A/N: Hey everyone, sorry for the very long delay but I had finals and the like, plus everyday life. On with the show.
January 14th 1778, Valley Forge
A young man around twenty years of age walked through the Continental Army encampment. He was covered up to protect himself from the cold. He had never felt temperatures like this before. Living near the Holy Land, he never would have even dreamed of such frigid weather until recently. He approached his destiny.
"Master Quatre, shall we go in there with you?"
He undid the scarf wrapped around his head, revealing his pale blond hair and light blue eyes. He put on a usual smile.
Quatre Raberba Winner was a young Ottoman emir(1) whose estate was based in the Holy Land. He was one of the wealthiest men within the Ottoman Empire, and was also known as notoriously liberal in the Ottoman social scene.
"No Rashid, I'll be fine. Bringing so many armed men into General Washington's quarters won't bode well with the American officers. You guys wait out here." He dismounted from his horse Sandrock and looked back at his men before venturing inside.
Quatre saw a group of officers huddling and murmuring. A man stood up and cleared his throat when he noticed Quatre.
"Leave us. We'll surely be talking about this later gentleman."
Quatre watched as the officers walked past him and outside into the cold. "General Washington, it's an honor sir." He said with a salute.
"Quatre Raberba Winner." He returned the salute. "Yes, I've read over the letters about you from the agents of ours that you met in Paris. How was your stay there might I ask?"
"Well, I'll say that the wine was excellent, the French are known for that. The women were quite…bold."
Washington chuckled. "Yes, our ambassador Franklin(2) I'm sure is enjoying himself."
"Oh he is, I ran into him a couple of times." Quatre laughed.
"Well, let's get down to what you'll be doing then." Washington took a seat. "I'm giving you a field commission as a captain. I want you and your Maganac Corps to work with Major Heero Yuy and the Gundam Dragoons. You'll operate independently of him, but you will have a working relationship, and I would suggest listening to what he has to say."
Quatre nodded. "And where do I find him?"
"You'll find him around the northern end of the encampment. Just ask around. That will be all."
Quatre's eyes hardened and he saluted. "Yes sir."
Washington returned the salute and got back to his papers.
"So Master Quatre." Rashid said as he saw Quatre emerge. "What are we to do?"
"Find Major Heero Yuy and the Gundam Dragoons. We're to have a working relationship with them. Get the Maganac Corps to follow me to the north end of the encampment."
"Yes Master Quatre." Rashid nodded.
Trowa wrapped his winter coat around him as best he could to keep warm. He looked on with masked pity at the troops he had passed on his way back to his winter cabin. Very poorly clothed troops were eating their ration of 'firecake' that abominable mixture of flour and water that gave barely any nutrition at all.
"We are in a bad way." Trowa said as he got back in the cabin he shared with Heero. "The army has barely any food."
"Have you seen the bloody footprints in the snow?" Heero asked, referring to the army's lack of shoes.
"No, but you're not the first one to mention them." He sat down. "What the hell are we gonna do? We're lucky; we have your father paying for all of our food and supplies. But he can't pay for the entire army."
"We're not gonna do a thing. This is General Washington and Congress's problem." He stated in monotone.
"Still, it does make you somewhat sad. I don't think we've ever been in this much trouble."
"Hn…"
Their talk was interrupted by a knock on the door. Company First Sergeant Wufei Chang poked his head into the officer's cabin. "Major, there's someone here to see you."
Heero had a puzzled look on his face and replied to send the visitor in.
Quatre emerged into the cabin.
"Hello, my name is Quatre Raberba Winner. I've been appointed a captain by General Washington and assigned to have a working relationship with the Gundam Dragoons."
Heero and Trowa glanced at one another with questioning eyes.
"Major Heero Yuy, that's my second in command, Captain Trowa Barton."
"Hello." He said with a smile and took a seat.
"Do you have your papers from General Washington?" Trowa asked.
"Sure, here they are." He said as he handed Trowa the written orders. "I've come here all the way from the Holy Land. I'm the Emir of that region."
