Author's Notes: Thanks to my sweet reviewers! –huggles them all to near-death- I really appreciate the encouragement. I hope this chapter will please. This installment follows the 2nd chapter 'six months later.'

denotes flashbacks

Disclaimer: I own no rights to the characters of G-Wing. Clear? Good.

Beauty and the Beast
-Chapter 3: Trouble Toils-

Marquisette Lady U. Kushrenda entered the home of the Peacecrafts, her right hand grasping her daughter's left. "Please do sit down, Lady," the sixteen-year old before her insisted. "Lucrezia will be down in a few moments; she is still readying herself upstairs."

The Marquisette nodded. "That's fine. I'll wait," replied the graceful aristocrat. Lucrezia was already into her sixth month of her pregnancy, and Lady was to accompany her friend to Sally's clinic.

"Lucas is playing outside, Marimeia, if you wish to join him now," Relena informed the younger girl.

Marimeia's eyes looked up pleadingly at the Marquisette. "May I, Mother?"

"You may. Just remember to behave, darling." As the strawberry redhead skipped away, Lady told Relena, "Thank you for taking care of Marimeia today. She was quite persistent on seeing her playmate. Treize and I are most grateful."

"Such formality, Lady! 'Tis no trouble; I am glad to watch over Marie," the damsel said, using Marimeia's nickname.

"Yes, well… Midii and her new husband are still 'off into the sunset,' but she did manage to send me this to give to you. It was attached to her last letter addressed to me. Dorothy, Missus Chang, Miss Catherine also received one." Lady handed the envelope to Relena. Scribbled on the parcel was Relena Peacecraft's name. The honey-blonde instantly recognized the neat handwriting as Midii's.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome, dear."

"Lady… if you don't mind me asking… I am curious to know what your thoughts are, concerning your sister and Trowa Bloom."

The brunette let out a quiet sigh. "I am disappointed in Midii for her acting on impulse: running and eloping. At the same time, I know Miss Catherine's brother loves Midii adoringly and vice versa, so I can't entirely blame her. Although I disapprove of their choice of actions, I know both, especially my sister, are happy. That is enough."

Relena listened intently to the Lady's views, as she recalled Quatre and Dorothy's wedding reception months before. When the bride's bouquet was thrown, Midii had caught it, forecasting that she would be the next to marry. Three weeks later, Midii and Trowa disappeared, and after a few days of no explanation of their whereabouts, the Kushrendas and Blooms received a letter announcing the two's marriage. Apparently, Midii had taken the bouquet omen quite literally.

"How about you, Relena?" Lady continued. "Have you any man in your life?"

Relena felt embarrassed by the sudden question. She knew many in town wondered the very same thing. "None, Lady… Not since my ended engagement."

"Ah, I see. Well, you are a beautiful maiden with elegance, kindness, and brains, so I wouldn't worry about not finding one. Besides, contradictory to our culture's ideals, I believe a woman does not necessarily need a man to keep her satisfied. Don't you agree?"

"Strongly."

At that moment, a big-bellied Lucrezia appeared, escorted down the stairs by a maid. "Ah, Lady! So sorry to keep you waiting. Shall we go now?" With a nod, both females said their farewells to Relena, the children, and the servants.

"Be safe!" Relena called out, as the left the manor in Marquisette's carriage.


"Say, 'Ah,' Lee. Can you do that for me?"

"Ahhhhhh……"

"Good boy. Hm. Lookin' good, dear." Sally put aside her equipment, after quickly rinsing her utensils. As she did so, she talked to the Father of the child, informing him, "Lee's in good condition. You needn't worry; he merely has the case of the sniffles and sore throat." The blonde woman, her hair twisted in two braids, handed over a small bottle of tonic. "Have him drink half a spoon of this every evening for the next three nights. As I mentioned, he is in pretty good health, but just to be sure…"

Wufei Chang nodded. "Thank you, Sally."

"You're very welcome, Sir Wufei." The medic's gaze shifted back to the little boy who was attempting to crawl out of the chair. "I still can't believe this boy of yours is already two years of age." Lee had just celebrated his 2nd birthday roughly two months ago.

"Neither can I," replied the parent.

"Does he like the gift I gave him?"

