Summary: AC 202, Duo disappears. AC 204, a new artist called Violet Vendetta emerges onto the art scene. Will a newly identified threat reveal the connection between Duo's disappearance and Violet Vendetta's art?

Disclaimer: I don't own it. The end.

A/N: I was going to wait longer to post this, but someone complained that the prologue was too much of a teaser. So I decided to be nice and post the first chapter too. Aren't I wonderful:grins:

Violet Vendetta
CaramelAriana
Chapter 1

Heero stared blankly at the wall of his office, his mind wandering. He had let that happen more often over the years. Now that they had entered a time of peace, his training was no longer necessary. It had taken awhile to get used to. The Mariameia incident had reversed the fragile sense of security the first peace had given him. After that it had taken over a year for him to relax again. Even though he would not let his guard down again, he'd learned that moments like these would keep him sane. Every now and then, when work was light, he would just empty his mind of thoughts.

His gaze flickered to a painting hanging on the wall. It was one of the works of the new artist Violet Vendetta. Heero himself wasn't an art aficionado, nor was he a big fan of Vendetta's work. He found it too depressing. Relena had seen it at an art show and thought he would appreciate it. The piece was entitled "Endless Waltz" and depicted a ballroom full of faceless dancers. In one of the windows stood a personification of war. Unlike most of Violet Vendetta's paintings, "Endless Waltz" had no poetic phrase across it.

The art of this newly famous painter almost always featured some poem or encryption, the meaning of which as dark as the actual painting. In fact, the artist's work followed along the theme of war and destruction. This had alerted the Preventers when the artist first emerged. After the long and destructive war most artistic work—paintings, poetry, fiction—maintained a very light and hopeful mood. Violet Vendetta had created quite a disturbance in this peaceful atmosphere. The Preventers had analyzed the artwork as a possible threat. Eventually the shock had worn off and people gradually started buying the paintings. Slowly but surely the art began to bring in large amounts of money for the agency sponsoring it. After a thorough investigation the Preventers had dismissed the artwork as harmless. They had never uncovered the identity of the artist.

While Heero was not a fan of the artwork, he did have to admire the artist's talent. In the end, the art actually ended up helping people rather than causing harm. After the war people had wanted to forget about fighting, but that was what allowed the Mariameia incident to unfold. Now this artist was forcing people to remember how horrible the war was, making it difficult for those who tried to stir up trouble. The citizens of Earth and the colonies alike now made sure unnecessary disturbances were quelled before they got out of hand. It made the job of Preventers officers a whole lot easier, which meant it was a lot more boring. But if boredom was the cost for peace, Heero was willing to make that sacrifice.

He vaguely wondered what Duo Maxwell would have to say about this artist. The young man had always been more of a joker, so Heero couldn't imagine him liking the depressing works. Then again in all the years they had known each other, they had never discussed their particular tastes in art. Music yes, but never fine art. Heero considered Duo his best friend, or had anyway. He thought about all the things he might never get to learn about his old partner.

Heero sighed. As usual his thoughts had turned to Duo. He still didn't know why the man had disappeared with no explanation or form of contact. The pilots had first thought that perhaps Agent Maxwell had been abducted, until Lady Une informed them of his resignation. Heero immediately set out on a preliminary search but had come up empty handed. Duo had closed all of his accounts and cancelled all his subscriptions. When his apartment was searched, it appeared as if everything was in place, but all of Duo's valuables were gone. Since then Heero had tried running elaborate searches, calling on the former pilots when necessary. His results were always the same: nothing.

He was jarred from his thoughts by a knock on the door. "Come in," he called.

Relena entered with a plate. "Hi dear. You've been up here for a while so I thought I'd bring you some lunch." She set the plate down on his desk, displaying what appeared to be a turkey sandwich.

"Thanks." He gave her a strained smile.

She noticed. "What are you doing in here that's got you so stressed?"

Heero shook his head. "Just thinking."

"Duo," she guessed, giving him a sad look.

Heero sighed. "I just don't know why he left like that, without telling anyone."

Relena grabbed a chair and sat down. "And you can't think of any reason he'd leave? Did he have a friend he might've visited? Any old enemies that would want revenge, and be capable of evading the Preventers all these years? Did he ever give any indication that he wasn't happy? Did you two have a fight?"

He raked a hand through his hair. "No," he replied softly. It was the same interrogation every time. He knew his wife was just trying to help, but it was time he faced the facts. Duo simply didn't want to be found.

"Heero," Relena said, taking his hand. "You need to stop doing this to yourself. I don't know why he left, but I'm sure it wasn't for you to spend the rest of you life looking for him."

"I know," he said sadly. "You're right. This is ridiculous. Wherever he is he did a good job covering his tracks. He obviously doesn't want to be found."

Relena sighed. "Come on Heero," she said getting up.

"Where are we going?"

She smiled and pulled him up. "I think you've been working too hard lately. Come on, we'll take a vacation."

"Relena," Heero groaned. "I'm in the middle of a case—"

"The case can wait," said Relena, exasperated. "Une gave you work at home because she's learned not to tell you take a vacation. Well I am your wife and I am going to make you use up some of the vacation time you've earned over the past ten years!"

Heero sighed as he was dragged from the room. "And just where are we going?"

"Florida!" Relena said happily. They walked into the front room where all their luggage was already packed. Relena picked up to tickets and waved them in Heero's face.

"You've been planning this for a while haven't you?" She just smiled at him. "I'm going to have to call into the office…"

He trailed off as she handed him the phone. "Already on the line," she answered.

Heero glared at her and held the receiver to his ear. "Hello?"

"Yuy!" Une yelled through the phone. "As your commanding officer I am demanding that you take this vacation. I don't want to see you in this office for at least another two weeks. That is an order!" He heard the phone slam down and then a dial tone.

He looked at his wife. "I guess we're going on vacation."

-o-

A/N: Hmm...so we still don't know what happened to Duo, but at least we got to see how Heero's doing. Next chapter we find Duo. Promise.

Until then, please review! It's that little button down in the bottom left corner...