I'm so terribly sorry! The computer was reformated for about 10 times(?) just this month, plus I can only use the computer during saturdays and when I can use schools assignments as an excuse. Anyway, I'm so sorry that this is very delayed! I'll try to give satisfying next chapters! Read on!

Night has already come. The room got cooler and they still can't find Treize. I know he's here… I just know! Lady Une stuck these words in her mind. They kept on searching only the library since Une was very absorbed in her hunch.

"Lady Une… I'm really tired… there's nothing in the library! Let's-" Mariemaia started, but Une immediately cut her off. "No! He is here. I know so…"

Mariemaia decided to remain quiet and to quit complaining. She slumped down on the floor and watched Lady Une probe around that single bookcase which she has been on for hours.

Une… think! He must've mentioned something to you a long time ago… Or… he must've done something weird… at the library… That's right! He never let anyone go in the library when he's there! There must be a hidden room here… and he must be there! After a few minutes, they heard a noise. It sounded like something heavy fell down. Une heard it; she heard it clearly…

"Mariemaia, help me take out all the books from this shelf." She said rather calmly.

"All of these books? But there's too many!"

"No use complaining. Do you or do you not want to see you father?"

"Well, I… I… all right… I'll do it…"

"Good!"

Then they started. They pulled out the books, opened it, and returned it back into place. When they are almost through the middle, something moved. Mariemaia felt it. She looked around the room; and, to her surprise, saw a pathway to the right of the bookshelf. "Lady Une! Look!"

Une turned to see where Mariemaia was pointing. She stood up then walked to the path. Eyeing the steep stairs, she resolved to go down and look for her Master. She took one step down, then another. For a few steps she continued, until she noticed that Mariemaia was not following her. She turned around to see Mariemaia on the floor sitting, shaking and whimpering. She was ready to cry but was trying to put up a brave face. Une's motherly instinct instantly took charge. She went up to where the girl was and talk to her in a soothing way. She held Mariemaia as a mother would her daughter, gently caressing her hair.

"Are you afraid to see your father?" she asked in a soft voice.

Mariemaia shook her head. She swallowed hard and attempted to speak. "I'm- I'm afraid-to-to-to know the truth… "

Une smiled. "Don't worry. Your father is a kind man. Whatever the truth may be, he will still love you."

"Lady Une!" Mariemaia finally gave in to her feelings and cried.

Une helped her relaxed for a while then said, "Listen, I have to go, okay? I'm going to your father and see how he is. Stay here, understand?"

The girl nodded as Une stood up and went back on her way downstairs. Fortunately for her, the lights were still on. Making her way down, she felt her heart beating fast. What is this place? I haven't seen this ever… nor has Master Treize say anything about this… At last, she reached the floor; and, looking around her, she became amazed. "These… these computers…" Her eyes widened at the sight of different machines and computers. "Theses are the ones we used to remake the Gundams. I guess this is where Epyon was manufactured." She moved around the room, eyeing every single machine. She continued her tour around the room, when she saw an office table. It was just an ordinary table, nothing unusual... except that a laptop that was turned on was on top of it. Lady Une noticed this right away and ran to the table. She wanted to see more so she moved to the back of the table. Lo and behold, Master Trieze was on the floor out cold. Une's heartbeat went faster. She was starting to panic but thought better. After composing herself, she pondered on how she was going to bring out Treize. She placed her palm upon his chest to check if his heart is still beating. Afterwards, she felt her face go near Treize's face to know if he's breathing properly. Finding that everything's fine, a wave of relief swept over her. Master Treize, I'm glad your safe... She stared at the laptop for a while, however, Master Treize was unconscious and there was absolutely no time to check it out. She shifted back to the matter at hand and planned what she has to do.

ooooooooooooooooooooooo

While these were happening, our dear Mariemaia remained sitting still. She was afraid of what might happen when she sees her father. Will her father accept her? Is she truly Treize's daughter? And, what happened to her mother? Thousands of questions were boiling in her head. She started to breathe faster and faster to the point of panting. What is happening to me? She felt adrenaline rush through her body. I have a bad feeling... What? What is this feeling? I can't understand it... Her hands instinctively held her now aching head. She still couldn't figure out what she was feeling. I... Why am I hesitant? Don't I want to know the truth? Or maybe... maybe I'm already contented with Lady Une... We're always having misunderstandings, yes... Yet, she's my friend, my sister, and at times, my mother... She's my... A sudden sound brought Mariemaia back to the real world. Her nerves were starting to break down. She was terrified, alone in a dark library.

