Chapter 3

     Totally unaware of what had happened to their two friends, the other four pilots relaxed in Quatre's opulent suite. "Man, you should have seen the look on Heero's face," joked Duo. "They're so totally obsessed with each other."

"You shouldn't tease," chided Quatre softly, stroking Trowa's hair. It was rare that the two lovers were able to simply relax like this, with those that they held closest. "You have someone that you love, but those two. . ." he trailed off. "Often the greatest loves are those born through adversity." He smiled fondly upon his beloved. Allah knows it took many difficulties for us to admit how we felt about each other. Now I cannot live without him. If only we could be together more often.

Seeking a new target, Duo glanced over at Wufei, who had remained silent. "Now, the Wu-man here can tell you about adversity. I've heard stories about the fights you and Sally have. Jeez!"

"Silence, dog!" Wufei knew Duo was baiting him, but couldn't resist rising to him. He'd never admit it, but he enjoyed fighting with the overly-plucky American.

"Oh, come on now! Sally told Hilde about last week. And she didn't skimp on the details about your making up. . ." He was cut off as Wufei jumped him. Quatre and Trowa watched in amusement as the two rolled around on the floor.

"Guys!" A panicked Noin burst through the door. "Heero. . huff, huff. . . Relena! Oh, God!" The four in the room froze, with Duo on top of Wufei, who was pulling on his long braid.

"What is it?" Trowa was the first to react.

"Someone just kidnapped Relena! Heero's in the med unit with a bullet wound in his back, and witnesses say Relena was pulled into a car!"

Not another word was said. The four bolted from the room towards the medical wing. Duo's grin was gone. "Come on, buddy. You gotta make it."

* * *

Relena groaned, trying to pull her head upright. Stars floated before her eyes. "Heero? What. . . happened?" Her skirt was ripped. They ripped my skirt- what am I babbling about? They kidnapped me and I'm thinking about my skirt?

"So, our little princess is awake." That voice. She hadn't heard it very often, but she knew that voice as well as her own. Relena groggily opened her eyes to see a familiar pair of boots, followed by immaculate white slacks, to the red jacket, and finally, to that cold steel mask framed by long blond hair.

"Milliardo? What have you done to me?" Her own brother. "You had the bombs planted. You had them shoot Heero." Oh, God. Heero. Where are you? Are you even alive? Oh, please be alive.

"Regrettably, yes. I couldn't let things continue this way, sister dear." His sneer froze her soul. "After you and those misbegotten pilots blew up my ship, I realized my desire for peace was misplaced. You peace-lovers are pathetic."

"But. . . but you yourself helped to stop its collision with earth." It was so hard to think, with her head pounding. Something warm dripped down her face. Blood? She warily raised her hand to the back of her head. It came away covered in red. "Why are you trying to hurt me?"

"You are the daughter of King Peacecraft and adopted daughter of Vice Prime Minister Darlian, two of the world's most famous pacifists. People automatically look to you for solutions. With you gone, nations and colonies alike will blame each other for your disappearance. Alliances will fall apart."

"But I'm your sister-"

"Small sacrifice."

"Milliardo, please. You were caught in the explosion. . ." That's it. He must have hit his head or something. That's why he's acting so strangely!

"Shut up. I don't need to hear this. Richards," a tall, dark man entered her line of vision, "I'm placing the Prime Minister in your care. Take her to quarters, but make sure she's not too comfortable. We'll have to make sure she's kept informed as her beloved peace crumbles."

"Milliardo, no!" Relena's protests ended in a cry of pain as the brutal-looking soldier yanked her roughly to her feet and dragged her off.

* * *

Pain. Pain and darkness were the only things that registered. Where? What happened? Relena. That single word brought him back to reality, fighting up towards the light. Relena. I promised to protect you, and I failed. I'm coming, Relena.

Heero slit his eyes to see the familiar faces of Duo, Quatre, Trowa, and Wufei standing over him. "Relena?"

"Hey, buddy! How're you feeling?" Duo tried grinning, but the effort was lost, even on him. "You really know how to scare us! Next time, try jumping out from behind a door or something." Wufei groaned and shook his head.

"Where's Relena?"

Duo winced. Even half-dead, Heero's patented Death Glare could intimidate the strongest of souls.

"She's gone, Heero." Quatre's mournful eyes stared into his. "They shot you, then grabbed her and took off. We haven't been able to locate her." The expressionless Trowa placed a hand on his shoulder, and Quatre held it there, seeking the comfort of his four friends.

"How long. . . out?"

"They brought you in three days ago. It was touch and go for awhile, even for you, soldier." Sally Po's voice entered the room, followed closely by the formidable lady herself. "This attack was cleverly planned. Apparently the terrorists grew tired of trying to kill Relena from a distance. I think the bullet was actually meant to take you out, so that these people could grab her without anyone else interfering."

"Damn it." Heero's fists clenched, striking against the sheets.

"Heero, stop worrying. We'll find her. And, well. . ." Wufei looked hard into Heero's eyes, "you know she's not weak. She's one of the strongest women I know."

"She wasn't supposed to be strong. I was going to protect her." Heero willed away tears that wanted to creep into his eyes. I can't be weak right now. Can't think of Relena, alone, in danger. I have to be the perfect soldier, so that I can bring her back and destroy the ones who did this.

"Mister, you just concentrate on getting your strength back. We'll see you soon, okay?" With that, Sally ushered the other four Gundam pilots out of the room and flicked the lights out, leaving Heero alone with his fears. Alone with the pain of knowing that he might never see Relena alive again.

