Adagio
Adagio – musical marking, slow and stately (literally, "at ease")
A/N: My heartfelt thanks to the kind souls who dropped reviews, followed or favorited this story. You taking the time to read this was a gift, you taking the time to write back was a kindness.
Chapter 3: Emotions (Omoi おもい)
Omoi meaning can vary depending on the expression. As an adjective it can mean 'heavy' or 'important' or 'serious'. As a noun it can mean 'thought', 'mind', 'feeling', 'love', 'desire' or 'expectation'.
Relena caught the not-so-subtle yawn from the officer behind her.
She turned and gave him an amused smile. "It is pretty boring, isn't it?"
The tall blond man exchanged a look with the petite dark-haired officer next to him, looking sheepish.
The office of Foreign Affairs received an invitation of the President of Off-Planet German Confederation to attend the soft opening of the "Pop-Up House of Germany" in L3. Representing the ESUN government, Relena and another Senator of German descent Rodd Adenauer, were in the building today for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The event aims to present the Confederation's artistic, cultural, and innovative technological heritage to the colony residents. Colonies tend to be multi-cultural these days but its initial funding centuries ago was Earth nations. Certain roots still remained, L3 specifically had a good portion of Germans among its population. The House of Germany was meant to honor the past, acting as a drive to encourage new partnerships and common prospects between Earth and the Colony. Easily accessible from two other colonies nearby, the art center also acted as a potential tourist destination, adding a couple hundreds temporary jobs for people who lost theirs during the war. If the public response was good, there would be a potential to convert it to a permanent museum.
After the ribbon-cutting, a lunch with local Representatives and a few of the artisans involved was scheduled. The confederation president recommended the team to take a tour of the building in the interim, allowing them to view the displays in private before it fully opened to public tomorrow.
Relena opted for a personal viewing, politely rejecting the offer from the center's art director to act as a guide. The amiable man handed her team a few printed pamphlets and an e-pad containing a self-guided tour app and left them to their devices.
In her opinion, the building was beautiful. Most structures in the colonies tended to be very urban, all clean lines and sterile, typically built for function and based on the latest technology. This particular building had a decidedly industrial vibe, with concrete floor and exposed ceiling, tall windows framed by black iron frames. The supporting pillars were made of red bricks, eye-catchingly contrasted with the ivory walls and white-painted barn sliding doors. Unlike other storied museums she had visited on Earth, this art center had a much laid-back atmosphere. Pieces of arts displayed casually, large canvases were left leaning on the walls or pillars instead of framed on the wall, pieces of art openly displayed on stands and long tables instead of caged in glass cases.
She was personally invested and would happily spend the remaining hour before lunch wandering around, though apparently her security team didn't quite share the sentiment. She circled to where Heero and the other officer stood near the floor's entrance.
The older officer greeted her.
"Are you done, Miss Relena?" he asked. The two younger officers behind her visibly brightened.
She shook her head, amused at the two more expressive members' crestfallen expressions.
"I think I'll walk around more," she said, "Why don't you all join Justine in the meeting hall upstairs? You can help me scout the attendees and maybe survey the surroundings. I hear it opens up to a sky bar."
Three pairs of eyes moved from Relena to Heero, waiting for his response.
Although the third officer remained professional, he got the impression all three of them were not into arts. Not that he couldn't relate.
He eyed Relena closely, she smiled back innocently. He knew she only made that offer knowing there was a high chance he would agree. The building was secured. As an art center there was a lot of surveillance built in to prevent theft, damage, and other possible disasters. With a few other officials in the building, there were a good number of security personnel standing around. To top it off, most people who agreed to a tour followed the art director, who had just headed upstairs. The floor was virtually deserted.
Maintaining an impassive look, he gave a curt nod. "You three head up. I'll escort the vice minister."
Relena's surprised expression was buried by a round of toned-down cheers and grateful looks.
