Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing, still waiting for my check to come in so I can buy the Gundam Wing box set! WOOHOO! eagerly awaits money Oo Can't. . .take. . .suspense! Which I'm sure everyone else is thinking since I cut chapter 40 and 41 in half, it was getting too long. . .sorry, hehe. . Oh, and I don't claim Noin would lose it even if she kinda did in the show and I don't think Treize would kiss Une so. . .yeah, it's a story, get over it.
Chapter 41
"Say something already, don't stare at me like I'm some foolish woman screaming for the ears of my dead soldiers to hear me! Why let me live when you wouldn't do the same to those poor soldiers? Am I so different? Did you want me to suffer because I loved them? Is this my punishment? Having to remember my mistake for the rest of my life like a poignant reminder that I'm an idiot? Don't do me such a justice, just kill me!"
Noin. . .I'm sorry. If it makes you feel any better I hated myself for doing that, I felt so empty after that battle I wished that I would have died. I can't change what I've done. If you ask everyone here they'll tell you that they've done things that they have been regretting to this day, they've lost people that meant a lot to them and wish that they could die. If you wish to take revenge on their deaths you are free to kill me. . .or torture me if that seems a more reasonable exchange. Chang said solemnly. Noin grit her teeth, feeling like just doing that as hot tears stung her cheeks.
"Noin. . .calm down, please." Milliardo said softly, trying to push away from his sister. Relena let him go, since all the Dolls threatening his life were now burning piles of rubble. Tallgeese slowly drifted over to Sandrock, gently touching the suit on the shoulder. Noin looked up at him, feeling like jumping from the cockpit and committing suicide. Milliardo looked sadly at her, saying quietly on a closed frequency, "Noin. . .come out for a minute."
But. . .OZ is still out there. . . Noin said, trying to blink back the tears as she wiped away the traces of her sorrows.
"I know, but come out so I can say something to you face to face." Noin sniffed and sighed, finally regaining control of her feelings. She began to lower the Gundam to the ground to land before she came out, being followed by Tallgeese the whole time. She landed and shut down the system, opening the cockpit and standing to step out. As she took a step forward, Milliardo jumped over from his Gundam and stood in front of her, surprising her slightly.
"Mill-" Noin began to speak. He put his finger over her lips and said, talking her hand, "No, let me speak first. Please, sit down." She slowly eased back down into her seat as Milliardo knelt in front of her, still holding her hand. He looked deeply into her eyes and said in his calm, deep voice, "Noin. . .I'm sorry about what I said, I'm certain that's what caused you to go off on those Dolls like that. I do mean what I said though, love doesn't belong in a battle situation."
"But. . ."
"Wait, I'm not finished." Milliardo took her other hand in his, holding both her cold hands in his tightly. "I do think it is possible to love outside of war, as long as you don't get that love involved inside of it. What I mean is. . .like right now, while we're fighting. If I was in danger or soon to be and you decided to risk your life for me because of your love for me than I would have to disagree with your reason." Noin blinked, saying, "Why?"
"Because. . .it will only get you killed or hurt and. . .I don't want you to ever be injured on my part."
"But isn't it my right to risk my safety if yours is at risk? Isn't part of loving someone being willing to die for them?"
"That doesn't matter to me, I would rather you live on to fight for what I believe in, keep going. . .for me. That would be the greatest gesture of love to me. . ."
"So. . .if I was in danger. . .if I was about to be killed. . .are you saying you would turn away from me? Let me die? In my eyes that isn't much of a show of affection."
"I would save you, Noin. . ." She frowned and said, "But you just said-"
"I meant for you not to save me, not the other way around."
