Disclaimer: All Gundam Wing characters and references belong to their respective owners. The song You're Not Alone comes from the Escaflowne soundtrack and 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 woman who has always strived to help me give the best story possible. Thank you for always being there for me, Kate, and thank you for your vision.
Face of Love
By
Hideki LaShae
Nine years have passed since the death of the Sanc Kingdom's Queen, Relena Yuy, and the world lives at peace, but it is a shallow peace for there are those who exist who still wish the destruction and chaos of war.
***
Lucrezia Noin Peacecraft sits at her desk staring at an old photograph of Relena and Milliardo. She runs her hands through her short black hair. Her dark brown eyes glance towards another picture on her desk, a picture of her three children. She smiles and lifts the phone on her desk. She dials an extension. "Will you bring the convention schedule into my office?"
Noin sets the phone down.
After a moment, the door opens, and a tall young woman enters. She has short black hair cut in the same boyish fashion as her mother, but she has the beautiful blue eyes of her father. She holds a manila folder in her hands. Her name is Reiya Peacecraft. "Hi, Mom! Here's the file you asked for! Did you have any more work for me?"
"Let's see… Did you finish typing those letters?" asks Noin.
"Yes, Mom," says Reiya smiling. She passes the folder to Noin. "And I filed all those reports you gave me."
"There is one thing you can do for me, Reiya. Go down to the garden and cut me a bouquet of flowers. Six white roses. One red rose and about a dozen other flowers of your own choice," says Noin, "Bring them back up here when you're done."
"Hey! I'm your secretarial assistant, Mom! I'm not your personal slave!" exclaims Reiya crossing her arms defiantly.
Noin smiles at her daughter. She shrugs her shoulders. "You're right. You don't have to do this little thing for me, but would you do it for your father?"
"Dad?"
"Yes. I was going to go by his grave later this afternoon," says Noin, "I would like it if you, Nariya, and Zechs could accompany me."
Reiya smiles devilishly. "I'll be there, Mom! I'll go tell Zechs and Nariya, if I can get her away from those medical books! Then I'll head down to the garden."
Noin nods.
Reiya turns towards the door. She stops and looks over her shoulder at Noin. She sighs and adds, "Oh, and Mom. When you want me to do a personal favor for you, tell me why you want me to do it. I'll be more likely to comply with your wishes!"
"That's nice to know!" exclaims Noin, "Now I need to review this. I'll see you when you return!"
"Right, Mom!" exclaims Reiya winking. She runs out of the office and down the hall. She knocks on a door.
"Come in!"
Reiya opens the door and walks into the room. She looks around at the piles of clothing and junk on the floor. "Hey, Zechs! Where are you?"
"Oh, hey, Rei! I'm in the bathroom! I'll be out in a minute!" exclaims Zechs Peacecraft.
"How do you live in here, Z?" asks Reiya staring at the mess with her jaw open.
Zechs chuckles as he comes out of the bathroom. His blond hair hangs loosely down to his waist, and his blue eyes look happy. At fifteen years old, he is the image of his father, Milliardo Peacecraft. "I know where everything is! Go on. Ask me to find something!"
"Nariya."
"Wrong! That's someone, Rei!" exclaims Zechs, "What's up? I thought you'd be working right now."
"Well, officially I am working," says Reiya as Zechs plops down on his bed. "Mom's going to Dad's grave later. She wanted to know if you'd go with her… with us. I'm going there!"
"Go to the grave of a man I never knew?" asks Zechs holding up his hands like a scale, "Stay here and play with Hannah? Go to a grave? Play with Hannah? Grave? Hannah? Decisions, decisions! Well, Hannah is definitely cuter!"
"Fine, Zechs! You don't have to come! Stay here with Hannah! Why don't you try to kiss her while you're at it?" asks Reiya frustrated.
"I'll be there, Reiya. I'll go to see Dad with you and Mom."
Reiya nods her head. "What about Hannah?"
"I can kiss her later," jokes Zechs, "if she doesn't slap me first!"
"Thanks, Zechs!"
Zechs nods his head and smiles.
Reiya turns and heads from the room. She walks to the room she still shares with her eighteen-year-old twin sister, Nariya Peacecraft. She enters the room. "Hey, Nariya!"
Nariya Peacecraft sits at her desk with a large stack of books. Her blond hair falls loosely to her waist. She turns around to look at her twin with dark brown eyes. "Do you mind, Reiya? I have to study! My entrance exams for medical school are next week!"
"Exactly, Nariya! They're next week, not this week! So I'm sure you can take a break later to join Mom, Zechs, and me for a visit to Dad!" exclaims Reiya.
"You know, Reiya… I shouldn't!" exclaims Nariya, "Mom Sally would be so proud if I can get into medical school! I need to study!"
"Come to Dad's grave with us, and I'll let you play doctor on me later!" exclaims Reiya winking.
Nariya smiles. "Deal!"
