You Are Not Alone

by Hideki LaShae

After Endless Waltz, Relena seeks out Heero and the other Gundam pilots at Milliardo's request. Their new mission, if they accept it, will be as the new security team for the Peacecraft family.

7. Grace's Wish

Disclaimer: All Gundam Wing characters and references belong to their respective owners. The song You're Not Alone, which appears on the Escaflowne: The Movie soundtrack courtesy of Bandai, belongs to the artists and company that recorded it. It was used in this story with the best of intentions. Story elements © Hideki LaShae. No money was gained in the writing of this story.

Dedicated to the people who inspired me to put Quatre and Wufei together as a couple, and to everyone who has ever been in love like that, whether or not the one they love was the same or opposite sex as themselves.

You're Not Alone

Part One – Grace's Wish

By

Hideki LaShae

Two months after the death of the Sanc King, Milliardo Peacecraft, Queen Lucrezia Noin Peacecraft stepped down from the throne. On that day, she became a Princess. Heero Yuy and Relena Darlian Peacecraft Yuy became the new King and Queen of the Sanc Kingdom.

A little over two years later, Lucrezia Noin Peacecraft, better known simply as Noin, married her long-time love, Sally Po, and together they have been raising the three children of Noin and Milliardo who only came about with the help of Sally and artificial insemination techniques.

Last year, Duo Maxwell and Hilde Schbeiker Maxwell have given birth to their daughter, Hannah Maxwell.

Now, in After Colony Year 207, Quatre Raberba Winner and Chang Wufei are planning their wedding.

***

Relena Yuy sits alone in her office reviewing a few bills that Congress passed. She leans back as she hears a knock on her door. She pulls the ponytail holder from her shoulder-length blond hair. "Come in!"

The door opens, and a woman enters. "Good day, Queen Relena!"

Relena smiles. "Good day, Cecilia!"

The woman has gray eyes that are nearly hidden beneath her shoulder-length brown hair. She sits down in front of Relena's desk. "Now, what did you need, Relena?"

"Well, Cecilia, you are the manager of Gundam Wing, and you come by every so often to deliver the royalties to the guys," says Relena. Her blue eyes look hopefully at the singer who manages the band that her best friends and husband created a few years before. "What do you do with Trowa's royalties?"

"I'm not keeping it if that's what you think! He came to me several years ago and asked me to put everything into a safe in a bank in New York in gold!" exclaims Cecilia, "And that's just what I've done all these years! I've put his money in the safe like he wanted!"

"I never meant that you might be stealing it!" exclaims Relena.

"Oh… good. Those boys are really popular. We're still making new copies of their single, and after all this time, that says a lot!" says Cecilia, "You're Not Alone is on the charts as one of the top ten best love songs of all time!"

"I didn't ask you to come here for an update on the music, Cecilia," says Relena, "My reasons for asking you here are a lot more important!"

"What is it, Relena?" asks Cecilia quickly.

"I need to know if you can get a message to Trowa!"

"Well, sometimes I think that the pile of gold isn't as big as the last time I put money in," says Cecilia, "So he may be taking out small amounts, just what he needs."

"Please! We must get a message to him!" exclaims Relena, "This is really important, Cecilia!"

"I'll put a note in the safe," says Cecilia, "hopefully he'll get it!"

Relena passes a folded white piece of paper to Cecilia. "I have a note already wrote out for him!"

"Do you mind if I…?" Cecilia holds up the note inquisitively.

"Go ahead and read it, Cecilia." Relena smiles and adds, "Maybe… maybe if Trowa reads those words, he'll come back!"

Cecilia opens the note. She pulls her glasses from her shirt pocket and slides them on before reading the words out loud, "To Trowa Barton, bass player for the band Gundam Wing. Dear Trowa, I hope you remember all your friends in the Sanc Kingdom. We miss you very much. I hope you get this letter before it's too late. I would like to tell you some of the news from your friends before I get to the real reason I'm writing you. You know of Milliardo and Noin's twins, Reiya and Nariya. They also have a son, Zechs. Milliardo died at the same time Zechs was born. Heero and I now have two sons, Thomas who you've already met and Jeffrey. Duo and Hilde also have two children, Jason and Hannah. As for your daughter, Grace is growing up strong and beautiful. She misses you most of all. Now Quatre and Wufei are planning their wedding. They want you to come. Quatre has refused to get married unless you are there as his best man. Please, Trowa! Come home! You're not alone! It is with much hope that I send this letter off to you, Trowa, but with even more love. Please come home to us. Your good friend, Relena Darlian Yuy."

Relena sits in silence as Cecilia folds the paper up again. "That is why it is so urgent I get the letter to Trowa. Quatre and Wufei both want him present at the wedding, and even though they will still wed if he isn't there, it won't be the same. They don't feel their marriage will be official until ALL of their friends bless it! That's why I need Trowa to return!"

"Relena… if it is within my power at all to reach Trowa, I will give him your message," says Cecilia tucking the note into the front pocket of her royal blue T-shirt, "I don't know if he'll come, but somehow he'll get your message! I have an idea!"

Relena smiles and leans forward.

Cecilia smiles.

"Let's hear it!" exclaims Relena.

"Okay, his girl was named Ania, right? Ania Winner… the last test tube child of the Winner family," says Cecilia with a devilish glint in her gray eyes, "Maybe she is the key we need to find him. If you find the girl, the boy will follow!"

"But I know where Ania is," says Relena losing her smile, "She's not far from here… in the cemetery. She died. That's the reason why Trowa left. He couldn't stand the pain of losing her."

Cecilia removes her reading glasses and tucks them into her shirt pocket. She runs her right hand over her face, and her expression becomes deathly serious. "I know Ania is dead. So do you and Trowa, but most of the world does not. We send your message out across the globe and to the colonies. A message for Ania Winner! I believe when he heard there was a message for her, he would investigate and get your message!"

"Do you really think he would fall for a trick like that?" asks Relena. She runs her hand through her blond hair.

"I know he will," says Cecilia.

Relena shrugs her shoulders.

"Relena, just choose a reliable courier service. I always use After Colony Messengers myself. You give them the message, tell them to go universe wide in search for Ania and tell them to be indiscreet! Each of their courier stations will put out newspaper adds and not just the little ones you couldn't find if you were trying! If they don't get a response in a week, they start a few discreet TV ads since they're so much more pricey," says Cecilia, "It would be a big help, and I just know that he would be interested in a message to Ania or even more interested in a message from her. Think about it, Relena! I should go. I have a plane to catch. I'm going to New York to drop off this note!"

"I'll think about it, Cecilia. It sounds a bit cruel to me. I know I want to find him, but I don't want to make him relive the pain he's going through. Thank you for your help," says Relena standing up.

Cecilia stands up and shakes Relena's hand. She bows and passes her left hand in front of her face. "You don't need to thank me, my Queen. I have my own reasons for wanting Trowa back. I am the manager for a band called Gundam Wing, a band whose members include Duo the lead singer, Heero the lead guitarist, Quatre the keyboardist, Wufei the drummer, and Trowa the bass guitarist."

"But you're not a paid manager!" exclaims Relena.

"I know, but it's not about money. It's about ability. I want to turn a local band into a galactic favorite! Their single You're Not Alone did that for them," says Cecilia biting her lower lip insecurely, "but I want to prove to everyone and myself that I can keep them on the top of the charts! It's selfish I know, but I want to make Gundam Wing music superstars! I need Trowa for that!"

"Help me find him, Cecilia," says Relena smiling warmly, "I know my reasons may seem more nobler than yours, but I'm being selfish too! I want him back because I miss him and Ania! We're both being selfish!"

"But if we can help Grace get her father back, it will be worth it," says Cecilia, "Good-bye for now, Relena."

