Chapter 4: Sex & the Single Spy
When Milliardo embraced Middie in spite of espionage.
When Lady Une forgave Trowa for espionage.
Milliardo walked into the cell under the Sanq Kingdom Palace. Middie sat on her bed with an air of calm dignity. He looked over to see her lunch was untouched. She looked up at him and put a smile on her face. Milliardo pulled a chair beside her and sighed.
"It was an OZ soldier who didn't like the things you were saying. He's some cousin of Hans's. Hans is claiming no knowledge, of course," Milliardo said.
"I doesn't matter. One man with a gun trying to kill me is what it is. Motives are irrelevant to me unless it gets the attempts on my life to stop. In this case, I've made too many enemies to sort through motives. It's funny, I told Nanashi that I would make my mark on the world and I wouldn't care how," Middie said.
"Tell me about him," Milliardo requested.
"He was very gentle. He was not at all like the other mercenaries around him. He was clever and a fantastic listener. I wanted to be with him, but I was restless. I loved him, so I gave him a crucifix with a tracking device before I sold the information to the Alliance. It was so he wouldn't be killed in the attack. You see... that tracking device was for me to wear. I did it to free him, but it could have cost my life. He came back and rescued me, so I confessed my betrayal to him. He left me afterwards.'
"He was an empty boy. A hard life drained him of everything. He was very quiet and very methodical. He claimed he was a soldier and didn't know any other way of life except to travel with the mercenaries who raised him. You know, he had the most elegant green eyes," Middie said wistfully.
"It sounds like you worked yourself into a cage over your life time," Milliardo said, slipping his arm over her shoulder. He moved to sit beside her on the bed.
"One that I've learned to make work for me. I eventually got some of the control I desired so much, but my handler still keeps a close watch. The price for more control of my assignments was Nanashi's freedom," she said, leaning into his embrace.
"I know why I've stopped myself from being with you. You'll leave at the end and never look back, and I've had so much loss in my life lately. Something in your make up allows you move through life with your eyes on one event in your past. Because of that, other regrets can't attach themselves to you. You're absolute and fearless, whereas, I'm still dealing with overcoming fears. I fear not being strong enough to protect my loved ones," Milliardo said.
"Put your fears aside and learn to fly. How do you feel about me?" she asked as he caressed her cheek.
"I feel liberated from my stress about my growing affection for you, because I can accept this as temporary. I need to learn to lose gracefully," Milliardo said. He let her lean back slightly. She took handfuls of his thick hair and drew him on towards her. He accepted her kiss and let it grow. She drew away. Her gray eyes were steady and needy at the same time.
"I am rather fond of you, Milliardo," she said. She slid out from his well muscled body and rose to her knees on the bed. She slid her dress off, leaving him to appreciate her creamy skin wrapped in a snow white slip. She laid back on the bed. "Stay with me the rest of the day and through the night."
"I need this now," Milliardo admitted.
"Miss Noin, it's always a pleasure," Relena said. The tall Italian woman stood from her bow.
"Thank you, Highness. I would like to introduce Trowa Barton," Noin said. Trowa stepped forward and bowed. He was dressed in a Sanq Kingdom uniform identical to Noin's dark-blue, formal uniform. It was out of support for the Peacecrafts.
"Your reputation proceeds you. I must warn you that Colonel Une arrived last night around midnight. I told her that you were arriving today," Relena said.
"She may still be under the impression I'm with the OZ Specials. It will cause some awkwardness. I should have expected this situation," Trowa said, looking down with crossed arms. "I would like to see her again, but I hope that it doesn't hurt her."
"Please explain. I'm not exactly certain I understand everything, Mister Barton?" Relena asked as she lead them over to a sofa. They were in a small side library in the palace's west wing.
"I used to travel with Middie Une and I'm here to sort some things out with her. I'm a Gundam pilot as you know, Highness. I went undercover and spied on her cousin, Lady Une, years after Middie and I parted ways. I have a lot of questions that need answering," Trowa explained as Pagan bustled in with morning tea.
