AN: I am so sorry if this chapter is a little weak to you all. I had a huge case of writer's block. I know exactly how I want this troy to play out the only part is writing it is a totally different task. Please keep reading. Thank you.

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing.

Zechs sat in his private study. He stared straight ahead, deep in thought. He sighed stretched and arose from his chair. He looked out of the window at the night sky. The stars sparkled and Zechs separated them from the colony clusters. It was then that he felt her presence. He could feel her moving towards him, her soft steps barely audible. Finally he felt her hand upon his shoulder. He spun around to meet her.

"What do you think?" asked Noin in a soft voice. "Do you think that all of this could work?"

"I have faith in Relena, I believe that if anyone can put a stop to chaos she can. There is just something in her: the way she moves and speaks, and how easily she gets along with others. That's something I could never do."

Noin frowned and her eyes showed concern.

"You still hide behind a mask, Milliardo," she said using his real name. "When are you going to understand that you are capable of such things also? Do not deem yourself unworthy…"

"I am unworthy," he replied coldly. "I have scorned a name that brings hope and peace to many. I have too much blood on my hands, Lucrezia. I am not worthy to carry such a name."

"That's not true. Relena believes in you. I believe in you," Noin said quietly. She looked away from his face and down at the floor. "I always have," she added.

Zechs sighed heavily at her words. He knew she was right. He just would never admit it to anyone else. He turned once more to look outside of the window. To him, the stars didn't seem to shine as bright anymore.

Heero walked through the gardens of the Peacecraft mansion. He needed a place to think; a place where he could clear his mind. The enemy had a Gundam. This was something that he had not known. It had somewhat surprised him. He wondered who would be capable of building one. The material was not easy to find; it was rare in fact. Preventers would barely have enough to reconstruct the original five Gundams, despite the material Duo and Hilde were going to provide.

Heero leaned against a large willow tree that overlooked a small pond. The moon light reflected off of the water, giving it a silver glow. Heero peered into the water and stared at his reflection. His long hair fell about his face, shading his eyes. Heero brushed it aside from his forehead and peered in closer. A sudden noise from behind caused him to snap and turn around. Heero drew his gun and pointed it at his intruder.

"Jesus, I can tell you haven't lost your touch," mumbled Duo as he approached the armed young man.

"Hn," was Heero's only reply as he gracefully lowered his gun. He turned once more to look into the water.

Duo kicked around at the grass that lay by his feet. He then grabbed the end of his braid and started to fiddle with it. He cleared his throat loudly so that he could get Heero's attention. Of course this didn't seem to affect the Zero pilot at all, so Duo asked Heero the question he had wanted to ask for the past couple of days.

"Heero, why are you here? I mean, why are you doing this?"

"It is not only my duty, but our duty as Gundam pilots to maintain the peace that so many people have fought to gain," replied Heero without turning around.

Duo sighed. Heero would never be able to see life as more than a mission. He would never see anything as more than a mission. Even the people around him, the people who cared for his well being. Heero did not even care enough for himself. He cared not whether he lived or died; he was a soldier, cold and resentful. This is what Duo pitied about him most of all, but Duo also learned that no one should ever pity Heero Yuy. The Perfect Soldier had seen and done too much to need pity, and was too cold to want it.

Duo turned on his heels and walked away from the young man who was staring into the silver water. Knowing that the pilot of 02 was out of earshot, the young man spoke quietly in a monotone voice that was barely above a whisper,

"I also have a promise to keep."

The following morning at the ESUN committee meeting…

Relena felt dizzy. Her head was pounding and she felt as if she could hardly breathe. She was dressed in her formal diplomatic clothing, in order to greet the new members of the ESUN. Yet she fought with herself, and somehow managed to keep her composure during the long ordeal.

Finally it was over. Relena moved quickly out of the meeting room. She needed fresh air. She also needed to get to Preventers Headquarters as quickly as possible. The ESUN just approved of her idea to tour the colonies. Members from both sides of the present feud thought it an excellent move. Though many also were against it. Either way, the Vice Foreign Minister was to leave for space immediately.

Relena tried to loosen her collar a bit as she headed for the door. She was stifling. The building was swarming with people, mainly extra security due to the recent attacks. Finally she reached the front doors and was just about to step outside when someone shouted her name. Relena spun around to meet a tall man about her brother's age, with raven colored hair and the same color of eyes. Relena noticed that above the man's left brow was a crescent scar. Also, though he appeared not to be a threat, Relena felt a somewhat fearful presence engulf her when he drew closer towards her.