"For now, Cecilia."

Cecilia turns and heads out of the office.

Relena sits back down at her desk. She lifts the bills again and starts to read them. She drops the bills back onto her desk and lifts the phone receiver. She dials information. "Yes, would you please connect me to the After Colony Messenger Service?"

After Colony Messengers! exclaims the receptionist, How can we help you today?

"I have a message I would like delivered," says Relena, "However I'll need you to do a universe wide search."

We can certainly do that! If the person you want to find exists, we'll find them! exclaims the receptionist, If you want to give me your address, I'll have one of your couriers come down to pick up the message and get all the information. Or if you prefer, you could come down to our offices.

"I would prefer you send a courier to Peacecraft Manor," says Relena, "I'll have all the information ready. My name is Relena Yuy."

Queen Relena? Yes, Your Majesty! The courier is on his way! exclaims the receptionist.

"Thank you," says Relena smiling to herself. She hangs up the phone. She shakes her head. "It might not hurt to try Cecilia's suggestion!"

Relena writes out another note trying to make it exactly like the one Cecilia took. Below her signature she writes down the time and date of Quatre and Wufei's wedding. Then she sits back and continues going through the stack of bills that passed through Congress. She reads the bills for a good forty-five minutes, and she signs the ones that she believes will truly work the way they were written. She vetos one or two to be sent back to Congress for rewording and then revoting.

The door to the office opens, and the elderly Pagan slowly walks in. "I'm sorry to disturb you, Miss Relena, but there is someone here for you from After Colony Messenger Service."

"Thank you, Pagan. Are you all right, old friend?" asks Relena smiling at him.

"There is no cure for old age, Miss Relena," says Pagan, "I'll send him in."

"Take the rest of the day off, Pagan," says Relena as Pagan slowly walks back out into the hall, "You have been guiding Tori on all your duties. He can cover for you for the rest of the day."

A teenaged boy in a courier's uniform walks into the office. He bows. "Your Majesty."

"Now there is no need for that!" exclaims Relena standing up.

"Okay! We have some information to fill out!" exclaims the courier pulling a clipboard from his backpack. He passes the form to Relena. "I need you to fill out the top box."

Relena lifts her stylized pen and fills in her name, address and phone number. "Alright, that's done."

The courier takes the clipboard back. He lifts his own pen and prepares to write. "I was told you wanted a universe wide search. Correct?"

"Yes… I'm not sure where my friend disappeared to," says Relena.

"Alright. Who are we looking for?" asks the courier.

"Ania Winner… or Trowa Barton," says Relena. She pulls an envelope from her desk and writes the two names on it. Then she slips the message into it. "And I would like you to be indiscreet. I need to contact my friend as soon as possible!"

"Yes, ma'am, we will do everything in our power to try to locate Ania and Trowa for you," says the courier.

"And if any of the courier stations are broken into, I want to know about it immediately!" exclaims Relena.

"Yes, ma'am," says the courier making a note of that in the special box on the bottom of the form. He passes the clipboard back to Relena. "Please sign by the X."

'Relena Peacecraft Yuy,' signs Relena.

"Now, it's twenty dollars to start," says the courier, "And the receptionist will contact you with updates and statements."

"And to get more money," says Relena smiling. She pulls out her checkbook and writes out a check. She passes the check and the envelope to the courier.

"All right. I think that's all I need unless there's something else," says the courier.

"No," says Relena, "That is all for now. Thank you!"

"We'll have this message sent out to the colonies and the rest of the world as soon as possible, ma'am," says the courier tucking everything into his backpack. "I'll be off now."

Relena returns to her work as the courier leaves.

***

Quatre Raberba Winner, the former pilot of the Gundam Sandrock, kneels amongst the flowers in the garden, plucking weeds and pruning. A strand of his blond hair falls down into his blue eyes. He pushes his hair away from his face, smudging dirt on his forehead and into his hair.

An eight-year-old girl with chin-length blond hair and brown eyes comes running along the garden path. She sees Quatre and comes to a halt. "Quatre! Could I use your pruning shears to cut a rose?"

"Is it for your mother?" asks Quatre.

"No! It's for our game!" exclaims the girl, Nariya Peacecraft, the youngest daughter of Lucrezia Noin Peacecraft and the late Milliardo Peacecraft.

"Game? What game requires a rose?" asks Quatre standing up.

"We're all playing After Colony Wars!" exclaims Nariya, "I'm Relena Darlian, and I need a rose! A red one!"

"All right, Nariya! I'll get you a rose," says Quatre smiling. He takes his pruning shears and leads the way towards the rose bushes. "So who all is playing this game?"

"Everyone!" exclaims Nariya smiling.

Quatre stops in front of the rose bush and turns towards Nariya sadly. "Everyone? But you didn't invite me!"

"It's just us kids, Quatre! We didn't think you would want to play!" exclaims Nariya, "But I'm sure if you want to play, we would all let you!"

"Thank you, Nariya. I'll at least stop in and take a look," says Quatre. He clips off a bright red rose and quickly de-thorns it before passing it to Nariya. "Now let's go play!"

"We're playing out on the front lawn!" exclaims Nariya, "Everyone was just running off to get the costumes!" She grabs Quatre's hand and pulls him at a run towards the front of the house.

Quatre runs along with Nariya. He stops in his tracks when he sees an all too familiar image. "Trowa?"

Six-year-old Grace Barton turns towards Quatre. Her blond hair is pulled forward and gelled into place so that it covers her blue eyes. She smiles. "Uncle Quatre!"

Quatre stares at Grace in shock.

"Uncle Quatre, is something wrong?" asks Grace, "You look funny!"

Quatre tosses the pruning shears onto the porch. He runs to Grace and pulls her into his arms. "I'm fine, Grace. You just shook me up for a bit. I almost thought you were your father!"

"That's because I am, silly!" exclaims Grace, "We're playing, and I'm Trowa!"

"You certainly are, Grace!" exclaims Quatre still holding her tightly in his arms.

"Quatre? Can we have Trowa back?" asks a seven-year-old boy with unruly dark brown hair and blue eyes. He is Thomas Yuy. He wears a black tank top and green shorts.

"Yes, of course, Thomas," says Quatre releasing Grace. He looks at her jeans and black turtleneck.

"I'm not Thomas! I'm Heero!" exclaims Thomas.

Quatre chuckles, "Your clothes are backwards. It's green on top and black on the bottom."

Thomas scowls at him, "Well, I don't have any black shorts!"

Nariya wears a long red skirt with a white dress shirt. She tucks the rose into her shirt pocket. "Where are the others?"

"Still getting ready," says Thomas.

Two five-year-old boys, both with blond hair and blue eyes, walk out the front door together.

The boy with the unruly hair wears a dress shirt and a vest with brown pants. He is Jeffrey Yuy. "Hi, Quatre! Do I look like you?"

"Are you supposed to be me, Jeffrey?" asks Quatre.

"Yes! I'm Quatre Raberba Winner!" exclaims Jeffrey smiling.

"And I'm Zechs Merquis!" exclaims the other blond haired boy adjusting a paper mask on his face. He wears a pair of shorts and a white T-shirt. His name is Zechs Merquis Peacecraft, the son of the first Zechs whose real name was Milliardo Peacecraft.

"And who else would you be?" asks Quatre chuckling, "You already have the perfect name for the part!"

A six-year-old boy with short chestnut brown hair comes running out of the house. He wears an old OZ jacket that is way too big on him. It almost gives him the appearance as if he's wearing a dress. He is the son of Hilde and Duo Maxwell and Thomas's best friend, Jason Maxwell. "I am Trieze Kushrenada, leader of OZ!"

Grace bursts out laughing. "Jason's in a dress!"

