked painfully away.

" Quatre hold on!" He looked up quickly. Une was the one holding his hands tightly, but the sweaty grip was slipping.

" Ah!" One hand slipped from her grasp and he dangled over the ground far below and his uncles body. Heero, Duo, Trowa, and Wufei popped suddenly over the edge.

" Grab on Quatre!" Heero held out his hand as Unes grip began to give on his last hand. Quatre Reached up, straining to keep his grip and reach for the helping hands at the same time.

" Nyah!" Hands slipped, air whooshed by, and suddenly Heero was holding on with all his strength as Quatre dangled underneath him. He himself dangled halfway out the window, Trowa was laying on his legs. Duo and Wufei pulled back on the three of them, slowly pulling Quatre up to the safety of the floor.

Heero pulled with the last of his strength and hefted the relatively light boy up over the edge of the floor and held on tight as they scooted back. When they were safely away from the edge he held Quatre at arms length. Tears were coursing down the pale face, blue eyes sad.

" He was still my uncle Heero." Quatre's whisper was barely heard by anyone else in the room.

" I know Quatre." Heero pulled him into an embrace as he cried. Three more pairs of arms joined the hug a moment later as Une shooed alerted officers out of the way.





TBC.....