Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing but I did create the different look to the characters, I did not copy the styles from anything but my own mind. . . (As demented as it is, hehe. . .)

Chapter 38

"Squadron leader, this is left flank leader, we have the cave in our sights, shall we move ahead?" Calls rang over the communication systems of the approaching planes as their mobile suit escorts led the way back to the cave.

"Proceed with caution, we don't know what type of fire power they may have accumulated beyond 5 mobile suits and the Tallgeese." The squadron leader responded, checking the radar screen for any signs of activity. The man turned to an officer standing about looking over a clipboard of papers and said, "Soldier, go down to the maintenance deck and call our mechanic to the floor."

"Yes, Sir!" The soldier saluted and ran to the door out of the command deck. The leader turned back to the window and watched the clouds float past them swiftly as he ran their plan of attack through his head over and over making sure it was flawless.

"Lieutenant Otto, Lieutenant Caster wants to speak with you on the command deck!" the soldier called out as he ran up to the chief mechanic who was halfway under a mobile suit repairing it. He rolled out on his roller board and said, "Now? I have to repair this suit before we get to our destination!"

"I'm only here to relay orders, sir." The soldier ran away to return to duty and left Otto to sigh and wipe his hands clean before making his way to the command deck. He walked onto the deck and said, "You called me, sir?" the Lieutenant in command turned to Otto and said, "Yes, I wanted you to modify all the suits to combat the Tallgeese, we don't need Zechs getting in our way when we get there." Otto looked surprised as he said, "Lieutenant Zechs is there?"

"He's no longer a Lieutenant, he doesn't work for OZ anymore. Consider him the enemy, Lieutenant." Caster responded, a frown on his face as he folded his arms. Nodding, Otto turned to leave. Caster frowned angrily as he yelled, "Are you forgetting something, Lieutenant Otto!" Sighing, Otto turned back and stood at attention, saluting the man.

"Sir!" He turned back around and walked out of the room.

Lieutenant Zechs wouldn't have been so stuffy. . .Otto thought as he returned to his duties.

"Alright, who's next?" Chang asked, impatiently flapping his new set of wings. Relena nervously stepped forward and said, "I guess I'll go next."

"Relena, no, you shouldn't." Milliardo warned, looking worried as he stepped up to her.

"It's safe, Zechs, she'll be fine." Heero said, still not calling him by his real name. His voice was almost as deep as Milliardo's now and caused Relena to smile as she thought, I think I like Heero like this now, his voice is so addicting and soothing. I could melt any second if he talks anymore. . . Heero looked her way and blinked, thinking, You like it, huh? Maybe I should talk to you more often. . . She gasped and stared at him.

"You heard my thoughts?" Relena asked, a slight blush on her face.

"Well, I was trying to see if you were okay with this my reading your thoughts but you happened to be thinking that at the time. Sorry." Heero said. He looked toward Chang and said, "Hey, want to air battle?"

"Air battle?" Chang had his arms crossed across his chest as one of his eyebrows cocked up. Rachel watched the new angels talk, seeing the great changes in them showing already. They had all grown taller. . .and much stronger. Trowa had been too preoccupied with Quatre to even bother getting powers so he was the same. But Duo, Heero, and Chang had gotten theirs by now and were much older looking, to say the least. They had to get new clothes because they had practically ripped their old outfits. Heero just made larger sizes of his outfit and gave up on ever wearing spandex anymore since he was. . .bigger than before in more than one way and would be indecent otherwise. Chang now wore a black Chinese suit similar to his old one but better fitting to his figure. Its red trim set it off nicely and brought out the fire in his eyes as he discussed fighting with Heero. He wore black gauntlet style bands around his wrists and arms and had his hair down for once. Duo had changed his styling from his usual priest's outfit to a more fitting style more like his later styles in the series. He wore dark blue jeans and a red shirt slightly tight against his figure with a leather jacket over it half zipped up to show off his chest a bit, which he had become quite fond of since his transformation. He lounged around nearby listening to the conversation boredly as he rested his hands against the floor, reclining back on them and propping up a leg, tilting his head to the side lazily. His braid trailed out far behind him, coming down to knee length if he was standing, about 3 feet and 9 inches long. It was surprising how much their physical looks had differed from how they were supposed to look in the Endless Waltz series, being far taller than originally possible and. . .much more handsome if that is possible. Smiling, Rachel walked up to them and said, "Relena, it is perfectly safe for you, there's nothing to worry about."