* * *

Relena clenched her fists. It was horrible, but. . . but it was the only way she could think of. With trembling fingers, she removed her jacket and unbuttoned her blouse until most of her breast showed through the ivory silk. She sat and arranged the tear in her skirt to reveal one slim, pale thigh. He always came at the same time each day, and should be here soon. Could she pull this off? I have to. If I don't the others will never know where I am, and I. . . I need to know that Heero's all right.

Yes. The door slid open and Lieutenant Richards entered. "And how is the prin. . ." He trailed off at the sight of her.

"What's your first name?" She couldn't think of a better line. Too bad she hadn't read more of Hilde's romance novels.

His eyes narrowed. Did he suspect? "Tory."

She patted the couch next to her and smiled flirtatiously. "Tory, I'm lonely. And bored." She inhaled deeply. "Won't you keep me company? Let's. . . talk. . . for a while."

The soldier's lips curved upwards. "Talk's not what you're askin' for, but I'll give you what you want." He walked towards Relena, unbuckling his pants, then placed one hand on either side her. Then, without warning, he lunged forward, pressing his lips to hers, forcing his tongue into her mouth. She fought against the urge to gag, instead moving her hands across his chest. Ugh. Whatever happened to foreplay? As he pressed down on top of her, she could feel him growing excited. It repulsed her. One hand slid up to squeeze her breast painfully.

While he was occupied, Relena reached into his pockets. Where is the damn thing?! There. Grabbing his i.d. card, she slipped it out and into her skirt pocket. I did it. Now. . . She pushed him away and stood up. When he snarled and reached for her again, she wagged a finger at him. "Now, now, let's not be too hasty. I think we can make each other very happy." She played with the next button on her blouse. As it opened, Richards got the idea. Smiling, he leaned back against the cushions. She took another step backwards, undid another button. Another, and. . . now! She turned and ran to the door, sliding the card. Before Richards realized what was going on, she had dashed outside and locked the door. Oh, God, I'm going to be sick.

Relena leaned against the door panting from sheer nerves. She looked around, then ran down the hall. Now where was it? When Richards had first dragged her to the containment room, they had passed a comm. unit. There it was. As Prime Minister, Relena had been given a special code to connect to the conference room. Oh, please let them be there. Please. Tears sprang to her eyes when the familiar view of the room sprang to the screen. And there. . . yes. Noin, Sally, Une, Duo, Quatre, Trowa, Wufei, and. . . "Heero!"

The astonished group jumped to their feet as Relena's image appeared. "Relena! How?"

"No time. Can you lock onto this signal and trace it? I don't know where I am. You were right, I'm afraid. It is the White Fang, and my brother is alive." Noin gasped. "There's something wrong with him. He's become. . . crazy is the only way I can describe it. He thinks that by getting hold of me, he can end the peace." Her eyes again sought Heero's wonderful face. "Heero, I didn't know. . . if you were alive. I'm so glad. . ." She broke off, startled by the way the group was staring at her. She glanced down, realizing that, in her haste, she had neglected to rebutton her blouse. "Oh. . ." She could feel the color rising in her cheeks.

"Relena," Noin whispered, "Are you all right?"

"I. . . um . . . tricked my guard and escaped."

Heero couldn't contain himself. "He didn't. .. I mean. . ."

Relena hastily pulled her blouse together. "No. I'm fine."

"You mean you. . ." Duo jumped to his feet, his trade-mark grin spreading across his face. "Way to go! Didn't think you had it in you. Not," he smirked, "that you couldn't, from what I saw- whmph!" He rubbed the back of his head and glared at both Heero and Wufei. "What was that for?!"

"Don't say it." Heero growled.

Quatre just covered his eyes with one hand. "Just as long as you're all right, Relena."

Sally interrupted. "I've got a lock on your transmission. Just hold on, okay? It shouldn't take long to trace."

"Don't worry. I can't believe that my brother would hurt me, but-" Relena broke off as she heard a shout. Glancing behind her, she saw four soldiers running towards her. "They've found me. Just- Ahhhhh!" Her scream was the last thing they heard before the connection was broken.

"Relena!" Heero was already halfway to the door before the others could even react.

"Wait!" Quatre grabbed at his arm.

Heero whirled around, and the snarl on his face halted the blond Arab in his tracks. "You saw her. The bruises, that look in her eyes. You want to leave her like that? And just think of what they'll do to her now. I. . ." He choked, couldn't go on. I can't leave her there. It's my fault. All my fault. They'll kill her, and I never told her. . . told her. . . Relena.

"Get a grip, man!" Duo crossed into his line of vision. "You don't even know where she is! You're even crazier then I thought-" He broke off when Heero slumped to his knees. "Hey! You okay?"

"Relena. . ." I'm coming, Relena. Just wait for me. I'm coming.

"I've got the coordinates. You boys head down to the loading bay, and I'll download this info into your Gundams." Sally's voice was a monotone. "Bring her back."

"Should Heero. . ." Quatre winced as Heero pressed into his arm. "You're wounded, and no good to Relena if you're passing out in the midst of battle!"

"Let's go." Heero didn't even acknowledge his friend's protest.

"Wait." Lady Une stepped into their path. "You're going to need some sort of strategy; they'll know you're coming now that they've recaptured Relena. And I think I have some new technology that will help.
* * *