"This must be what they mean by dress uniform!" exclaims Jason.

Quatre bursts out laughing. "It looks like we're just missing Reiya."

"You mean Lucrezia Noin!" exclaims Reiya coming out of the house. She is the older twin of Nariya with short mid-night black hair and blue eyes. She wears a cap with an OZ pin on it, and she also wears a pair of tight black shorts and a white T-shirt. She's the eldest of all the children at eight years, but she's only older than Nariya by five minutes.

"Well, we have Heero Yuy, Quatre Winner, and Trowa Barton, three of the five Gundam pilots," says Quatre looking around at the children, "We also have three members of OZ, Trieze Kushrenada, Zechs Merquis, and Lucrezia Noin. Plus we have the pacifist leader, Relena Darlian. So who could I be?"

"You could be Wufei or Duo!" exclaims Jeffrey.

"Yeah! All you need is a goofy braid, and you could be daddy!" exclaims Jason.

"Jason! You're father's braid is not goofy!" exclaims Quatre, "I know you look up to Heero, but Duo was also a Gundam pilot! He could have done everything Heero could!"

"But he didn't! He's a joke!" exclaims Jason, "Now let's play!"

"I'm just going to sit and watch for a bit," says Quatre moving to sit on the front steps, "If you need any other players, then I'll join."

The seven children hurry to start their game.

***

The strings of the cello squeal, snapping Duo Maxwell out of his reverie. He looks at the cello he sits playing. His chestnut brown braid extends all the way down his back to his waist. He drops the bow and moves away from the cello. His blue eyes stare off into thin air. Years before, he had been the pilot of the Gundam Deathscythe, but his Gundam had been destroyed. Then he moved in with Hilde and started a junkyard business in the colonies, but now that too is being destroyed.

"Is something wrong, Duo?" The Prussian blue eyes stare at Duo, and the unruly dark brown hair goes off in all different directions. This man, Heero Yuy, had once piloted the Gundam Wing Zero. He stands in the doorway to the music room.

"Hey, buddy," says Duo.

"What's wrong?" asks Heero walking into the room and closing the door behind him.

"I was just thinking, Heero! Jason… my son… adores you. He wishes you were his father, and he was brothers with Thomas," says Duo, "He's my son!"

"Jason listens to the war stories that Thomas tells him," says Heero sitting down beside the keyboard, "Do you tell Jason many of your own war stories?"

"Hilde doesn't want me to," says Duo sitting down and facing Heero. He sighs. "You have quite a fan club, Heero. Jason and Thomas."

Heero chuckles. He plays a few notes on the keyboard. "Speaking of fan clubs, Thomas has one of his own."

Duo's eyes widen. "What?"

"I found he had company when I went to wake him this morning. Grace had crawled into his bed again," says Heero, "She does that every so often when she has a scary dream. She feels safer once she crawls into his bed with him. If she has a bad nightmare though, she goes running into Quatre and Wufei's room!"

"Grace crawls into bed with Thomas?" asks Duo forgetting all about his troubles.

Heero nods his head. "She's done it since she was two when we took the safety rail off her bed. I don't know if they realize she's doing it. I think she may walk in her sleep."

"Grace crawls into bed with Thomas?"

"That's what I said," says Heero with a smile.

"Grace crawls into bed with Thomas?" asks Duo again, "How do you plan to stop that? You don't want her to be crawling into his bed at night when those two are teenagers!"

"Teenagers?" Heero's face goes white.

"Yes. You know how teenage boys think," says Duo setting his hand on Heero's shoulder, "You were one once! I know there was a war going on, but still… I think I know what you'd do if a girl ever crawled in your bed!"

"Sorry, Duo," says Heero chuckling, "But I don't think about that nearly as much as you do!"

Duo chuckles. "You're only kidding yourself, buddy! If Relena had climbed in bed with you way back then, you would have been all over her! Trust me, buddy! You would have been on top of her before she could get all the way in bed and inside her a few seconds later!"

"You're half right, Duo! I would have been on top of her as soon as she got in bed… with a gun to her head! She knew my secret," says Heero, "I was supposed to kill her."

"But you didn't, why not?"

"I… I couldn't… I would never have admitted it then, Duo, but I liked her," says Heero smiling, "I liked her. From the moment I first saw her I was attracted to her a little. I went to St. Gabriel's to kill her. I got to know her a little. Then we danced… I liked her… I saved her life… I liked her. She couldn't die. And somewhere in between then and when she almost married Jesse, I fell deeply in love with her."

Duo smiles. "Yeah, buddy! I know!"

"Hey! How'd we get to me! We're talking about Thomas and Grace!" exclaims Heero glaring at Duo.

"Okay, buddy!" exclaims Duo, "You've got to put a stop to them sleeping together! If you let it continue, next thing you know, Thomas will be stealing more than just a kiss from Grace."

"You do have a point for once, Duo!" exclaims Heero.

"For once?"

"Grace needs to stop sleeping in Thomas's bedroom! When he starts to go through puberty, he might try something. Especially if he gets any ideas from you!" exclaims Heero.

"Hey!" exclaims Duo moving back away from Heero. He stands up, and he chuckles.

"He won't need any help from you," says Heero laughing. He stands up. "And Grace… she'll be tempted too."

"Right!" exclaims Duo.

"Duo, buddy. What should I do?"

"Yeah! Ask the God of Death about love!" exclaims Duo laughing, "Matters of the heart are very confusing!"

"All I can think of is locking her into her room since Grace is the one who keeps leaving her bed," says Heero, "but then she couldn't get to Quatre if she needed him. And if I locked Thomas in, he couldn't get to Relena and I if he needed us!"

"Tough decisions, Heero, but it isn't for you to decide alone," says Duo. He claps his friend on the back. "Relena and Quatre have to help you decide. They're your children!"

***

Chang Wufei sits beneath a large tree. He was once a Gundam pilot, and the Shenlong Gundam held the spirit and the name of his beloved Nataku. He called his Gundam Nataku to honor the woman he loved so long ago. His black hair is slicked back and tied at the base of his neck in the hairstyle he has worn for years. His dark slanted eyes hide behind a set of wide-rimmed glasses. He holds a book in his hands, and he tries to concentrate on reading it.

"There you are, Wufei!" exclaims Dr. Sally Po walking up to him. Her shoulder-length brown hair is braided on both sides of her head. "May I sit down?"

"Do as you wish," says Wufei.

Sally sits down beside Wufei. "What are you doing?"

Wufei closes his book and drops it into Sally's lap. He leans back up against the tree trunk with his hands behind his head.

"Aristotle? You're reading the philosophies of Aristotle!" exclaims Sally opening the book and flipping through the pages. She recognizes only a few words.

"Not really. I can't get into it," says Wufei closing his eyes, "It's in Latin."

"Wufei, you can read Latin?" asks Sally. She stares at Wufei in shock.

"You are surprised?" asks Wufei.

"Well, yes. I never knew you could read Latin," says Sally leaning up against the tree, "I always thought you'd be more apt to be out here practicing martial arts than reading Latin."

"So you thought I was a dumb jock," says Wufei.

"That is not what I said and that is certainly not what I meant, Wufei!" exclaims Sally.

"Forget it, Sally!" exclaims Wufei, "What are you doing out here?"

"I just wanted to talk to you about your wedding plans. I was curious how they were coming along."

"Just fine," says Wufei, "The flowers will be coming from the greenhouse. The food's coming from the kitchens. Everyone's helping out. It won't be as spectacular as Heero and Relena's wedding or even your wedding to Noin. But I will finally be marrying Quatre! I couldn't be happier about it all."

"That's great to hear," says Sally smiling. She leans against Wufei and closes her eyes.

"Sally? Are you alright?" asks Wufei lowering his arms. His right arm moves around Sally's back.