"Why would an Ottoman prince come here to fight for liberty and the rights of man? Aren't you afraid your Sultan will have your head on his platter for such thoughts?" Heero asked skeptically.
Quatre's eyes glinted and he smiled. "This is the Age of Enlightenment, Major. It isn't limited to just the West. I am as dedicated to these ideals as you all are. That's why I came here. I brought my men, the Maganac Corps; it's an elite cavalry unit in the Ottoman military."
"Do you have any experience?" Heero continued to question.
Quatre's eyes hardened. "I fought right alongside my father in the last war with the Russians.(3)"
"During which you got your asses kicked." Trowa teased.
"Ease up, Trowa." Heero smirked. "I believe him. Quatre, we're glad to have you."
Heero and Trowa shook Quatre's hand.
"Trowa will show you around." Heero stated. "I have to look over the company supply quotas."
Trowa nodded and motioned for Quatre to follow him with his head. Quatre and Trowa emerged back into the cold. Trowa began the task of introducing Quatre to the company as well as getting to know the 50 men in his Maganac Corps.
Lieutenant Colonel Milliardo Peacecraft emerged into his quarters with his wife, Lucrezia. She had come up as many wives and relatives of army men had to help the army in what way she could. Milliardo was quite glad to see her, as it had been very long indeed.
"The conditions here are appalling!" She said as her husband helped her out of her coat. "Honestly, how are you guys surviving all of this!?"
"We're not." Treize answered her, emerging into the cabin with Anne, who had also come up to the encampment a couple of days prior. "Four more cases of dysentery have been reported in A company of first battalion." Treize stated as he sat down, pulling Anne into his lap.
"Honestly, doesn't General Washington see what's going on here?" Anne asked him.
"He's doing the best that he can." Treize answered his wife. "The supply line is quite short. Congress is basically out of money, we're really in a bad way here."
"The men's clothes are tattered, they're being frostbitten, they're getting disease. Honestly, I don't know how this army is going to stay together, Treize." Milliardo stated somberly, snaking an arm around his wife's shoulder.
"It stays together from the bottom up." He answered. "So we keep this regiment together. We allow General Washington to see what he can do. Understood?"
Milliardo nodded. "Of course."
"I missed hearing that commanding voice." Anne smiled seductively.
Treize kissed her on the side of her mouth and answered her seductive smile. "Anne, Lucrezia, would you kindly nurse our troops? Having the wives of their commanding officers tend to them may increase their morale. I'd like you to do that for us for the duration of your stay here, if that is ok with you."
"That's fine with me." Lucrezia answered. "I feel as though I've been sitting down and doing nothing in this war, especially with the way Relena's been running around."
Milliardo frowned upon hearing of his sister's antics. When he had heard she was in Philadelphia, he greatly feared for her safety.
"Good." Treize answered.
January 20th, 1778, Valley Forge
"I just can't believe it." Quatre stated as he sat beside Heero in the cold. The two were watching over their troops. "You are so devoted to your cause. It's just absolutely amazing how you guys have stayed together throughout all of this." Quatre complimented.
"We've been oppressed by the British for too long." Heero stated in monotone. "By the way, thanks for giving those extra supplies you brought to some of the infantry. We really didn't need them."
"Yeah…it helps when your father has enough money to finance your men doesn't it?" Quatre chuckled.
"Hn."
"Honestly though…these men have my undying respect." Quatre said as the two watched ragged men without shoes desperately trying to get to someplace warm in the distance. "It's almost as if I can feel their pain…" Quatre said with somber eyes. "I'm very glad to be here."
Soft footsteps approached the two in the snow. Neither paid attention.
"Heero."
Heero's eyes bolted up at the familiar voice.
"Relena…" He trailed in shock as she smiled down at him. "What…how did you…?"
"I have my ways." She beamed. "I couldn't help myself but come here; I wanted to see you so badly…"
"I think I'll go see if there's something I can do with Trowa." Quatre said more to himself than Heero or Relena.
"Relena…do you know how dangerous it was to come over here?!" Heero asked her as she took the spot where Quatre sat previously.
