A/N: Before I leave you to read the next chapter, I would like to remind you that today (01/27/04) fifty nine years ago, the Russian army entered the concentration camp of Auschwitz discovering for the first time what the Nazi government was truly doing to the Jews and other 'unwanted' citizens. I would like each of you to light a white candle and/or say a little prayer so something like that never repeats itself. Ever.

"Peace is something that is not freely given to each of us, we must fight for it". Relena Darlian-Peacecraft, Endless Waltz.

Chapter Thirteen

The day before the wedding, Trowa and Quartre were doing their usual check around the plantations. Milliardo was out with Treize and the women were in the house resting.

"It's really amazing how quickly Relena has recovered, isn't it?" asked Quatre looking at Trowa in the eye trying to find something in those emerald eyes that could confirm his suspicions.

"Yes it is…" replied Trowa knowing that Relena had done her best to appear healthy enough for the wedding, even though he knew that she was nowhere near as strong as she pretended to be.

"Trowa…who do you think you're fooling?" asked Quatre suddenly.

"What? I don't know what you mean…" Trowa said turning his attention to one of the fields in the opposite direction.

Then Quatre made his horse speed up and crossed it in front of Trowa's blocking the pass.

"You may have fooled Milliardo and the rest but I know you too well and I know that you haven't given up…I don't know what you are planning now but I know for sure that it doesn't involve Relena taking your surname…" said Quatre almost losing his proverbial kindness.

"Quatre…" Trowa said shocked and confused, he did not want to get the Arabian man involved in this situation.

"Trowa…whatever it is, I hope you're not doing anything stupid…in any case, if I can help you, you know I will…I don't care about the politics, you're my friend and that comes first for me…" Quatre said moving his horse so they could continue their way.

Hearing his friend's words, Trowa decided then to explain to Quatre what his plan was about. The Arabian man was shocked at the recklessness of Trowa's plan but again he was quite used to it.

"I knew it…it's a very bold move, but you know that, don't you? Anyhow, I am prepared to help you and, if you think of anything I can do…well, feel free to ask…" said Quatre patting his friend's arm.

"Thank you Quatre…you are a true friend…" replied Trowa happy to see that at least he had Quatre on his side.

They got back to the house after finishing their round. Milliardo had sent for Lucrezia to be picked up and they had gone to have dinner at the French governor's house. The Winner's headed to their residence leaving Trowa alone with his sister.

"Relena is sleeping…she said that she's going to take a good rest before tomorrow" announced the red head as soon as she saw her brother coming in the house.

Trowa enjoyed for a minute the quietness of the house. It had been a very noisy week and he was beginning to get stressed about it. He preferred his house when it was quiet like now.

"Good…she'll need it…" Trowa said taking a seat next to where his sister was sitting reading a book.

"You're going to be happy…" affirmed Catherine putting down her book.

"I know I'm going to be happy…" Trowa said completely agreeing with his sister for the first time in quite a few days.

"I'm glad you agree…Trowa, I wanted to talk to you about your behaviour…" started Catherine.

"What a coincidence…I wanted to talk to you about the same thing…Catherine, it's actually YOUR behaviour that has been quite…shocking…these last few days. You are my sister and I appreciate your opinion regarding most matters but…I want to ask you this one thing: stay away from my personal life. I love you dearly and you will always be my sister but…I cannot accept the way you've been trying to impose your views on me…" Trowa said interrupting his sister's words.

"But, I only…" Catherine started again.

"I know…you're looking out for my best interests but, your help, this time, is not needed…I know you feel guilty because our grandfather treated you better than he treated me but I don't keep any hard feelings for him…he made me the man I'm today and…it is thanks to him that now I know that it is up to me to decide what to do with my life…" Trowa said interrupting his sister once more.

"What do you mean…" Catherine said confused.

"Don't worry about it…just know this, I love you and I think that, no matter what I do, you will love me too…" Trowa said grabbing his sister's book to see what she was reading.

"Of course…you're my baby brother…I will always love you…but…" Catherine said even more confused.

"Enough with this…I didn't know you liked these sort of stories…" Trowa said pointing at the romantic book his sister was reading.

"Relena has recommended it to me…" Catherine said blushing slightly.

"She's made a good choice…everyone should be more romantic…" Trowa said putting the book back in his sister's hands getting up and, before leaving the room, added, "we better go and get some dinner…tomorrow will be a busy day…".

Heero woke up on Saturday morning. Wu Fei had paid him a visit the day before to update him on Relena's health and had explained to him all the details regarding Trowa's plans. Heero was very happy to hear that Relena was now awake and, although she tried her best to appear strong, the Japanese man feared that she would not be healthy enough to cope with the whole thing.