"Trowa is suffering from amnesia brought on by battle trauma," Noin explained. "This girl could help him recover. That and... I'm very concerned about Milliardo's safety."
"I understand, Miss Noin. Milliardo sent word yesterday afternoon that he and Miss Une wouldn't be receiving visitors until after lunch today so it would seem we have some free time," Relena said as the door slid open.
The trio turned to see Colonel Une enter. She wore her OZ uniform, but her brown hair hung loosely around her shoulders. Trowa noted her glasses were absent; he greeted her with a slight nod when she caught sight of him. Shock froze her like a statue.
"Trowa? How are you? Why are you in that uniform? So many questions...," Lady Une murmured. He stood up in the dawn light that filtered in around thick gold drapes.
"I would be grateful if you ladies would give me and the Colonel some privacy. There is a confession I need to make to her respectfully and face-to-face." Trowa said.
Noin and Relena slipped out the same door that the Colonel had came through. Trowa made Lady Une a cup of tea. They sat side-by-side on the sofa. Trowa said, "I'm sorry to take you by surprise. I was hoping to send Miss Noin to talk to you first."
"I had a feeling that you weren't working for OZ's best interest. I knew, or rather had a strong suspicion, that you were one of Gundam pilots," Lady Une said.
"You know me as Zero-Three," he said. "I'm here because of your cousin."
"You know my cousin?" Lady Une asked.
"A long time ago. I'm still recovering from the injuries I received in the Gundam Vayeade. I have a bad case of amnesia. Please forgive the gaps in my story," he explained. Silence fell between the pair that had once been natural and comfortable; now it was awkward. Trowa broke the silence by asking, "How are you?"
"I was shot by Tuberov while freeing two of the other Gundam pilots. It was when you were almost killed in the Vayeade. I was in a coma for a long time. I'm doing much better now and am once again working for Mr. Treize," she answered.
"I'm very happy to hear that, ma'am. I retained a few memories of my time serving under you. I regret that it was an illusion. I grew to admire you very much," Trowa said before sipping his tea. "May I ask why you didn't get rid of me if you were so certain I was a spy?"
"Talented young men like you have the ability to understand what Mr. Treize is trying to do. I was hoping that once you understood what OZ was trying to achieve, you would truly embrace what I was offering you. I had plans to make you my adjutant over Nickole," she said.
"I'm flattered, but I'm afraid that illusion between us is gone now," Trowa said, looking out the window. Sailboats glided slowly down the river in front of the palace. "I can't make a future until I resolve these feelings I have towards Middie. I dream about her constantly. I know that I need to see her."
"I feel the need to reconcile things with her. My family wronged her family so much," Lady Une said. "Did you choose to spy on me because of Middie?"
"I don't remember the details of when I took the assignment, but I imagine that I took it in hopes of finding Middie again," Trowa said. He shook his head and said, "It would seem our futures are bound up with Middie's forgiveness."
"After that, I guess we'll part ways and face each other on the battlefield when next we meet," Lady Une said.
"Yes, you see, I've always been a soldier. It's what I know how to do. The same as you," Trowa said. They slipped into silence once more, but it was a little less frigid than the last one.
"Where is Milliardo anyway?" Noin asked Relena. They walked through Sanq's art gallery that rivaled the Louver.
"I think that he is meeting Middie to straiten out their strategy, but I don't know for sure. The trial will resume tomorrow. The guards won't let anyone in her cell. I can see why Milliardo is being so strict with two assassination attempts," Relena replied.
"Me too. That poor kid. She must be one tough cookie," Noin said.
"She is a wonderful girl," Relena agreed. She stopped in front of a portrait. It was an impressionistic piece of the Sanq Kingdom Palace from across the river. "Miss Noin, I know you love my brother, but is your relationship strong right now?"
"No. I'm afraid its falling apart. Right now the freedom of outer space is threatened and that takes priority," Noin said softly. She looked up at the painting as well.
"Maybe Milliardo needs some priority right now. We'll have dinner tonight. I've sent word," Relena said. She turned her face towards Noin. "Why don't you put up the uniform tonight and wear something a little more feminine?"