"Minister Darlian," he said in a deep voice.

"Yes, how may I help you?" she replied wishing more than ever that she could leave.

"My name is Bret Mavica. I am the newly appointed representative from North America."

"Oh yes, I do remember you being announced. You are replacing Senator Pentane," replied Relena as she remembered the man who had just died in her arms only days earlier.

"Yes," replied Mavica. "He was a good man, and I have always been thoughtful and supported his ideas."

"I'm sure. Representative Mavica, I am so sorry but I really must be leaving now. I have a very important meeting to attend to regarding the colonial tour. I'm sure you understand. I will be willing to talk to you as soon as soon as I can…" said Relena as she bowed to the man and started to turned toward the doors once more. Yet she felt her wrist being grasped as she was abruptly pulled back to meet Mavica once more.

"Why Minister Darlian, that is exactly what I wished to speak to you about."

"Please release me at once," commanded Relena trying to hide the emotion in her voice.

"Of course," he said in a somewhat mocking tone as he let her go. "Minister Darlian, might I say that this tour of yours is a bad idea."

Relena raised her head in curiosity and looked into the man's dark eyes. They were filled with an emotion unknown to her. Mavica continued,

"What makes you think that the colonist will cooperate in such an ordeal? As you can already see from the meeting we just attended, some share the same opinion as I."

"Yes, and some do not. What makes you think that this shall not work?" answered Relena.

Mavica smirked at the young woman after realizing that she had not answered his question at all. He knew that this was one of her political defense tactics.

"You have learned much from your years in the ESUN, Minister Darlian, but you are still young and have a long way to go. You can not stop a war that is already here."

"It's not here yet," replied Relena sharply as she turned from the man and made her way out the doors to her waiting car.

Preventers HQ…

All people who had been present at the meeting the previous day were now gathered once more into the same meeting room. They were just waiting for Relena's arrival so that they may begin. Suddenly the door to the room opened and in walked Relena, still dressed in her formal diplomatic clothing. Her cheeks were flushed and her sapphire eyes were steaming with anger and frustration. She sat down heavily in her seat and motioned for Lady Une to begin.

"I guess the meeting didn't go too well," Hilde whispered to Duo, who nodded his head.

"I'm glad to see everyone is here once more," started Lady Une. "I stayed up late last night to lay out the preparations for our plans. Please listen, and feel free to ask any questions. First off, I have spoken with Mr. Winner who has agreed to help and tour with the Vice Foreign Minister. I trust that you have told the ESUN about your plans?" she asked Relena.

Relena snapped her head up at the question. She was only half listening to what Lady Une had been saying. She mentally kicked herself for letting herself off guard and for not paying attention to the conversation.

"I have and although not all approve, I may still continue with the tour."

Milliardo shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "Commander might I ask of her security measures?"

"Yes, they shall be at the fullest scale. I wanted to make sure that her bodyguards were the best available. Heero Yuy shall accompany her along with Trowa Barton whom Mr. Winner has taken the liberty to contact. As you know, Quatre Winner shall also secretly serve as her guard."

At this Zechs clenched his fist. He gripped the sides of his seat so hard that his knuckles became white. His face started to turn a crimson color. He breathed in heavily. Noin, who was seated next to him, gave him a warning glance. Zechs did his best to relax as he listened for Lady Une to continue,

"Now regarding the Gundams, I wish for this to remain confidential, the information being strictly forbidden outside of the Preventers. Near the colonies, the Preventers have a spaceport that contains mobile suits. These suits are to be used only under dire circumstances. Yet it is also there, that the reconstruction of the Gundams shall commence. It is an adequate place to gather materials from the salvage yard. Supervising reconstruction will be Duo Maxwell, Hilde Shelbeker, Wufei Chang, and Sally Poe.

"Injustice," snorted Wufei under his breath.

"I, too, shall also take leave from Preventers Headquarters and remain aboard the spaceport. Along with Zechs and Noin, I will try to find out as much information as possible about the current situation. I have made sure that everyone taking part in this operation will have easy access to one another. Everyone will be required to make a full report at the end of each day to me. The spaceport can be easily reached from each of the colonies so that if any emergencies arise, we can take care of it. Are there any questions?"

All in the room were silent. The only noise that was heard was that of Duo tapping his fingers lightly on the mahogany table. Lady Une looked each of the room's occupants in the eye.

