|Chapter Three|

The late night flight had taken a toll on Makoto's stability of thought after cramming all the information in one night. They practiced for hours on speeches to keep their story straight if ever asked a possible list of questions. When Heero had left her to grab something, Makoto felt her tired body take over and put her into a deep sleep. Giving her a break, Heero let her rest while finishing the research on her background. Everything she spoke had been true: living in Crystal Tokyo, being there for the change, and she was also known for her growing restaurant. Before he had a chance to look up Crystal Tokyo and the rulers themselves, Heero decided it would be best to rest as well. Setting an alarm, both were awaken in time for a run through as Heero finally let Makoto in on the last key information.

"Wait…you've got to be kidding me," replied Makoto groggily over a cup of coffee as she leaned lazily in her seat.

"I wish I was," responsed Heero as Makoto mulled over the words. Ignoring the topic, Makoto downed her coffee before moving to get ready. Angrily she pulled on her soft blue jeans in the confined bathroom space allotted. How could he hide something like that? Wasn't that an important little detail that someone should include before agreements? She would have felt better if there was more of a heads up. Letting out a sigh, Makoto sunk to sit on the bathroom floor. This was major: Relena Peacecraft wanted Heero. Not just to hire him, but physically wanted him. It was such a small world to cross paths and she hoped lady luck was showing favor. Makoto didn't want to be recognized by Relena from when she met her during peace negotiations…but also ruin her own negotiations with the Sanq Kingdom.

"Makoto, we are going to land," said Heero through the door. Hell, she didn't care anymore and just wanted to take her time. Not responding quick enough, the door was opened as he checked up on her silence.

"Just give me a moment," she said, moving to her feet and pulling her laced soft pink camisole on. Heero pried his eyes from her bare skin and moved to his seat, buckling while waiting for the woman. She had been silent after he spilled the news but he didn't blame her; it was a lot to mull over. Relena had made a promise that if Heero wasn't married by the time he was twenty-five then she would do whatever she could to make him marry her. This was his fool proof plan to get her to leave him alone forever. He had done enough by protecting the colonies and even her from death; wasn't that good enough? Just because he was an ex-gundam pilot didn't mean he needed to be under lock-and-key. Makoto joined him with a cotton half sleeve cropped green sweater adding a completion to her outfit. Fiercely, she turned to him as her emeralds burned like never before.

"This is a deal-breaker, Heero. Notification of the true situation would have influenced my disagreement with this…business proposal," Makoto muttered quickly while her thoughts continued to churn. "Queen Peacecraft is not a woman to be trifled with, and if at all possible I need to make sure never to meet her."

So, this was all over Relena? He cursed himself for having brought her name up, but he had to be honest. Her hand touched his wrist tenderly, bringing him out of his frown slightly. If this was going to work in anyway, Makoto was going to have to tell Heero the truth. He needed to know who she was, and what something like this could look if it ever met the presses. Makoto wanted him to promise it never would, and find a way to never meet Relena or be near the Sanq Palace.

"I'm not who you think I am," Makoto said suddenly, bringing his frown back. There wasn't anything else he didn't know about her. Heero had already looked her up and checked everything out. She was who she said she was. Her parents died when she was young, she went to school with her friends, grew up on her own, went to culinary school for a degree, opened her own business, and lived in her own town house growing her own herbs for her recipes. What else was there? Did he need to get all romantic on her? If that was what she needed, then he would do it.

"Makoto," he said, taking her hands in his carefully. "It will be fine; I will be there the whole time and there is a slim possibility of meeting Relena."

He wasn't sure if this worked or not, due to the door opening suddenly as a familiar voice broke through.

"Welcome home, He-man!" Heero had smashed his mouth a bit roughly in a sudden kiss, his hand brushing against her cheek softly as he pulled back slowly, watching the man with the long chestnut braid stop in his tracks; his indigos were filled with surprise and shock. Heero gave Makoto a soft smile as he watched the blush over her cheeks and then turned his attention to Duo as they both moved from their seat, Heero locking his arm around her waist and keeping her close.

"Duo, this is my wife Makoto," said Heero, watching Duo's face look even more shocked. He already couldn't believe that the perfect soldier had even landed a woman, most of all this tall beauty. The rest of the guys were going to be excited. Duo shook Makoto's hand, feeling her warm and firm grip. Was this one of his friends? Makoto wasn't too sure who he was, but he was cute as well. It made her want to laugh for a bit, now that she was 'married' all the handsome guys seemed to surface when she didn't need them anymore.