"Great! I'm going down to the garden to pick flowers! I'll come get you when we're ready to go!" exclaims Reiya quickly hugging Nariya.
"All right. Then when we get back, you get to be my patient!" exclaims Nariya pulling Reiya into an open-mouth kiss. "Maybe I'll try a new experimental treatment on you and we can see how it affects your sexual desire!"
Reiya nods as she heads out of the room. She runs out to the garden to start collecting the flowers. She half expects to see Quatre working amongst the flowers, but she doesn't see him anywhere. She goes about her appointed task with pleasure.
***
The sound of the drums echoes through the hall, and the drumsticks fly into the air.
Chang Wufei, the man who once piloted the Shenlong Gundam, catches the drumsticks easily and continues to play his drum solo. His slanted black eyes shine in the spotlight, and his black hair is slicked back into a ponytail at the base of his neck. The pale blue jeans he wears are tattered and torn. His bare chest and arms glimmer in the light because of the lotion he applied to protect his skin from the harsh lights.
Trowa Barton, the former pilot of the Gundam Deathscythe, strums the strings of his bass guitar as he picks up the melody. His green eyes are almost completely hidden beneath his brown hair, which he has styled and gelled in front of his face. He wears tight blue jeans with a black vest that's opened to reveal his muscles.
The music of the keyboard joins that of the drums and the bass guitar.
Quatre Raberba Winner, the ex-Gundam pilot of Sandrock, runs his fingers over the keys. He wears a blue button-up shirt that's the same shade as his eyes, but he's left it unbuttoned to show his bare flesh. He wears cream-colored dress pants. His short blond hair is brushed away from his face tidily.
Heero Yuy brings the music of his lead guitar to life. His unruly dark brown hair flies wildly as he moves his head with the music. His Prussian blue eyes shimmer and shine in the spotlight. He wears tight black jeans and a loose open-front vest to reveal his muscled chest.
Duo Maxwell stands in the middle of the stage with a microphone in his hand. His braided chestnut brown hair falls to his waist over the back of his loose-fitting, unbuttoned white shirt. His pale blue jeans hug his lower body. He holds a microphone in his hand, and he moves and sways to the music.
"Angel, Angel, oh Angel, Angel, oh, oh, oh," sings Trowa, "Angel."
"I know it each time that I look into the face of love and I know just how you feel," sings Quatre, "about your heart's only love."
"Angel, Angel, oh Angel," sings Trowa, "Angel, oh, oh, oh, Angel."
"Would you know it if you saw the look in my face of love," sings Quatre, "Do you know how I love you? You are my angel of love."
"I've seen your face. I know it well. I know that look that's in your eyes and right now it hurts me like hell," sings Duo, "I look into your face of love."
The crowd in the packed music hall screams and shouts.
"That look in your eyes isn't for me. I really wish that it could be," sings Duo, "I really wish that it could be a face of love for you and me."
The audience waves their hands over the top of their heads.
"Angel, Angel, oh Angel," sings Trowa, "Angel, oh, oh, oh, Angel."
"I know it each time that I look into the face of love and I know just how you feel," sings Quatre, "about your heart's only love."
"Angel, Angel, oh Angel," sings Trowa, "Angel, oh, oh, oh, Angel."
"Would you know it if you saw the look in my face of love," sings Quatre, "Do you know how I love you? You are my angel of love."
The women in the audience squeal and swoon.
"Even though my love is for you, know that it'll always remain true. There is nothing that I can do, all because of your face of love," sings Duo setting his arm over Heero's shoulders, "It hurts me to see you this way, happy in love with someone else, but I will wait until the day you show your face of love for me."
"Angel, Angel, oh Angel," sings Trowa, "Angel, oh, oh, oh, Angel."
"I know it each time that I look into the face of love and I know just how you feel," sings Quatre, "about your heart's only love."
"Angel, Angel, oh Angel," sings Trowa, "Angel, oh, oh, oh, Angel."
"Would you know it if you saw the look in my face of love," sings Quatre, "Do you know how I love you? You are my angel of love."
Wufei sends his drumsticks flying into the air. He catches them with ease and continues the drumbeat.
"Don't you know that you're my angel? The woman that I love the most. Don't you know that you're my angel? You were sent from heaven for me," sings Duo, "Would you ever believe in love if it had not been for my heart showing you through my face of love that you are an angel to me."
"Angel, Angel, oh Angel," sings Trowa, "Angel, oh, oh, oh, Angel."
"I know it each time that I look into the face of love and I know just how you feel," sings Quatre, "about your heart's only love."
"Angel, Angel, oh Angel," sings Trowa, "Angel, oh, oh, oh, Angel."
"Would you know it if you saw the look in my face of love," sings Quatre, "Do you know how I love you? You are my angel of love."
The audience screams happily, and they start chanting, "Gundam Wing! Gundam Wing!"
"You are my angel, my angel. You are my angel, my angel," sing Duo, Heero, Quatre, Trowa, and Wufei into their microphones, "Oh could you love me, my angel? Oh could you love me, my angel?"