In any case, he needed to concentrate now. He knew that they had only one chance, if he got caught, the whole plan would fail. He got up and pulled out the small saw that Wu Fei had managed to sneak in. Not that Heero needed it but it would certainly make things a lot easier.

Heero winced one second. He had forgotten the results from the last 'visit' from his 'sociable' guards. It seemed that, ever since Treize had officially handed him over to the French, they had decided to start showing him what to expect as their prisoner.

Not that it bothered him much…he was used to this kind of treatment. It took a lot more than beating up to break Heero's spirit. Besides, now he had something to look forward to. He just hoped that the trust he was placing on Trowa was not to be wasted.

The object of his affections was up having a bath. Relena was washing her hair carefully. She knew that she had to play the happy bride part so she set herself to do her best performance.

Lucrezia was already in the room preparing the dress and, after the blond girl had finished with the bath, the older woman helped her drying her hair so they could do the hairdo needed for the veil.

The dress was really pretty. A white silk princess cut with numerous satin ribbons crossing the chest of the dress in an intricate pattern. The veil was made of an incredibly thin fabric. Relena found herself unwillingly enthusiast about it.

Lucrezia was applying a little bit of make up to finish off when Catherine came into the room.

"Wow, chérie…you look… magnifique!" she said seeing her future sister in law almost ready.

"Thank you…so do you…" said Relena seeing Catherine with her lilac chiffon dress.

"Well…we really shouldn't be chatting…your brother will be here to pick you up in no time at all…" Lucrezia said grabbing her bag that matched her dark blue dress, and taking Catherine's arm, the two women left the room leaving Relena alone.

Relena was nervous knowing she would have to spend time alone with her brother…at least the short carriage ride to the church.

She decided, just as her brother was knocking on the door, that in order to make it realistic she had to imagine she was marrying Heero. She started thinking of how she would feel if this wedding was Heero's and hers. A huge grin appeared instantly and said with a very cheery voice:

"Come in!".

Milliardo opened the door and stood there waiting for his sister to join him. He didn't bother hiding the admiration he felt seeing the beautiful woman that Relena had become.

"Are you ready?" he asked happy to see the smile that curved his sister's lips.

"Sure…let's go…" Relena replied getting up and heading to the door.

The trip to the church lasted only ten minutes. The two siblings spent most of it silently staring outside the window. Then, as they were arriving, Relena said:

"Milliardo thank you for everything…".

Milliardo looked at her puzzled but he interpreted it as a sign of surrender. He was happy, Relena had finally realised that this was the best thing for her. He smiled and replied:

"No problem…now let's not keep that young man waiting any longer…".

Relena was walked up the aisle by a very proud Milliardo. He finally left her by Trowa's side. The French man was smiling at her. She wished she could be as calm as he was. Relena was also fighting a faint feeling reminding her of her weak condition. She grabbed Trowa's hand hoping he would transfer to her some of his strength and, if not, at least she would not fall to the ground.

The church was absolutely packed. Sally looked around herself upset because Wu Fei had not made it. She wondered where the Chinese man was and really wanted to go and look for him but, unfortunately, she could not leave the church being one of the bridesmaids.

The ceremony started and the priest began celebrating the nuptial mass.

"If anyone in this room knows any reason why these two people should not get married, speak now or forever hold their peace…".

The priest stopped the usual few seconds and, taking for granted no one would speak up, was going to continue when suddenly, a woman entered the church through one of the side doors holding a pistol to her head.

"Midii!!!" Trowa shouted very realistically. It had been one thing planning it but, seeing the love of his life with a pistol, a real pistol, pointed at her head was another, a lot scarier thing.

"I will kill myself if you don't stop this…" Midii shouted with tears falling from her light blue eyes.

"Oh pray the Lord!!" exclaimed the priest so shocked he put one of his hands on his throat and, with the other, wiped his face just not being able to believe the whole thing.

"Someone stop that woman!!" Treize shouted.

"If you get anywhere near me, I will shoot myself and if you don't value my life that much…then I will shoot her" Midii said moving the pistol from her head to Relena that stood close by.

"NO!! Stop there!!" Milliardo shouted seeing that the platinum blond woman was dead serious about it.

Treize looked at Milliardo and the governor ordered his soldiers to stop. The whole church was in a state of commotion. Some of the ladies actually fainted. The priest was very close to do it himself.

Suddenly, Quatre, reacted and took Relena away from the pistol. Relena had time for a quick look at Trowa. They exchanged a very precise message of gratefulness and friendship.

Then, Relena was pushed by Quatre to one of the side rooms and that prevented her from seeing what happened next.

END OF CHAPTER THIRTEEN