"Milliardo Peacecraft, I am not going to just give up on you if I have the faintest chance of saving you! I've always been there for you and I always will, no matter what happens to me. You mean the world to me so don't dare ask me to turn the other way because I won't, I just won't!" She shook her head and stared him straight in the eyes. She pulled her hands free and said, taking his face gently in her grasp, "Look at me. Do you honestly believe I'm going to let some pathetic battle take you away from me? You mean too much. . .far too much." She leaned forward, kissing him gently on the lips. He paused for a moment, a bit stunned by the kiss but he slowly leaned into it, reaching up to her face to touch her porcelain skin and gently run his fingers over it. They broke and rested their foreheads against each other with their eyes closed, breathing in fresh air after the breathless kiss. Milliardo opened his eyes and looked up at Noin, brushing back her bangs to see her beautiful face and sparkling blue eyes that stared back with a loving glint.
"Noin. . .I still. . ." Noin smiled softly as she rested a finger gently on his lips.
"I don't care." Noin said, giving his nose a quick peck.
Ahem, sorry to interrupt but there's more Mobile suits being launched and you're kind of in the line of fire. Duo said over the comlink to Noin as he advanced to the new attackers. Noin quickly sat back, getting the gundam prepared for takeoff. She paused to look up at Milliardo as he leapt back over to his suit, shouting, "Milliardo!" He turned to look back at her as she said, "Be careful or I might just have to come and save you!" He smiled and shouted back, "Same to you!" They both closed their hatch doors and started up their engines, flying up to get back to the battle. Just as Noin reached the battle, she got pummeled by incoming enemy fire and fell again.
"Noin! Get up!" Milliardo screamed to her, shooting down two Leos.
I'm trying, the engines have stalled and they won't come back on! Noin said back, desperately pressing buttons and hitting various things.
"Rachel, Noin's engine died, can you help her out a little?"
I can. Chang said. Suddenly, Noin's engines roared to life and she switched on the rocket boosters just in time before crash landing. She came back up with the heat Shotels drawn and ready as she slashed through a Leo in her way.
"Noin, are you alright." Chang asked, looking at Sandrock out of the corner of his eye.
Yes. . .thank you. . .Chang. She responded, still upset with him but hiding it behind her war face. Chang nodded and threw out his right arm, sending his Dragon Fang flying out at a passing Leo. The fangs latched onto its armor and began constricting it, causing it to eventually implode and break in half. Letting go of the remains, he swung the arm around and the flame-thrower exploded to life, sending two rivers of gold barreling toward an unsuspecting Leo. It instantly caught on fire and spun out of control, crash landing into the forest.
"This fight has gone on long enough, we have to end this!" Milliardo said, kicking away a mobile suit in disgust. Just then, another group of about 3 Aries came out, one of which was clumsily flying after the rest. Rachel cocked her head to the side and said, "Is that guy drunk or something?"
Drunk? How dare they insult us with such a fool! Do they think that is all it will take to defeat us! Chang growled, feeling like he just got a slap in the face.
"Lieutenant Otto, sir, I don't know how to pilot a mobile suit! I just run the computers, I don't know how these things work!" Ensign Chris said nervously as he jerked the controls of the Aries, desperately trying to keep it in the air.
Just stay level and stay behind us, I'll take care of this. Otto responded, flying out ahead of the group straight to Tallgeese. He stopped in front of him as Milliardo got ready to attack.
"Lieutenant Zechs, please hold off your attack, it's me, your old mechanic!" Otto shouted over the comlink to Milliardo, raising the mobile suit's hands in the air to show his surrender.
Otto? How did you end up out here, I thought you were stuck at the Victoria Base! Milliardo responded, recognizing his voice.
"I was but an odd request for these new Taurus Dolls pulled me out to the temporary base where they're being manufactured. Please don't hurt these men, they don't know what they're doing! Colonel Une sent out some dingleberry to lead this attack and he's doing a terrible job, sending out technicians to fly mobile suits!" Otto explained, sounding ticked.
Technicians? Is that why that one behind you can't stay level? Milliardo watched Chris's Aries dance back and forth in an unsteady manner.
"He's even the Lieutenant-in-command's cousin. . .and he just sent him out here to die because he's a bit jumpy around him."