"Angel, Angel, oh Angel," sings Trowa, "Angel, oh, oh, oh, Angel."
"I know it each time that I look into the face of love and I know just how you feel," sings Quatre, "about your heart's only love."
"Angel, Angel, oh Angel," sings Trowa, "Angel, oh, oh, oh, Angel."
"Would you know it if you saw the look in my face of love," sings Quatre, "Do you know how I love you? You are my angel of love."
"Angel, Angel, oh Angel, Angel, oh, oh, oh, Angel. I know it each time that I look into the face of love and I know just how you feel about your heart's only love," sing the five ex-Gundam pilots in harmony, Angel, Angel, oh Angel, Angel, oh, oh, oh, Angel. Would you know it if you saw the look in my face of love? Do you know how I love you? You are my angel of love."
The last chords of the instruments fade as Wufei hits the cymbal with his drumsticks.
The audience waves their hands and shouts happily.
"That song we just sang for you is a very special song to us," says Duo into his microphone.
"We dedicate it to our angels," says Trowa smiling.
"It was written by our manager, Cecilia," says Quatre.
Cecilia walks out onto the stage. Her brown hair falls almost to her waist, and her gray eyes shine eerily in the light. She smiles.
"And we call this song Angel or Face of Love," says Heero smiling at Cecilia.
"I call it Face of Love! They call it Angel!" exclaims Cecilia sharing Trowa's microphone.
"It'll be featured on our next album that's coming out this June!" exclaims Wufei.
Everyone sets their instruments down and walks up to the front of the stage. They bow.
"Thank you for coming!" exclaims Duo, "See you next time!"
The lights dim on the stage as everyone walks off.
"You guys were great tonight!" exclaims Cecilia happily, "And we raised a ton of money for charity, G-boys!"
"Why do you still call us 'boys,' Cecilia?" asks Duo, "We're not children!"
"Oh, I'm sorry, Duo! I just still think of you as the young, strong Gundam pilots you were during the war," says Cecilia, "If you don't like it, I'll try to stop calling you that."
Duo sighs and shakes his head. "No, that's okay, Cecilia. You can call us G-boys if you want."
Cecilia pulls Duo into a warm embrace. She steps away from him. "I'm sorry the kids couldn't make it this time. What did they say was more important than coming to their fathers' show?"
"Grace had a date," says Trowa.
"Thomas too," says Heero chuckling, "but he wouldn't tell me who the girl was!"
"Jason had a school report he didn't finish," says Duo shaking his head, "Hilde said he had to do that before he could come."
Cecilia giggles. "Children!"
"Come on. Let's go home!" exclaims Wufei.
Cecilia flicks her hair happily and nods. She leads the way out to the limo.
Everyone gets into the limo and heads back to the Peacecraft Manor.
Grace Barton sits on the front steps waiting. Her blond hair falls around her shoulders. She smiles and her green eyes twinkle happily. "Great concert, Dad! You two, Uncle Quatre!"
"You were there?" asks Quatre.
Grace nods her head and stands up. At sixteen years old, she's grown to be as tall and beautiful as her mother. "My date took me to the concert after an early dinner!"
"Did you have fun?" asks Trowa smiling.
"I had a wonderful time!" exclaims Grace hugging Trowa, "I loved that last song!"
Trowa holds Grace to him. He whispers into her ear. "Let's go inside. I'll tell you all about my angel."
Grace nods.
Trowa leads Grace inside.
"Well, I'm going to go try to write a few more songs for your next album!" exclaims Cecilia, "See you G-boys later!" She waves as she runs inside.
"I'll go help her. I have a few song ideas of my own," says Heero. He starts up the stairs.
"Wait up, buddy! I need to talk to you!" exclaims Duo, "I'm worried about you!"
"Worried? What for?" asks Heero. He stops and turns towards Duo.
Duo walks up to Heero. "Heero? You haven't dated since Relena died. It's been nine years… When was the last time you were laid?"
"What makes you think that is any of your business, Duo?" snaps Heero angrily.
"Hey, Heero! Duo doesn't mean anything! We're all worried about you! Everyone has someone to love! Even Trowa has a girlfriend now!" exclaims Quatre running to get in between Duo and Heero, "We're just worried that your grief from losing Relena could be hurting you more than we realize. We don't want it to destroy you!"
"It won't," says Heero looking away, "I'm fine."
"I'd like to believe you, Heero," says Wufei, "but I'm just not seeing any proof of that!"
"Heero, when was the last time?" asks Duo quietly.
Heero closes his eyes tightly and clenches his fists. "Relena."
"What about the last time you?" asks Duo, "You know…?" He gestures with his hand to indicate exactly what he's asking. "You did it yourself?"
"Relena would do that for me too. While she was pregnant with Herangelia," whispers Heero, "She always wanted to make sure I was satisfied."
