The night was fairly warm, a small summer breeze blowing through the trees. Treize and Une escaped through a side door that led directly out into the garden. The full moon bathed the garden in pale gold light and lit up the paths. They walked in silence for a few moments. Then Treize said. "I want to show you something. He led Une down several paths that she have no walked on before. They walked through a forest of trees and Treize pointed with his finger "That's what I wanted to show you." The trees fell away to form a clearing. In the middle of the clearing was a fountain made from marble. Crystal clear water spilled out of the mouth of a statue of a lion. Several wooden benches surrounded the fountain. A few trees grew in the clearing, designed to provide shade on hot days. Bushes surrounded the entire clearing. On the bushes grew beautiful roses that were all deep crimson in color. They gave off a lovely fragrance that filled the entire clearing. Simple, yet elegant. "It's beautiful." Lady Une murmured. She walked to the fountain and dipped a hand in the water watching the sparkling liquid flow over her fingers. Treize tossed his jacket onto one of the benches and followed. "I am glad you like it. This was my favorite place as a child. I came here to think and get away from the real world." Lady Une turned and walked to a rose bush. "Did you plant these sir?"
"Yes. I did."
"It's a little hard to imagine you as a gardener. I guess this is a side of you I didn't know."
"I assure you that you will find that I am a man of many faces." Treize reached forward to pick one of the roses. Lady Une placed a hand on his arm. "Don't sir. Roses are more beautiful when they are alive. If you break it's stem, it will loose it's beauty." Treize smiled and withdrew his arm. "Maybe you are right" He turned to face her. "Since you deny me the pleasure of giving you this gift. Perhaps you will allow me to give you another one." His face was so close to her own that their breaths mixed together. "And what would that be?" She asked even though she already knew the answer. Treize leaned forward closing the distance between them, and kissed her.
At first, it was just the lightest brush of his lips. He pulled away to see her reaction and gasped in surprise when she winded her arms around his neck pulled him down to her. Her knees felt weak and she was grateful for the arm that Treize had around her waist holding her up. The fingers of his other hand ran through her hair and gently caressed her neck. "Anne, my love." Memories swirled in her mind. Memories
Flashback
"I am no longer Anne, my name is Lady Une." The stern-looking woman stood before Treize. Her eyes were concealed by a pair of glasses and her hair was pulled up in 2 buns. Her posture was stiff and her mouth was set in a thin line.
"You hide your true self behind that name. Une is only a mask while Anne is who you really are." Treize replied a bit sadly. He knew he forced her to be what she had become. But it was too late for regrets.
End of Flashback
Anne felt the last of Une slip away. She was once more the kind, but stubborn young girl that Treize has once known. She was herself. She kissed him with all the love in her heart.
The crack of a twig broke the silence of the night.
Treize and Anne jumped apart. There was a muffled thud and a puff of dust kicked up from where Treize was standing half a second ago. A gun shot. Treize flung himself on the ground pulling Anne with him as another bullet whistled past his left ear. Anne's hand went automatically to her hip before she remembered that she wasn't armed. Treize pulled a small communicator from inside his vest and flipped it open. "Turner, there is a security breach in section 7b." He said quietly. "Dispatch a unit here immediately. Be careful, the assailant is heavily armed." He closed the device and looked at Anne. "Do you think we should run for it?" Anne looked around. The only thing that is preventing the assassin from getting a clear shot at them was the statue. There was no other cover for about 20 feet. "I don't think so. He is a pretty good marksman and he won't miss if we go out in the open."
"I guess you are right."
He looked up just in time to see a figure dressed in black walk slowly towards them, firing a few shot to pin them down. He will get around the fountain soon. Then what? He stop walking for a moment and spoke:" Treize Kushrenada, I bring you a message from someone you know very well. He sends his regards and wishes you a safe trip to death's gate!" The assassin seemed confident and took his time coming around, like a tiger stalking prey. Suddenly he looked back before dashing towards them. But it was too late. Shots rung out. The assassin jerked as he was struck repeatedly by bullets before toppling to the ground. Treize's soldiers rushed out of the trees. Some ran to see if the assassin is dead while the rest ran forward to help Treize and Anne. "Are you all right sir? Are you injured?" Said officer Turner worriedly as he helped Treize up. "Nothing's been hurt except my dignity." Said Treize as he dusted himself off. "Being used for target practice is not very pleasant." He jerked his head towards the dead man. "Bring him up to the mansion. It seems like there is still people that would like me dead."