That's disgraceful, how could Treize let such a fool work under the name of OZ?
"I've been wondering that myself. . .you would be 10 times better than him, sir, why don't you come back. OZ needs devoted soldiers like yourself, Treize needs you!" Milliardo looked down sadly and said, I am no longer under the bondage of OZ, I am a free soldier. I'm sorry, Otto, but. . .OZ is my enemy now. Otto stared blankly at the screen, a slight feeling of shock as he said, "But. . .that means. . .you really are our enemy. . ."
Yes, I am. Otto. . . He looked up and stared at his old friend, You'll have to kill me now, I will only destroy OZ for its evil deeds against humanity, I don't want to kill you. . .
"Sir. . ." Otto looked dejected as he lowered his arms.
Otto, I'm no longer a Lieutenant, my name is Milliardo Peacecraft, not Zechs Merquise.
"Peace. . .craft? But. . ."
Mister Otto, sir, my Aries is acting weird! Chris called out over the comlink, looking wildly at the controls as his suit began to beep at him.
"Chris, what did you do!" Otto said, watching the Aries stumble and jerk nervously in the air.
Nothing, sir, it says the engines are flooded, what does that mean!
"Abort, I repeat, get out of there!" Just then, his own mobile suit began to malfunction.
I don't understand, I thought I fixed its problems! Otto thought, trying to repair it from inside.
Otto, what's going on? Milliardo called to his friend as he saw the outer affects being shown on his and the others' Aries.
"I don't know, this shouldn't be happening!"
Having some engine troubles? On Otto's view screen Lieutenant Caster appeared, a cocky grin on his face.
"Caster, what did you do!" Otto yelled in anger.
I'm just ending your little mutiny, we can't have you running around leading the enemy to our bases. Treize will understand, this is for the best. Caster smiled coldly. In a matter of seconds, the engines cut out and they began to fall to the ground, their suits bursting into flames.
Otto, OTTO! Milliardo cried out, diving to catch the suit before it hit the ground. Suddenly, the suits paused and gently touched down on the ground, surprising everyone, except one.
"Having probs? Lemme help you." Duo said, grinning. He flew off toward the airplane, stopping just feet from it. Raising his left arm, he aimed his Buster Shield at the plane, saying, "I think Treize would understand this better." He launched the Buster Shield and it tore through the plane quickly, sending it off course and careening into the trees. A burning explosion soon followed the crash and everyone let out a sigh. The battle was over. Tallgeese landed by the still burning Aries and Milliardo stepped out, shouting down to them, "Otto, get out of that thing before it explodes!" As Deathscythe returned to the group, one of the Aries suits exploded, sending parts flying everywhere. One particularly large chunk flew at Tallgeese, crashing into it and sending it crashing into the ground.
"Milliardo, NO!" Noin yelled, lunging forward to run to his aid.
"Ah, Lady Une. . ." Treize rose from his chair to greet his dinner guest. Une gracefully approached in a blue dress, tightly wrapped around her curves and plunging a bit in the front to reveal her cleavage, white pearls around her neck and dangling from her ears. Her hair gently draped down over her shoulders and seductively floated over her chest as she walked up, shimmering even in the dim restaurant candlelight. She stopped in front of Treize and he took her hand gingerly, bringing it up to his lips to kiss the back of it. She tried to hold back the shiver that ran up her spine as she said calmly, "Please forgive my tardiness, Mr. Treize, the driver got stuck in traffic."
"That's of no concern to me, you're here now. Let me get your chair for you. . ." Treize stepped over to her chair and pulled it out, allowing Une to gracefully sit down before scooting it back in. He walked back over to his own chair and said as he sat down himself, "Lady Une, you look stunning this evening, I'm glad you came without your glasses as I requested." She blushed a bit and said, looking down, "Anything for you, sir."