"I didn't care. There wasn't anything for me to do in Philadelphia anymore. I came here and I have no regrets."
She was such a strong woman. Heero smirked. "So what did you plan on doing here?"
Relena sighed. "I'd like to help out the army. I'll help alleviate the suffering I see here in what ways I can. My brother and Treize's wives have been nursing their troops."
"I assume you're staying with your brother."
"Yes, I helped out his troops for a few hours after I came here. I'd like to help you and your men out too."
Heero smiled at her. "Stick to the infantry, they really need the help. My father is seeing that my men are supplied. We're well fed and clothed. Most of the army, as you probably have seen by now, isn't."
"Many of my brother and Treize's men have scurvy and dysentery." She sighed. "Honestly, the lack of supplies here is appalling. The army has even more of my respect now. I'm honored to do what I can to help."
Heero merely looked and smiled at her resolve.
"And I also know…" She trailed with a smile.
Heero raised his eyebrows in question.
"That my Heero's birthday is tomorrow." She smiled even more. "You're going to be twenty tomorrow. I just have to plan something special for you!"
Heero scowled.
"What's the matter?"
"What's so special about a birthday anyway? All you do is come out of your mother's womb. We have a lot bigger things to worry about anyway."
"Which is a miraculous event!" She nearly squealed. "And you can't be so down all of the time Heero, a dreary attitude can lower morale."
"Since when do you know about morale?" Heero challenged with a smirk.
Relena's eyes glinted. "It really isn't that hard to figure out."
Heero smirked and chanced putting his arm around her shoulders. She did not mind and snuggled closer to him.
"Ok, we'll have your little birthday bash, but just for two. I can't allow my men to see me being a wimp."
Relena laughed. "Very well then, party for two it is."
February 2nd, 1778, Valley Forge
Treize was doing his routine inspection of his regiment's quarters. His men were growing worse everyday. A few more had died of dysentery over the past couple of days, and a few of his junior officers had just reported a incidents of pneumonia in their companies. Blankets were scarce, only increasing the diseases' death grip. Treize ordered the sick men to be isolated from the healthy ones to prevent the continued onset of the disease and watched as they painfully lay on the floor of their cabins coughing up blood.
Milliardo walked up to Treize.
"Have the diseased men been isolated?"
"Yes. I've even managed to snag them a few spare blankets."
"I hope this won't interfere from keeping the fit men healthy."
"So we're resorting to picking and choosing between lives now?" Milliardo asked as snow blew into his platinum hair.
"It isn't really unusual in conditions such as these." Treize answered as he looked on at his men, some of which did not even have shoes. "I'm going to take our reports to General Washington, you know the routine."
"Right, I'll keep things under control here while you go talk with him."
Treize nodded and walked off.
"Treize." Milliardo said as if he had just remembered something.
"What?" Treize turned his head back.
"Where's Relena? I haven't seen her since this morning when I went to do my round of checks."
"I think she's with Major Yuy."
"Again?" He angrily muttered under his breath.
Treize chuckled. "Leave her alone Milliardo."
He grunted as Treize walked off. Why was he so trusting of Yuy?
Heero entered his cabin after he had finished the routine checkup on the company and taken the documents to General Washington. He found that Relena was still there. She smiled at him, he responded with a smirk, directed at what she was doing.
"So you're cooking now?"
"Mhmm." She hummed. "I thought I'd make myself useful while you checked up on the dragoons. I even washed your extra clothes for you. Besides, it's a shame to not make use of all of the supplies your father keeps sending you."
Heero took a seat.
"It should be finished soon." Relena said. "Where's Trowa?"
Heero chuckled at her casual reference to his friend. The two had gotten along quite well.
"Out going over drill and tactics with Quatre. They're sort of theorizing how our units would work best together."
"I see…the two of them sure have gotten along haven't they?"
Heero chuckled. "That's a good thing. Trowa's been working with him, so that means I have more time to spend with you."
"Well, I'm glad you think of me so highly, Heero. And now, dinner is served."
Heero chuckled and helped himself to the food that she had made, which was actually better than he had expected.