"It's nice to meet you," Makoto replied, producing a kind smile.

"Um, I'm bringing you around to Quatre's since I wanted to be the first to meet you and I'm glad I did. Wufei is going to be in for a huge surprise! I can't wait to see the look on everyone's face," said Duo with a large grin. Gulping down the excitement, Makoto followed Heero slowly out of the private jet toward the black limo awaiting.

I take it they're all rich? Wondered Makoto, locking into a window seat. Duo stared at her the entire time, staying a bit too quiet for Heero while Makoto let her thoughts wonder again. How was she going to tell him? It was already hard enough now that he was introducing her, but she had to put her foot down; contract or not she didn't want anything to ruin the peace between Relena and the senshi. It was something she staked her life on, and if those mobile suits were still around then their magic wouldn't be enough. She was going to give Ami a call in order to try and protect the Crystal Palace better. With all the technology that was continuing to be created, they needed to be prepared if some huge war would break out.

"What's new Maxwell?" Heero asked suddenly, making Duo grin. He finally leaned back, watching Heero's fingers rub over Makoto's knuckles; Duo still couldn't tell if he was imagining things or not. This was all getting too real and fast paced. During his time working, he had the thoughts that he would be the one to bring the first woman to the party. Never had he thought this would be the outcome.

"Not much, still working on projects, fixing things, and testing out a supply of suits to make sure they are working perfectly," he responded lazily, putting his arms behind his head. "You still are keeping the…peace?"

Heero nodded, watching Duo grin.

They're testing suits, she thought, knowing this was more of an emergency than she had thought before. The first chance she got, she was going to need to get Ami or even Rei on the phone. Sliding her hand into her pocket, she moved her hand to send a text to Rei, telling her to call at the most possible moment.

"How did you two meet?" asked Duo quickly. Heero decided to let Makoto have this one, giving a soft squeeze to her hand.

"Internet dating site," she said with a smile only to get a laugh in response. "I know, it sounds very odd but it was busy times when we met. I was making sure my business was getting off the ground and Heero was traveling a lot for work. I'm glad he replied, or else we wouldn't be here today."

Makoto had given Heero a smile while Duo looked on, unsure of what to do next. What was he going to do now that Heero wasn't a bachelor? For one, he couldn't just barge into his room and annoy him; there was someone else there, permanently. Changing the subject away from them, Duo pointed through the trees to a mansion neatly landscaped with a large class white water fountain in the front as the limo entered through the black iron gates. The classic look was that of a dark beige brick work with white trimmings around the mansion; Makoto had never seen a home this large in person. The largest place she had seen was the Crystal Palace.

"Welcome to Quatre's lovely home," said Duo. "It seems that Trowa is going to be a little bit late as well since he has some business to finish up. I'm not sure what it is, but he'll be around. In a few days, there is a fund raiser for the children orphanages that Relena is holding and would like all of us to attend the dinner and ball."

Heero nodded, letting Duo exit first and then helping Makoto out after himself.

"Not too bad," he said, close to her ear and chuckled when he received a glare instead.

"I still need to talk to you later," she said quietly and then felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. Fishing it out, she looked at him with a sigh when the name registered on the caller ID. "It's another one of my friends, Rei at that. Word is getting around fast…"

Heero moved inside first, leaving Makoto to her phone call as she quickly picked it up and started walking away from the house in hopes that no one would catch her conversation.

"Is something wrong Mako?" came Rei's worried voice.

"Have you talked to Minako lately?" asked Makoto only to get a no in response. Summing up the business deals, Makoto moved onto explain"…so now I stumbled on surprising information while having a drink with one of his buddies. The mobile suits are still active and we need to research about everything that happened."

"Wow Mako," said Rei after a long moment of silence. "I'm glad things are turning out great for your business but I have to see you to dig further. I'll get Ami working on things. Get out of there when you can and I'll send you an email with detailed information."

Makoto closed her phone and slipped it into her pocket, looking back at the door to see Heero poke his head out to catch her moving up the white steps. He took her hand and led her into the room, as her look land on a petite blond standing with a smile while Duo leaned lazily on his shoulder. His blue gems sparkled as he stepped forward and shook her hand kindly.

"Welcome Mrs. Makoto, it's a pleasure for you to join us. My name is Quatre Winner," he spoke, Makoto giving him a smile. Already she felt as if she was getting too deep; how was she going to suddenly leave after just meeting everyone? A promise was a promise, and now she felt stuck between her loyalties. Was she worrying for nothing? Pushing the thoughts from her mind, she could at least enjoy her time here for the most part.