"But the only ones who have gotten changed are all male, what if it affects females differently?" Milliardo asked nervously, but sounding quite composed.

"I'm a female and I've been through this. . ." She counted the boys and said, "Four times! I'm sure she'll be fine."

"I. . .I'm just not comfortable with her doing this."

"Then let me do it, to make sure it's safe for her to follow suit." Noin suggested, stepping forward. Milliardo looked at her, trying to communicate a protest through his sharp blue eyes to not go through with it. But Noin didn't look at him as she said, "Let me try, I'd like to see what it's like to have powers like you." Rachel nodded and said, "Alright, you know what to do." Noin nodded back and waited as Rachel went through the process. Noin stepped forward and touched Rachel's hand, holding it as she closed her eyes, feeling the power flowing through into her body as the transfer worked its way into her. Slowly, wings grew as before and she gasped, feeling the strange sensation of the experience. She let go of Rachel's hand, the energy surging to life inside her and emanating from deep inside and showing through her eyes as she held her hands against her chest. Milliardo nervously walked toward her, afraid that something was going to go wrong. Suddenly, she groaned and her wings flapped about wildly, shivering slightly and convulsing. Everyone looked surprised by her reaction and Milliardo yelled, "Noin!" Her wings beat harshly and exploded, splitting into two separate pairs of wings, glistening pure gold and larger than before, more majestic than any of the others' wings together. She gasped, whispering, "Milliardo. . ." He ran to her and caught her as she fell into his awaiting arms and fell limp.

"Noin? Noin, speak to me!" Milliardo nervously said, looking scared by the differing reaction she had had. Rachel wobbled slightly as she walked toward them and knelt next to him, leaning a hand on his shoulder. Milliardo looked over at her and said, "You. . .you're still awake!"

"Yes, it's strange, it didn't take as much energy to transfer my powers to her, perhaps it's because she's like me."

"Same gender?" Chang suggested.

"Possibly. But she changed differently, I don't understand. . .did she age?" Rachel peeked over at her face as Milliardo said, "She's so beautiful. . .more than before. . .a seraph unworthy of my earthly love."

"Don't be so negative, I can give you powers too, so you'll be like her."

"I couldn't compare to her, it would be like comparing a swine with a moonstone, such mysterious beauty transfixing eyes upon it while I am nothing but a lowly being hoping for her eyes to be cast on my contemptible soul. . ."

"Alright, enough pessimistic poetry, you're making me sick. . ." Duo rolled his eyes as he stood up from his leisurely spot on the floor and walked toward Rachel. Relena watched eagerly, saying, "So, she's okay?"

"You really want to have powers, don't you?" Heero asked, watching the curious glint in her eyes dance about hopefully. She blushed and said, "I think I'm feeling the same way Duo was earlier."

"Hmm. . .do you think you'll change like Noin did or like us?"

"Who knows, I guess we'll find out." Relena smiled. Heero walked to her and put his arms around her, being taller now and only being able to wrap his arms around her shoulders. She sighed and leaned against him, her head resting comfortably against his chest as he was about 6 inches taller. Rachel looked up at Relena and said, "We should wait for a while to make sure she's alright first, I don't want two people incapacitated if something went wrong."

"I understand, I'll wait. Heero, can we go somewhere. . .alone?" Relena looked up at him with a shy grin and he looked curious, saying, "Sure, wherever you want." She motioned for him to pick her up and he did, causing her to giggle. He blinked and raised his eyebrows as he said, "What?"

"Nothing, let's go." She whispered, nodded her head toward the caves, wrapping her arms around his neck cozily. Flapping out and rising, his wings came down with a strong beat and he rose into the air, taking off and flying away from the camp. Relena rested her head on his shoulder, sighing as she enjoyed the ride. Duo watched them go and said, "Wonder where they're off to. . ."

