Hey-o, and welcome to my Lil' World of Weirdness!!

I state for the record that I don't own Gundam Wing, or the wonderful characters that will be gracing this story. . . I do however lay claim to Ensign Saratone *again*, and I use him here purely as a replacement for your average Nameless OZ Minion. Other Characters I lay claim to are Faye Bloom, the wizened old man, Chang Xiao Fao Lan, and the Angels.

Let's just say . . . when my writer's block breaks, it's like a dam breaking . . . [shakes head slowly and winces]

Parings: 1x2x1, 3x4x3 . . .. Eh, heh, not that anyone reads up here, but I realised I'm giving away certain parts of my story with these!!

Okay, that's the legal stuff out the way!!

Please ENJOY AND PLEASE R&R!!! THANK YOU!!

Also, thanks to my beloved Bluegoo for her ever wonderful betareading, I thank her for the many hours that she has put in with me on this one, be it correcting my terrible grammar and spelling, or listening to me mumbling large chunks of it down the phone to her . . . You're great, Blue!! Even if you are Commander and Chief of the Apostrophe Gestapo . . . [ducks and runs off, screaming over shoulder] GO READ AND REVIEW HER STORIES!!

//Thinking//

"Speaking"

*Stress/Emphasis*

Writing/Dream sequence

~*~

For The Grace Of Knights And Angels

By Doctor Megalomania

Arch One: Bonds Made And Renewed

Part five: Roses and Thorns

"Here."

Zechs smiled as a cup of coffee magically appeared beside him, "Thank you, Otto."

The man behind him shuffled, "You looked tired."

Zechs turned in his chair and picked up the cup, smiling at Otto, "I missed your company, Otto." The man shook his head, and smiled, as Zechs frowned, "I'm being serious!"

Otto looked at him, "Was it worth it? Did it make any difference at all?"

"Your death?" Zechs stood instantly, and grabbed Otto's hand, "Yes!" He swallowed, old emotions rising, "It helped to restore old Sanq . . . for a while my sister was even Queen of Sanq . . ."

The slightly plump man smiled, "Then it was worth it." He glanced around, "Is this really peace?" He closed his eyes, "I hear no mobile suits . . ."

"There are none." Zechs smiled, "Just as there are no major battle ships, not a single base capable of wiping out the earth from space. This is peace, my friend . . . no OZ, no Romafellor or Federation . . . it's not about outmanoeuvring your enemy, or out-witting your rivals . . . it's about working together now . . ."

Otto smiled a slightly hungry smile, a sad smile he'd worn during the war, "Honestly?"

"I wouldn't lie to you, Otto."

Otto closed his eyes, and nodded, "Then it was truly worth it."

Zechs nodded, and sat down, moving over as Otto moved a chair to sit next to him. They sat in silence for a few moments, as both contemplated the past, and the future.

"What was it like?"

"Dying?" Otto murmured as he read over the reports, he touched a few buttons calling up more information, as he thought. "It felt . . . well, painful for a few moments . . ." Zechs chuckled, as Otto continued in a more sober tone, "But then it also felt like an honour. I was giving my life for you, for Sanq . . . I was proud . . . and the instant before death, I felt clarity, all my doubt washed away---"

"Pride, I felt pride." Zechs and Otto turned at the sound of Walker's voice. Noin and Walker were stood in the door way, Walker entered, and leant against the wall, "I felt that my death was going to be a new weapon in the war, that I was submitting to some master plan."

Otto nodded, "I was providing a clear path for you."

"I was giving something back to the world," Walker smiled slightly, "Even if it was in the end fruitless . . ."

Noin patted his shoulder, "Inspiration is never a worthless endowment . . . You gave many that gift."

Walker inclined his head in appreciation and then glared at Zechs, "So what's this I hear about you blowing up my treasured mobile suit?"

"You blew up the Tallgeese?" Otto looked at Zechs as the blonde man laughed. "Damnit, I gave up my life so you would be able to get over your fear of the damned thing!"

Noin raised her hands, and shook her head as Walker and Otto scowled playfully at the laughing lightning count, "Oh no . . ." She called out as he begged for her help, "You're fighting this battle on your own!"

"Noin!" Zechs yelled back as Walker made a feigned lunge for his neck, and Otto made to hold him still, "You said you'd be at my side for every battle!! Nooooiiiiin!!"

She laughed as the old comrades messed about, and turned her attention to a flashing communication from the colonies. "Hmm . . ." She murmured, as she routed the call to her station. "What have L . . ." She shook off Zechs' grabbing hand off her arm, "Oh, no . . . you deserve this for every time you made me think you were dead, Preventer Wind!" She returned her attention to the panel and glanced at the location, "I wonder what L5 have got to say that's so urgent . . ."

//What's going to happen?//

Une read over Sally's reports, over the interviews with Faye Bloom, Lt. Walker, Lt. Otto, and the five scientists, she read over the stories each of them had told . . . all the same, with each different point of views on them . . . all had the same warning. Something was coming. It would arrive in a year. It was powerful. Only the living had the power to stop it. They had to find a way of stopping it themselves. The dead that were coming back were either as they were before they were dead, or would become soldiers of this thing.