"I'm sorry, Wufei. I'm just so tired," whispers Sally yawning, "Would you read to me for a little while?"

Wufei takes the book from Sally's lap and opens it one handed. He begins to read the Latin words out loud as Sally falls asleep with his arm wrapped around her.

***

Lucrezia Noin Peacecraft types furiously at her computer. Her short midnight black hair is cut boyishly, and her brown eyes stare mindlessly at the screen. She hears the children playing outside her window, and she turns to look out onto the front lawn.

"Hey, Noin!" Hilde Schbeiker Maxwell stands in the office doorway holding her young daughter, Hannah. Her blue eyes look slightly sad even though she wears a smile. Her short black hair is un-normally untidy.

"The children look like they're having fun, Hilde," says Noin.

Hilde walks forward to look out the window. She nods her head.

"They really love each other," says Noin turning back to her computer, "Is something wrong?"

"I was just about to ask you that, Noin," says Hilde, "You've been on that computer for days! Zechs is getting concerned."

Noin hangs her head and sighs. "I can't find him."

"Find who?"

"Trowa."

"Trowa?" asks Hilde.

"Yes. Relena insists he be at Quatre and Wufei's wedding if we can find him!" exclaims Noin, "She has me searching on the computer, and she was going to ask Cecilia for help! Plus I think she may even have called a few friends in the police. She intended to call Nikki Moulzolf of Scotland Yard! Among others."

"You're looking for Trowa?" asks Hilde, "Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Afraid not. I've checked over everything I could think of. I haven't found a trace of him!" exclaims Noin, "I can't find him!" She slams her fist down on her keyboard.

"Um… Noin…"

Noin turns around quickly to see Hilde's pale face. "Hilde! What's wrong?"

"What if you can't find him because he's not there?" whispers Hilde turning away from the window. She slowly sits down in a chair.

"What do you mean?"

"He could have killed himself! He was so distraught after Ania died! He could have ran off, not intending suicide but doing it later anyway!" exclaims Hilde turning even whiter from her fear of this new possibility, "We wouldn't be able to find him because he'd be dead!"

"Don't say that! Don't even think it! His love for Ania and Grace is stronger than that! Trowa is alive!" exclaims Noin, "And I'm going to find him!" She continues typing on her computer, but she glances over at Hide to make sure she's all right. "Take Hannah for her nap, Hilde. Then you can come back and help me!"

Hilde nods, but she doesn't move for several minutes as the color returns to her.

***

A man slowly gets out of bed. His brown hair is as disheveled as the loose jeans and tank top he'd worn to bed. His green eyes are tired and puffy from crying. Tears still slip down his cheeks, which haven't been shaved in weeks. His shoulders sag unnaturally as he walks into the bathroom. He looks into the broken mirror. Instead of his own face, he sees a beautiful woman with pure blue eyes and long blond hair. "Ania…"

This man, ragged and torn as he is, used to be a Gundam pilot. He is the one named Trowa Barton, but not even Heavyarms, had it not been destroyed, could fight against the sorrow that eats away at this young man.

Trowa runs his hands through his hair to pull out a few of the larger tangles. Then he heads out of the bathroom and leaves his mostly vacant apartment. He walks out of the building onto a crowded street, and he slowly moves through the crowd until he reaches a small grocery store.

"Good afternoon, Solo Maxwell," says the elderly man at the counter, "You're later than usual today. Are you well?"

"I'm not sick," says Trowa sadly.

"What's wrong, Solo?" asks the old man. He lifts a banana and holds it out.

"I'm alone." Trowa takes the banana and reaches into his pocket. All he pulls out is a quarter and a few pennies.

"Don't worry about it this time, Solo! You can pay me later," says the old man smiling warmly, "Now what do you mean you're alone? What about your woman, Ania? Where is she?"

"Dead… these past six years," whispers Trowa quietly.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Solo," says the old man, "I heard you talk of her in your sleep one night when you fell asleep sweeping the back room. I didn't know she was dead. How did it happen?"

"Cancer," says Trowa. He peels the banana and quickly eats it.

"Oh, I'm sorry. But have you no other family, Solo?" asks the old man.

"None that would accept me back after what I've done," says Trowa.

"What have you done?"

"I left." Trowa walks around the counter and grabs the broom.

"Is that all?" asks the old man chuckling.

"That's enough," whispers Trowa walking into the back room.

"You can always go home, Solo Maxwell! Always!" exclaims the old man into the back room.

***

"I need salvation! I need your help!" The woman's voice echoes all around her.

A single light spotlights her, and she runs forward. She climbs into the cockpit of the large mobile suit and turns on the computer. "The Gundam pilots all think the same! They can hide easily from the world and each other! I wasn't trained to think like a Gundam pilot! I was trained to become each of the Gundam pilots! I was trained to be able to find the unseen!"

The woman focuses her mind and flips a few switches on the control panel. "I need your help, my friend! I must find the wanderer! I MUST FIND TROWA BARTON!"

The computer whirs as several symbols appear on the screen and start scrolling up.

The woman reads the symbols as if they were merely words in a foreign language. She allows her mind to drift away, and she would swear that she actually became Trowa. The heart-wrenching pain she feels when she thinks of the name, Ania, only helps to aid her in her delusion that she is Trowa. Then a thought hits her, and she understands.

The computer spits out another series of symbols, and the woman reads them. "Yes! Yes! I understand! I understand! Thank you, my friend! I know now what I must do!"

The woman turns the computer off and climbs out of her suit into the pitch darkness. She runs away, leaving her mobile suit hidden and secure. She hurries to a large hotel and enters a spacious suite. She runs into her bedroom and throws open her empty suitcase. She pulls the lining back to reveal a secret compartment. She pulls out the clothes within and quickly sheds her attire.

The woman pulls on her hip-hugger, black denim Capri pants. She drops her white bra onto her bed and pulls on a blood red vest. She laces the front up tightly so it conforms to her body and holds her breasts firmly in place. Next the woman slips on a black leather jacket. She falls down onto her bed.

The woman pulls a black pair of Mary Janes onto her feet. She heads into the bathroom quickly and runs her hairbrush through her brown hair. She parts her hair awkwardly in the back and braids the strip of hair that falls naturally down the center of her head.

The woman walks back into her bedroom. She piles all her loose hair onto the top of her head, and she slips a black baseball cap over top of it. The only hair visible beneath her cap is the braid. She grabs a set of wide-rimmed black sunglasses with dark lenses, and she puts them on.

The woman slips quietly out of her hotel room after calling the front desk to make sure that her room would not be disturbed and to ensure when she returned it would still be her room. She zips up her leather jacket to hide her red laced-up vest. She hurries from the hotel and goes to her selected hiding place to wait.

The woman waits and waits and waits, and she prays that her idea will work. She waits for what feels like forever.

A man walks in front of the woman's hiding place, and she recognizes him at once. Although he looks very much like a beggar in his worn out clothes, beard, and messy hair, this man could only be Trowa Barton.

Trowa walks up to his safe and punches in the code. He pulls the door open and stares inside. He puts some of the gold into his jacket pockets, and he pulls out the note addressed to him. He tucks the note in his pocket and closes the safe. As he walks away, the note slips out of his pocket.

The woman hurries from her hiding spot. She grabs the note from the floor and quickly follows Trowa out of the bank.

A large crowd gets in between Trowa and the woman, and by the time she gets through the crowd, Trowa has disappeared.

The woman returns to her mobile suit in frustration. She enters the cockpit and turns the computer on. "I have a few leads to check out. I know where he must live, and now I know what he looks like. I can find him now! My friend, I need you to monitor a messenger service for me, just in case!"