"None of this information is to be leaked out. Is that understood? Very well then, Relena shall leave for colony L4 in approximately two days to meet Mr. Winner and start her tour. That is when everyone else shall leave also. This meeting is adjourned." Lady Une walked out of the room. Wufei and Sally quickly followed her.

Relena stood from her chair. She felt hotter than ever. Practically suffocating. She just wanted to leave and go home but there was one more matter she wished to discuss with her brother while she had the chance.

"Milliardo," she said, as he was about to exit the door. "There is something I must speak with you about. Today after my meeting, the new representative from North America confronted me about the tour."

"Yes, Bret Mavica, I have heard of him. What about it though?" he inquired.

"It wasn't his questions that startled me, it was the manner in which he approached me."

At this statement the remaining people in the meeting room listened closely.

"What do you mean?" asked Noin.

"I believe that we have reason to investigate him," said Relena as she rose form her seat. She had to walk around. She was dizzy and felt as if the room was collapsing on top of her.

"Whoa, Jousan you all right?" asked Duo.

Heero took a few cautious steps toward the young woman. She was gripping the table tightly. Beads of cold sweat were on her forehead. Her blue eyes were full of anxiety. Heero noticed, too, that she was breathing in small gasp, as if she were struggling for air.

Noin tried touching Relena's shoulder gently, but Relena shrugged her off.

"I'm fine, Noin."

"Relena, you're not fine," insisted Zechs.

"Milliardo, please!" Relena tried to shout but it came out only as a whisper. Relena's knees gave way and she felt herself falling. Yet, a pair of strong arms caught her and prevented her from hitting the ground. She opened her eyes to see a pair of deep Prussian ones looking at her intently. There was hardly any emotion in that glare, if there was, it was quickly washed away and replaced by the bitter stare that was present.

Zechs and Noin helped Heero pull Relena to her feet. Hilde and Duo also rushed over to help. They stood Relena up who was shaky but conscious. She looked so tired and frail.

"She needs to get some rest," said Zechs. "She's been so busy worrying about others lately she's not taking care of herself."

"Help me get her to the car," Noin said to Hilde.

Later that evening…

Relena slowly opened her eyes. She had been asleep for the entire afternoon. It felt so good to rest, yet it felt so foolish at the same time. She had made a fool of herself in front of others, carrying on the way she did. Of course she hadn't meant to, but that still didn't change how she felt.

"You're awake," said a soft voice. Noin appeared at the doorway to Relena's bedroom. She walked over to Relena and knelt down beside her. Relena looked away and out of the window.

"How are you feeling?"

"Foolish."

"Relena, you are way too hard on yourself. We all understand. You have been working so hard lately and barely been able to rest…"

"I wish not to speak of it anymore. I'm sure Milliardo will have a huge lecture coming about how I do not take care of myself. I'm sorry for what happened, Noin and I'm promise it won't happen again."

Noin sighed. She was just as stubborn as her older brother was. I guess it runs in the family. Noin smiled slightly at this thought.

"Well, Relena will you at least come downstairs an get something to eat?"

"No thank you, I'm fine right now."

"All right," said Noin as she turned to leave the room.

"Noin?"

Noin stopped and turned around to look back at the young woman who lay in the bed.

"Yes?" she replied softly.

"Thank you."

Heero stood once again by the pond in the garden. Once more he stared at his figure reflected in the silver, glittering water. Suddenly, Heero saw a man with platinum blonde hair standing next to him.

"Maxwell said I might find you here," said Zechs.

"I knew you would wish to speak with me," replied Heero flatly. The Gundam pilot turned around to face Zechs.

"I believe you also know what I am going to say," said Zechs.

"Hn."

"Don't go thinking that this is just any mission, Yuy. This is my sister's life. If anything happens to her, I don't know what I would do. I know that you and I have never agreed on hardly anything before, we probably never will, but don't let her get hurt. I don't trust very many people in this world, but right now I am saying that I trust you. As impossible as that may seem, I trust that you will keep her safe."

Heero stared at his former enemy. This was indeed a huge change. Heero judged it to be probably one of the most difficult that Zechs would ever have to make.

"Well, Yuy, what do you have to say?" asked Zechs impatiently.

"Mission…accepted."

AN: All right another chapter complete. It's gonna start to get really good from here on. Quatre and Trowa will be coming into the picture and more action will be coming up. I really hope that you are enjoying the story so far. Always R&R thank you so much.