"Heero, you can love again. You know that, don't you?" asks Wufei.
"I don't want to love again," says Heero, "I'd only lose her too!" He walks quickly into the house.
Wufei sighs. "That went well."
"I don't think he wants help, Wufei," says Quatre.
"Let's set him up with Cecilia!" exclaims Duo with a sly smile, "I haven't seen her date once since she got here!"
"Duo. No," says Wufei, "He isn't ready yet."
Duo hangs his head in defeat.
"I know how you feel, Duo. I don't want to see him hurting either," says Quatre, "But we can't force him. Let's go inside and get some tea." He sets his hand on Duo's shoulder and guides him into the house.
Wufei follows quickly behind.
***
Dr. Sally Po finishes packing the two suitcases, and she closes them. Her brown hair is braided on both sides of her head. She turns when she hears a knocking on the open door. "Oh, hello, Reiya."
"Is everything ready for your trip, Mother Sally?" asks Reiya.
"Yes, Reiya. Did Noin send you to check on me?" asks Sally smiling.
Reiya nods. "If you're packed, I'm supposed to take the luggage to the car. I think Mom likes me being her assistant!"
"Oh, she does," says Sally. "The suitcases are all ready! You can take them to the car. I'm sorry you can't come with Noin and I."
"That's okay, Mother! I promised I'd help Nariya study for her med school exams. She really wants to go into that school!" exclaims Reiya.
Sally nods.
"Well, have fun at the conference, Mother. In case I don't see you tomorrow morning," says Reiya hugging Sally, "I love you! Good-bye!"
"I love you too, Reiya!" exclaims Sally.
Reiya pulls herself away from Sally and quickly grabs the suitcases before running from the room.
The next morning, Sally and Noin say farewell and head off to a conference in New York City.
***
Herangelia Yuy throws a punch at Wufei.
Wufei jumps away from the nine-year-old girl's fist. He grabs her chin-length blond hair and yanks it roughly.
"Ow!" screams Herangelia closing her eyelids over rich blue eyes, "I surrender, Wufei!"
"How many times must I tell you, Herangelia? You must bind your hair so an opponent can't hurt you like that!" exclaims Wufei releasing Herangelia.
Herangelia sits on the floor in her white kimono shirt and pants. She rubs her head. "I've tried, Wufei! Nothing holds this mess!"
Wufei looks at the wild, unruly blond hair. "Then maybe you should cut it shorter."
"But I…" Herangelia runs her hand through her hair. She sighs and sags her shoulders in defeat. "I'll see if Cecilia can cut it this afternoon."
"Your martial arts lesson is over for today, Herangelia," says Wufei, "We'll continue again tomorrow."
"Will I ever win?" asks Herangelia.
Wufei smiles and nods. "Someday… maybe, but I doubt it."
Herangelia smiles.
"Time for schoolwork, Herangelia," says Wufei helping her to her feet.
"I know, Wufei," says Herangelia, "I'm going!" She hurries off. She meets Cecilia outside of her room. "Is it time for my lesson?"
"You know it, Little Angel!" exclaims Cecilia smiling, "Let's go!"
Herangelia takes Cecilia's hand and pulls her away.
"I have a present for you, Herangelia," says Cecilia as they stop by Cecilia's motorcycle. She passes a small box to Herangelia.
Herangelia opens the box and pulls out a gold chain with a small heart-shaped locket. She opens the locket to see pictures of the five young Gundam pilots, back when they were fifteen years old. She smiles and hugs Cecilia quickly. "Thank you!"
"That there is the key to salvation, Herangelia!" exclaims Cecilia, "Don't lose it!"
"I won't!" exclaims Herangelia putting the necklace around her neck. She puts on a motorcycle helmet.
Cecilia puts on her helmet and gets on the motorcycle.
Herangelia climbs on behind Cecilia, and they head away from the house, to the airfield where they climb into a special airplane.
"We're going up today," says Cecilia, "with you on the controls. I'll just sit back and watch you work!"
"Yeah!" exclaims Herangelia, "I'll make sure this time goes smoothly!"
"Great! Let's move out, Little Angel!" exclaims Cecilia.
***
"Queen bishop to King Knight. Check," says Thomas Yuy. He moves the black chess piece across the board and removes the white knight. His blue eyes look towards his opponent. He flicks a strand of his unruly dark brown hair away from his eyes. "Your move, Jason!"
Jason Maxwell looks over the board with his blue eyes. His brown hair is styled just like Thomas's. He sighs. "I surrender. What else can I do?"
"Take a look here. Kingside castle could come to this square here… which would be… um… H 3, I think… and that would block my bishop, giving you another moment of play. Then it would all depend on my next move," explains Thomas, "I see a way that you could easily beat me if you continue playing!"
"No thanks! I'll beat you next time!" exclaims Jason.
"Cool!" Thomas smiles.
The phone rings abruptly.
Jason lifts the receiver. "Peacecraft Manor. Jason Maxwell speaking."