***

Grace opens the door quietly and slips into the room. She closes the door, and she walks up beside Thomas's bed. She slips into the bed beside Thomas and closes her eyes.

"Grace?" whispers Thomas.

"Yes, Thomas," whispers Grace.

"Did you have another dream about your dad?" asks Thomas opening his eyes.

Grace opens her eyes and looks at Thomas. "Yes. Relena and Uncle Quatre were both holding my hands. I was struggling against them. Daddy was walking away from me. He was just walking away!"

"It's okay, Grace. It was just a dream. He'd never leave you twice! Don't worry. I'll protect you!" exclaims Thomas pulling the blanket up around Grace, "I'll protect you! Now, go to sleep, Angel."

"Thank you, Thomas," whispers Grace sliding closer to him. She closes her eyes and falls asleep.

Thomas smiles and returns to sleep.

***

Trowa heads to his job at the old man's grocery store.

"Solo! I'm glad you're here! Could you clean out the hamster's cage for me? I put a fresh newspaper beside the cage," says the old man.

"Sure," says Trowa. He heads up the stairs to the old man's home. He gently removes the hamster from his cage and places him in a small plastic ball to roll around on the floor. He cleans out the old newspaper and opens the new one.

Trowa looks at an ad in the bottom right hand quarter. He reads it quietly, "Attention, Miss Ania Winner, Mr. Trowa Barton, there is an urgent message for you being held at After Colony Messenger Service! You can come by any one of our many locations to receive your message. Miss Ania Winner! Mr. Trowa Barton! This is urgent!"

Trowa folds up the newspaper. He finishes cleaning the cage and puts the new paper in the bottom. Then he looks around for the hamster ball. He finds the hamster in a corner and he lifts the ball. He puts the furry creature back into the cage and gives him a sunflower seed. Then he heads back downstairs. "I have something I need to do."

"Well, alright, Solo," says the old man, "Come back when you can."

Trowa nods and he hurries out of the store. He runs down the street knowing that he could only get to the messenger station in time to watch them close their doors, and that would only be if he was in a car. He doesn't care when he gets there. Store hours are for other people, not him, not today.

Trowa runs until he reaches the building that houses the messenger service. He looks in the now empty building as he slips around to the back. He spots a window that's open a crack, and he pushes it the rest of the way up. He pulls himself through the window.

Trowa opens a file cabinet marked 'W' and starts looking for a file on 'Winner, Ania.' He sees the file and pulls it out. He opens the folder and looks at the papers inside. He reads the note that Relena send out for him. "Quatre and Wufei are getting married."

Trowa puts the file back and leaves the messenger service the way he came in. He walks slowly back to his apartment and enters. He sees a black leather jacket on the one chair in the place.

"You are not an easy man to find, Trowa Barton," says the woman standing beside the chair with her right arm hidden from sight.

"Who are you?" asks Trowa looking at the woman's red lace-up vest and black Capri pants.

"Call me J, okay, Trowa? Or are you calling yourself Solo Maxwell now?" replies the woman.

"What are you doing here and how did you find me?" asks Trowa angrily.

The woman, J, pulls a note from her left pant's pocket. She holds it out towards Trowa. "You dropped this. I came to return it to you. As for how I found you, that wasn't easy, but I could have done it at any time. That old man really likes having you around. I almost didn't make it here before you did. The reason I didn't find you sooner was because you needed time to realize what you've let happen."

"And what's that?"

"You've let your daughter grow up without a father!"

"What do you know? You don't know what I've been through, and you don't know me, J!" exclaims Trowa. He rips the note from J's hand. "Now get out!"

"You haven't even read it yet," says J fiercely.

Trowa unfolds the note and reads it aloud, "To Trowa Barton, bass player for the band Gundam Wing. Dear Trowa, this is Relena. I hope you remember all your friends in the Sanc Kingdom. We miss you very much. I hope you get this letter before it's too late. I would like to tell you some of the news from your friends before I get to the real reason I'm writing you. You know of Milliardo and Noin's twins, Reiya and Nariya. They also have a son, Zechs. Milliardo died at the same time Zechs was born. Heero and I now have two sons, Thomas who you've already met and Jeffrey. Duo and Hilde also have two children, Jason and Hannah. As for your daughter, Grace is growing up strong and beautiful. She misses you most of all. Now Quatre and Wufei are planning their wedding. They want you to come. Quatre has refused to get married unless you are there as his best man. Please, Trowa! Come home! You're not alone! It is with much hope that I send this letter off to you, Trowa, but with even more love. Please come home to us. Your good friend, Relena Darlian Yuy."

"Will you return to the Sanc Kingdom to watch your friends marry?" asks J leaning on the chair.

"I don't belong there anymore. I can't go back," says Trowa firmly.

J draws a gun up from beneath her leather jacket, and she aims it at Trowa's heart. "Well, then, I guess I'll have to take your dead body back to them! I can face their tears over your death, but I can't stand to watch them cry because you're too stubborn to go back! Quatre needs you to be there when he gets married! Dead or alive doesn't matter to me, Trowa!"

"I can't go back. I don't know the way home anymore!" exclaims Trowa.

"I can take you back! I can show you the way!" exclaims J tucking her gun into the back of her pants, "Life in the Bronx must have made you soft, Trowa!"

"I'll go back with you. I owe them all that much I suppose," says Trowa turning his emerald green eyes away, "but I can't stay."

"I never said you had to stay!" exclaims J. She lifts her leather jacket and puts it on. "Let's go, Trowa! You're not flying solo now! Our flight to the Sanc Kingdom will be leaving soon! I hope you don't mind, but I've arranged for you to have a bodyguard until the wedding. He'll make sure that nothing happens to you before you can appear at Quatre's side when he needs you the most!"

Trowa nods. "Who do you think might go after me?"

"Hey! With Gundam pilots… you never know!" exclaims J, "Now let's go!"

Trowa gets his bag in which all his belongs still rest, and he walks out of his apartment.

J leads Trowa out to an awaiting car. "Just don't run away from me, okay?"

The driver chuckles as the two people climb in the back. He drives the car to the airport where he helps J lead Trowa into a private plane.

The plane takes off as J puts her gun into a safe with a complex locking system. She tosses a book to Trowa and closes the safe door.

"What's this?" asks Trowa.

"That's your family! And your home, Trowa!" exclaims J.

Trowa sits down and opens the book, a photo album. The first picture is the one he left for Grace, of him and Ania. He touches Ania's face. He slowly and reluctantly turns the page.

"Baby Grace with Quatre!" exclaims J.

Trowa looks at the rest of the pictures… Relena and Heero with their two sons, Duo and Hilde with their son and baby girl, Milliardo and Noin with their newborn twins, Noin and Sally with the twins and their son, Quatre and Wufei with a six-year-old Grace. He stops when he sees the picture of Grace, and he stares at it. "Is this Grace… with Quatre and Wufei?"

J sits down beside Trowa and looks at the picture. She nods and smiles. "She's growing up fast."

"Grace…"

"She has the grace of an angel," whispers J quietly.

"She's… she's… she's so… beautiful," whispers Trowa staring at the picture.

"Keep that. It's yours now," says J, "I'm going into the cockpit." She stands up and walks into the cockpit.

Trowa moves over to his bag. He pulls out a personal CD player and puts the headphones on. He presses 'play' and listens to the Gundam Wing smash hit You're Not Alone while he stares at the picture of Grace.

***

"Quatre? Wufei?" asks Relena knocking gently on their bedroom door.

Quatre opens the door while tying his bathrobe closed. "What is it, Relena?"

"I'm very sorry to interrupt you two so late at night," says Relena seeing Wufei covered up in the bed, "but I have something really important to tell you both."

"Come on in, Relena!" exclaims Wufei, "We've gotten used to the fact that…our sleep…might get interrupted!"