"So, is my cooking at least somewhat agreeable?" She smiled as she sat beside him.
"More so than I anticipated." He replied.
"Good. I've been trying to learn to cook. All of my life I've been served by mine and my brother's slaves. In keeping with the times, I am trying to be independent with regards to my food-making. Plus, I've been living on my own now, so it was a necessity."
Heero couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"What exactly do you find so funny?" She asked, annoyed.
"The thought of you struggling to learn how to cook."
"It was rather challenging at first. But at least I'm making some progress."
"It's a hell of a lot better than I can do, plus, look at what most of the army is eating."
Relena's eyes suddenly turned sympathetic. "I wish there was some way I could help them. Eating the good food that your father keeps sending you makes me feel guilty."
"You always think about others before yourself don't you?"
"You aren't the first to have asked that. I don't know, I guess it sounds strange coming from a slave owner doesn't it? But I've had everything handed to me my entire life, it's time I start giving back, you know?"
"I do. I admire how you came all the way out here, and everything you've done for our independence. I think the world needs more people like you."
"Thank you Heero." She put her head on his shoulder and the two remained that way for a relaxing while.
February 10th, 1778, Valley Forge
General George Washington sat in his quarters writing his latest plea to the Continental Congress for more supplies. He looked out his window for a second and then continued to scribble on the parchment in front of him:
…unless some great and capital change suddenly takes place…this Army must inevitably…starve, dissolve, or disperse, in order to obtain subsistence in the best manner they can.
"Pleading to Congress again?"
Washington looked up to see Treize standing in the doorway.
"You know the routine." He sighed. "Do you have something for me, colonel?"
"Just the usual daily checkup you request." He handed his general the regimental logs.
"Anything of note?"
"A few more cases of pneumonia." Treize said.
Washington sighed.
"And many of my men are starving. It's only a matter of time before some of them begin to desert."
"I see… It is a tribute to your competence of command that none in your regiment have yet deserted. Please continue to try and make due."
"If I may say, the last supply of meat and bread came in two weeks ago. There will be desertions; or even a mutiny of this entire army if something isn't done soon."
"I trust you will keep your regiment in line."
"I am doing my best, sir."
"Yes…we all are. I'll be expecting your continued daily reports. That is all for now Colonel."
Treize saluted. "Sir."
After having his salute returned, Treize walked out.
February 23rd, 1778, Valley Forge
A man in a distinguished looking cape and tricorn hat arrived at the Continental Army's campsite in Valley Forge, papers in hand. He knocked on a door and was allowed entrance.
"General!" Washington said and rapidly got up to shake the man's hand. "Welcome to our encampment!"
The man showed Washington his introduction letter from Benjamin Franklin, introducing him as Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben(4), a former general within the Prussian military. The man spoke something in German that Washington did not understand.
"Get Colonel Khushrenada in here." Washington said to one of his aides. "He speaks German. Hurry!"
A few minutes later, Treize emerged into Washington's quarters.
"You called for me, sir?"
"Yes. Colonel, this is General Von Steuben, previously a member of the Prussian military. I am sure you've encountered him when you were over there."
Treize's face looked puzzled, but decided to see where this would go. "Yes…"
"He can't speak English, I can't speak German. But you I hear, can."
"I will translate for you, sir." Treize finished his commander's thought.
"Thank you. Please, have a seat."
Von Steuben said something to Treize, which he listened to and promptly translated for Washington.
"He says he'd be glad to outline a uniform drill manual that should be distributed to the army tomorrow." Treize said.
Washington was thoroughly intrigued by this. The Continental Army had no uniform code of drill, and the lack of it was one of the things that prevented it from evolving into a truly effective fighting force capable of going toe-to-toe with the British regulars. Such a discipline policy was desperately needed and had been ever since he had seen that gaggle of men when he became the Continental Army's commander in Cambridge.
"Can he really get this done in such a short amount of time?"
Treize translated the question.
"He says he can, sir."
Washington's face brightened. "Good, tell him to get on it immediately."
Treize translated the orders for Von Steuben.