"Lunch appointment starts at noon," he glanced at his wrist link. "No alcohol while on duty. Report anything unusual."
"Yes Sir!"
The three didn't waste time rushing to the staircase. Relena shook her head at their fleeing backs, directing a curious look back at him. He folded his arms and said nothing.
"I wasn't aware you like arts, Heero."
"I don't," he replied, "The pamphlets mentioned an innovation corner."
She chuckled as they walked through the doors, "I should warn you, it might be different than what you think."
Large canvases with abstract paintings scattered all around. The closest three had predominantly yellow background, with blobs of red, green, varying shades of grey, and purple. He had to blink twice at the very colorful view. One of the paintings looked like a disfigured elephant with three legs, breathing or vomiting fire.
He had no idea her taste was so avant-garde.
Heero followed behind, staying a few feet away.
She couldn't help stealing glances every so often. It was endearing to watch his befuddled reaction to the art pieces. The latest being an enormous ceramic statue on grey pedestal, taller than an average person, coated with a glossy blue paint and shaped like the left piece of a flip-flop sandal.
That one caught her by surprise as well. She made a mental note to ask the art director. It might make an interesting conversation point.
The next room was a bit more toned down, full of glass frames in dark and light colors. Looking closer, it was mixed material art pieces. She stood in front of one. It featured something which looks like a real tree, roots exposed and encased in elongated square amber, sandwiched between grey concrete. The branches were wider but left purposely bare, overlaid on top of watercolor painting of a blue sky and white clouds. The display next to it was clearly made by the same artist. The lighter colored frame encased small buds of purplish blue rose, roots also exposed and encased in amber, though this time the amber was in a triangular shape and planted in wood instead of concrete. Thin metal wire circled around the buds, making it the vantage point against a backdrop of grey-blue sky watercolor painting and a row of low metal fence made from the same wire materials. Both pieces were pretty in its unusual way.
She turned to seek Heero, thinking he might find them more sensible than the rest.
She was surprised to find him much further away than she expected.
Heero eyed the short assailant, who was clinging to his pants leg.
He noticed the boy from afar, wandering around and looking lost. Recognizing him as the child of the other official, he found him no threat and proceeded to ignore the boy. He didn't anticipate him to run and physically tackled him.
The young boy's blond head barely reached his hip. Heero caught the kid muttering a few words in German, catching the word 'badezimmer'.
While he mentally located the closest toilet, he saw Relena concernedly rushed to them.
Heero bent down to speak to the boy, pointing to one direction.
Relena was caught off-guard listening to them converse in German. Heero was giving the child directions to the washroom. She held back the urge to laugh or slap her head. The boy couldn't be older than five – he couldn't possibly go by himself.
She put a hand on Heero's shoulder, sending him a look.
Squatting down and catching the boy's teary gaze, she said in a friendly tone. "Hallo! Wir heißen Relena und Heero. Wie heißt du?" (Hello! We are Relena and Heero. What is your name?)
"Ben," he shyly answered.
"Das ist ein schöner name. Wie alt bist du Ben?" (That's a beautiful name. How old are you, Ben?)
He replied, beginning to open up. "Ich bin fünf jahre alt." (I am five.)
"Na ich bin siebzehn jahre alt," extending her hand, she took the little boy's hand and shook it. "Schön, dich kennenzulernen Ben." (Well, I am seventeen years old. Nice to meet you, Ben.)
She stood up and kept hold of his hand, "Soll ich deine Mom holen gehen?" (Shall we go find your mom?)
Ben stopped sniffing and nodded.
She eyed Heero, switching back to English and lowering her voice. "He must be the child of one of the guests."
He simply said, "Senator Adenauer."
She shot him a look that said 'How did you know that?'
He gestured the boy's light coloring. The senator had the same pale blond hair and ice blue eyes.
Matching their pace to the boy's short steps, they made a slow progress. Heero contemplated carrying the boy, but fortunately their search didn't take too long. The boy's nanny was desperately looking for him.
