Quatre's Home

The colony was beautiful. His home was decent. Relena had no complaints. They were close enough that they were able to follow Quatre to his colony. He easily snuck them into his home. That was good, she didn't know what Heero would have done if they went to a quarantine base. Now that the situation was taken care of? Life wasn't much better. It still didn't feel right at all. She understood the situation, someone was creating revenge against Heero, anyone involved in the war, etc. She understood that. The rest though. She had remained mostly quiet, trying to put everything into perspective. How did she get her life back from this?

Heero believed there wasn't a way. Relena didn't want to believe that. Wouldn't Milliardo be proving everything somehow staying behind? She didn't know. Heero was listening privately to social media, but he wasn't letting her hear it out loud. Relena smiled and greeted Dorothy. She bowed her head slightly while, Dorothy being Dorothy, performed a grand curtsy. She seemed to be taking the news well. Too well. Her eyes angled toward Quatre whio seemed to angle away. Had he really not told her yet?

"Well, Miss Relena," Dorothy said with her usual elegant charm, "it seems even being in the vastness of the stars we get pulled together once again." She glanced toward Quatre. "Now? If I could find out why I was yanked away from an unfortunate situation by someone who wouldn't normally mess around in my affairs, I would be most assuredly grateful."

Relena knew she got it right, Quatre hadn't told Dorothy. It took time to adjust to the news, he should tell her. She put on a friendly smile for her. As sure of Relena was of herself most times, she was faltering. Heavily. Her mind moving back and forth repeatedly on each problem.

She was pregnant. At her age, she wasn't having any kind of thoughts about having a family. She had concentrated on her career and maintaining a peace between the Earth and the colonies. She never babysitted children. Never thought of them in her future. Her experience in that area was not grand at all. Polite and kind as she could be to others, but she was never a nanny Relena. Honestly? She had real doubts she would have ever been mommy Relena, knowing the stress that there had been between her and her father. Never getting to see each other because he had always worked as Prime Minister.

Then there was the accusation of abortion. Secretly. It? She didn't even want to think about that. The scandals, the articles that were probably out there right now. Drawing lines between so many. Then Heero. A wonderful man, a decent friend, not talkative but he had his own charm she has always gravitated toward. He was keeping her away from all the processes going on in her name right now that she had no control over. If that wasn't bad enough, she knew he wasn't feeling good about the fact that parts of his secret past was out there.

The whole thing. It wasn't a 'diplomat and her friendly perhaps crush working together', she felt more like Bonnie and Clyde. With a part of her not knowing when the law would catch up. With Heero, it could possibly be never but it only brought on another worry.

She could never be herself again. She couldn't have her identity anymore, it would be too risky. Not just that, but it would be more than 'not Relena', it would be 'no identity'. No certain place to live. However Heero Yuy got around from place to place is the same way she would travel. With a baby. A traveling family on . . . what? Secret missions? A secret mission family?

Eventually her mind would settle down and she'd drift back to reality. No one could ever really tell when she spaced out. Her thoughts ricocheted back and forth within seconds.

"If we could get some rooms worked out until this is over," Heero said toward Quatre, "then we'll get out of your way so you can do important things."

Apparently Heero was thinking the same thing. Quatre needed to tell her.

"Well?" Quatre wasn't looking brave at the moment. "I just got a message from Duo, and I wanted to get this all squared away first. Duo doesn't always leave calm messages lately."

"Agreed. It's not a calm message," Heero admitted to Quatre. "Do you have a spare room?"

"Yes, quite," Quatre said. "I have three empty guest rooms right up the stairs. Follow me."

Relena followed up the stairs like the rest of them as Quatre showed them three empty rooms.

"Everyone can borrow one as long as they are here," Quatre said politely.

"No," Heero declared. "Just one of these should be used, Quatre."

Relena watched Heero's eyes. There was something else he hadn't told her yet. A Duo message. His friend Duo Maxwell sent him something that he hadn't talked about, nor had Quatre looked at.

"I'll take one double bed with Relena." Heero glared at Quatre. "You take one double bed with Dorothy Catalonia."

Quatre mumbled lightly, while Dorothy was the most in shock.

"Mister Heero Yuy," Dorothy insisted. "Might I ask why I should even entertain the idea of sharing a room with Mister Winner, when there are clearly other rooms?"

"Quatre." Heero's voice. That pure certainty in doing what he wishes. What he feels is right. His sense of justice that brought her to him all those years ago, practically following him around the world. To understand it. It was there again, tried and true. "You're going to live a life full of regret, if you don't look at Duo's message and tell Dorothy Catalonia."

Quatre was quieter. He didn't have a lost look on his face like Relena thought he would. It was almost puzzling, like he was trying to put something together. He would need all the pieces though. "The last room is a double bed. Dorothy, relax by the window. Rasid can make you some tea. I have to look into something first. Then? We'll talk."