"Before we leave, I'd like my men to be the first to work with this new drill." Treize said. "They are capable and I believe they will be the easiest to teach it to."
"I agree." Washington said. "With the way you've organized that regiment of yours, they should be the first. Your request is approved."
"Thank you sir." Treize saluted.
All three men saluted one another and parted for the day.
Heero and Trowa were sitting outside their cabin, looking out at Relena engaged in a nighttime discussion with Hilde, who had stayed after delivering the intelligence of White Marsh to them in December.
"I see Maxwell is making a fool out of himself again." Trowa chuckled as he watched Duo do a dance of sorts to get the attention of the girls.
"Hn."
"So, what's been going on with you and Relena?"
"Don't we have more important things to talk about?" Heero quickly tried to change the subject.
"Not at the moment." Trowa said stoically.
"Honestly, I don't know."
"You don't know?"
"As hard as that is to believe coming from my mouth, I don't."
Trowa chuckled again. "Well, you sure are spending a lot of time with her. It seems when you're not doing your duty to the company you're with her. Hell, I hardly see you anymore." He smirked.
Relena saw the two officers looking at her and gave Heero a smile and wave. Trowa saw the subtle response of Heero holding his breath for a split second. Heero wasn't the type to wave back, so he just smiled at her. Trowa stared at his friend in disbelief, although he didn't show it. That wasn't just an ordinary smile. Trowa could not quite believe it. After so many occasions where Heero had met so many girls, finally it was happening.
His friend was falling in love.
February 24th, 1778, Valley Forge
"C'mon you fucking pussies!" Yelled an officer in Treize's regiment who was translating Von Steuben's words. "Load those muskets in the proper way, and faster!" He yelled over Von Steuben's own German cursing.
Von Steuben once again took it upon himself to go through all of the steps of properly loading and holding a musket, as well as instructing how to do it in proper formation. If the men didn't do it properly, there would surely be more curses in German being uttered.
"Well, this is…unusual." Milliardo said to Treize, as the two were watching the exercise.
"What is?"
"That Von Steuben is working directly with the men."(5)
"Well, I think it's a good thing. All that cursing might just give them the proper immediate motivation." Treize said with a grin on his face.
"So, what kind of language is he using?" Milliardo asked with a big grin.
"The kind your mother would spank you for even if you were fifty."
Milliardo bellowed over with laugher. "I needed that."
"I do know one thing though, that man's no general."
Milliardo's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"
"I spent a good few years in Prussia, and among the military elite. Nowhere did I encounter a General Friedrich Von Stueben."
"So…he's a…fake?"
"Well, yes and no. He's obviously had considerable military experience. It's just…he lied about his rank. I'm sure good old Ben Franklin was in on the whole scheme too.(6) But I really don't care. Did you read this man's training manual that he wrote in under a day? This man might just be the one to turn our patriots into true soldiers."
"You might just be on to something there."
Treize watched his men continue to struggle with the muskets and the loud, disorienting voice of Von Steuben as well as the translator. "Let's just hope this turns out all right. We've still got major supply problems."
"So, am I needed here any longer?"
"Looking to get back to your wife?" Treize asked with a cocky grin, although he was not looking at his friend.
"Yeah."
"Very well. By the way, keep Anne calm for me for a bit. With all of this translating for Washington, combined with my usual duties, I haven't been spending too much time with her. I think she's getting angry.
"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned." He laughed.
"You'd be right."
March 15th, 1778, Valley Forge
"Well, I do hope it starts to get warmer soon." Quatre said to Trowa as the two sat outside in spare time.
"You've never been in cold weather like this have you?"
"Not for this long a period." Quatre laughed. "I won't lie though, I'm anxious to see some action. I want the campaigning season to begin."
"I've heard that before."
"Hey, Heero." The two said at once as he joined them.
"I've seen people clamoring for combat, and then they have their guts falling out and they're screaming for their mothers. Tales of heroism really don't mean a damn thing in the heat of battle." Heero said in monotone.
"I know. I just want to prove my worth."
