He walked alongside her through the garden. There wasn't much time; she would need to meet with Treize and begin to strategize but for now, she just wanted to be with him. She felt his hand in hers, warm and strong and gave it a reassuring squeeze. He returned the gesture before stopping and reaching for her other hand and pulled her in to hold her. She pressed her cheek against his warm chest, his hand lovingly stroked her hair and they stood there in silence, just holding one another. After a while, he pulled back and looked into her eyes.

"I missed you." She said. A small smile curved at the corner of his lips.

"It took a little longer than initially planned, but everyone arrived safely."

"I'm glad." Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw the rose bush she'd revived and her smile widened. "I have something to show you!" He raised a brow as she let go of his hand and reached out, pointing at one of the other dying bushes. "Watch." Before their eyes, her fingers began to glow with the same light before the browning bush greeted, budded, and blossomed into a healthy rose bush as the one before had.

"You did it." She nodded.

"I can use the powers at will now, but I'm still nowhere near as skilled with them as I need to be." She suddenly felt the true weight of what she had to do hit her. Each of the refugees depended on her to bring down the RAT's and save the lands from their tyranny. And she had precious little time to become strong enough to do so.

"Relena?" smile. Was concerned about her. She looked at him and offered him a smile.

"It's nothing." He reached out and caressed her cheek. The contact sent a thrill through her.

"Tell me." She sighed in defeat.

"I'm worried Heero. Worried that I won't be strong enough. That the RAT's will overrun us and I won't have enough control over my powers to protect everyone."

"Relena-"

"So many people depend on me- on these powers, and I don't want to fail them! I can't fail them! I can't-" a sob choked out of her throat and she felt Heero's arms wrap around her from behind, his warm breath on her cheek.

"You can do this, Relena." He whispered. "You're strong. And you won't be alone. I will be there, fighting beside you."

"Heero…" she turned to face him and he tilted her chin up. He leaned down and in, close enough to kiss...

"Hey, Heero! Do you know where the princess I-?" Duo's voice interrupted and the two broke apart. "Uh… sorry for… uh… interrupting." The braided man grinned like an idiot.

"What is it?" Heero's voice was gruff, clearly annoyed.

"Oh! Right! Well, Treize Khushrenada is ready for his audience with the princess."

"Tell them I will be there shortly." She answered.

"Sure thing, princes!" Duo's eyes flashed mischievously. "You two can finish what you were doin'"

"Duo." Heero nearly growled.

"I'm goin'! I'm goin'." Duo held up his hands defensively as he walked away. Relena felt her cheeks still heated with a blush.

"We should get in there." Heero nodded and she took his hand to walk with him to the throne room.

She found her brother standing with Treize in front of the thrones beneath the final step. Noin and a strange brunette woman with her hair in two buns stood on either side of them, both glaring at one another. Relena shook her head. Clearly there were hard feelings or rivalries here. Heero walked her to her throne and she took her seat.

"Colonel Treize." She began.

"Your highness." He returned and crossed his arm over his chest before bowing. "You honor me with this audience."

"You have come a long way to speak with me, and, as I understand it, you are partially responsible for the safe arrival of the people." He looked up and it was very clear why people followed him. The man radiated a cool, refined confidence that anyone might gravitate toward.

"I found it impossible to sit by any longer while the people needlessly suffered."

"Yet you helped those who caused their suffering for many years."

"As did your brother, my lady, and yet here he is." She couldn't argue with his logic.

"I have always believed in giving everyone the benefit of a doubt, commander. That is why I am meeting with you. You gave us a sign of good faith. You helped my people even though doing so gave you no clear advantage. While I have to acknowledge that this could be a trap, I believe a man such as you would be far too skilled of a strategist to make such a move so blatantly obvious."

"You flatter me, your highness."

"So, I must ask you again, for the peace of mind of my generals, why have you truly offered your assistance?" The RAT's Commander offered a small but disarming smile.

"Long ago, your brother saved my life on the battlefield and nearly lost his own. I learned his secret then and pledged to one day repay my debt. This is how I wish to do so, if you will allow it."

"Milliard, is what he says true?" Her brother stepped forward.

"It is. Treize has been my friend and ally for a very long time. He is many things, it's true, but a man of his word is one of them. We can trust him." Relena took a moment to consider everything she'd heard. They needed an army and the more men they had on their side the better.

"My men are loyal and well trained. We would be a valuable asset to your cause. The choice is yours." If they were loyal to the RAT king then that would be a problem, but she knew from experience that many of the soldiers were forced to serve and punished severely for refusing. Such an atmosphere did little to garner trust and loyalty. A look at Heero out of the corner of her eye told her what he thought. He seemed wary, but nodded briefly. She stood and looked down at the man in front of her.

"Commander Khushrenada, I accept your offer to aid us. Welcome to the rebellion."

"My thanks, your highness." He bowed again.

"Miss Noin, will you please see that everyone has the proper accommodations?"

"Of course." Noin turned to Treize and his companion. "Follow me." They followed her out towards one of the castle's wings, leaving her alone with her brother and Heero.

"Do you really think he can be trusted?" She asked. Zechs nodded.

"Treize is as I said: a man of his word. In all the time I've known him he has made it a priority to repay his debts. He and I are not all that different in that aspect."

