AN: I warn you that I'm not that good with action. But hey, what's GW without something blowing up? So... Readers have been warned.

"Manifestations"
By Isis
Chapter 10

"You can't possibly be serious." Ry stared at Yuy's passive form, his arms crossed and eyes closed as he leaned against the wall in the tiny guestroom. "It takes four officers and a watchdog group to get her to visit her mother, and now she intends to go to Mars! Who comes up with this crap?" he asked incredulously, his voice rising.

Alli stood up from the bed beside him and placed a hand on his back to stop his attempt at pacing, which was more like turning circles between the two beds in the little metal room. "Agent Yuy, what good can Miss Relena really do out there?"

"She has as much medical training as most of the officers going. She will also be instrumental in organizing the remaining work force." He opened his eyes to regard her evenly. "But she's going in order to prevent a riot and termination of the project."

"That's insane!" Ry yelled.

Heero pinned him with a glare for a long moment before continuing. "It's not our job to second guess her."

The statement and the expression were cold. Ry had gotten used to the stoic, albeit calculated, demeanor of his commanding officer, but this was just… unnerving. He had seen the quiet affection that the agent had shown to Relena. Their trip, not even two days ago, more then implanted the idea in Ry that Heero would look after her, orders or not. He had seen the trust that she had held in him. Whatever was going on between the two, it was something that should have had Yuy fighting with all of his scary abilities not to let her go!

"I don't get it," he shook his head. "When did this become just a job to you? Dang it, Heero, she's a friend. How can you let her walk into this?"

Yuy didn't move, but his eyes narrowed even farther, his jaw tightening just noticeably. "It isn't my decision," he stated, each word distinct.

Ry stepped in closer, looking down at the younger man, his blood boiling. Alli's hand on his back turning into a full grab around his waist, but he didn't care. "Not your decision? You are the commanding officer of her security! How can it not be your decision?"

Yuy stepped away from the wall, meeting his eyes with a deadly expression that made Ry flinch back. "My job is only to keep her alive." The low, quiet of his voice didn't betray the anger in his eyes. "My promise is to protect her."

Ry let his own anger die as he watched the agent hold his back.

"I will not allow her decisions to be forced, by me or anyone else." He finally took a glance around at the other two. "If you don't believe it you can leave. I won't have her endangered because you can't understand."

Ry stood straight and swallowed as he came under scrutiny again. He wouldn't let Miss Relena go without a proper guard, and like it or not Yuy wasn't going to stop her. The silence stretched in the room as the four stood still.

"We understand, Agent Yuy," Delano spoke up from behind him. "We will ensure her safety, no matter where that is."

Heero gave them a quick nod before he turned and left, the door sliding shut behind him. At some point Alli's hold had turned into a one-sided hug, no longer attempting to hold him back. Ry merely stared at the door he exited through, hollowed out in the middle. Delano, again, took a seat on one of the beds in silence.

"That's all we've got for spares."

"Anything else is going to have to come directly out of our operating equipment."

Quatre nodded as he went through the sheets. "There are very few things that we can borrow without jeopardizing this colony in the process. Still, there are things that can be easily replaced." Looking up at the two men who also stared down at the list, he highlighted some of the smaller equipment items. "Take these off-line, and then find a group to go on the parts run tomorrow."

"Master Quatre, are you sure?" Abdul pushed his sunglasses back up his nose.

"It won't harm anything if they get replaced in the next few days. Right now, we need to hurry."

"But Master Quatre, they will have to wait on the larger items anyway, it won't do us any good."

Quatre shook his head at Ahmed. "We're going to take these ourselves."

"What?"

He stared down at the list. Some things would need to be waited for, but they had more than enough of the parts necessary to finish several key systems. "We will let the command center wait for the other items. We will leave as soon as we can get the rest of these loaded."

"Master Quatre?"

"All the way to Mars?"

He nodded. "We have the parts and means to get these projects started before the others get there. We also have a resource ship that can easily house a good portion of the extra crew."

"But who will be left to work here?"

Quatre smiled. "In order to save room, I'm afraid we should find only a small crew to assist me."

"But!"

"No!"

"Don't worry, I'll be fine," he commented. "I'll leave Rasid in command here."

"I volunteer to go with you," Abdul saluted.

"As do I, Master Quatre."

He smiled, sighing inwardly. "We'll figure that out later."

"Well, sign me up."

The three of them looked up to find Duo leaning over the catwalk above them, absently twirling a clamp around one finger. "Are you sure, Duo? It could be a couple weeks before we get back."