She scowled and got up to look out the window, the magnificent view of the city little comfort this time. Usually the view alone would give her a new idea, a new perspective, and new angle to work from. She frowned, and put a hand on her hip. No such luck today. She shifted her focus and looked at the reflections, the sun's light was only beginning to work it's way over the horizon, so the reflections in the highly polished glass were sharp and defined.

Mariemaia was awake . . . Une's countenance softened at this. Since the revelations, and the arrivals of the visitors from beyond the grave, everyone in the building who could pull any weight, or work the case had pulled an all-nighter. Mariemaia refused to go home without her, so the little girl had slept here in Une's office.

The little red head was painting again, bringing a smile to Une's lips, Mariemaia was not a complainer, and she was a tough child who'd grown up a lot since the wars.

Une closed her eyes, silently praying for Treize to lend her a little strength. It was happening less and less, she noted with some detachment, her praying for Treize to help her, and she supposed she was beginning to let go of him. Her shoulders drooped a little at this thought. She turned away from the window, and slid into her seat again.

"AAAAYIIIIIEEEEEE!!!"

Her head snapped up as Mariemaia screamed, and she scrambled to her feet, her mouth falling open at the sight.

"Krushrenada Treize!!"

Duo was virtually running as he struggled to keep up with Wufei and Heero, their near running pace as they all made their way to the medical department. Word had spread like wild fire. Treize Krushrenada had returned in Une's office. Multitudes of former Oz officers, now officers in the Preventers lined the corridor. Faye grabbed Quatre's arm, and tugged at it as they made their way down, "Who is this man?"

"He's the former commander of Oz, one of the main armies . . . and our first enemy during the war, we . . ." He motioned the four others and himself, ". . . were sent to Earth to try and destroy them . . ."

"It sounds like he was a very popular man . . ." Faye murmured absently, as Catherine grabbed her other hand tightly. Her son had snapped into what she supposed was his professional mode, making him seem very much like his father when he was practicing a particularly hard stunt. She smiled and knew her son took everything he was duty bound to do very seriously.

She glanced at Catherine, "Did you fight in this war too?"

"No." Catherine answered swiftly as they took another turn, "I have never liked war, I detest it—"

"Violently." Trowa called over his shoulder, "My right cheek remembers it well."

"If you hadn't pulled that stunt with your Gundam . . ." Catherine scowled at him, "I wouldn't have had to hit you!"

They rounded another corner, and came to a stop. Noin and Zechs, and the two new officers, Walker and Otto were moving back the former Oz soldiers. "You'll get to see him soon, when all the tests are done, and he's answered a few questions then—"

The medical doors shushed open, and Wufei swore under his breath. Standing there in his blue and gold uniform, standing as tall as he had ever done, stood Treize Krushrenada. A few white strands had appeared here and there at his temples, and a few laugh lines crinkled the corners of his eyes. He surveyed the scene and smiled, as every former soldier came to respectful attention.

A pure white-gloved hand rose smoothly, and touched his forehead, as Treize returned their salute.

"Thank you." He said, voice penetrating right down the silent corridor. "It's a surprise to be back, and I thank you . . . for this most undeserved of greetings . . ." He lowered his hand, "But I ask for you all to return to your stations and your duties." He tipped his head to Zechs and Noin, "And to obey your commanding officers."

Zechs bobbed a quick bow, and Noin turned to the gaggle of stilled officers, "So . . . go already!!"

The horde started to disperse, some just taking a moment to touch Treize's hand, and murmur a quiet welcome. Treize looked up, and stared at the small group coming toward him slowly. "My . . ." He murmured, "How you have all grown . . . no longer just boys, but men now . . ." His blue eyes flickered to Zechs, "No mask . . . hmmm, suits you, Milliardo."

Zechs coughed, "I go by Zechs mostly now . . ."

A smile wrinkled the corners of Treize's eyes, "Zechs it is then . . ." He turned his attention on Wufei, looking once up and down, "I doubt now I could beat you at a sword fight."

Faye blinked at the obscure reference, and glanced between the two men. She looked at the others, as they seemed to be silent, not willing to interrupt the confrontation. Captain Chang Wufei's lips thinned as he pressed them together tightly, she could see that he wanted to either hit him or clasp him in a tight embrace. She glanced at her son nervously, and was reassured as he reached out and grabbed her other free hand.

"Treize."

The auburn haired former commander of Oz tipped his head gracefully, "Wufei."

Gritting his teeth for a moment, the Chinese officer raised his hand in greeting, and Treize took it firmly.

"Welcome back, General."

The tension broke, as Treize and Wufei embraced each other in the arms that were of comrades. Someone cleared their throat behind them, and the embrace broke as Treize turned to face Lady Une, Sally Po, his . . . Treize found himself smiling fondly at the small girl in a wheel chair . . . his daughter, and the five Gundam scientists.

Faye smiled at the people she recognised, and then stared at those she didn't, but could feel the same connection with. "You're dead people like me . . ."