"Well, it looks like things have been changing around here for the better." Trowa mused. "I hear the supply problems in the rest of the army aren't as bad now."
"Not as bad, but still not great Trowa." Heero said.
"I hear you. There are still quite a few men dying."
A comfortable silence ensued between the three of them, as they listened to the wind that seemed to signify that spring was approaching.
"So Heero, how are things going with Miss Relena?" Quatre asked.
Heero was a bit jarred at this question. He hadn't known Quatre for very long, and the question about this quite personal matter was not one he liked to discuss with anyone.
"Fine." He muttered.
"Mail call for you, Major." Wufei said as he walked up to the scene. "I believe it's a letter from your father."
Heero took the letter without saying anything, thankful for the interruption. He saw that Relena was outside of his cabin. His lips quirked up into a smirk- a habit he couldn't break when he saw her.
"Well, I was wondering where you were."
"I do have my duties, Relena."
"Oh, right. Sure." Her eyes twinkled.
"So, you were able to escape your brother?" He said sarcastically. "He's still rather unhappy about the amount of time you're spending with me."
"Hmph. He'll just have to live with it."
"I think the only reason he isn't trying to kill me is because he knows General Washington would cut his balls off."
Relena laughed. "So, is this the way you're talking to ladies now? Why Major, you ought to be ashamed."
Heero chuckled at her sarcasm and turned around after hearing shouts of attention.
"Speak of the devil." He muttered with a smile.
Relena's giggles stopped and she looked to see an incredibly tall, gallant-looking gentleman approaching. Heero stiffened and saluted.
"At ease, Major. Is everything good around here?"
"Fine, sir. Inspector General Von Steuben put us through quite a workout with his bayonet training."
"Good. We'll be needing it. I trust your company is keeping up with the new sanitation protocol General Von Steuben established?"
"We are, sir."
"Good. I'll leave you be now, I see you have company." He looked over at Relena, who gave the general a nervous smile. Washington nodded at her and left the two alone.
"Wow." Relena said as he walked off into the distance. "He's so tall! And gallant, and quite handsome for his age!"
Heero grumbled.
"Is Heero Yuy jealous?" She teased.
"No." Heero answered immediately as he opened his door, letting Relena in first. Heero opened up the letter and sat down.
"Who's that from?"
"My father."
"Oh?"
Heero began to read the letter.
Heero,
I trust the supplies I've been sending you have kept trickling in? It pains me to not be able to send a little help for the entire army after the malnutrition and disease you've described, but even I only have a finite amount to spend. I was glad to hear in your last update that things have been getting a little better, but I am glad not to have met that German drillmaster you describe, although I'm quite sure he's been of use getting the army into shape!
You'll find more supplies with this letter, I'm sure Wufei has already gotten the rationing underway as you read this.
By the way, I've been hearing through Trowa's correspondence that you've met a woman. In fact, he says you've taken quite a liking to her.
Heero's eyes bulged. What the hell was this?
Why haven't you told me about this? I'd like to be able to meet her someday. Anyway, if it is true, I am happy for you.
I tell you this in every letter, don't think I'm just endlessly repeating it because I mean it every time: I am proud of you.
Heero smirked. But what about Relena? After making a mental note to smack Trowa for divulging such personal information, the question arose. How did he really feel about her? He looked at her cooking for him. She was without question the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. But more than that, she was a woman whose mind he could appreciate, a trait that not many men found attractive. The thing that really drew Heero's attention though was her compassion. The sympathy that she showed his men and the real dregs of the army was wonderful in itself, but what really surprised him was the compassion that she showed to her slaves. Such compassion was completely unheard of, even in this supposedly enlightened age. And even though he was not entirely in agreement with Relena's feelings about slavery, the compassion she showed to the wretched of the earth showed what type of person she was.
"Uhh, Heero?"
He was snapped out of his thoughts to find Relena bending to look at his seated form. He quickly recovered and reverted to his usual slightly scowling expression.
"What?"
She giggled at his annoyance. "Dinner's done."
Heero silently took his cooked meal and began to eat. "What do you think of me Relena?" He suddenly blurted out.