"Bis später Ben," Relena said. (See you, Ben.)
His nanny lifted him in her arms, patting his back. "Say 'tschüss' dear."
Ben obediently waved, "Tschüss Relena. Tschüss Heero." (Bye Relena. Bye Heero.)
Relena lightly waved back, subtly nudging Heero. He awkwardly made a small wave.
They watch the older lady and Ben walked towards the end of the hall, likely to find the washroom.
Smiling up to Heero, she asked. "Still want to see the innovation corner?"
Heading back into the showroom, Relena eyed him oddly. "I never knew you speak German."
"You never asked."
She lifted her eyebrows. "If I asked, would you answer?"
He paused, then nodded.
"I do have a question I have been wanting to ask."
Heero glanced at the cameras. She imperceptibly nodded, still smiling. "Nihongo o hanasemasu ka?" (Do you speak Japanese?)
His breath caught, he replied. "Umaku nai." (Not well.)
Although Saint Gabriel Academy was located in Japan, it was an international school. Ironically, all classes were conducted in English. Japanese was an elective course.
She hummed, switching back to English. "Do you speak any other languages?"
He shook his head no.
Choosing her words carefully, she asked. "Foreign language was not part of your... training, was it?"
He shook his head again. The languages were from his biological parents, he had not spoken German or Japanese for years. Sensing his hesitancy, she left it at that.
In an attempt to lighten the mood, she asked. "No question for me?"
He lifted an eyebrow. She shrugged. "It is only fair."
Well, he thought. "How many languages do you speak?"
"Fluently?" She pursed her lips, counting. "Six, I guess."
"Including English?"
She smiled, shaking her head. "Actually, my mother tongue is not English."
That was a new information. "What is it?"
"French." She pronounced the word with the proper accent 'français'.
Ah. Sanc Kingdom's official language. Still, seven was a lot.
"How did you learn them?"
She laughed, raising a hand and placing it on her chest. "A diplomat's daughter, remember?"
Technically, she was a king's daughter. He decided not to argue with her. "You travelled a lot."
"Yes, and moved a lot," she conversationally added, most of her attention on the art pieces. He barely registered the artwork anymore. "Father had worked as an ambassador before he became a vice minister. We moved to a new country every two or three years."
Speaking from personal experience, he knew it could be hard. Though being on-the-run obviously couldn't be the same as a normal work transfer.
"Everyone in your home speak that many languages?"
She chuckled at that, "No. Father spoke quite a lot of languages – for his job. Mother doesn't. She said it was harder to learn new things when one got older. She speaks English, French, and some Spanish."
"Was it hard?"
"Learning new languages?" she pondered. "Somewhat, I guess. I had to learn if I wanted to make friends. Though some languages were harder than others."
He noticed he was uncommonly asking a lot of questions, "Such as?"
"Um... Zulu?" she replied. "I never got fluent though. I took on quicker to Afrikaans – that's what most of my friends spoke."
She seemed to find his clueless look amusing. Throwing him a rope, she explained. "We lived in South Africa for some time. I don't suppose you have ever been there?"
He shook his head. "Japan was my first."
She turned, interested. "So you had never been to Earth before then? Where did you live?"
"Everywhere," he said vaguely. "In the colonies. Mostly in L1 clusters."
They went around like that, gingerly asking questions and answering. Not elaborating much, never venturing too deep. Partly being conscious of the surveillance and partly not feeling comfortable disclosing too much. Nonetheless, it was a revelation. By the time they finished the tour and headed to the lunch, Heero barely recalled anything about the art pieces or the innovation corner.
Their last stop before returning to earth was an L3 colony.
The visit was not even listed in the official news, the Ministry's Public Relation department fearing negative backlash and the Preventer trying to minimize risk. They wouldn't even stay overnight, arriving very early and heading back before midnight.