Heero nodded toward him as he took the last room. He waited for Relena to come inside. When she was inside, he looked at the door and locked it. It was the middle of the day and Heero Yuy was already locking a bedroom door? Relena went toward the window, but Heero called out, "wait." She stopped and he moved in front, peering out of the curtains. Heero was highly on edge. No one should know they were even there. He looked out in all directions before he turned to speak again. "Things have changed, Relena."

Changed? "How much more could they change?" Relena asked.

"Revenge of the Lost doesn't want you to survive the birth."

What? "Die at birth?"

"Or before it," Heero said. "As long as you die the same way she did."

"Who did?" Relena asked.

He looked out the window longer and then glanced at her. "My mother."


Quatre's Room

"No, wait, I don't want you to put me off until another one contacts me!" Quatre's grip was so tight against the phone. This was miserable. This wasn't just some pacifist way of seeking revenge. They didn't get it right. Whatever Revenge of the Lost used to be, or whatever it used to stand for all those years ago? It was gone now, that group was just a shadow of it's former self, and it was far from being pacifist anymore! So much so? Quatre now understood why they all had to have someone. Every single one of them.

To make them suffer in the same way the mothers and sisters did, to feel the pain they had in the war. It wasn't taking into account lives anymore. Not the pregnant mothers, and not even the unborn children. It was stacked on full revenge! No wonder Heero didn't want just a room, he wanted Relena right beside him. This group? Who knew what it could do. It apparently might have even taken Middie Une from Trowa's reach already. "I want answers and I don't want to be yanked around!"

Twenty nine sisters, some passed, but most were fine. He was trying to make contact with them, but they kept putting him off! Quatre was supposed to have been artificially made, a test tube baby. The grief of it had plagued him for years until he met the Maganacs and started to cherish his life as one. Started seeing things in a different way. But, according to the facts Duo had? "Just tell me?" He begged one of his sisters. "Was I the reason our mother died?"

Cause of death, was birth to him. The Winner's still didn't have easy births in space. When his mother was pregnant with him, she risked it all to have him. That very thought. Bearing a child nine months, knowing it would kill you. No wonder father never told him. "Please? I need to know," Quatre begged her. "Did she die giving birth to me?"

Finally, she admitted it. When humans first came to space, birthing was a big deal. It led to many complications. Most families had adapted to it, but his family's genes hadn't faired well to the change. Humans who were raised and had history in space were much more prone to dealing well with it, with the right aid. It was illegal though for mothers who were raised on Earth, with nothing but Earth genes in their families, to give birth in space. No one knew what kind of complications could still arise. It was best not to take chances.

And now? Dorothy Catalonia was running from the authorities, in space of all things, with the CDC barring going to Earth. "Thanks, for telling the truth, Sister." Quatre hung up the phone. In normal cases, even during a contagion of some sort, Dorothy would have been able to be released back to Earth. It was imperative to get back to Earth in her condition, they would find an emergency path. But to do that? Meant Dorothy would face whatever Revenge of the Lost had planned for her while in custody. "Even on the safety of Earth, if they want her to go that way." Could RTL do it? They had managed everything else they had tried to do. Did they have connections on the inside too?

Quatre paced. "I-it is illegal, but it's scare-mongering, right? More about safety and covering the colonies responsibilities to visiting Earthings. Right?" When was the last time a born and raised Earthling came to the colonies and gave birth? Science was often involved in the colonies now, birthing wasn't that big of a deal. Could she handle it? A generation or two was often all that was need to pass legality. Was it just legal purposes? Could the methods the colonies used only work with women who were raised in the colonies? "Practically nine months." Quatre tried to calm himself down. "Nine months. They can't keep up an unforeseen plague between Earth and the colonies for that long." Everyone would be cleaning and quarantining and disinfecting to make sure everything was safe but no way would it even be more than a few weeks. At most. So? "She died from a genetic defect. Dorothy won't have that. It's not the same thing." Were they counting on something going on at birth? Is that all that really mattered to them?

The day she gave birth, is that just the day they planned on killing her? "Damn this Revenge of the Lost!" It wasn't fair. The Gundams had strived to do what was right, even Operation Meteor! He followed his heart, and did what he could. This was their repayment for everything? For the mother of their children to die like their own mothers?

What was to be gained? A sense of justice? There was no justice in it! Taking innocent women and innocent children, and killing them. That's right, they were risking all of the children too. A group that once mourned their losses together, were now killing them.

Yeah. "They won't catch me off-guard." He'd tell Dorothy and he'd stick with her. Heero was right, same room, and same bed. No letting up. Extra security around the mansion. Everything. He'd watch her all the time, until they took this group down. They had to take this group down.

No matter what, Revenge of the Lost was not going to win!

It was time to tell Dorothy Catalonia.


Heero and Relena's Guest Room

Relena remained still on the bed as Heero told her what he had learned from Duo Maxwell. If RTL got their way, she wouldn't have to worry about becoming a mother or hiding under a different identity the rest of their life. They wanted to kill her, and risked even the child's existence, all for nothing but to make Heero Yuy feel pain. Feel empathetic for those who lost their children. It was cruel and unrealistic. RTL had clearly brainwashed people into believing that doing this would bring some kind of closure to their loss.