Milliardo sat down, he kept his eyes to himself. Why was Trowa Barton here with Noin? He felt a slight sting of guilt over his day spent with Middie. He didn't want to publicly embarrass Lucretia Noin.
He couldn't bring himself to look at Noin. She was dressed in a dark blue, off the shoulder dress that was tailored to suit her tall, curvy form. He had at one time thought about making plans to settle down with her after this war, but now she was labeled a deserter by the OZ Specials. He was still confused and angry by her joining the Gundam pilots in space. He had asked her to watch over Relena's safety. Instead she had seen fit to go fight with the Gundam pilots.
Beside him was a different Colonel Une. She seem changed by her near death experience. She was no longer a victim of her confusion about Treize's teachings. It was as if Lady Une was able to blend herself back into a functioning human once again. She ate her soup and kept to her eyes to herself as well.
Relena was at the head of the table. Her eyes darted back and forth between everyone assembled: Milliardo, Lady Une, Trowa, and Noin. She was sitting in the eye of a storm not of her choosing, but ready to shape it nonetheless. She smiled at Milliardo who looked down at his food.
"So, Mister Barton. I never expected to meet you again," Milliardo said, looking up at the young man across from him. "May I ask what draws your attention to this trial or are you just here for Miss Noin's sake? If that's the case, I'm grateful."
"No, sir. I used to know Miss Une. I was a mercenary at one time, but I don't really remember the details. I came to clear up my past with her, the same as Colonel Une is doing," Trowa said. Milliardo felt his skin drain of color as he recalled Middie's description of her Nanashi.
"Look at me, Trowa!" Milliardo growled. Everyone flinched at Milliardo's booming demand. "Pull back your hair." Trowa complied looking to Noin and Lady Une for a answer. "You have green eyes. Did you ever go by another name? Before you became a pilot?"
"I never had a name. I was just called 'Nanashi' at one time. Is there a problem, Colonel Peacecraft?" Trowa asked, letting his bangs down again. Milliardo sank back into his chair as he adjusted to the irony that had seen fit to creep into his life.
"Middie has mentioned you. You must not remember what happened between you two," he answerer. "You wouldn't be here if you did."
"Please tell us. Trowa needs his memories back," Noin said, joining in. She gave a sharp glare to Milliardo; he couldn't maintain eye contact. He knew she was growing wiser by the minute to his indiscretion.
"That's up to her to discus with Trowa. I'll see if she will take your visit. She may not be receptive to you," Milliardo said. He stood up and nodded towards Relena before he marched off.
"Non! I don't believe you. He can't be here." Middie raged in French while she paced back and forth.
"Is this him?" Milliardo asked back in French. He handed her the one photo that was taken of him and Heero Yuy in Antarctica. Trowa was in the background bundled in a heavy coat, standing beside Noin. He watched Middie nod.
"You knew him all along and didn't tell me?" Middie asked through gritted teeth. Her voice was full of vitriol.
"He goes by the name Trowa Barton now, so I didn't know it was the same person. He's a Gundam pilot who had a serious injury several months ago. He has amnesia, but he seems to remember your face. That's why he's here. He's hoping you'll tell him about his past," Milliardo explained.
"All there is to do is remind him how I betrayed him. That's pointless. I won't see him or Ann," she declared, sitting on her bed tossing her hair back. Milliardo walked over to her and yanked her up by the forearms.
"You listen to me, Middie Une. I understand about Ann, but not Trowa. You owe him closure. Sometimes you can't run away. You have to stop acting like a child. If you loved him as much as you say you did, then you will go upstairs and look him in the eyes and tell him. You owe him that," Milliardo said.
He didn't reveal that he wanted no unnecessary entanglements with this affair, especially since he held Trowa in such high esteem. Tears were flowing down Middie's cheeks as she turned her head away.
"I can't because I still love him," she said, barely above a whisper.
"You will. I don't care what you say to him, but you will show him respect," he demanded. Milliardo shook her gently. "Do you understand?" She nodded and looked up at him with a determined expression in spite of the tears.