It was X-18999, where Relena was drugged and kidnapped by Mariemaia's army on Christmas eve.
The redevelopment of the colony had been halted for several months before the Winner corporation took over. After almost half a year of construction, it was almost ready for unveiling.
"Welcome, Miss Relena."
Quatre himself greeted them. Since ascending to his role as the head of a prominent colony corporation who owned and operated many resource satellites, Relena and Quatre had met in formal settings a few times. The government had posted several tenders on development projects and the Winners corporation's newly expanded construction subsidiary had placed bids. Having a solid fleet of heavy machinery, skilled workers, and direct access to its own off-planet mines gave the corporation an edge, winning them several major deals. Relena happened to know Quatre had personal attachments to a couple projects. Including the complete rebuild of colony 06-E3, which was destroyed by the proto zero's twin buster rifle.
And this one. It was not common for a highly complex construction project to be passed over on-the-fly, especially one of this size. The negative association to the coup also didn't help attracting bids from credible companies. When the government audit had concluded, the state of the colony was found to be far from satisfactory. It was probably of no surprise, since Dekim Barton basically laundered the money to build his own personal army.
There were several companies bidding, but many of them were second or third rate, most trying to venture into a project of this scale for the first time. She consulted Quatre for advice, simply to ask for pointers. She never expected him to swoop in to help – but she was eternally grateful for that. There were too many things to consider. The project was already delayed several times, funding was running out, and they simply couldn't risk more repercussions. Quatre was being a true friend.
On the surface though, they maintained an amiable companionship, politely professional, not belying anything. She introduced the newer team members to him, customarily mentioning Heero as the new agent in charge of her protection.
Welcoming her entire entourage, Quatre shook hands with everyone, exchanging a few words with her aide who he had previously met.
Relena watched him stood with Heero, their greetings plain and brief, unsuspecting to onlookers. She was curious if the two of them had been in contact recently.
Quatre was quite surprised when she had privately told him that Heero had joined the Preventer and would be accompanying her to visit. Always a tactful one, he didn't ask many questions. Honestly she wasn't sure how to answer if he did. She herself was still wondering why Heero took up the post.
Although it was one of a relatively smaller ones, colony X-18999 was still massive.
They spent the entire morning touring the colony's facilities, especially the foundations. Most people, especially Earthlings, were not really aware that colonies were built in multiple layers. Most activities happened in the innermost circle, where homes and offices were built and most of the daily life was conducted.
Underneath it all there was an entirely different world. Narrow layers of wiring and connectors and complex technology sure, but there were usually two or three layers hosting what Earth typically called exurbs or inhabited areas. These were where renewable resources were raised. Massive farms, orchards, vineyards, plantains and various groweries, sustainable forests, spanning acres and acres. There was another layer dedicated for live stocks, ranging from poultry to dairy to fisheries to more non-conventional livestock farming like heliculture.
The last layer was situated at the outermost circle, facing the outer-space. It generally housed storage houses, foundries, and factories. It also served as shuttle ports for public audience, docking stations for gigantic mining ships, and refineries for materials. All wrapped up by massive solar panels, sets of highly efficient photovoltaics which generated and stored electricity, powering the entire structure. A colony was designed to be an entire ecosystem on its own.
Half of their team were colonists, born and raised. But Heero could tell they never quite saw the colony like this.
Being a child of Earth herself, Relena was full of marvel and wide-eyed wonder.
Having lived in colonies his entire life, Heero was privy to some of its inner workings. He had always viewed the technologically altered things somewhat dispassionately. There was something different about synthetic things, genetically altered, made out of human hands. Tidy and organized and purposeful, almost to the point of unnatural. It was just something built to sustain existence, he never really gave it much thought.
It felt different looking at things through her eyes. Quatre seemed intent to give her the whole tour, treating it not strictly a business visit, more like taking a close companion for an outing. He left nothing out, even the less glamorous things like waste management and recycling. No area was off limits if only she asked. This was the world they lived.