Quatre walks back over to the bed as Wufei sits up. He sits down beside his lover.

Wufei wraps his arms around Quatre.

Relena smiles as she walks into the room. "I have reason to believe that Trowa will be here for your wedding!"

"What? Trowa?" asks Quatre in shock.

"How does he even know we're getting married?" asks Wufei.

"I sent out an ad through a messenger service, and one of their stations was broken into," says Relena, "And they believe that my file was the one that was looked at."

"Do you really think Trowa will be here for our wedding?" asks Quatre looking at Wufei happily.

Wufei smiles. "I hope so, Quatre!"

Relena smiles happily. "I'll leave you two alone now!"

"Relena?" asks Wufei as she turns to go.

Relena looks over her shoulder at Wufei. "Yes, Wufei."

"Thank you, Relena, for everything you've done for us!" exclaims Wufei.

Relena nods. Then she leaves and closes the bedroom door tightly.

"I hope Relena's right! I want Trowa to see us married!" exclaims Quatre removing his robe and sliding beneath the blanket with Wufei.

Wufei kisses Quatre. "It won't be long before we're married, Quatre! We'll know if Trowa will appear soon! I pray he does!"

Quatre pulls Wufei into a passionate embrace.

***

The day of the wedding has finally come with no news from Trowa, but Quatre hasn't given up hope. He changes into his black tuxedo in Grace's bathroom and walks out into her room.

Grace sits on her bed in a white party dress. "Uncle Quatre, will you button up the back of my dress?"

"You look very pretty, Grace," says Quatre moving over to the bed. He sits down, and Grace turns her back to him so he can begin buttoning up the dress.

"What should I do with my hair?" asks Grace.

"There was this special thing your mom would do to her hair for these types of occasions," says Quatre buttoning up the dress, "Maybe Relena will show it to you."

"I would like to look like Mommy!" exclaims Grace happily.

"You already do!" exclaims Quatre. He finishes buttoning the back of Grace's dress. "All finished, Grace!"

Grace hops off the bed and spins in a circle. She smiles and curtseys to Quatre. "Your tie's crooked!"

Quatre sighs. "As usual!"

Grace hears a gentle knock on the door. "Come in!"

The door opens, and Sally walks in wearing a black tuxedo. She smiles. "Quatre. There is someone here to see you."

"Who is it?" asks Quatre, "Don't they know I'm getting married today?"

"That's why I've come." Trowa stands in the doorway. He wears a crisp, new, black tuxedo. His face has a small nick from his recent shave, and his brown hair has been brushed and neatly styled with gel so that it comes forward to hide one of his green eyes.

"Trowa? Is that really you?" asks Quatre standing in shock. He walks towards his best friend.

"Did you think I would miss my best friend's wedding?" asks Trowa, "It's good to see you again, Quatre!" He steps forward and pulls Quatre into a brotherly hug.

"I actually thought you would, Tro'!" exclaims Quatre holding onto Trowa tightly. He's still not sure that the person he holds is truly there and not a phantom image.

"If I was at all capable of coming, Quatre, I would be here," says Trowa, "So here I am!"

Quatre steps out of their close embrace and looks into Trowa's eyes.

Trowa's green eyes lack the confidence that they used to hold when Ania lived. The joy of life that had once shone in his eyes has been replaced by a great sadness.

"Trowa, this is Grace," says Quatre stepping aside. He smiles at his niece. "Grace, this is your father, Trowa Barton."

Grace stares at Trowa with her mouth open.

Trowa stares at Grace's blond hair and beautiful eyes. His voice is a mere whisper, "My angel."

"Well, what are you two waiting for?" asks Sally.

Grace and Trowa continue to stare at each other. Neither one moves.

"Grace," says Trowa finally. He drops down to one knee. "You look just like your mother… an angel."

"Daddy!" Grace bursts into tears and runs into Trowa holding him close to her.

Trowa wraps his arms around Grace and holds her tenderly.

"Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!" exclaims Grace, "Don't ever leave again!"

"Grace!" exclaims Trowa.

"Maybe we should leave them alone for a few minutes, Quatre," says Sally.

"No, Quatre. Please stay," says Trowa.

"Sally, will you go check on the others? See if everyone is ready?" asks Quatre.

Sally nods and leaves.

"Thank you for coming back, Trowa," says Quatre smiling as a wave of tears fall from his eyes.

"I had to." Trowa pushes Grace back, and he wipes the tears from her eyes.

"Grace, honey, will you go find Relena so she can fix your hair?" asks Quatre quietly. He wipes his eyes on the sleeve of his tuxedo.

"Don't go away, Daddy!" exclaims Grace. She looks at Quatre with pleading eyes.

Quatre sees the hesitation in Grace's eyes, and he knows that she doesn't want to let Trowa out of her sight for a moment in the event that he might run away again. "I need to talk to him alone. He'll still be here when you return. I promise."

Grace nods and walks out of her room.

Trowa stands and turns to face Quatre.

"What do you mean you had to?" asks Quatre sternly, "Didn't you want to?"

"I wanted to come home, but I'm not ready. God, Quatre! I've walked so long I can't remember. Where was my home?" replies Trowa, "I'm in no condition to care for Grace! I can't even take care of myself, but I had to come back for you… for your day. Just like you gave me your blessing to love your sister, I needed to give you and Wufei my blessing to love each other."

"I think there's more to it than that," says Quatre. He sits down on the bed. "Trowa, you're my best friend, but I must know! Are you planning on leaving again after the ceremony?"

"You're my best friend too, Quatre. Yes."

Quatre hangs his head sadly. "Don't mention it to Grace just yet."

"I won't."

"You have a home here, Trowa! We are all here for you! We'll be there when you need us!" exclaims Quatre, "You're not alone!"

"What time does the ceremony start?" asks Trowa pretending not to have heard his best friend's last words.

Quatre looks at his watch. "Fifteen minutes."

"And why was Sally in a tuxedo?"

"Wufei and I decided it would be nice for all the adults to wear them. Since two men are being wed. Just be thankful, Trowa," says Quatre smiling, "We could have decided that all the adults would wear dresses!"

Trowa laughs for the first time in six years. He's surprised at how easily it comes back to him.

"We'll wait here for Grace and go down to the ballroom with her," says Quatre, "I'm glad you came, Trowa!"

"So am I, Quatre." Trowa smiles and sits down beside Quatre.

Quatre and Trowa sit together in the same comfortable silence that has forever marked their friendship.

The door opens, and Grace runs in panting. She smiles when she sees Trowa and Quatre.

Trowa looks at Grace with disbelief. "Angel? Ania?"

"Huh-uh! Wrong guess, Daddy!" exclaims Grace. Her blond hair is braided around her head like a crown, or a halo.

"Grace?" asks Trowa snapping out of his reverie, "You're beautiful!"

Grace curtseys. "Relena says we have to hurry!"

Trowa and Quatre stand. They move up to Grace.

Grace quickly grabs Trowa's hand and pulls him out of her room.

Quatre follows behind quickly.

They all head down to the ballroom, which has been decorated for the wedding and reception.

Trowa spots his bag on the floor near the ballroom door, ready for him to run away again.

Quatre sees the bag too, and he frowns at it as he passes.

Grace pulls Trowa up to the altar where an elderly priest sits in a nice chair.

Duo and Heero stand to the right of the altar in their black tuxedos.

Hilde and Relena, also in black tuxedos, sit down in chairs with Thomas, Jason, and Jeffrey. Hilde holds her infant daughter, Hannah.

Sally and Noin wear their black tuxedos as they sit with their own children… Reiya, Nariya, and Zechs.

Only Reiya, Nariya, and Grace wear dresses in pearl white to give them angelic appearances, but the male children wear black double-breasted suits rather than tuxedos.