"I'm sure I'll be sorely missed by all of my beautiful landlords, but I'd say you'll need the help," he teased.

Quatre chuckled and nodded. "Tell Hilde I'm sorry for getting you into this."

He shrugged. "She's going to be mad too, I haven't done my dishes since she left."

The three chuckled. "But what are we supposed to tell Lady Dorothy? She's going to boil when she finds out we've donated all of this stuff."

Quatre visually paled. "I'll tell her the truth… just before we leave."

"May I please go with you, Master Quatre?"

"Vice Minister, you need some rest." The ambassador slowly took the folder out of her hands. "There are a small number of guestrooms here, please take some time off."

"Really, I'm fine," she shook her head.

He smiled understandingly. "Miss Darlian, we will be able to inform the media first thing in the morning, and the supplies should be finished loading by then. There is no reason for you to stay here all evening."

She sighed. Truth be told, her feet hurt and her eyes were burning. Just some time to lie down would be wonderful, but….

Holding one hand up he quieted her comment. "I've already arranged a space for you. And I will inform you of any new developments."

She smiled at the man, appreciating the sentiment. "Thank you."

He nodded.

She turned away from the banks of communications equipment and slowly made her way towards the back. Heero and Sally stood against the wall, continually monitoring the situation. The two watched her approach and Sally smiled teasingly. "Are they finally kicking you out?"

She nodded, feeling a bit awkward at having nothing for her hands to do.

"Well good," she stated. "You have room 112 upstairs."

Relena blinked. "Alright."

Sally stepped over and gave her a one-armed hug around the shoulders. "I'll let you borrow something a bit less… classy," she added, looking down at her skirt.

"The others are heading back to gather some personal effects," Heero added.

"Yeah, I guess I didn't leave with much," she mumbled, feeling a bit drained and self-conscious.

"That's good, come along." Sally forced her around and walked her towards the door, her arm still around her shoulders. Once out of the room the two made their way up the stairs to the next floor. "You sure about going with us?"

Relena regarded the older woman as they found the room and nodded. "I have to, Sally."

The other sighed as she looked at her. "I can understand that, but I do wish you'd reconsider."

Relena gave her a smile and shook her head. "I will be perfectly fine." Spotting Heero coming up the stairway behind them she chuckled. "What could go wrong with you guys here?"

Sally gave her a dubious look. "Relena, everything blows up around this guy, what can't go wrong?" Sighing she turned away, "I'll be back in a minute."

Relena watched her go, chuckling to herself. She watched them cross in the hallway, say something and then head on their ways. Watching the two she distinctly decided that Heero looked very good in uniform. As he paced down the hall towards her she slowly shut her eyes on that line of thought, figuring she had to be tired.

She rubbed at the back of her neck until he stepped up beside her and pressed open the door to the room. Blinking, she decided she could have done that herself, but stepped in anyway. The little room held two cots and a tiny restroom to the side, and absolutely nothing else. "Cozy," she commented.

"It's not much," came the reply from the doorway.

She shook her head, "More than enough." She slumped down to sit on one of the beds and fought for something else to say before he decided to lock the door and leave. "Something tells me the others weren't that happy about the trip."

Taking up the conversation he stepped inside and allowed the door to close behind him. "No."

She smiled tiredly. "They haven't been around me long enough to know this is normal."

"Hn."

The doubts crept in again as she realized that she had too much time to second-guess herself with this decision. "Should I really be going?" she asked quietly. Slowly she looked over to find his eyes watching her.

"That's up to you."

She recognized the blank expression and turned away, knowing she wasn't going to get an opinion to her question. "But it isn't just me this time," she continued, more to herself than to him. "I'm putting you and the others at risk because of my problems." Her hands twisted together in her lap, "I'm being selfish."

Absently she dug the toes of her sandals into the metal decking as she stared down at the floor. She finally blinked when his shoes came into her line of vision and she looked up at him, finding the soft expression to his eyes that she dearly loved to see.

"Selfish?" It really wasn't a question; it was a mild reproach.

Swallowing, she forced a small smile. "Will you still go with me?"

He nodded shortly to her, and Relena felt her eyes sting before closing them to keep them in check. Standing up quickly, she took a step forward, wrapped her arms around him and buried her forehead on his shoulder. She could feel that she'd startled him and smiled inwardly at the reaction, clearing back the tears.

She'd feel stupid for this later; right now, she just didn't care.

She felt his arms slowly find their way around her, his jacket completely engulfing her arms as they lay underneath it. Her hand brushed the holster that crossed his mid-back, and she slowly realized that this was not the same man that she had first met. A surprise hug would have probably gotten her strangled, her neck broken, and then shot for good measure….