"Who knows." Chang rolled his eyes.

"Looks like almost everyone has powers now. . ." Trowa commented, looking over his shoulder at the group of winged beings chatting. Quatre didn't respond at first, his eyes closed and his forehead sweaty with fever. Glancing down, Trowa said, "You still awake?" Slowly, Quatre responded in a whisper, "Hot. . ." Looking down sadly, Trowa began to unbutton Quatre's long sleeved shirt, pulling it open to let his body breathe a bit. Quatre scrunched up his face in discomfort as Trowa dabbed a cold wash cloth over his skin to cool him.

"C. . .cold. . ." Quatre muttered.

"Which would you prefer, hot or cold? I can only make you one or the other." Trowa said, rinsing the cloth in a bowl by his feet. Quatre touched Trowa's arm gently and said, "Trowa?"

"Yeah?"

"Why don't you want powers?"

"I don't need supernatural abilities to defeat OZ, I can do it by being a normal human being."

"But everyone else has powers, don't you feel a little. . .left out or something?"

"And if they all jumped off the cliff outside do you think I'd yell 'Geronimo' and follow them?"

"I don't know. . .maybe you'd yell 'look out below' for all I know. . ."

"That wasn't my point."

"I know, I was just trying to lighten the mood a little. Trowa, not everyone's getting powers because they feel it will be a step ahead of anything OZ can throw at us. . .well, Chang did it for that reason but who cares. Duo only did it because he wanted to be the same age as Rachel, since my touching her changed her with me. I'm not sure why Heero did it but I know Noin only did it to make sure it was safe for Relena, who wants to do it for the same reason Duo did. I'm sure Milliardo will follow suit and change so he can remain the same age as Noin and that will leave you to decide whether to take the chance or not."

"Very perceptive. Do you think it's worth it?"

"I don't know, I've been sick most of the time I've had powers so I can't really judge if it's worth it. . .doesn't seem like it right now. . ." Quatre touched his forehead and moaned, closing his eyes as his head pounded a bit. Trowa moved Quatre's hand away and gently laid the rag on Quatre's forehead, saying, "I'll think about it. Let me go talk to someone about taking care of your illness, I'll be right back."

"Okay." Quatre said sadly, looking a bit sick to his stomach. Trowa walked over to the group and said quietly, "Chang, can I talk to you?"

"Of course." Chang walked with Trowa a couple of feet from everyone and Trowa turned to him, saying, "I need to leave for a while and take Quatre to a hospital."

"What's wrong with him?" Chang asked, sounding surprised.

"I'm not sure, he has a high fever and he's getting nauseated, might be influenza."

"Sounds like it, has he been eating much?"

"He turns pale at the thought of it, he's not getting much better."

"I can see how bad this is but I don't think Heero would let you leave with our current situation being as it is, if you went out with Quatre as he is right now and OZ spotted you, we'd be in deep trouble."

"I know, that's why I wanted your help. I was hoping you could do something about his wings so that he was less conspicuous."

"Well, it would be a nice test of what I'm capable of." Chang mused. "I'll do it, but when Heero nails your sorry butt don't get me involved, I'm only experimenting with my powers."

"Right. . ." Trowa rolled his eyes as he led Chang over to Quatre's sickbed. Kneeling down by Quatre, Chang said, "Hello, Quatre, I'm gonna try to get rid of those wings for you so don't be alarmed if your back starts to burn or anything unnatural." Quatre looked over in worry, his eyes wide with concern. Trowa cocked an eyebrow and said, "Um. . .if you were going with words of comfort. . .it's not working."

"I wasn't trying to be comforting."

"Oh. . .okay then, get to it." Quatre started to inch away, looking worried. Trowa bent down next to him and rested a hand on his arm, saying, "Don't worry, he won't hurt you, I hope. And if he does, I'll hurt him, okay?"

"Hey, no deal if you're going to inflict pain upon me." Chang said, narrowing his eyes at Trowa.

"Only if you do something bad to Quatre, now hurry up before Heero finds out what I'm planning on doing." Trowa said, looking over his shoulder to check for that very person.