"I see."

"I will make sure he and his forces are kept under observation." Heero said.

"Very well then." She turned to face Heero.

"I suggest we have a meeting to make a strategy for our assault."

"Agreed. We can do so after supper."

"I am going to my room to try and work on harnessing my power. Please see that everyone is informed of the changes." Both men nodded and then she made her way to her room. There was a lot to do and she needed to make sure that she would be ready when the time finally came.

Dinner was as awkward as one might expect. Whenever enemies called a truce and sat down together certain topics were best avoided; namely the past. Treize, like her brother, had a long history of working under the command of the RAT's or in command of them. The first was largely forgivable. Following orders to live another day or to protect your loved ones was understandable. Giving out the orders was far less so. So many of her people had suffered so much and some of that suffering was caused by the Colonel and her brother, although her brother claims to have been using his position to help more than hurt.

Her brother she trusted, despite Heero's objections. Treize was another matter. She knew she had no reason to trust Treize. She knew it could still be a trap. By all accounts, Treize was a famous strategist and was known to do underhanded things to achieve the greater goal… but something told her he could be trusted. Something inside her almost seemed to be able to just tell that his intentions were as stated. It was that feeling that allowed her to sit and converse with him both at the dinner table and in the war room. She could feel Heero's gaze on her. Ever the dutiful soldier, he was watching for any and all signs of danger to her. He didn't tryst Treize. She knew this, and she had no intention of trying to force him. However, she knew he trusted her judgment, or hoped he did, enough to let things play out. With the military experience of all those present, she sincerely hoped that they would stand a chance at forming a workable strategy.

"If we split up our forces, we can use the front half as a decoy while the other half comes from behind. Then, when the attack is underway, the princess can-"

"No. We should utilize her powers immediately. Putting her out front and center will draw out Dermal and-"

"Are you crazy?" Heero growled. All of their fire would be aimed directly at her!"

"Dermal is far too cowardly to come after her directly. Using her as the focus would be a waste. He will sacrifice every last man before he confronts her in person."

"If Dermail were a man of honor, we could challenge him to one in one combat with the princess."

"My grandfather is neither a coward, nor a butcher. If he were, the death toll in the lands would have been far higher." Dorothy stated. "However, you are correct in assuming that he would never be one to meet you head on. The king always lets the other pieces on the board move first until he has no other option."

"But this isn't a chess game. The king can attack. This Rat, however, will most certainly stay in his hole." Relena listened them continue to plan out the strategy. Although, it seemed more like one gigantic argument. Everyone seemed to have good ideas to some extent but none seems to understand the most pressing issue.

"You all have made interesting points and all of your ideas have merit," Relena interrupted. "However, unless you start listening to one another instead of insisting you know what's best you will never find a proper strategy." Everyone present turned their gaze to her, all of them sudden silent. "Milliard, you and Treize know the castle better than anyone and are the most familiar with the defense plans. You will be in charge of planning the assault. The rest of you, please continue to train our recruits and encourage cooperation between them and the former RAT's. It will not be easy, but I have total faith in your ability to do so."

"You got it, princess." Duo said and saluted her. Trowa nodded and followed Duo with Quatre.

"I will stay for the planning." Wufei said, eyes serious. "I do not trust Khushrenada to be honorable enough not to lie to us."

"Wufei. Go with them as she said." Heero commanded.

"This man has no honor."

"You are one of our most skilled fighters, Wufei." Relena reasoned. "We need you to help make our recruits as efficient as possible." Wufei opened his mouth to protest but then stopped and nodded. Without another word, he turned and left.

"Relena?" Heero looked at her with a question in his eyes she didn't know how to answer. She knew he didn't trust her brother. He really didn't trust Treize.

"Please, Heero, go with them."

"And leave you with them?"

"Heero, please." She reached for his hand but he stepped back. He was hurt, she could tell. She could also feel the eyes of everyone else on them. "Will you excuse us?" She asked them and motioned for Heero to follow her. Heero did so, right out of the war room and into the drawing room.

"Heero, please, try to understand. I need you to trust-"

"Them?" He almost growled. She shook her head.

"No." She stepped toward him a dress reached out her hand to take his. "I need you to trust me." He wouldn't look at her and it hurt. "I know that there are so many unknown factors here, but I also feel in my heart that Treize and Zechs truly want to help. I can't explain it, but I feel it. And I need you to believe in me." Heero's eyes met hers finally and she reached up and touched her hand to his cheek.

"If they hurt you, I will kill them."

"I understand." He leaned into her touch and closed his eyes. She took a moment to lift up on the tips of her toes and place a quick kiss on his other cheek.

"I will ask for your permission to make a backup plan. If anything goes wrong, I want to make sure that and the people can get out." It was a reasonable request, one she saw no harm in granting.

"Very well, Heero."

"And I am to be by your side the whole time."

"Heero-"

"Let me protect you." The look in his eyes: determination and something far more moving, made her once more agree.

"Okay." He nodded and walked past her without another word. She couldn't help but feel a bit guilty for dismissing him from the strategy session, but with so many voices in one spot, especially of those who had no intention of agreeing or cooperating, she had to do something to lessen the tension. She knew on some level that he understood and that alone gave her comfort as she rejoined her brother and Treize for the rest of the planning.