It took a good deal of composure not to chuckle at that thought. However, she realized she was pushing her luck with too many of these little affection displays in less than a week's time. When exactly did she come to feel that she'd be allowed to be this close to him?

"They'll be all right," he stated quietly in her ear.

He'd mistaken her actions for worry instead of gratitude…. Her grip on him slipped as her mind turned back to the thoughts that had plagued her all day. "I know," she mumbled.

"But you're still worried."

She turned her head to make her voice heard and softly nodded her cheek against him. "I can't help it." He nodded and she smiled at the simple gesture.

Closing her eyes she found that this was a feeling she never expected to have. The warmth of him against her was addictive; his embrace was the most comforting feeling she had ever known. His breath tickled her neck through her hair and she realized that he was going to have to let go of her this time. She just...

She just needed him.

The odd thought worked its way through her brain until it became the only thing in her mind. She needed him. Needed his strength, needed his resolve. She needed him to be here….

She needed him to care.

When did that happen? Slowly the thought made her open her eyes, although she saw nothing.

Only a couple months ago she was prepared to pick up and move on, secured that she would probably never see him again, but that he would be fine. She had only "needed" to know that he was all right.

Now…. She couldn't let go.

"Relena?"

How did he say her name differently than everyone else did?

Deciding that he had gotten tired of holding her unresponsive form, she shifted her head against him, turning her nose to brush against his neck. His arms didn't loosen though, and he made no move to let her go. Instead he bowed his head towards her, whispering in her ear, his cheek nearly against hers. "Are you all right?"

It was hard to hear with her heart thudding like that. That type of question coming out of Heero Yuy was just… unthinkable. It was a worthless question, an emotional question.

"I'm fine," she ventured, her words coming out as no more than a sigh. How did he always know when her emotions changed like that?

Apparently satisfied with her answer, he lowered his head farther until his cheek brushed hers… and her chest caved in.

She could handle him being receptive to her; she could handle instigating a touch or even a hug. But as his grip on her tightened just a bit, she felt her heart melt. He was so close, so warm….

He cared. Not only cared, but wanted to be there. The full force of the idea that he honestly wanted to comfort her, wanted to hold her, was too much. His breath tickled against her jaw and neck, his body was warm against her, even hot as her arms laced around his back underneath the jacket. His arms around her were….

Slowly she closed her eyes again, her mind shutting down. Her breath kept coming easily even though her chest ached. Relena let herself simply feel him. The way he felt against her, the way he cradled her, his gentle, almost shy, touch.

This is what she would have expected from him… if she had ever expected this. She had honestly found that pure heart of his. The one she could see when he gave her that single, soft look.

The heart she could feel beating in him. She tried to make her breathing shallow, tried to concentrate on the feeling, the addictively comforting rhythm.

Idly she wondered what he was thinking. If he could possibly understand the emotions running through her.

The thought made her smile, the movement just enough to displace his cheek's light embrace on hers. And she regretted that as he softly pulled away, his arms finally slipping just enough. Relena took the hint and removed her head from his shoulder. Pulling back, she stared down at his chest, for some reason afraid to look up into those eyes.

Slowly she met her fate and tilted her chin up to him. His expression was an odd mixture of confusion and that wonderful look.

She couldn't hold back the smile at seeing it. The confusion cleared out of his eyes as they gave away into that kind look, his own quiet smile coming to his lips. They stood still a moment and he blinked his eyes closed, the smile still in place.

A bit shocked she realized that he was… happy.

Had she… did she… was he…. Oh she loved that smile.

He slowly slid his arms away from her and she grudgingly removed hers from around him. He opened his eyes again to give her one more look, finding who-knew-what in her expression. He didn't say a word as he turned away and slipped out of the room.

Relena stared after him until the door closed and locked behind him. She tried to remember what it was like to stand on her own again as she blinked back to full vision. Slowly, she sank down onto the bed and pressed a hand to her heart.

Dorothy brushed into the Operations building at full pace, an arm full of notes and a briefcase in hand. She paused at the open door to Quatre's office only to find it vacant. Turning down the hall, she wandered into the meeting room to find the same thing. A bit taken aback, she walked down the hall, pausing at each door she came across. Finally she heard voices from the end of the corridor and proceeded into the wreck room.

The sight of possibly fifteen Maguanac men lounging around the front TV stilled her in the doorway. For the amount of replacement equipment she had just begged and cajoled for, they should have all been out fixing something.