Thomas starts to put the chessboard away.
"Hold on a minute. I'll see if Heero's available," says Jason into the phone. He pushes the hold button and quickly dials an extension. "Oh, hi, Dad. Is Heero there? There's an irate person on line one that wants to speak to him."
Jason sets the receiver down after saying a few more words to his dad. Then he turns towards Thomas. "Whoever that was sounded really important… like someone had just died or something."
"Well that can't be it! The only people who aren't here are Sally and Noin, and they are at a pacifist convention in New York City!" exclaims Thomas, "Who would kill someone at a pacifist convention?"
"You know who would… The same people, Thomas," whispers Jason, "The ones who took Relena away…"
Thomas hangs his head sadly. "Should we go see if Grace wants to go for a ride on the horses?"
Jason nods.
Thomas and Jason walk out of the room in silence.
***
Zechs lies on his back on the floor trying to look up the skirt of the girl beside him. "What do you dream of, Hannah?"
The eleven-year-old girl pulls a book from the shelf. She spins in a complete circle and then turns and looks down on Zechs. Her blue pleated skirt flies up a little as she moves. Her shoulder-length chestnut brown hair is braided into two Indian-style braids. "Zechs! Are you trying to look up my skirt? You pervert!"
Zechs smiles. "Sorry! I like your uniform!"
The girl is Hannah Maxwell. She places her fists against her hips after dropping the book onto Zechs's chest. Her blue eyes look angrily at her friend. "You are a pervert!"
"Lie down here beside me, Hannah," says Zechs, "I'd like you to be here with me."
"Alright!" exclaims Hannah giggling. She lies down beside Zechs on the floor. "Did you see anything, Zechs? Be honest!"
"Just a flash of blue from your skirt," says Zechs tugging on the blue bow attached to Hannah's sailor shirt, "Hannah, may I kiss you… please… just this once?"
Hannah looks into Zechs's handsome blue eyes. She slides closer to Zechs, and she smiles. "I am too young for you to love, Zechs…"
"Wrong, Hannah. You are one of my closest friends. If it wasn't for Jeffrey, I'd say you were my best friend," says Zechs embracing Hannah, "It is quite understandable that I would fall for you. Age doesn't matter. Only the heart matters."
"But it isn't your heart that is talking. It is your groin!" exclaims Hannah.
"No. I don't want that now. I don't want that in the near future. All I want is a kiss… a simple kiss," says Zechs, "Just to press my lips to yours for a moment… only a moment."
Hannah lightly caresses Zechs's lips with her fingertips. "Only for a moment…"
Zechs presses his lips lightly against Hannah's and holds her hand. He kisses her gently. He slowly pulls away.
Hannah smiles. She grabs the book and sits up. "Now! What were we looking for?"
Zechs sits up and sets his arm behind Hannah so that he's touching her back.
Heero walks briskly into the room. "Zechs!"
"Uncle Heero!" exclaims Zechs standing up quickly.
"Meet me in my office, Zechs! I'll be there shortly! GO!" exclaims Heero furiously.
Zechs nods. He hurries out of the room.
"Nothing happened, Heero!" exclaims Hannah, "Please don't be mad at Zechs!" She stands up and stares at Heero.
"This has nothing to do with you, Hannah," says Heero, "This is something of a different nature. I'm not mad at him. Please, just wait here… Duo will take you and Jason to the airport this afternoon so you can get Hilde and Cathie."
"Yes, Heero." Hannah nods.
Heero turns and walks from the room. He hurries upstairs to Noin's office where he finds Reiya filing some papers. "Rei!"
Reiya turns towards Heero with a smile. "Hello, Uncle Heero!"
"Rei! I need you to go down to my office now!" exclaims Heero, "I will speak to you there in a moment!"
"Uncle? What's wrong?" asks Reiya dropping her handful of papers.
"I'll speak to you in my office!" exclaims Heero storming from the office. He heads towards Reiya and Nariya's shared room. He knocks on the door.
The door opens, and Nariya stands on the other side. "Good afternoon, Uncle Heero."
"Lena. I need to talk to you. Go down to my office and wait for me there. I'll be down in a minute," says Heero.
Nariya looks into Heero's Prussian blue eyes in shock. "Something's happened to Mom, hasn't it?"
"Go down to my office, Lena." Heero turns and walks away. He enters the bathroom at the end of the hall and looks at his reflection in the mirror. "Oh, Relena… how would you handle this?"
Heero falls to his knees. His tears slide down his cheeks and fall to the floor. He clenches his unruly dark brown hair in his fists. "Relena! I can't do this without you! I need you!"
From somewhere deep within, Heero hears Relena's voice again… singing a lullaby to their sons. Relena sings, "And if you should still fall into despair there is one thing left to believe, I lie in your heart always. I'll be there when you need. You don't have to hide from me what you are feeling now. I fill your soul. We will seek together destiny. Troubles have an end. We will carry on hand in hand. You're not alone."