It wouldn't. Revenge was not the answer that made someone feel better. Going after Lady Une for her father, Relena understood that. Lives were lost in war, it was war. While it was a terrible excuse, a life was blinked out in the movement of a single arm of a mobile suit.

Children. Teens. Men. Women. The elderly. All of the pilots knew that life was lost somewhere in great numbers because of them or the war or circumstances. Especially in the middle of battles. Whether the enemy or the innocent, it couldn't be helped. It didn't mean they didn't feel that loss. The war had changed everyone involved, even her. No one escaped unscathed, devoid of consequences. But they were all moving on, finding new ways to move on.

It was like? "The world forgot how to grieve." She noticed Heero looked at her. "They think because the world doesn't suffer anymore in the same way, that their pain isn't validated anymore?" No. Wait. It was close though. She could feel it. She'd seen it before. People who stood for one thing, then going back on what they once believed. Charismatic words. History of following what was right. Leaders that were right. History. Leaders.

"I already found what you are trying to think of," Heero said. "Support for the Loss. It has to be their second group."

What? "STL?" STL had been around for many years.

"The guilty strive to make themselves feel better." Heero said. "STL has been having the best year ever."

"Yes. Even more than the usual celebrities have been giving wholeheartedly this year." A change inspired by what? "Contributions were up over 60% from last year." Oh no. "This is my fault." It was her fault. Hers. Everything. "I was trying to dismantle the group." She looked at her hands. One small movement. Every member wanting to save it. "On the surface, it looked wonderful. They had done great things as a group, but they kept running into-"

"-matters that couldn't be explained." Oh, so Heero did understand. "Their voice raised high until someone asked about someone's disappearance. Then they disappeared."

Yes. "They were doing more than just having drives to support those who were dealing with loss. They were seeking justice for that loss. Revenge of the Lost must be the other hand of the group." The vindictive hand that didn't play by the rules, the ones that Support for the Loss wasn't showing. Kept hidden from view. How many members of Support for the Loss were inside Revenge of the Lost? "Support for the Loss is a well known group, Heero. Celebrity and company endorsements aren't uncommon. It's classic, established, appeared noble and . . ." She couldn't say it.

He could. "Pouring hundreds of millions into helping thousands makes up for the mere handful it would kill."

"How can . . ."

"A tiny piece, Relena," Heero said. "Like donating a few pennies to a worthy cause, they don't feel like they are responsible." He moved over and sat on the bed. "In vast numbers, those pennies make a difference."

"Support, all over the world. There's no telling who supported its previous ideals, and who supported the RTL of it." Who was supporting RTL but didn't really know it? Who did but felt only pennies responsible . . . Heero was right. To them, they weren't hurting anyone. A light tap. A few pennies responsible. "Only a few pennies responsible." All of this. Whatever they did to the doctors. The access to the advanced technology. Getting into the hospitals. Blanking out security or modifying them. Everything they did, nooks and crannies from so many.

She felt Heero touch her face. Oh. It was always a surprise when he did that. She wiped it as well as she could.

"Everyone has a leader, Relena," he reminded her. "It doesn't matter how big it is. When we find the leader, it'll all fall."

Relena nodded. "Heero. I don't want to bring up anything that might hurt, but if I'm a target meant to be killed as your mother had. Do you know how it's supposed to happen?" He didn't look like he wanted to answer.

"It won't help to know." That was that? "I'll be watching your back."

Heero. Now was not the time she wanted to hear cryptic talk. What should she be watching out for?


The Circus

Trowa's sister was getting ready for the next act. He could see her getting her last bits of blush back on before it was time to get to the stage. "Catherine." She turned around and looked at him in concern. He'd already told her about telling Middie Une. About losing Middie Une. About their mother's death. He didn't hide anything. She didn't seem any more surprised either. They had always gravitated toward each other. He would set out the performance tonight, he was getting a break due to his sister covering for him. He had nothing else to really say, except one thing. "Don't ever join a group, rebel or otherwise, that seeks justice against someone. No matter what it stands for. Promise me." She nodded, of course concerned. With nothing left to say, he walked back away. He'd keep his eyes open for her, keep looking as he could. Visit her work, any acquaintances, and do what he could. But he knew. He knew there was more than a fair chance by the time he found Middie Une.

It'd be too late to save her.

"Trowa." He felt his sister's arms around him suddenly. She never stopped worrying. "I promise. I'll never, ever join any group! Even the Circus Bingo, I'll quit!"

A slight smile. "The Circus Bingo is okay, Cathy." He could feel her trembling against his back. He couldn't reassure her that everything would be okay. He didn't know. All he knew? He had Middie Une in his grasp, and because he was uncertain which move to make, she slipped right out of it. Like a Circus trick. There and gone. "Go wrap up tonight. The crowd is waiting for your dazzling performance." Once she let go, he moved back on again.