"Anything? My. . .I hope you're referring to business only, Une. . ." Treize smiled. She blinked and said, sounding slightly flustered, "Of course, sir. . ." He reached across the table and took one of her hands, saying in a soft voice, "Please, leave the formalities in the workplace. . .we're off duty, you know, you don't have to call me 'sir' all the time."
"I'm sorry, s. . .Mr. Treize. . ." Une looked down shyly. "I'll try not to."
"Good. . ." Treize released her hand and picked up his menu, saying, "Now, shall we order? Price is of no concern, get whatever you would like."
"If you insist. . .Mr. Treize." Une said shyly, opening her own menu to scan the selection. After the waiter had come by and taken their orders, they sat quietly enjoying the soft French music playing in the background. Une reached to her glass of water and began to sip at it daintily, her eyes closed. Treize watched her intently, his elbows resting on the edge of the table and his fingers laced together, his mouth resting against his hands. Une peeked open her eyes as she lowered the glass, startled by how closely she was being watched. Blinking, she put her glass down on the table and said, "Mr. Treize, do you wish to ask me a question?"
"Yes, actually. I was curious. . .who's been giving the orders for the production of these mobile Dolls we seem to be using now?"
"Why. . .you have, Mr. Treize." Une responded, seeming a little confused by his question.
"I have? Well, I don't recall ever giving such orders. . .I don't even know what these things are, I've only heard mention of them in reports lately."
"But. . .I have papers signed by yourself for the order of their supplies, how could you not know about them?"
"Because. . .I didn't sign any such papers. Une, who gave you these papers?"
"I don't know, they were on my desk one day and it had your signature so I just sent on the orders. Mr. Treize, are you sure you didn't sign them? Perhaps when you were busy and might have forgotten-"
"I don't forget things, Lady Une." Treize fired back sharply, seeming insulted. She timidly looked down and said, "I'm sorry." He softened his expression and said, "You should know me better, we've worked together for long enough, haven't we?"
"I do suppose so. . .but, Mr. Treize, is it really that bad? These new Doll versions of the mobile suits are far more advanced than anything the enemy has and it doesn't require a pilot so lives can be spared."
"Without soldiers a war is nothing but a game of destruction, it takes away the restrictions men give to it. The only person I can think of that wouldn't understand that is. . .Dekim. . ." Treize almost growled out the name as he frowned, looking extremely cross. Une blinked and said, "But. . .how could he copy your signature? I would have known if it was a fake!"
"The man has many hidden talents. . .Une, did you honestly think I would want such a disgraceful thing to be created?" She bowed her head shamefully and said, "No, sir, of course not." Treize closed his eyes in thought just as their food came. He opened them again and took his napkin off the table, carefully placing it in his lap as he said, "Eat your meal before it gets cold, Une, we need to hurry up. I have some business to take care of and must get to it as soon as possible." As Une slowly ate her meal, she kept her eyes downcast to avoid eye contact. Treize finished before she was even half done and touched the napkin quickly to his lips. Standing, he said as he fixed his suit and tie, "Lady Une, continue without me, I'll see you on base in the morning." She tried to get up to follow but he put his hand out in front of her to stop her. She froze and looked up, slowly taking his hand as he said, "My Lady. . .please. . .stay." He kissed her hand slowly and glanced deeply into her eyes as she took a breath, her heart fluttering in her chest. He stopped and looked her straight in the eye, saying, "Une, what's the matter?"
"Matter? Nothing, why would you ask that. . ." Une said, feeling a burning sensation on her cheeks.
No, stop blushing you idiot, he'll know! Une screamed to herself in her mind, clearing her throat nervously as Treize smiled. He leaned toward her and whispered, "Goodnight. . .Lady. . ." He kissed her softly on the cheek and stepped back, nodding his head a little as he left. Une watched him exit the restaurant, feeling his lips still on her cheek as she touched the spot the kiss had been placed, saying quietly, "Why. . .did he kiss me? Does he know? He couldn't. . .he. . .can't. . ."