"You are right. I owe him respect. Tell me one thing... is true that Ann and he know one another?" she asked.
"Very well considering the situation," Milliardo said, letting his grip ease. "They seem to care for one another according to what Relena has seen. It's as if he really were her favored adjutant rather than a spy. It's very strange that he became a spy."
"I am surprised he did it, considering his experience at my hands," Middie said. "I need to see them at the same time. I need to get rid of them because assassins won't overlook killing them. I want to get this over with; I need to make them hate me for their own good," she said.
He drew her to him and stroked her hair. She hugged him back and looked up at him with those eyes full of tarnished high spirits. He knew that Middie's intention was to change Trowa and Lady Une's lives tonight. He had to take her example and settle his stale relationship with Noin. He just couldn't be a hypocrite; he owed Noin respect.
He saw her out on the piazza that had a wonderful view of the ancient city. It was lit with thousands of glowing pin points. He had rarely seen her in a dress, let alone something so alluring. Her hair was slicked back in a very chic fashion.
"How's outer space treating you, Noin?" Milliardo asked. He wished he could take back the asinine question the moment he saw her amethyst eyes brimming with a tart stare. How could he ever lie to her? She knew him since he was a frighted ten year old with no family.
"I guess you're doing well. Miss Relena said that you and she were getting to know one another. I hope she gets to know you better then I do," Noin said.
"Noin, please. I've lost what my family died for and I'm having to swallow the last bit of pride I have. Things aren't going smoothly between Relena and me. I've lost myself and I'm growing to hate what I see here on the Earth. It hurts me more then anything," he said.
"You use to be so self-possessed. You knew about war and it's price. I'm just learning it now. It's easy to lose heart, but it's almost as if you're losing your soul," she said.
He walked over to the balcony and put his hand beside her hand on the stone railing. He watched her draw away and wrap her arms around herself. She turned towards the palace and leaned her backside against the railing.
"Maybe because everything I used to anchor my life is gone. I need some time to redefine myself," Milliardo said.
"What about me, Milliardo? We used to be so close. Don't you feel anything for me anymore?" she asked, glancing up at him. She had a firm expression that demanded Milliardo dropped all his pretenses.
"I don't know. You ran off to space with Heero Yuy and the others when I lost the Sanq Kingdom. I thought that you would stay with me," he said, adopting her same pose and crossing his arms.
"I found a new hope for peace, Milliardo. The Gundam pilots will bring about a new era. Please come to space and take your place with them," Noin pleaded.
"The Gundam Epyon has shown me that my path doesn't run beside Heero Yuy's, but against it. We are to fight once again. That's our destiny," Milliardo said.
"Zechs, don't do it! Heero will kill you," Noin said. She grabbed Milliardo's arm for emphasis. He glared down at her.
"I guess that answers the question about your faith in me," Milliardo said. He jerked away from her and started to walk across the piazza.
"Wait, Milliardo. Please don't be angry. Please stay with me," Noin said, hugging him from behind. He paused, untangled himself from her arms, and turned to face her.
"Lucretia, there is someone else right now. I'm going to where I belong. Just like you have to go back into space where you belong right now. I'm going to finish with this sham trial and wait to see what the Gundam Epyon tells me." He pulled away from her and opened the French doors. "Come to me only when you're ready to begin something serious. Until then I have to sort out the mess that my life has become."
Lady Une wrung her hands and watched the door. Trowa didn't appear nervous at all; he lounged on the red leather sofa in front of the empty fireplace. His face was as impassive as ever. Usually that calmed Lady Une, but now it only unnerve her further. A clock struck midnight, causing her to startle. She watched Trowa get up and prepare a double scotch at the bar.
"Here, Colonel," Trowa said, handing her the scotch. She looked around the private greeting room, used to welcome informal dignitaries from the space colonies. It was done in oak with vulgar hunting trophies everywhere. It did have a nice, large bar. Middie had chosen this room.
"Thanks. I feel like I'm going to crawl out of my skin. Maybe I should let you see her in private first," Lady Une offered.