Grace pulls Trowa to the left side of the altar.

Quatre stands back near the doors until Wufei, in a sleek black tux, walks into the room.

Everyone smiles as Quatre and Wufei head up to the altar together. They smile thankfully at Trowa, all happy that he has come.

Quatre and Wufei kneel before the short altar.

Heero and Duo kneel, and Trowa follows their example, also kneeling down until Grace decides to sit on his lap.

"We are gathered here today to bear witness to the joining of two hearts, of two lives. We are gathered here before this company, beneath the eyes of God, to witness the marriage of Chang Wufei and Quatre Raberba Winner," says the priest smiling, "Is there anyone who has any reason why these two should not be wed? If so, please speak now."

Everyone just smiles happily, but no one says a word.

The priest nods. "When two lives are joined in marriage, part of them gets left behind… the part that was happy and content to be alone… the part of them that didn't wish to be married is replaced by the part of them that wishes to be with the other for all time. In this manner, who here will give these two young men away?"

Heero stands up. "On behalf of the Gundam pilots, I consent to this marriage."

Relena stands up as Heero kneels again. "On behalf of the Sanc Kingdom, I consent to this marriage."

Hilde and Duo both stand up, and Relena sits down.

"I consent to this marriage," says Duo.

"As do I," says Hilde.

Sally and Noin stand up. "We consent to this marriage."

Sally, Noin, and Hilde take their seats again.

Duo kneels back down.

Thomas stands up and smiles broadly. "On behalf of all us kids, we consent to this marriage! Go Quatre and Wufei!"

Jason chuckles as Thomas sits down.

Grace stands up proudly. "On behalf of the Winner family, I consent to this marriage!"

"As do I," says Trowa as Grace sits back down on his lap.

"Surrender to your hearts. Let them guide you along your path, for even when your heart is wrong it will always take you on an adventure that's worth a lifetime," says the priest, "Quatre Raberba Winner, will you take this man into your life, care for him in sickness, stand by him in times of financial trouble, and love him until death forces you to part?"

"All of that and more," says Quatre looking lovingly at Wufei and clasping his love's hand firmly, "A whole lot more. I do."

"Chang Wufei, will you take this man into your life, care for him in sickness, stand by him in times of financial trouble, and love him until death forces you to part?" asks the priest.

"All of that and so much more," says Wufei giving Quatre a loving look, "I do!"

"May we have the rings?" asks the priest.

Grace pulls two rings from a pocket on her dress. She passes one to Wufei.

"With this ring, our life together begins," says Wufei sliding the ring onto Quatre's left hand, "I love you, Quatre."

Grace passes the second ring to Quatre.

"With this ring, our life together begins," says Quatre sliding the ring onto Wufei's left hand, "I love you, Wufei."

"Arise, husband and husband," says the priest smiling happily.

Quatre and Wufei stand, and they share a long, passionate kiss.

Everyone stands up clapping their hands happily.

"I hope you two have a wonderful life together!" exclaims the priest as Quatre and Wufei separate from their kiss, "I must be off now!" He leans heavily on a wooden cane as he walks towards the exit.

"Congratulations," says Trowa pulling Quatre and Wufei into an embrace.

"I'm glad you're here, Trowa," says Wufei.

"Hey, Trowa, buddy! Long time no see! Don't you know how to write?" exclaims Duo slapping Trowa on the back.

Trowa kneels down in front of Grace and pulls her into an embrace. "I'm sorry, Grace. I love you."

"Daddy?" asks Grace as Trowa stands.

Trowa starts to walk back towards the door.

"Don't walk away, Daddy!" exclaims Grace.

.

See I just can't find the right thing to say

I tried but all my pain gets in the way

Tell me what I have to do so you'll stay

Should I get down on my knees and pray…

.

"I'm sorry, Grace. I can't stay," says Trowa, "And how can I stop losing you… How can I begin to say when there's nothing left to do but walk away?"

Grace runs up to Trowa and grabs onto his leg. "No! Daddy! Please, don't go! Don't walk away!"

.

I close my eyes

Just to try and see you smile one more time

But it's been so long now all I do is cry

Can't we find some love to take this away

'Cause the pain gets stronger every day…

.

"Trowa!" exclaims Relena.

"How can I begin again? How am I to understand," whispers Trowa, "when there's nothing left to do but walk away."

"Trowa, you don't have to do this! We can help you! You're not alone!" exclaims Quatre.

Relena walks up to Grace.

"I'm always alone, Quatre," says Trowa.

Relena pulls Grace off Trowa and holds her tightly in her arms. "We can't force him to stay, Grace! I know you want him to stay, but we can't force him, Grace! I miss her too, Trowa. Ania was my best friend. Just remember, you're not alone!"

Trowa continues to walk towards the door. "Sorry, Grace."

"Daddy! Daddy, take me with you! Daddy, don't go!" exclaims Grace bawling in Relena's arms, "Please, don't walk away!"

.

See now why

All my dreams been broken

I don't know where we're going

Everything we said and all we done now.

Don't let go, I don't wanna walk away…

.

"Trowa, you coward!" exclaims Thomas crossing his arms over his chest and glaring at Trowa's back.

Trowa turns around abruptly.

"Trowa's just a big coward!" exclaims Thomas, "Afraid of one little girl!"

"I'm not afraid!" exclaims Trowa hanging his head.

"Trowa's a great big coward! Trowa's a great big coward!" exclaims Thomas, and Jason joins him in his chant, "Trowa's a coward! Trowa's a coward!"

"Don't walk away, Daddy," says Grace sobbing uncontrollably.

.

Now why

All my dreams are broken

Don't know where we're going

Everything begins to set us free

Can't you see, I don't wanna walk away…

.

Trowa turns and walks the rest of the way to his bag. He lifts it and slings it over his shoulder. He looks back at all his friends. "I'm sorry. I can't stay. I don't belong here anymore."

Thomas and Jason stand beside Heero still chanting, "Trowa is a coward!"

Reiya stares blankly at the floor while Nariya holds onto Jeffrey and Zech's hands.

Duo holds Hilde and Hannah.

Noin and Sally stare at Trowa with disbelief.

Quatre and Wufei look at Trowa with pleading eyes, both wishing their friend would stay.

Heero crosses his arms over his chest.

Relena hugs Grace as she cries.

"Grace looks like my Angel," whispers Trowa.

"Trowa, you've always had a home here, but if you leave again… don't ever come back!" exclaims Heero, "I'm not going to let you do that to Grace! Don't walk away! Just don't walk away! Please…"

.

If you go, I won't forget you girl

Can't you see that you will always be

Even though I had to let you go

There's nothing left to do…

.

"Don't walk away, Daddy!" exclaims Grace drying her eyes so she can stare imploringly at Trowa.

"Trowa, you said you've walked so long you can't remember where your home is. Look at Grace! Look her straight in the eyes!" exclaims Quatre, "That is where your home is! Look at her!"

"Trowa is a coward!" exclaim Thomas and Jason, "Trowa is a coward!"

Trowa looks at Grace. He looks at her, his daughter, but all he sees are the features that Ania gave her. He pulls his portable CD player from his bag and rips off the headphones. He walks back up to Grace and passes her the CD player. "This belongs to you now, Grace."

Relena pushes the play button as Grace holds the CD player tightly.

The music blares out of the CD player. "I've walked so long I can't remember. Where was my home? The distant faces fade away. I'm always on my own. I can show a smile, it's not hard to do. I can have the strength to go on but sometimes I wanna let go of everything."

"Relena! You sing this song to me before bed!" exclaims Grace.

The music comes out of the CD player… still conveying the same happy and loving emotions that the five ex-Gundam pilots put into it.