She was startled by this question. "What…do you mean?"
"What do you think of me?"
"I won't lie. I always think about you Heero. Despite your gruff attitude, you really are a kind and caring man, you always stand up for your beliefs and you always tell it like it is. You're honest with me, no man that's ever pursued me has been honest with me."
"So I'm pursuing you now?"
"Well…"
Heero grabbed her chin and tilted her face upward toward his.
"Heero…?"
"I'm not afraid anymore."
Heero kissed her. Relena gave off a muffled moan in a few seconds. That was all the response that he needed. Heero glided his tongue over her teeth and when she opened he practically jammed it in. He could feel Relena's surprise and then her smile.
Relena panted for air after it was over while Heero merely took a few deep breaths.
"That was exciting." She smiled.
Heero chuckled. "I take it that was your first?"
She blushed. "Yes."
"Don't worry, I haven't had too many."
Relena giggled as Heero walked past her to his desk.
"Come here." He smirked.
Relena smiled as Heero engulfed her again and gave her a light kiss.
"My brother would kill me if he found out about this." She stated as their foreheads touched.
"Well, don't worry. Remember, General Washington would cut his balls off."
Relena bellowed over with laugher. "Still, I like where this is going, and I won't let my brother ruin it."
Heero just smirked and brushed a piece of her hair behind her ear and kissed her again.
May 6th, 1778, Valley Forge
"Well then gentlemen, there is only one thing we ought to say on this joyous occasion: VIVA LE FRANCE!" General George Washington shouted in joy.
Guns and huzzahs were heard all through the encampment of the Continental Army. The news of the Treaty of Alliance(7) with France more than lifted the spirits of the Americans. The entire army was preparing to parade in ceremonial fashion as a formal celebration, as well as a demonstration in their training in drill.
General Washington was so overjoyed at the news that he spared the men that were to be executed on this day.
Heero was preparing his company for the parade. They had the honor of being at the vanguard of the army. Quatre was preparing the Maganac Corps to finish the parade at the back of the army.
"HEERO!"
Heero turned away from Trowa to see Relena running toward him. Upon contact Heero lifted her off the ground and spun her in the air before giving her a light kiss on the lips.
"Hi Trowa." Relena said in a light-hearted voice.
Trowa took a hint and began to walk away, his green eyes signaling his mirth.
"I'll be back with you in a minute." Heero said, to which Trowa nodded.
"Heero! This is such wonderful news! And the army looks great! We'll kick the redcoats out of here within a year!"
Heero chuckled. He had never seen her this enthusiastic about something. "Slow down there, Relena. It will probably take longer than that."
"Why do you always have to put thorns on the proverbial rose?"
"Because I'm a realist." He said with a smirk. "Anyway." He said as he released his hold over her. "I've got to rejoin my company for the upcoming parade of the army." He said as he mounted Zero. "We're to be the lead."
"An honor, I'm sure." She smiled.
"Hn." His eyes glowed. "I'll see you later."
Relena waved to him as he sped away on Zero. She later watched Heero be the one to lead the company, the first in the entire army to salute General Washington during the celebratory parade. She didn't know what the future held, but it certainly looked bright. Both for the cause and for herself.
1. An Ottoman prince or leader.
2. By this time, Benjamin Franklin was the colonies' ambassador to France.
3. The Russo-Turkish War of 1768-74
4. Von Steuben was the one who molded the Continental Army into an effective fighting force and probably prevented its dissolution at Valley Forge. He served as Inspector General of the army.
5. Officers would normally instruct drill sergeants who would then go to work with the men.
6. He really rose no higher than the rank of captain. Franklin pretended he was a general, though Washington quickly found out otherwise. The forgery was ignored because of Von Steuben's effectiveness.
7. Frances' recognition of American independence. The victory at Saratoga in the autumn of 1777 convinced France to join the war on America's side. The treaty was signed in February.
A/N: You thought I'd leave Quatre out didn't you? Nope, I saved him for now because this is the time most of the foreigners who fought in the Continental Army joined up.