"Colonel Peacecraft said that she wanted to see us together. Besides, I feel comforted to know you'll be with me. You are about the only person I have consistent memories of besides my sister," Trowa said, preparing a bourbon on the rocks for himself.
"I'm glad you'll be here too," Lady Une said.
"I see you've started without me."
They turned to see the angular girl resting against the closed door. She stalked over towards them and took a seat at the bar. Middie said, "Milliardo said you both wanted to see me."
"Yes. We both have some business to settle with you," Lady Une said, sitting beside her on a barstool. "I wanted to offer you anything I could to help you. The Une family owes it to you and your brothers. I was thinking that..." Middie began chuckling.
"Do you think I want filthy Une money after all this time? I've made my way in the world and I've supported my brothers. I've sent them far away and given them new identities just so you couldn't bother them. That... and... to shield them from my job," Middie said.
"I didn't mean to offend you, just rightfully offer what is yours," Lady Une said, getting wary.
"Keep it and leave me and my family alone. We never really knew each other anyway. Why get involved in my life? It's only to ease your own conscience. I'm not a priest so go elsewhere for your absolution," Middie said.
"Middie, that's very harsh. The Colonel wasn't trying to offend you," Trowa said. She threw her head back and let peals of icy laughter ring around the small room.
"Mind your own business, Nanashi. You know, I couldn't believe it when Milliardo told me you had turned to espionage. There was a perverse pleasure in it for me. I see you learned my lessons well. Not well enough if you're showing her respect. Didn't you remember to keep yourself empty?" Middie asked.
"I couldn't of been empty like you," Trowa said, his voice took on crispness. Middie looked as if Trowa had slapped her. She shook her head and glared at Trowa.
"I knew you! I know how empty you really are. Like I said, I hate empty men like you," Middie said. "I never wanted you back in my life. I would have found you if I did. No more, Nanashi."
"Why be cruel and hateful towards, Trowa? Why claim kinship to me in court? We don't understand you," Lady Une said.
"I need Romefeller to think of me as a long lost sister. If I can use some demented woman to manufacture that illusion, so be it." Middie said. She leaned forward on the bar and faced Trowa. "Look at you. You couldn't even finish an espionage assignment to it's end. You should have killed her at the end. Now you won't have a chance."
"You claim I'm the empty one when I know there is something in me that wouldn't let me kill Colonel Une? No, you are truly the soulless one," Trowa said placidly. He took a sip of his drink.
"What do you want from me?" Middie asked.
"I thought we belonged together. I thought you had feelings for me," Trowa said, taking her hand. She was still for a moment before she jerked it away. Her face twisted with hostility.
"How could I love someone like you?" Middie asked. Nothing but the sound of a ticking clock could be heard for several long minutes.
"I never want to see either of you again!" Middie shouted and turned towards the door. She stepped out into the hall where a set of guards waited to take her back. She said from the hallway, "I don't want either of you here. Leave now." She slammed the door shut on them. They turned to one another with blank looks.
"It's funny, but I feel relieved," Lady Une said to Trowa. He joined her at the bar. He made himself a drink. "I feel angry at my family for creating that situation she had to grow up in. Their apathy towards her family has damaged her life. I've offered what I could, so I can let my guilt go over her situation."
"I don't feel peaceful at all. I feel she betrayed me again. I feel she lied to us. It was as if she was putting on an act," Trowa said. He leaned forward on the bar as Lady Une put her hand on his shoulder.
"You may have been like she said, but you aren't empty now. I wouldn't have wasted my time with you," Lady Une said.
"Now what are you going to do, Colonel?" Trowa asked.
"I'll be leaving for the Khushrenada Estates in the morning. I have a home with OZ and I'm missing it right now. How about you?" Lady Une asked.
"I've got to talk to Miss Noin. She might want to stay for Colonel Peacecraft's sake," Trowa said. He sat upright and gave her an analytical look. He refilled their drinks and lead her over to the red leather couch. "Will you stay with me for a while?"
"Of coarse. I have a picture of us," Lady Une said. She retrieved the photo of her and Trowa in front of the Leo mobile suit. "Do you remember that night?" He shook his head. "We were kidnapped. It was horrible night and yet I wouldn't trade a moment away."