Heero sobs silently for a few minutes. He touches his chest over his heart. "I love you, Relena. You will always be with me."
Heero stands up and wipes his eyes. He washes his face and dries it with a towel. He looks at his reflection in the mirror before he heads out of the bathroom. He walks slowly down to his office and enters.
Reiya sits on the couch with Zechs beside her.
Nariya sits in the chair.
"Rei, Lena, Zechs," says Heero moving up so they can see him clearly, "There is something very important I'd like to talk to you all about."
"We're listening, Uncle Heero," says Reiya, "Right, Nariya, Z?"
"Yeah," says Zechs.
"Uncle Heero, has something happened at the conference?" asks Nariya slowly.
Heero nods. "Yes, Lena. There was a bombing at the Convention Center."
Nariya gasps and covers her mouth with her hands.
"A bombing!" exclaims Zechs.
"Your mothers didn't survive. I'm flying to New York tonight to identify their bodies," says Heero, "and arrange for them to be shipped back here for burial."
"I'm going with you!" exclaims Reiya standing up. She glares at Heero with determination.
"Me too!" exclaims Zechs.
Nariya nods. "Me."
"I thought you would want to come," says Heero, "Lena, you don't have to come."
Nariya lowers her hands and whispers, "I want to come, Uncle Heero."
"Are they… could they be wrong?" asks Reiya, "Tell me, Uncle! Please! Could they be wrong? Could Mom and Mommy Sally still be alive?"
"We'll know when we reach New York tomorrow," says Heero, "I hope they're wrong, Rei."
"I'll be in my room," says Zechs standing, "When you're ready to go, come get me!"
"Z! You can't hide from this!" exclaims Nariya.
"I'm not going to mourn until I know for certain that our mothers are dead!" exclaims Zechs, "You have to understand that, Nariya!" He storms angrily from the room.
"Z?" asks Nariya.
"Let him go, Lena. He needs to be alone for a few minutes," says Heero.
"As do I," says Reiya, "I'll be out by the car." She walks slowly out the door.
"Lena?"
"Do you miss her still, Uncle Heero?" asks Nariya, "Did you ever get over losing Relena? Does the pain ever go away?"
"I still miss her. I still need her so. The pain will become bearable, Lena, but it won't go away," says Heero.
Nariya embraces Heero and bursts into tears. "I don't want them to be dead!"
Heero holds Nariya as she cries.
***
Late in the evening, Heero heads to the airport with Reiya, Nariya, and Zechs while everyone else gets ready for bed.
Grace slips down the darkened hallways and quietly enters Thomas's bedroom. She sees Thomas lying on his bed with his arms beneath his head.
The blankets have been thrown down to the foot of the bed.
Thomas lies on his back with his eyes closed. He wears only his purple boxer shorts.
Grace slides her pink robe off and lets it fall to the floor revealing her bare flesh to the night. She walks towards the bed. She quickly lies down on top of Thomas and kisses his lips. She yanks his shorts down before grabbing his genitals.
Thomas opens his eyes and gasps. "Angel?"
"Yes, Thomas! It's me!" exclaims Grace trying to arouse his body with her hand. She kisses her way down Thomas's chest.
Thomas gasps as he feels Grace's lips and tongue on his body. He closes his eyes and blushes as she kisses his lower body and slides her mouth and tongue around over the one aspect of his body that is proof of his manhood. "I must be in heaven with an angel!"
Grace slides Thomas's boxers the rest of the way off and tosses them out of bed. She crawls up beside him again. "No. You're in bed with Grace."
"That's as close to heaven as I ever need to be," says Thomas before kissing Grace passionately.
Grace slides her body into position on top of Thomas's, and she gasps, more from the pain of his penetration than from surprise.
Thomas massages the small, delicate mounds of Grace's breasts. "What are you doing?"
"I'm trying to make love to you, silly!" exclaims Grace rocking her body on Thomas's.
"Whatever you're doing, don't stop now, Grace," says Thomas, "I love you, Angel."
"I'll protect you too, Thomas!" exclaims Grace.
"You knew!" exclaims Thomas.
"Always! I love you, Thomas!"
Thomas wraps his arms tightly around Grace and pulls her as close to him as he can. He rolls them over so that he lies on top of Grace. He smiles.
"Now what?" asks Grace holding onto Thomas.
"Now I'm going to make love to you, Grace, my Angel!" exclaims Thomas, "I love you!" He kisses Grace passionately.
"I love you!" exclaims Grace as Thomas starts to thrust his lower body in and out of hers.
***
Cecilia crosses her legs and smiles. "So what do you do?"
Herangelia runs her hands through her newly cut hair as she sits across from Cecilia. Her blond locks still twist and turn wildly and stick up in unruly spikes. She sighs. "Well, let me get this straight… the world is at peace… the anti-pacifists have become pacifists… there is no need for any weapons… right?"
"Yes."