"I prefer the living undead, but whatever suits . . ." One of the old men, his hand replaced with a claw, nodded, "Indeed, and you are?"

"Faye Bloom . . ." She smiled, and tipped her head a little higher, "I am Catherine and Tri-uh, Trowa's mother."

"Mother?" Asked another one of the old men, this one with a metal nose, and shocked looking white hair. He glanced at Trowa, "You never told me you had a mother and sister, no-name . . ."

"No name?" Faye repeated, "How do you know my son? And what do you mean 'no-name'?"

"The Gundam scientists, mama . . ." Trowa murmured in his quiet way, "They build the machines we piloted, and trained us for the mission; 'Trowa Barton' is a name I borrowed. This was my commanding doctor, Doktor S."

Faye stared at her son for a moment, and Catherine's eyes zeroed in and narrowed at the doctor. "You . . . you . . ." She began accusingly and started forward, she was just pulling her fist back when her mother got there first.

"YOU BASTARD!!" Doktor S stumbled back as Faye Bloom threw a very good right hook at him; she glowered at him, and blasted, "YOU COMPLETE BASTARD!! HOW DARE YOU PUT MY SON THROUGH THAT!?"

"HE WAS ONLY A LITTLE BOY!!" Catherine screamed, her fists clenched, "HOW COULD YOU?! WHAT IF HE DIED?!"

"IT WAS SUCH A DANGEROUS TASK!!" Faye shook a finger at him, her expression of fury the same as Catherine's, "YOU COWARDLY BASTARD!!"

"FIGHTING A WAR IS NOT A JOB FOR A TEENAGER!!" Catherine ranted, "IF YOU HAD KNOWN THE NIGHTS I SPENT WONDERING IF TROWA WAS LYING DEAD IN A DITCH SOMEWHERE!!"

Doktor S looked up at the two women as they took turns to scream their anger at them. Lady Une, Noin and Sally Po looked on with some amusement, the other doctors gaped as they held up Doktor S and he struggled to get to his feet again, Zechs, Otto, Walker, and Treize looked mildly scared. Mariemaia bit her lip, so not to let any giggles escape. Wufei's eyes were as wide as they would go, Duo's mouth was virtually brushing the floor, Quatre was covering his own mouth, and Heero allowed a single amused "Hn." escape.

The four former Gundam pilots blinked as an unfamiliar sound issued from Trowa's direction. They looked over to see Trowa with one arm wrapped around his stomach, and the other pressing his fist against his lips, his head was dipped and his eyes closed as his shoulders shook uncontrollably.

Trowa looked up, his green eyes sparkling with mirth as he started to laugh louder and louder.

He glanced at his friends, and winced, as his fist couldn't cover his mouth anymore. Trowa's mirth was infectious as Quatre was the next to fall, he started to giggle behind his clasped hands, then Wufei turned away to the wall, as he tried to hide his chuckles. Duo leant his arm on Heero's shoulder and hid his face in the crook of it, as he started to laugh. Heero snorted twice and his shoulders shook slightly as he tried not to snigger too much.

Catherine and Faye rounded on the five, and glared. Trowa walked over, calming himself, and wrapped his arms around both women and holding them tightly. "I'm sorry . . ." He muttered to them both, "I've never had anyone worry about me before . . . much less a family . . ." He closed his eyes tighter, and held them closer as he whispered, "It was either that . . . or cry . . ."

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And now It's Time To Leave It to DOCTOR MEGALOMANIA!!

DrM: [big, big, chibi-cute, big, watery eyes] Konnichiwa … [bursts into tears]

Trieze: [eyetwitch] what? … what?! What are you doing? Stop that!! WHAT?!

DrM: [still sobbing]

Trieze: [pulls out hanky, and hands it over] Okay, enough!! Stop it!!

DrM: [sniffles]

Trieze: [raises eyebrow] now, aside from your evident psychosis … what the hell is wrong with you?

DrM: [huccuping] I updated this and almost no one reviewed the last chapter … and then I watched Fruits Basket, and the whole series is one giant cliffy … and there are no plans to make another series … and then I spilt boiling hot tea down my leg, and then I almost broke someone's foot … and then I broke my last glass from the set my mum gave me… and left the gas stove on for two hours… and lost a chapter of story … and got a sucky grade for my essay even though I tried really hard … and my trip to Germany with my mum has been cancelled…and…

Trieze: Oh, shut up!! [slaps forehead] look at that last chapter! I've come back from the dead, everyone else gives me attention except you!! Worship me damnit!!

DrM: [sniffles and breaks into sobs again]

Bluegoo: [pats DrM on the back] It's okay… I've got Banana Fish … and you're coming home in three weeks, and we can obsess over anime … and write fanfiction … and eat food, tons of food …

DrM: [nods]

Blue: … and call Trieze the Scumbag that he truly is …

DrM: [sniggers]

Trieze: [growls] I say you guys be mean to DrM, don't review her … review ME, Worship ME, Make me your idol!!

DrM: [gets out frying pan and whacks Treize]