Hey there, this is the disclaimer that says I do not own any of the characters from Gundam Wing and the events portrayed are how I imagine the characters may be five years after Endless Waltz.

Anyway, review if you wish. This is my way of coping with writers block.

Chapter 00

Heero Yuy's sleep was interrupted when the alarm on his laptop went off. He scrambled out of his sheets and flipped it open. Half asleep, he awkwardly brushed his hair out of his eyes before replying in a monotone, "Yeah?"

"Hey, what's up?"

"Duo...." he frowned.

"Hey buddy, long time no hear! Bet your wondering what's happening in the Colonies these days."

Heero glared at the monitor. It had been a few days since he had gotten the chance to really rest and now he was staring into the face of a man he wished he could kill for disturbing his sleep. "You woke me up just to chat about the current situation in the Colonies?"

"Whoa! You actually sleep?"

Heero glared harder at the man who was now staring at the ground avoiding his face.

"I'm sorry man didn't mean to wake you. I was just trying a little conversation. Okay, right into business. There have been rumors flying around since the day before yesterday. I think it has something to do with Relena."

"Relena," Heero frowned, yet he was jarred awake. It had been a two years since he had seen her at a, however he kept a respectable distance. The last time he spoken with her had been over four years ago when he left Earth. He stared back at Duo, "Go on."

"I've heard some rumors circulating up here that Relena will be kidnapped and held for a high ransom. I think that this will go down after the New Year's party that Quatre is hosting on L-3 8253."

Heero thought for a moment. He must really have been uninformed. Something of this magnitude involving Relena never escaped him. In the past he had sworn to protect her. In the present he had fulfilled that oath, however, with this new threat he was in the dark. "This is the first I've heard about it."

"It came as a bit of a wake-up call to me as well."

"Keep me updated on the situation. I'll follow up on your leads."

"I've got your back, pal."

"I'll contact you regularly. We need to pinpoint the source as soon a possible."

"I'll get to work right away."

After Duo logged off, Heero sat back and thought for a moment. He thought of all the conflicts in the Colonies, however knew that in all the petty worries people and organizations had, they would never consider taking direct action against the Earth. Everyone up here knew of Relena's influence and she would be the last person they would seek to go after. He had followed up on every faction he had thought posed a threat, in the Colonies and for all his efforts he had missed one. Or had he? He looked out the window of his apartment. The answer he feared to think he spoke aloud instead, "Earth."

He quickly dressed and grabbed his jacket as he started out the door. His first stop would be the L-3 colony 8253 where the new Winner residence was established. He would then start to look up old contacts and acquaintances he had met over the years. Even though he had taken various missions before through various organizations, Relena's safety was his primary mission. She was the purest advocate for peace the Earth Sphere had ever known. Not even the colony martyr, Heero Yuy had gained as much momentum, as she for establishing peace between Earth and the Colonies. Relena was the perfect advocate, as he was a perfect soldier.

Five years ago he had made an oath to protect Relena from all those who posed a threat to the Earth Sphere Unified Nation. Up to now he had successfully calmed all the fires he had spotted amongst the Colonies. Wu Fei was heavily involved with the situation on Earth so he had let the other tend to his own situations. 'I was mistaken,' Heero thought to himself. 'I should have focused on Earth as well.'

He hurried out of his apartment and started for the shuttle port. 'Relena,' he thought. 'It's been a while, but I won't get in your way.'

It wasn't long before he had arrived at the shuttle port. He stole a quick glance at the people around him before stopping at the front desk to reserve his ticket. He handed over his ID. "I'm traveling alone to Colony L- 3 8253."

The woman at the desk stole a quick glance at his ID then handed him a form. "Sign here, Mr. Storm."

Heero took the form and scrawled a rough signature down. He kept conversation at a minimum for the most part, however answered questions vaguely when presented with them. "Are you going to the Winner party?"

Heero glanced back at her. "Maybe."

"I wanted to go. My ex-boyfriend got invited, however he broke up with me before the event," The woman continued. She finished printing out the ticket. "Would that be on your credit account today?"

"Yes," Heero handed her his card. Before he had arrived at this colony, X- 18999, he had changed his name. A new place meant a new identity. Here, he was known as Anthony Storm. It was ludicrous to call himself Heero Yuy in the Colonies. Both Heero's in different times were heroes. He would be too easily revealed if he continued calling himself by his code name. Though to certain people he would always remain "Heero Yuy."

"All right. That comes to two-hundred and thirty four dollars," the woman stated. She could tell that the man before her was not a person for conversation. He didn't even appear to be a man for social occasions. She wondered if he was married, though her judgment told her he wasn't. He was handsome in a dark mysterious sort of way, though she was through dating mysterious men. She handed the ticket and his card over to him. He was probably some sort of businessman. "Have a good flight, Mr. Storm. Next."

Heero nodded then departed for his port. His mind came back to his mission. He would succeed. Too much was at stake for both the Colonies and the Earth Sphere if Relena was lost. Not only would her disappearance create dissension amongst people, but could eventually lead to another war. Too much was at stake. He would not let Relena or peace, down for that matter. He boarded the shuttle and was soon underway to Colony 8253.