"The only logical next step is to destroy my weapon," says Herangelia, "in theory of course." She smiles.
"That's the right answer," says Cecilia, "Now if only it hadn't been a hypothetical question!"
Herangelia giggles.
"One day, the world will need salvation," says Cecilia giggling, "but it will not always…"
Thomas walks into the living room. He smiles. "There you are, Cecilia! I've been looking for you. Hey, Herangelia!"
"Hi, Thomas!" exclaims Herangelia.
"Cecilia, I have a question, but I don't know if you'd know the answer," says Thomas.
Cecilia stands up and walks to the stereo with Thomas. She starts to put a disk in as she says, "What is it? I'll try to answer."
Thomas walks up beside Cecilia and whispers, "My mom wasn't buried with her wedding ring. Do you know what happened to it?"
"For the longest time, Heero wore it… on a chain around his neck, but he finally put it away in the safe in his room," whispers Cecilia in return, "He planned to give it to one of you children once you were grown."
"Thank you, Cecilia," says Thomas walking back towards Herangelia, "Maybe we could play checkers later. Huh, Herangelia?"
"Great!" exclaims Herangelia, "And I'll try to go easy on you, Thomas! I just have a self-defense lesson with Cecilia today. We could play after lunch! I have all my schoolwork ready for tomorrow."
"Great! After lunch!" exclaims Thomas. He smiles and walks out.
"Okay! It's about time to fly!" exclaims Cecilia, "But one thing first! I love this song!" She presses the play button on the stereo.
Herangelia stands when she hears the familiar music. She sings along with the words, "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. When thoughtfulness is not their game, I teach by giving love. High mountains seem higher endlessly when they're pebbles at your feet. And if you should still fall into despair, there is one thing left to believe I lie in your heart always…"
"Nothing is braver than honesty. My life is your faith in me," says Duo on the recording.
"I'll be there when you need, you don't have to hide from me what you are feeling now. I fill your soul," sings Herangelia, "We will seek together destiny. Troubles have an end. We'll carry on hand in hand, you're not alone."
"Now keep up with the beat," says Cecilia smiling.
"People searching desperately outside themselves, caught up in thinking of what never helped. And I'd forgotten too that love exists inside me as in those I wanted from. I feel you now!" sings Herangelia passionately. She starts to dance as she continues to sing, "I'll be there…"
"I'll be there," sings Cecilia.
"When you need. We will live together. Nothing is in our way," sings Herangelia.
"Nothing is in our way," sings Cecilia.
"With trust in our soul. We will seek together destiny. Troubles have an end. We will carry on hand in hand. We won't forget we have each other. Daite… Love is in the hearts of all men. You're not alone!"
Cecilia takes the disc out and puts it away.
"My mom loved that song, didn't she? I have a tape recording of her singing it," says Herangelia.
"It was her favorite song too," says Cecilia.
Herangelia smiles. "I'm ready to go."
Cecilia and Herangelia head off together to the old airfield.
***
Heero walks into the hospital morgue followed closely by Zechs, Reiya, and Nariya.
Nariya rushes past Heero to the side of the table where a body lies under the cover of a white sheet. She yanks the sheet back and screams. "No!"
"Mother!" exclaims Zechs rushing up to look at Sally's crushed body.
Reiya walks up slowly and pulls the sheet back away from a second body. She clenches her fists as she stares at the bloody hair and burnt flesh. She clenches her teeth tightly and snarls. "My mother!"
Zechs touches Sally's hand and closes his eyes. His tears fall slowly from his eyes. "I want to take them home… to be buried beside my father."
Heero steps forward and carefully examines both of the corpses. He turns towards the doctor and nods his head. "It is in fact Noin… Lucrezia Noin Peacecraft and Sally Po."
"I think I'm going to be sick!" Zechs clenches his stomach and turns away. He moves away from the two corpses and falls to the floor in a faint.
Reiya slams her fist into the table that holds Noin. A few tears roll down her cheeks. "Uncle Heero…"
Heero turns around. "Rei…"
Reiya turns towards Heero. Her eyes are completely void of tears, and they are filled instead with a thirst for vengeance.
"Don't look at me with those eyes, Rei," says Heero, "You are a Peacecraft, one of the last remaining. You mustn't cling to such thoughts of vengeance!"
"I am a Peacecraft in name, but I'm a Merquis by blood!" exclaims Reiya trying to stare down Heero, "By my father's hand, our country was avenged! It shall be by my hand now that my mother will be avenged!"
"No! There will be no retaliation from the Sanc Kingdom! That's what these bastards want! They want a war! They didn't get it with Milliardo! They didn't get it with Relena, and they cannot get it now with Noin and Sally!" exclaims Heero fiercely, "I know you are hurt! But I can't justify a war! I can't and I won't! But I also can't allow you to! I can't let you ruin what we've been working on for so many years! Milliardo and Relena died for peace! I won't let their sacrifice be in vain!"
Reiya slowly unclenches her fists. She falls forward.