With no sign of Quatre, she caught sight of Rasid standing against the back wall, and paced over to him. The older man eyed the television news warily as the group commented and responded to it. Seeing her approach he straightened to greet her. "Lady Dorothy."

"With the list of equipment I got I expected to find the colony on the brink of implosion. Yet, I get here and find it in perfect status, and no one working." She flipped her hair over her shoulder, mildly irritated. "Someone is going to tell me what is going on."

Rasid paused, a bit surprised at her tone. "That is difficult—"

"Humph," she snorted, recomposing herself. "'Difficult' was stripping an air purification system out of the hands of a colony on quarantine, who has been on the wait list for two months. 'Difficult' should not be explaining why."

"Then you have not heard," he nodded, and turned back to the TV screen blaring in the corner of the room. "I assumed Master Quatre had gotten a hold of you before he left."

Her eyes darkened as she waited for the man to explain himself. "I have been preoccupied."

He nodded. "The Mars project ran into difficulties yesterday. They lost one of their ships, which took a portion of the crew and a good deal of equipment with it. Master Quatre was asked to assist in replenishing the lost items…."

The man trailed off, obvious noting her eyes narrow as Dorothy held down the gut reaction. "Which ship?" she asked quietly, not letting the feeling panic her.

"Lady?"

"Which ship was destroyed?"

Rasid shook his head before calling over the crowd. "Has the report said which ship had the accident?"

The room turned to look back at him, "They just said it was called the Romulus," someone from the front called out. "This guy's in charge of the other work crew." The man flipped his thumb back at the TV. "This is their recorded feed."

Dorothy finally started to pay attention to the screen as a man spoke into the camera. His brown hair was folded back from a center part, short and neat-kept. His eyes shown the customary light blue, and his beaked nose easily gave him away. Although he was a good five or six years older than she remembered him, the imprinted name at the bottom of the screen was unnecessary.

"Marcus Delmare." Her free hand balled into a fist at her side. "That was no accident." Rasid snapped back to look at her as she stared at the man on the screen. Turning to look up at the second-in-command she fired into action. "Where is Quatre?"

"He and a team are on their way there," he answered, a touch of worry entering his eyes.

"How long ago did they leave? Are they out of communication range?" She flipped on her heel before he answered and left him no choice but to follow her. Striding quickly out of the room she turned down the hall towards Quatre's office.

"They left approximately twelve hours ago, we might be able to strengthen a signal enough to send a message," he added, striding after her.

"Do whatever you have to. They must be warned before they reach the planet." Entering the office she tossed down her folders and briefcase. "Who contacted him?" she snapped, taking a place behind the desk. One of the others entered the office behind Rasid, looking just as totally confused.

"Miss Relena Darlian contacted him. He worked with a man on the Mars satellite for the specifics."

"Miss Relena?" Dorothy mused over the news. She was well aware that Relena had been the one to formally chair the political position of terra-forming Mars. She supposed that this all made some sense. "Do we have a way to contact her on that satellite?"

"Probably not," the other piped up. "When she announced the news she said she'd be going to help in the relief efforts personally."

"We forwarded the information on the missing equipment soon as we got it from you. They were waiting to load those pieces. We can call the contact person that Master Quatre had there, but finding Miss Relena will be difficult," Rasid added. "Lady Dorothy, what is going on?"

She sunk down into the chair, folding her hands together and leaning her chin against them to think. "I was well acquainted with the former Count Delmare," she stated. "Albeit, I wasn't a fan. He was also a rather… un-conservative Foundation member." Casting a look over the men in front of her she narrowed her eyes. "His son is all too similar. That ship's destruction was no accident."

"How can you be sure?"

She closed her eyes with a smirk. "Because the Romulus was the flag ship of the blue building crew. With the chief officers gone, Marcus is now the acting head of the entire project. And that is a very, very large salary," she added pointedly.

"What? How do you know all this?" Rasid asked, leaning over the desk in front of her.

She looked up at him, her emotions boiling. "Because I am one of the financers for the Romulus and the Remus. Those were my crews."

The two men snapped back, the implications of her words sinking in.

"Now, find me a way to talk to Quatre. I have no way of knowing how appreciative Marcus will be with their assistance."

The idea that their master may be in danger snapped the men into action as they nearly sprinted out of the office. Dorothy remained where she was, closing her eyes and sorting through the information.

There were far too many players headed to Mars for the stage to be set anywhere else. And, oh how she dearly loved a performance….

"Millions and millions of years would still not give me half enough time to describe that tiny instant of all eternity when you put your arms around me and I put my arms around you." - Jacques Prévert

Proofed by: Silver-Eyed and Lay Hime. Thank you!