"Get packed, kid," Noin said, catching sight of Trowa stumbling into his guest room. She was cramming his duffel bag full of his clothing that were piled on the bed. He came over and pushed his things aside. She stopped to watch him curl up and drift towards sleep.
"Geeze, kid, you smell like a distillery. Neither you or Colonel Une should be drinking considering your problems. Are you listing to me, kid?" she asked in aggravation. Trowa held up his left hand and gave her the thumbs up. "I mean you both are on enough Prozac to make an elephant heard happy and you just don't care, do you?" Trowa just gave her another thumbs up again. "You need to stop talking to Lady Une if your going back into space. You're just being a fool hanging around her," Noin said. Trowa bolted upright and glared at Noin; his face was flushed.
"Who I associate with is none of your business," Trowa said.
"It looks like you're going soft, kid!" Noin accused.
"Things aren't going your way?" Trowa asked calmly.
"Ohhhh," she growled and hit him forcefully with a pillow. "Get your kit packed and get ready to leave. Get a move on!" she shouted, adopting her same instructor's tone. Trowa slowly rose as she sulked off to her own guest room.
She knew she was taking her anger with Middie out on Trowa, but she didn't know what else to do. Middie had Trowa. Why did she have to take Milliardo too? "That whore," Noin hissed under her breath. She arrived at her room and immediately began her packing.
She froze suddenly. What did happen between Trowa and Middie? Something must have gone wrong because she didn't think of Trowa as the drinking-away-your-sorrows type. But that was before he hung around Lady Une. Noin was furious; she finished her packing, calling Middie ever bit of profanity she could think of.
Milliardo ran his fingers through Middie's soft ringlets and let them slide back to her bare shoulders. She shifted her head that rested on his chest. She rubbed her nose before drifting back to a light sleep. It was always a heady experience being with her.
She hadn't said anything to him when the guards put her back into her room. She just ravished him with kisses until he capitulated to her will. He didn't put up much resistance in spite of his burning curiosity about her meeting with Trowa.
"Angel, you have to move," he said. He helped her slide over to the left side of the bed and threw off most of his covers. She propped up on her elbow as he settled back. "It's hot down here."
"Next time we'll have to stay in your room," she said with a smirk. "Tomorrow I'll have to face Dorothy. The next day you will make final arguments and then I will either be executed or set free. It's moving so fast."
"How did you know that I wasn't able to get the death penalty off the table?" Milliardo asked.
"My guards have big mouths," she said.
"Should have known," Milliardo said. He sat bolt upright and looked down at her with wide blue eyes. "They haven't been talking about us have they?"
"They don't think you're staying all night for the conversation. Don't worry. It will only get circulated around the lower ranking OZ soldiers. They wouldn't breath a word of it to anyone who could get them into trouble, like a certain Queen that may already have too many scandals surrounding her," she said.
"It's not that I'm embarrassed by you, but this situation could cause more trouble than we need right now,"Milliardo said, flopping back and shaking his head.
"Then I guess you told your girlfriend?" Middie ventured.
"I didn't have to; she could tell, but I did say the words. She may tell Trowa out of spite," Milliardo said.
"Trowa? Oh, you mean Nanashi," Middie said, moving closer. "I hope she does. It'll only make him hate me more. He can then go on with his life." Milliardo laid out his arm; she curled under it and drew a light sheet on top of them. "I hope that one day he'll settle with a nice girl. Someone who's worthy of him."
"He already had. She just won't accept his love because she's too afraid a commitment might lead to her feeling enslaved." He felt her stiffen. Milliardo brushed her hair back with his fingers. For once he had gotten the drop on her. "He'll be fine, Middie. Can I ask you something?"
"Sure," she said, relaxing again.
"What will you do if you're set free?" he asked.
"I'll wing it of course. Making plans is useless right now. I don't want to fall into the bad habit of making them. You see, one of the first lessons you learn as a spy is to be very flexible; otherwise you could get killed." They entwined themselves once again and began to lightly doze.
To be continued.