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Wu Fei was sitting at his desk. He had been running background checks for most of the morning on the guests attended the Winner New Year's party. The engagement party was to be the profile event for opening the New Year. With Quatre and Relena attending, the event needed to be secure. He slouched forward on his desk and took his eyes off the screen. There had been no fires as of late that were in need of immediate extinguishing. He knew there were some factions on Earth that were unaccounted for; however, that he could find presented an immediate threat. Heero was watching the Colonies and he had confidence in the other's capabilities to control the situation above.

"Hey Wu Fei? Are you busy?" Sally's voice entered the office. She stole a glance inside. For all the years she had worked alongside the other, he had remained detached from everyone. She wondered at times what was going through his mind, but at the same time, she respected him for his emotional detachment from everything. He, like Heero, had remained a perfect soldier, though he did have a sarcastic side to him that not many people had the privilege to glimpse.

"What does it look like?" Wu Fei asked in a frustrated voice. His partner always interrupted at the most inconvenient times. He considered Sally a friend, however, he rarely, if ever revealed it.

Sally stood in the doorway. Today Wu Fei was just being difficult. "I was wondering if you wanted to break for lunch. We could catch up on the work that we've been doing."

"Why not?" Wu Fei answered. He rose and grabbed his jacket. He needed a break. At least when he ate out with Sally they could discuss work related business. Some people, such as Maxwell were too prying into affairs they shouldn't even delve in. Perhaps this was why he never returned any of calls Duo had sent him over the years.

"Let's go," Wu Fei stated at the same time a call came through to him. He rolled his eyes.

"Tell you what," Sally offered. "I'll go ahead to the usual place and we'll meet there."

"All right," Wu Fei turned back to his desk and answered the call, "Hi."

"This is Storm. I've received word that dove will be captured."

Wu Fei froze. He knew the man on the other end of the phone as he had been in contact with him regularly. "How do you know this?"

"A contact told me. It will go down after the party."

"I understand. Keep me informed as to further developments. I'll get on it immediately," Wu Fei closed the Channel. This was not the news he wanted to hear before the New Year's party. He knew that Yuy would not sit still if Relena Darlian was in danger. He also knew that if any incident were to happen to Darlian that it would reflect back on the Preventers. So far the Preventers record was untarnished.

He rose and headed out the door. He needed to inform Sally as quickly as possible.

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Duo plotted a course for colony L-3 8253. In all the years he had known Heero and Relena, they had never admitted their feelings for each other. He knew that the real reason behind Heero's abrupt departure was that he was becoming aware of his growing feelings for Relena. No matter how hard he had persuaded Heero to reveal his feelings to her, Heero just pulled further and further away. Eventually Heero just up and left. It had been two years before he had managed to track Heero down, and by then Heero was already settled on X-18999.

Heero was never one to be persuaded by all Duo's attempts to put he and Relena together. Heero did not know how valuable a relationship truly was...or maybe he did and that's why he "lost touch" with everyone. Heck, even he had work to keep in touch with Heero. 'Man Heero, why didn't you make the effort to keep in contact with anyone?' Duo thought. There was so much he wanted to discuss with Heero, yet he knew Heero was not one for talking.

"Man, Heero's in for a shock," Duo chuckled to himself. Heero could not know about Quatre's engagement party for Relena...or maybe he did and was keeping his distance. He sighed. Heero was the hardest person to predict, however he was the one of all the Gundam pilots to single out all possible threats that would come between peace, the Colonies and the Earth. Especially when it concerned Relena.

"Duo? Are you there?"

Duo sat up and his thoughts came back to his mission. "Hey Hilde, what's up?"

"Oh, Duo. What have you gone and done this time?"

"Uh, nothing," Duo hated it when Hilde tried to pry into issues that did not concern her. She couldn't know what he was planning. "I just got off the com to Heero. I took the liberty of inviting him to Quatre's party, since Quatre's not going to do it himself."

"Duo you didn't."

"I didn't tell him if that's what you mean. He has no idea of Quatre's engagement to Relena. That's something he has to figure out by himself," Duo answered. He decided that it was the best time to change the conversation, "So you're coming right?"

"Of course I am. How could I miss it? After all, I haven't seen you in a while. We have some catching up to do."

"Yeah. It has been a while," Duo grinned. Even though their relationship hadn't worked out, they still kept in touch with each other. He had so many stories to tell her. "I'll meet you there."

"Sounds good. I'll see you when I arrive."

"See-ya Hilde," Duo sat back ending the transmission. "Ah, Hilde," he reminisced. It had been four years since they had gone their separate ways. Both had come to the agreement that neither could offer what the other needed. Duo was always one for his carefree lifestyle. When it came to a relationship he just was not committed enough to sit still, however that did not stop them from remaining friends. Perhaps it was for the best that they remain so.