She viewed it as an extraordinary feat. A result of dedication and hard work. An outstanding achievement of humanity. A miracle.
He could never view the colony, artificial as it was, the same way ever again.
Joy was truly contagious.
Quatre sat on one of the back rows of the inter-colony train, watching the group chattering. They were testing the railway system, one of the major public transportation in the colony. He thought it was a good decision to use the Panorama Car, which offered a sweeping view of the colony. The windows of the car were six feet wide and a seven-and-a-half feet high, extending all the way to the ceiling. The glass-domed car was typically reserved for Touring class passengers, for longer, cross-sector routes spanning thousand miles.
Today's train trip would not be nearly that long, but he could tell his guests enjoyed the private tour. The younger officers gleefully crowed about how this kind of trip usually sitting untouched in one's bucket list. The regular ticket price for such routes was rather expensive, let alone if one wanted to reserve an entire car. The older officer admonished them for being crass, to which the unrepentant lad ribbing him back for being too uptight.
Relena laughed lightly at the group's antics, shaking her head. In her business casual clothes, surrounded by friendly faces, she was more relaxed than usual. Quatre thought it was a pity she wouldn't be there for the actual unveiling. But considering the unsavory incident, he was not surprised the government chose to send a different representative. Perhaps it was best that this was not an official visit. Sitting there in the glass-domed car, admiring the view, she looked like she was having fun. He knew about the constraints of her political position and the tight security surveillance and empathized with her strongly. With the entire colony being empty and several of his trusted Maguanac Corps allies present, the environment was virtually secured. There were no cameras, no judging eyes, no wagging tongues. He had hoped this visit allowed her a reprieve and was glad to see her genuinely happy.
He was apparently not the only one.
Covertly glancing at Heero, sitting not too far away, he caught his friend doing the same thing as what he just did. Watching the team, watching her.
He had changed. Quatre got that impression earlier in the day when he welcomed the entire team. But he was more sure now.
During the war, Heero was a very different man. His entire person was like an unsheathed knife, all cold sharpness and threatening gravity. He was not one to assert his own self. His entire being was driven by his missions, hell bent towards fulfilling them at any costs. He was always worried his friend would end up doing more harm than good. Committing something which one would forever regret. He himself did. It was so easy to lose oneself amidst the chaos of the battlefields.
Quatre shook himself out of his reverie, returning to his silent observation of his two friends. Even from back then, he had always knew they had a special bond. Relena was still herself, affectionate and caring, protective and loyal, although perhaps a touch unsure what to make of her new security commander. In comparison Heero was much more stoic, revealing almost nothing. Interestingly though, his eyes seemed to follow her often, and dare he said it, had a different quality to it. It was something akin to curiosity, admiration, or fascination. On a few occasions, his look actually softened. Definitely far from uproariously ecstatic, but it was almost as if he was happy to see her happy.
Scientifically speaking, happiness was indeed contagious. Though in this case, Quatre didn't think that was all it was.
"We are almost there," Quatre announced to the group.
He smiled at the chorus of disappointed 'oooh'.
Offering a consolation, he added that there was actually a Prestige Park Car further back which had a higher vantage point of the colony's skyline... and had an excellent bar and coffee station. "You can certainly take a look if you'd like."
The group enthusiastically turned to Heero, who nodded. A flurry of 'thank you Mr. Winner' – some cheerful, some polite – followed by excited footsteps towards the door. Relena stayed behind, and as per their default Heero stayed with her.
"Would you like me to bring you something to drink Miss Relena?" Relena's aide turned to ask her. "Tea?"
The female officer interjected, winking. "We'll bring her a cocktail."
"No alcohol while on duty," Relena mimicked, eyeing Heero.
The petite woman wrinkled her nose playfully, "Fine. Mocktail it is."
Merry laughter followed them out. Relena shook her head.