"Mariemaia..." a tired female voice called from the pathway. "Mariemaia, help..."

The girl instantly recognized the voice and ran towards it. She saw Lady Une with Treize's unconscious body on top of her. "Lady Une!" she gasped.

"Call Claude..." she managed to say as she too collasped under stress.

ooooooooooooooooooooooo

Treize was running after a blonde lady. He continually shouted, "No! Lisa! Don't leave me, please! I love you!" He screamed again and again but the lady kept on running away from him. Treize's energy was slowly decreasing. A few more and his body won't take the punishment anymore. When at last, the lady turned to face him. She smiled and took a gun out. Slowly, she placed it at the side of her head. Tears started to fall as she mouthed the words, "Goodbye, my love." Then BANG!

ooooooooooooooooooooooo

Treize woke up to a start. He was perspiring hard, had a few drops of tears, and also quite out of breath. As he looked around, he found that he was in his room alone. Last thing he remembers was hearing the tape at the secret lab, then fainting. He tried to recall how he got there to no avail. Once more, he looked around. He noticed something strange, though nothing had changed in his room. Something weird was going on; he can feel it but cannot quite place it.

Knock! Knock!

"Master Treize, have you awoken?" Une said as she drew open the door. "I have someone to see you."

"Yes, I am awake. You may come in."

She went in and smiled gently. "Your excellency, I would like you to meet..."

"Mariemaia." he interrupted rather sternly. "She's here?"

Une was apparently very surprised that her master knew. "Um, yes. It is her."

"Good. Tell her to come in as I want to have a talk with her." He looked somewhere near the door with gentle eyes. There stood a red-haired girl who was longinly yearning to be with her supposed father. Une turned to the same direction and gave a signal to the girl. Mariemaia jumped to her feet and shyly walked towards Treize. She kept her eyes on the floor, stealing glances at her father.

As she got to the bed, Treize stretched out his arms to hug his "daughter". The young girl literally ran into his arms and cried. The man emabraced Mariemaia tightly, making her feel secure and protected. "Mariemaia, my Lisa's beloved." he whispered.

Mariemaia let go of her father, "Is Lisa Barton truly my mother?"

"Yes, my dear, she is."

"Then, are you my father?" she asked, trembling, as if uncertain and reluctant.

Treize let out a heavy sigh and wore his serious face again. "Do you want to know the truth? I assume it'll be better to wait before..."

But Mariemaia remained firm. "I want to know the truth now. Not knowing has already caused a lot of problems. Please, tell me."

"Well, you'd better prepare yourself."

"I am well prepared." Now, confidence came upon her. She knew that the truth will come out sooner or later and it's a whole lot more better now than wait.

Now, Lady Une must not be forgotten. She had mixed feelings about this; she wanted to hear, and did not want to in case it might hurt. Weighing her options, she decided to stay. After all, she did not want Treize to learn about her "insecurity". She stood at the background looking at the father and daughter portrait in front of her.

"As you say. I shall begin now, then." He answered the girl quite frankly, "No, I am not your father."

A stream of silence fell upon the room. Mariemaia swallowed hard; Une looked away. It took a few moments for Mariemaia to gather up al her strength and courage to speak. "If you're not, who is my father?"

"I'm sorry for I don't know. Your mother left me a letter before she died. She wrote to tell me of your grandfather's evil plans and how she wanted to stop it. She also asked me to take you from her family and your father, that I take care of you as my own. I only know one thing about your true father: he is a member of the Barton Foundation."

"Will-- will you act as my father?" pleadingly, her almost pitiful face looked up.

"Of course..."

"Thank you..." And she cried again.

Une was being overwhelmed by everything. She left the room and closed the door behind her as her own heart wanted to burst.

Next chappie preview: More on Mariemaia. A few developments between Treize and Une. Treize has already --beep--!

If you hate Mariemaia that much and want her to get out of the story, just tell me in your reviews and I'll find a way. Btw, I might end this in 10 chapters. I'm not sure yet. Depends on how much freetime and inspiration I've got. Anyways, love you guys! Please review! Criticisms and flames (for being oober delayed) are accepted! Thanks!