"Man, Heero, if only you knew what was coming," he thought aloud. It came as no shock to Duo that Quatre had pursued Relena in Heero's absence. Why should Quatre wait while the Heero remained so far away? Besides, both Quatre and Relena believed that, their union would be another step towards uniting the Colonies and Earth. Even though their intentions were noble their engagement did not sit well with Duo. In his opinion Quatre should have made contact with Heero before the engagement was made public. He knew that was not an option though. He also knew that Heero would agree with Quatre. The perfect soldier never faltered with letting his feelings interfere with his cause. It was this attitude that Heero would never admit his feelings for Relena or his feelings towards his anyone else. Heck, Heero would probably never admit his own feelings to himself.

"If you're in love with her why don't you just say so," Duo said as he answered his com. "Oh Heero!"

"Who did you think it was? Who were you talking about?"

"Me, oh ah, nothing." Duo felt himself begin to turn red. He wouldn't let the cat out of the bag just yet. "I was just talking to Hilde. She'll be at the party."

"Are you two back together?"

"What's with all these questions?" It was very unlike Heero to inquire about anything other than the mission.

"Trying 'conversation.'"

"Oh. Sorry Heero. No, were not back together. It's been a while since we've last seen each other, though. I'll try to catch up with her after we calm the fire."

"I won't stay. Quatre will be busy."

"What do you mean by that?" Duo asked surprised. He was sure Heero did not know. How could he have found out? The engagement was not public knowledge.

"It's his party. I wouldn't want to intrude any further then necessary. I have a job to do and I must focus on that."

Duo stared for a moment. It was possible that Heero may already know of the engagement. 'This could be a problem,' Duo thought. "You're gonna be there right?"

"I'm on my way to L-3 8253, as we speak. I will secure Relena then make an appearance at the party. If there is any sign of a threat, I will take all the attention away from whatever it is they are planning. I want you to keep an eye on Relena once you get there. It is still too early to determine who is behind the kidnapping however I believe the fire may be originating from Earth."

"What? Are you sure of this?" Duo stared at Heero. That was not possible. How could there be any information regarding the kidnapping? 'Oh man, Heero's gonna kill me,' Duo worried.

"I've contacted Wu Fei, and the Preventers are already making security sweeps I will contact you when I have further information."

"But Heero–" the screen was already blank. Duo sighed. Duo remained to hold his gaze to the screen. 'Oh man, what have I done?' He was in a fix now, and he was unsure how to go about correcting his mistake. He had no idea how serious Heero would be about the entire situation. Now Heero had gone and contacted Wu Fei. With everything put into motion Duo was very sure that this time Heero was going to kill him. It was just a prank to get Heero to the party. Duo was not serious about the kidnapping. He slammed his fist down on his armrest, "Dammit!"

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Trowa finished his act. He left the ring feeling indifferent, yet satisfied. He had done variations on the same show for the past five years, however, it never bothered him. It was the only life he desired to know now. Katherine had been like an older sister to him. She fussed over him until he followed through with her advice.

He and Quatre had remained in touch since the end of the war. Quatre's engagement to Relena came as no surprise to him; however, he often wondered why Heero didn't come calling. Perhaps this is what the perfect soldier wanted. Relena was happy. Quatre was becoming more and more of an influence advocating peace in the Colonies. The two hit if off right away. In Heero's mind this was probably for the best.

He was about to head to the showers when his com went off. He walked over to it and flipped it open. "Trowa here."

"Trowa."

"Heero?"

"I've received some news regarding Relena. I was wondering if you have any information on anyone planning to kidnap her at the Winner New Years party on colony L-3 8253."

Trowa frowned. It wasn't like Heero to call him. If Heero called it was probably extremely urgent. "Oh, you mean the engagement party. No this is the first I've heard of it. I'll be on my way there sooner than later then."

"I've been in contact with Duo and Wu Fei, however, I am reluctant at this time to notify Quatre, as he has other things to consider."

Trowa thought for a moment then replied. "I'll see what I can do. We can't let this fire get out of control."

"Thanks Trowa. I'll call you every hour until I reach L-3 8253. Keep me updated on your findings."

"I will," Trowa hung up. It was unusual for Heero to contact him. He was aware that he had close tabs on Relena. Perhaps he had let his watch down. No, there was no way he could have. Something about this kidnapping did not make sense. It was possible that there was a faction out there that they were unaware of. There had been no tension or sign of unrest in the Colonies. It was unlikely that the threat would originate in space. Earth was the obvious target of suspicion. Heero must be thinking the same thing. In that case...

He turned as Katherine entered the room. At that moment he wished that he'd never received the call from Heero. He knew that he would have to leave. Katherine hated it when he took off sporadically without any indication of when he'd be back. He beckoned her over to him.

"Katherine?" he called gently.

"Yes, Trowa?"

"I have to go."

Katherine closed her eyes and looked away for a moment. "You promised that you would never leave without warning."

He grasped her hands in his. "I know. But I'll be back soon. I promise."

Katherine looked deep into the eyes of the man she considered her brother, "You'd better be back..."

Trowa smiled down at her. "I will."

He released her and gathered what he needed then left.

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