Heero catches Reiya. He whispers, "Rei."
"Uncle Heero," whispers Reiya, "I wish to take my mother's place. I must become the Foreign Minister. Help me to live for peace."
"I'll help all I can, Rei," says Heero holding onto her as she bursts into tears.
"No!" screams Nariya. She runs into Heero's arms and sobs uncontrollably.
"Lena," whispers Heero placing his arm around Nariya.
"I will have them sent to the Sanc Kingdom," says the doctor, "Please, take all the time you need." With those final words, he slips out of the morgue.
Zechs wakes up and rolls onto his back as the salty water flows from his eyes. "Mom… Mother… I miss you already."
"Z, come join us," says Heero.
Zechs stands up and moves up to Heero and his sisters. He sets his hands on Reiya and Nariya's shoulders.
"We'll head back home as soon as you're ready," whispers Heero, "I'll take care of all the funeral arrangements!"
"I want to help," whispers Nariya.
"Yes, Lena!" whispers Heero.
***
Thomas looks at the jewelry in the display case as Trowa chats with the jewelry storeowner.
"Thanks for opening on a Sunday," says Trowa, "I know you didn't have to do us this favor."
The owner chuckles. "Do a favor for the Prince and one of the most popular band members of the decade? I wouldn't miss this chance!"
"Could I look at this?" asks Thomas. He points at a pretty ring.
The owner opens the case. He pulls out a gold band with three small pink diamonds in a heart formation. "This is a very special piece. The stones represent true love and family."
"It's beautiful," says Thomas. His cheeks turn the same shade as the diamonds as he turns towards Trowa. "Trowa, do you think Grace would like this?"
"Grace? We're shopping for Grace?" asks Trowa shocked.
Thomas nods and smiles as he turns red.
"But Thomas! This is an engagement ring!" exclaims Trowa with wide eyes.
"I know. Trowa, I want to ask your daughter to marry me," says Thomas, "I don't want to marry her really soon. Not for a few years, but I love her. It just feels so right to ask her. If you would approve of me marrying her of course!"
Trowa sighs. "Then I think I have what you're looking for at home," he says smiling, "I had intended to marry Ania, but she passed away before I could even ask her. I kept the ring that I had bought for her. I think Grace would like that ring more than any other because it was meant for her mother."
The jewelry storeowner takes the ring and puts it back into the display case. "I think she would want that ring."
Thomas smiles wider. "Thank you, Trowa!"
"I hope you'll come back soon to buy the young lady a nice bracelet or necklace to match the ring," says the owner smiling.
"I'm really sorry you had to open up for no reason," says Thomas, "I promise, I will be back to buy her something. Thank you."
Trowa takes Thomas out of the store, and they return home. He opens the safe in Heero's office and pulls out a ring. He passes it to Thomas.
"It's lovely. I'm going to go ask her now!" exclaims Thomas holding the ring tightly.
"Be romantic! She deserves it!" exclaims Trowa, "Son!"
"I know she does … Dad!" exclaims Thomas with a confidant wink. He runs from the room. He hurries out to the garden to pick a pink rose for Grace then he heads off to find her. He walks into the library. He smiles when he sees Grace staring longingly at a picture on the wall. "Am I interrupting, Angel?"
"Oh, no, Thomas!" exclaims Grace turning towards him. She smiles. "I was just looking at this picture of Mom and Relena."
Thomas walks up to Grace and holds out the rose. "The prettiest rose for the most beautiful woman."
Grace blushes and takes the rose.
"I love you, Grace!" exclaims Thomas kissing her.
"I love you, Thomas!" exclaims Grace.
Thomas kneels down in front of Grace. He smiles up at Grace and takes her left hand in his. "Angel, would you do me the great honor of becoming my wife? Will you marry me, Grace?"
"Does this have anything to do with what we did last night?" asks Grace fidgeting with her hair. Her cheeks redden as she remembers the feeling of Thomas's hands upon her body.
"No… yes… Grace, I love you, Angel! I want to marry you, so I can love and protect you forever! I want you to be my wife, Grace, even if I could never make love to you again," says Thomas sincerely, "I love you, Grace, very much. That's why I'm asking you again. Angel, will you marry me?"
"Yes, Thomas! I love you! I'll marry you!" exclaims Grace.
Thomas slides the ring onto Grace's left hand. He kisses her hand and stands up. "Trowa bought that ring for your mother, but he never got the chance to give it to her."
Grace looks at the beautiful ring. She kisses Thomas passionately. "Oh, Thomas! It's beautiful! It's perfect! Thank you!"
"You're beautiful! You're perfect! You're my angel!" exclaims Thomas holding Grace tightly.
"I want to go tell Dad!" exclaims Grace smiling happily, "He should be the first person to find out! My dad and your dad!"
"Well… Trowa already knows that I was going to ask you," says Thomas, "He gave me the ring! So… let's go tell him that you said yes!"
Grace nods.