Standard disclaimer: the author does not own Gundam Wing or any of its characters. Gundam Wing is the property of Bandai, Sotsu Agency, Sunrise and TV Asahi.

Relena paused just outside the staff break room the sound of Catherine's sobs reaching her ears clearly in the hallway.Taking a deep breath Relena pushed open the swinging oak door hoping that whatever problem Catherine had with their new guest did not involve abuse of any kind.

Because if it did involve abuse she wasn't sure what she would do to the guy but she was pretty sure whatever she did would land her in jail. Not a place she wanted to go but would willing for a friend.

These thoughts ran swiftly through her head as she walked softly over to her friend, sliding into a chair next to Catherine at the small dining table, placing a hand on her shoulder Relena said in her kindest and most understanding voice.

" Catherine, do you want me to ask Mr. Barton to leave?"

This comment made Catherine raise her head out of her hands with a jerk. Turning her face towards Relena she said with a look of desperation in her eyes, " Oh no, Relena please don't do that!"

As Catherine begged Relena to allow the man she had just fled from the ability to stay at the hotel, Relena felt herself becoming more and more confused.

Straightening up a bit in the hard backed chair Relena folded her hands in front of her and still speaking in a calm and soothing voice she said, " All right Catherine I won't make Mr. Barton leave the hotel, but since I am allowing him to stay on here, I would like to know what the problem is between you two."

Catherine wiped away the remains of her tears from her face with the palms of her hands, then turned her body in her chair so that she was face to face with Relena. The look on her face spoke of her confusion regarding this request.

That confusion also ran through her voice as she asked, " Why do you need to know about that, Relena?"

Taking note of not only the bewilderment in Catherine's eyes but also the look wariness in them, one of Relena's eyebrows shot upwards in a look of annoyance and temper.

But when she spoke it was briskly with an just a hint of a warning to Catherine that she was not going to change her mind about having her question answered. " Catherine I need to know about you and Mr. Barton's past so I can know if I need to tell the other staff member's to be cautious when dealing with him or if it is okay to just go about their job normally when interacting with him. I am not asking you about this out of some sense of morbid curiosity."

Catherine flushed slightly at the obvious rebuke in Relena's voice and ducking her head she said softly, " You don't need to worry about that sort of thing Relena. The problem between me and Trowa is a strictly personal matter. Mostly involving me treating him in a such a way that he ended up leaving the only place he had ever been able to truly consider his home."

As she said this she raised her eyes to meet Relena's. At the sight of the heartbreak in those eyes Relena drew in a startled breath. She had never seen such sorrow before in her life. But just as she was about to tell Catherine she didn't have to say any more that she was properly assured of Mr. Barton's trustworthiness, Catherine continued speaking.

" I guess what I am trying to tell you, Relena is that the reason I fled when I saw Trowa in the lobby is not because of anything he had done but because I am still to much of a coward to do what I should have done years ago."

By now all the annoyance Relena had felt toward Catherine had completely left her to be replaced with a strong feeling of sympathy and a huge desire to do something to help her. Grasping one of Catherine's tightly fisted hands in her own and asked her in a voice dripping with kindness." And what is that Catherine?"

A smile finally graced Catherine's lips as she answered this question, a teary smile yes, but a smile none the less. " I still need to tell him I am sorry."

Relena squeezed Catherine's hand just a little tighter at this confession and then suddenly dropped it back into Catherine's lap as she stood up. " All right, I accept your explanation. I will make sure that everyone treats him with the respect that we show all our other customers."

Catherine's face lit up with relief at this announcement but just as she was about to thank her, Relena continued speaking. " And since you know all of Mr. Barton you must also know all of his habits. Correct?"

Catherine nodded slowly in answer to this question a puzzled look once again causing her brow to wrinkle.

" Good, and because you already know his habits you will be his housekeeper."

At this remark Catherine jumped to her feet, her face covered in surprise and panic. That panic filled her voice as she squeaked out, " Relena are you crazy? You want me to be his housekeeper? After all I told you about our relationship what on earth would make you think that was a good idea?"

A almost cruel smile crept onto Relena's face as she looked at Catherine silently for a few moments before saying innocently, " I thought you wanted to apologize to him?"

Catherine shot her a dirty look then with wariness she asked, " What does that have to do with me being his housekeeper?"

" Being his housekeeper means you will be able to see him every day which will increase your chances to apologize."

Not bothering to wait and see what Catherine might have to say in return to this comment, Relena picked her phone out of her pocket and flipping it open speed dialed the front desk.

Smiling cheerfully at Catherine who was glaring hatefully at her, Relena waited for Dorothy to pick up the phone.

On the second ring, Dorothy picked up, her voice was extremely curt as she said, " What do you want Relena?"

Rolling her eyes over Dorothy's continued snippiness, Relena said," Have you shown Mr. Barton to his room yet?"

" No, I have not. I have been busy on the phone booking rooms for the coming week. Speaking of which every moment I spend talking to you is keeping me from our valued costumers. So if you are worried about the kind of service Mr. Slim ball is receiving I suggest you come down here and wait on him yourself."

Having said her piece, Dorothy hung up the phone, leaving Relena glaring down at it.

But after a quick moment and a deep breath she slipped the phone back into her pocket and giving Catherine a bright smile said, " Well your costumer is waiting for you downstairs Catherine. I suggest you go and show him to his rooms."

With one last pleading look for leniency which Relena roundly ignored, Catherine went over to the sink splashed her face with cold water to get rid of any tears stains. Then having dried it off, squared her shoulders and march out of the room and headed back to the lobby.

Once she had left Relena sank back down in to a chair and with an angry huff mumbled to herself, " Some times I wonder why I let her keep her job."

At that moment the sound of the restroom door being swung open brought Relena's head off the table and towards the other side of the room.

Standing just outside the bathroom door way was Dr. Sally Po one of their live in guests.

Her light blue gray eyes were dancing with amusement as she asked Relena, " So which one of them would you like to give the boot, Relena? Catherine or Dorothy?"

Author's Notes: I am so sorry about the late update. I could not get my head on straight about what to do for this chapter. I hope you enjoy it and thank you so much for reading this story.

Thank you again for reading. Please review.

Thank you to: Hououza, SetsunaKou, Marie-Anne, REI for reviewing. They all encouraged me a lot when I wanted to give up with this chapter.

Thank you!

God bless you,

EzrathenNehemiah As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you: continue ye in My love. John 15:9