"You mean the train set? Yes, he is rather partial to it."

"I'm glad," said Sally, with a delighted smile.

"Meiran and I thank you for it, as well as your services for today."

At the mention of Wufei's wife, the smile faltered slightly. "Right. Think nothing of it…"

Picking up his son, Wufei then offered a sack of family to the blonde femme. "The fee is 15 silver coins, yes? Every piece should be in there." Sally nodded, placing the small bag in a box beside her. Wufei felt the urge to ask, "Aren't you going to check?"

"No," was the response. "I trust what you say."

With a single word, 'Goodbye,' both Father and son left the Chen home, leaving Sally alone. Five minutes later, Countess Peacecraft and Marquisette arrived.


Shouts in the distance… Angry noises… Glass shattered… Sharp. Smoke…

Sally's eyes flew open. She awoke with a start, smelling the receding in her dormitory. Alarmed, she raced out, draping a robe around her shoulders and stumbling to put on her slippers. The twenty-year old found her way to the parlor, and there she was greeted by a sight of two broken windows and flames devouring her humble home. She coughed. Sally wondered to herself, 'Is this a bad dream? A nightmare?' But it was not.

Outside her front door, Sally could hear the shouts clearer now. An assembly of people could be heard chanting, "Burn the witch! Burn the witch!" Fear gripped her, as she realized her current situation. A thousand thoughts raced through her mind, as she tried to figure out an escape. She did not dare to face the mad crowd, outside. Running back to her room, her eyes darted to the tiny window there, facing the rear of the building. With all her strength, she opened it and managed to squeeze herself through. The blonde woman's first impulse was to run, but another epiphany caused her to hesitate: Where? Where could she run?

Before she could act, a figure appeared behind Sally. Hearing a familiar voice whisper, "Follow me," Sally suppressed the scream that threatened to erupt from her throat. She turned around and did as the stranger advised.


"I am still in shock that the public would so such a thing to Ms. Po-Chen. It's a good thing Trowa came just in time to see the havoc stir and smuggle Ms. Po-Chen to the Blooms', where she is safe for the time being," said an abashed Quatre Winner. It was the following day after the 'incident,' and in hopes to resolve this problem as soon as possible, the nobles organized an urgent meeting.

"The peasants are very ill-educated, my liege," said Marquis Kushrenda. "This being so, they are easily manipulated. I'm sure a majority of them don't even know what their true motives are, much less the seriousness of their actions."

"So it is this Quinze gentleman who planted these ideas in the naive lower-classes, Marquis?" Quatre's Father wanted to clarify.

"Apparently so, Baron Winner."

"Well, we must rid of him! After all, he is the root of this problem, yes?" exclaimed Viscount Dermail (Dorothy's grandfather).

Milliardo argued, "Unfortunately, it is easier said than done."

"People! Hear me!" Quinze called out to every listener at the heart of Cinq Village. "How many o' you have suffered from wicked sickness that made you nearly lose yerr life, or lost loved ones to the horrid plague? Are yee not good people! God would not bestow such a curse upon to you good 'uns, so why? The answer is: it is not His will, but rather the Devil. Yes, 'tis Satin's work… His spawn's work. An' who is this spawn? Sally Po-Chen! It is only right to free our town from all the trouble she brings. Burn the witch!"

"Have you already spoken to this Quinze fellow, Count Peacecraft?" Rashad inquired, further.

"Yes, I have… but it did not result in much progress."

"Quinze! What is the meaning of this? Stop this madness!"

"I won't. I don't have ta listen to the likes o' you, Peacecraft. Your rank may be higher than mine, but the way I see it: you aren't above me. Nor are ye my equal; you haven't felt my pain. Righteousness needs to be saved, startin' with that Sally witch — who doesn't deserve to live since she let the last of my family die. Eventually you stuck-up aristocrats, or whatever your call ya'selves, are gonna get your share of true fairness."

"Is that a threat?"

"It's a threat an' a promise."

"Quinze's intentions go beyond just Ms. Sally's requisition. He wants a revolt," Milliardo pointed out.

"I see," Rashad said, reflectively. "Well, counsel… what can we do?"