Trowa kneels down before Grace and Relena. He pulls them both into his embrace. He whispers, "Grace, do you want me to stay?"

"Yes, Daddy! I don't want you to go away! I want you to stay with me," says Grace burying her face in his chest, "Don't go. Please stay. I really want you to stay!"

"We all want you to stay, Trowa," whispers Relena, "Even Heero though he doesn't act like it. Thomas wants you to stay as well. That's why he's taunting you… daring you to do the brave thing and stay with us."

Trowa moves out of the embrace and takes a few steps towards the other four men, his best friends. "Hey, guys… Is that offer still good?"

"We will seek together destiny, troubles have an end. We'll carry on hand in hand, you're not alone," plays the music.

"What offer, buddy?" asks Duo.

"The offer of help you gave me when Ania passed away," says Trowa. A single tear rolls down his cheek.

"Of course it's still good, Trowa," says Wufei, "We're here for you. You aren't alone."

Trowa gives his friends a genuine smile as he turns towards Grace. He whispers along with the music, "I'll be there when you need. We will live together. Nothing is in our way with trust in our soul. We will seek together destiny."

"Daddy?" asks Grace.

"I'll only stay as long as you want me here, Grace," says Trowa. He sets his bag on the floor.

Grace escapes from Relena's arms and drops the CD player into Relena's hands. She jumps into Trowa's embrace.

Trowa holds Grace up in his arms. He looks at Heero. "I won't walk away this time!"

Heero smiles and clamps his hands over Thomas and Jason's mouths so they can't continue their "Trowa is a coward" chant. He nods his approval. "Welcome home, Trowa!"

Relena quickly moves to embrace Trowa and Grace.

"My family is complete again," says Quatre smiling, "Come on, everybody! Big group hug!" He walks over to join Relena and Trowa in their embrace with Grace.

Wufei, Duo, and Heero soon join the hug, happy to have Trowa returned to them.

Noin and Sally join the group hug before any of the children.

"Now let's party!" exclaims Duo.

"Yes! Quatre and I have just been married! Trowa has returned home! We have many reasons to celebrate!" exclaims Wufei as the group hug breaks up. He walks over to a large stereo and turns it on.

"Trowa? Could I have the first dance with Grace?" asks Thomas bowing like a true gentleman.

"If it pleases Grace," says Trowa setting her down on the floor.

"I'd love to, Thomas!" exclaims Grace smiling, "I'll save the last dance for you, Daddy!"

"Oh, and Trowa… I really don't think you're a coward. I was just hoping that your honor would be strong enough to force you to make the right decision… the brave decision," says Thomas smiling at Trowa, "Of everything I've heard about you, I've only heard of one cowardly thing that you did. And Trowa, that was leaving Grace. You've just corrected that."

"You're right though, Thomas. If I had left again, I would be a coward!" exclaims Trowa, "Now go dance with my daughter!"

"Come on, Angel," says Thomas leading Grace out onto the dance floor as a soft ballad begins to play from the stereo.

"Angel?" asks Trowa quietly staring after Thomas and Grace. He walks over to Relena and Heero as they start to dance. "Heero, Relena… may I ask you a question about Grace?"

"Yes, of course, Trowa," says Heero.

"When did you start calling Grace 'Angel'?" asks Trowa.

"We don't," says Relena looking over at Grace, "We call her 'Princess' or 'Grace', but we don't call her 'Angel.' Why?"

"Thomas just called her Angel," says Trowa, "Like I called Ania. I can see you in him, Heero, along with a little of who I was."

"I see it too," says Heero, "I do believe Grace will be Thomas's angel and his princess."

"The way they act around each other," says Relena with a smile, "It wouldn't surprise me if they did fall in love one day."

"As long as he's good to her, I wouldn't mind!" exclaims Trowa, "I wouldn't mind one bit!"

"I'm glad you've come back, Trowa," says Heero smiling, "I'm really glad you're staying this time!"

"I think I'll go sit down for awhile, and wait for my dance with Grace." Trowa smiles at his two friends and heads off towards an empty table.

"I just can't believe this is happening," whispers Hilde to Duo as she walks past Trowa with Hannah in her arms.

"Hilde? What's wrong?" asks Trowa taking his seat.

Hilde sits down at the table and rocks Hannah gently.

"We're loosing another home," says Duo sitting down beside Hilde, "I always lose my homes…"

"Explanation?"

"Our junkyard business was booming at first," says Hilde, "but business slowed down to nothing. We're going to lose it. We're filing for bankruptcy when we return."

"Is there any way to save it?" asks Trowa.

"I think it's time to move on," says Hilde.

"We're moving in here with Relena and Heero," says Duo, "but I don't know what we'll do yet."

"I have an idea! Can you still sing?" asks Trowa with a devilish grin.

"Of course!" exclaims Duo smiling.

"What if we continue to play?" asks Trowa, "Ania, all the girls, always loved to hear our music! Gundam Wing made one song. Why can't we make a career of making albums and having concerts here in the Sanc Kingdom?" He stares at Duo expectantly.

"Now that's an idea!" exclaims Duo happily, "And I'm sure we can even get Cecilia back as our manager! Unpaid of course!"

"We'll talk to the others," says Trowa. He nods his head.

Duo nods his head. "It's great to have you back, buddy!"

Trowa looks around at his friends and family. "I'm happy to be back, but I'll need help… the help I couldn't ask for before."

"We're here for you, Trowa!" exclaims Hilde smiling.

"All of us!" exclaims Duo.

***

Relena stands looking out her office window as the door opens behind her.

"You asked to see me again, My Queen," says Cecilia walking into the office.

Relena turns towards Cecilia happily. "Thank you!"

"Thanks? For what?" asks Cecilia.

"For finding Trowa. For bringing him back to us!" exclaims Relena. She walks up to Cecilia and wraps her arms around her in a sisterly hug. "Thank you!"

"You're welcome, Relena… just please, don't ask me how I found him," says Cecilia, "Or how my… associate… convinced him to come back."

"I won't ask you that," says Relena stepping back, "but I do have a question to ask you. Another favor I have."

"Let's sit down," says Cecilia pulling Relena over to the sofa.

Relena and Cecilia sit down together and look at each other.

"How is Trowa?" asks Cecilia.

"He's well… physically, but emotionally is another story," says Relena, "But he's getting better."

"What is your new favor?"

"Trowa has made a request. He needs some sort of job," explains Relena, "He has talked to the others about reforming their little band, Gundam Wing. They want you as their manager again."

Cecilia smiles. "Deal!"

"And I have a request as well," says Relena, "With all the attacks on my family and all the bombers from the Anti-Pacifist movement, I don't know how safe the children are going to school. We've all discussed it extensively. None of us really want to do this, but we feel it would be safer if we hired a private teacher for all the children. Could you help me find one?"

Cecilia looks away towards the wall. "Hey, Relena… I've been looking for a place for awhile now… a place where I could settle down with my own recording studio and just make whatever type of music I wanted to."

"We all want a place where we can be ourselves."

"I've made enough money to complete my dream… I just need the location. I rather like the Sanc Kingdom," says Cecilia, "I would like to live here."

Relena smiles. "I would like that."

"A few years ago… well, actually right after I met Thomas and Grace, I got my certification as a teacher. I thought that if all else failed I could teach music," says Cecilia looking at Relena and watching the realization dawn in her blue eyes, "but I am qualified to teach grade school as well. If you would let me live here, I will teach your children."

"You want to teach?" asks Relena with wide eyes.

"Just so long as I can teach them music, yes!" exclaims Cecilia, "I'm a famous singer now, but my voice won't last forever! And teaching has always been one of my secret ambitions."

"Thank you again, Cecilia."

"You're welcome, Relena, again."