"I'll hurry, don't worry. You could get yourself some powers while I'm doing this." Chang glanced at Trowa out of the corner of his eye with a cocked eyebrow. Trowa looked back at Quatre and said, "I don't need them and besides, every time someone has gotten powers they've passed out."

"I did not pass out!"

"Oh really? What do you call falling over unconscious?" Trowa almost smirked.

"I had been doing a thorough workout of my martial arts earlier and decided I needed a rest, so as to not overdo it."

"Yeah, and I'm gay."

"I have no concern over your sexuality, Trowa, as long as you don't grow fond of me." Ignoring the comment, Trowa said, "Get to work on him, I need to speak with someone." Chang grunted and began figuring out what to do next. Standing, Trowa casually strode across the room to Rachel's side, bending over and whispering, "Can I speak with you?"

"Oh, sure." Rachel smiled and stood, leaving Noin and Milliardo to be alone. They walked over to the sleeping quarters and Trowa leaned against one of the support poles for the canopy rook, crossing his arms across his chest and looking up with his usual blank stare through his long bangs. Rachel sat on a cot a few feet from him and folded her hands in her lap, slouching a bit as she stared up at him. Looking away at the ground, Trowa said quietly, "Don't tell anyone, but I'm going out for a little while and I'll be back when I can."

"You're leaving? May I ask why?"

"Perhaps. . .as long as you don't send anyone with me." Trowa glanced up at her. She looked surprised, saying, "Where are you going?"

"To a hospital."

"Hospital? What ever for?" She looked worried.

"I mentioned Quatre being sick, remember?"

"Yes. Trowa, I can-"

"No." Trowa cut her off, already knowing she'd offer her service to him.

"No?" She blinked.

"I know you want to help but you can't. Look, you've got your job here and I'm a big boy, I can handle this on my own."

"You can be bigger."

"Excuse me?" Trowa frowned in confusion and slight uneasiness. She stood and approached him, saying, "That's not what I meant, Trowa. I'm sure everyone's been pressuring you to go through with it like almost everyone has and I don't want to push you if you aren't ready to for your own reasons."

"Oh. . .well, I don't see the importance of it so why waste time with it?"

"It's not entirely pointless, it's kept me alive through this week, you know. . ."

"I'm sure you find meaning for it, I don't doubt that. . .but. . .I just don't have a reason to. . ." Trowa looked over his shoulder at everyone who had changed, gotten older. . .fallen in love. He held in a sigh, blinking and turning his attention back to Rachel.

I saw that look, Trowa Barton, don't feel lonely. . .Rachel thought, trying not to look pitying.

"I'll think about it, maybe when I get back." Trowa responded dully. Rachel smiled and said, "Be careful then, don't forget they're still looking for us." She suddenly had a thought and said, "Say, perhaps it would be better to get powers, since you age afterwards."

"So OZ won't recognize me. . ." Trowa caught on.

"Exactly! It won't take long and I'm getting better at it!"

"I don't know. . ."

"Please? I've been trying to perfect this whole process thing. . ." She said, sounding very passionate about it.

"Mmm. . ." Trowa looked away, still unsure. Reaching up, Rachel placed her hands gently on his arms, causing him to look back into her determined eyes.

"You won't faint, I promise. Please, just give me a chance. . ." He stared thoughtfully into her eyes, well, more through them as he spaced out for a minute. Finally, he closed his eyes and responded softly, "Just keep in mind that Quatre's very ill and needs medical attention yesterday."

"I understand, I'll be careful." She took a deep breath and said, "Now, try not to be scared or nervous, I think that's one reason everyone has reacted the way they have to it."

"I'm not afraid, I have nothing to fear." Trowa said calmly, waiting patiently. She nodded and closed her eyes, concentrating her energy to pass on her powers to Trowa. Finally, she said, "Take my hands." He looked down curiously and slowly took hold of her hands in his, looking back up at her face in expectation. He felt a slight surge of energy flow through him and his eyes widened a bit but Rachel spoke softly, saying, "Don't lose control, stay calm." Tilting his head up slightly, he took a deep breath and stood firm as the exchange finished and left him slightly breathless.