Treize seemed to have an answer. "Quinze mentioned when I tried to approach him, that the only way the rebels would back down is if a higher authority, such as King or Duke, come to our town and settle this predicament personally."

"King? Let's not involve royalty, just yet…" advised Quatre.

"I agree," nodded the young Baron's Father. "How about our Duke? The one who resides some miles from here."

"If you are referring to Heero Yuy," began Viscount Dermail. "I doubt he will bother with our circumstances. He hasn't contacted anyone in the Cinq for, give or take, a year. If it were not for his title, he'd be a pariah."

"Even so, he is our best choice, gentlemen. We must at least make an effort. I have already dispatched a notice to the Duke… a request to meet with him, and perhaps try to convince him to come to town," announced the Marquis. I am awaiting his response, as we speak, and if his answer is 'yes,' I plan on leaving within three days."

Milliardo, the best friend of Treize, had wanted to go too, but with Lucrezia silently pleading him not to leave her side, he could not. The elder Peacecraft wouldn't wish to, anyway.


"Marquis Treize has been shot, Ms. Sally!" Midii yelled, bursting through the door of the Bloom apartment.

"What!" gasped Catherine and Sally.

"Hurry! There's no time to explain in full detail. My brother-in-law is in dire need of your help, Ms. Sally. Trowa and Master Vlad are already outside with horses. Will you come?"

With a quick nod, Sally replied, "I will. Let's make haste!"

Watching them run off, Catherine uttered a silent prayer. 'Please, Lord, let all be well for the Kushrendas… For all of us.' Emotions stirring in the pit of her heart, told the young entertainer that Cinq was about to undergo a change.


Lady was not one to cry tears, but tonight, in the privacy by her husband's side, she wept. The bullet, shot by a crazed drunken rebel, had only grazed Treize's shoulder, narrowly missing his neck. Still, the fright was all too real for the Lady's liking. His blood… his pale expression… his irregular breathing. Lady shuddered as she hoped that each breath he took would not be Treize's last.

The Peacecrafts were at the Marquisette's household to provide any possible comfort. Marimeia was busied with Lucas', her Aunt Midii's and Uncle Trowa's company. Lucrezia and Relena spoke in soft tones to one another at another corner of the room. Treize, in the next room, was resting, while Ms. Sally tended to his wound.

The brunette took her opportunity to face Milliardo Peacecraft. Her features were stern, though her tears were still evident on her cheeks. "Treize is in no condition to travel," stated she.

"Of course not," the platinum blonde fully agreed. "We'll find someone else to go, Lady. Right now, focus on your family. My prayers are with you, your daughter, and most especially Treize."


Relena swiftly exited her home and ran to the stables. Wrapped in her clock, she wore the simplest gown she owned, and was equipped with a light sack. Her brother would be furious whence he realized she had gone to the Duke's without his consent... against his wishes. But it was something she simply had to do. Something she needed to prove.

"Brother, let me go. Let me go to the castle and try to convince the Duke Yuy to come here. You musn't leave Lucie behind. Both you and I know Lucezia is very delicate now and so - "

"No, Relena."

"But - "

"I said no. That is my final word. Is that understood, sister? It is far too dangerous."

Too dangerous, was it? It was only a conference with the Duke! How dangerous could that be? And surely Duke Yuy was brought up in such a fashion, that he would never think to… take advantage of her, yes? So, why all the nonsense? Instinctively, Relena's spunkiness arose from within her, and she made plans to leave during the darkest hour of the night. She'd be back, in no time. One solitary goal was fresh in her mind: to save her Village and all those she loved. A memory played back in the honey-blonde's mind, recalling an overheard conversation that night…

"We are all in danger, Lucie. This had been proven my Treize's assault today, and though I cannot bear to leave you, I have to fulfill a duty. Beloved, I - "

"I understand. Just… promise me you'll be safe, and make a quick return. I love you, Milliardo."

"And I you."

Quinze threatened the well-being of everyone. She wasn't about to let his twisted expectations turn to reality. She, Relena Peacecraft, was a maiden on a mission.

-tbc-

A/N: Although Sally is a doctor of the sort, keep in mind that even with her skills, society at the time wouldn't have recognized her as such, due to her female gender.

Heero's appearance is fastly approaching… excited, readers? Ehehehes. –grin-