"I like them," she said to no one in particular.
"Well," Quatre commented, exchanging glances with her, noting Heero's weary expression. "They seem fun."
Relena giggled openly, nodding. In Heero's defense, Quatre held back and schooled his features to neutral.
"While I have the two of you," Quatre said, pressing a switch and reversing the front seat backward, settling down across the pair. "I am happy to see both of you again."
"Hn," he nodded.
"It's a pleasure, Quatre."
Dinner was a decidedly loud affair. The group sat down to supper with Quatre, Rasid, and his group of cherry Maguanacs, who were all introduced as members of Winner's mining operations who made the jump into construction business.
As per their religious custom, there wasn't a drop of alcohol served. Yet one wouldn't be able to tell from the raucous conversations, words rattling between glasses, questions and answers overlapping.
It felt like a somewhat festive affair, like a Thanksgiving dinner with extended families. The corps easily brought everyone into their fold.
Relena especially seemed to revel in it. Her circumstances made for a rather lonely childhood, something that Quatre could relate to. The rest of her team responded to the genial welcome their own way. Some blended well into the jolly atmosphere, some not quite so. All of them being good-natured at heart, everyone had an overall good time.
Too bad they wouldn't stay overnight, Quatre thought to himself. Perhaps there would be opportunities to visit in the future. His family manor in L4 definitely had more than enough space, if their schedule matched he could extend an invitation.
His trained ears picked out quiet steps on the stairs, against the coffee machine's whirl. Playing a good host, he was making coffee for everyone. Insistent on doing it himself, Quatre asked the Maguanac to remain in the dining room and keep their new friends company.
He was expecting one or two of them to peek in regardless, perhaps Rasid or the quietly considerate Ahmad.
He could tell it was neither of them. The old instincts still had their uses.
Taking a seat on one of the stools lining up the simple kitchen bar, he pulled up another stool and waited for Heero's entrance.
Heero nodded to Quatre, taking the offered seat.
"Seeking refuge?" Quatre asked, a quiet humor in his voice.
He blinked at him.
"We are a rather loud bunch," he said, a touch apologetically.
He smirked, shrugging it off. Looking at the pots of coffee brewing on the countertop, he replied. "Just thought you need a hand with those."
Quatre smiled, standing up to swap the full pots with empty ones, brewing another batch of coffee. Pressing the button, he said. "Last ones. These should be enough I think."
Heero nodded.
"You seem well, Heero."
"You too."
The blond former pilot smiled, settling back onto the stool. "I am doing pretty well these days."
They looked out of the kitchen window towards the glittering lights outside. Although the colony was not yet inhabited, the main electricity was fully connected and the street lights were functioning well.
"Quite a project, Quatre."
He turned, a little surprised. "Thank you. It wasn't just me. And technically we only did the final phase."
"That would have made things much harder."
Another look of surprise crossed his face, before shifting to a proud smile. It was indeed difficult to take over this kind of project. Not to mention in reality there was no formal handover. They had to figure things on their own.
"This project has been good for me," Quatre's smile turned pensive. He paused, thinking of the Maguanacs. "For all of us actually."
"I understand."
They exchanged a perceptive glance. Of course he understood. On this particular area, the five of them understood each other, better than anyone else.
"I didn't expect you to join up with the Preventer," Quatre ventured quietly.
Heero's gaze returned to the lights outside the window. "It is the only useful place for me."
They remained quiet for a few beats. "You might already know, Trowa and Duo won't be joining."
Heero just nodded. "As you do."
"I have my own way," the blond man replied, an unvoiced thought clearly transmitted. Each of them was still finding a way to cope, to make amends.
"The placement with Miss Relena was rather startling, I take it." Heero couldn't pin if it was a question or a statement. "It becomes you, Heero."
He wasn't sure what to say to that.
"We changed," Quatre gestured to the two of them, amending. "We are changing. Building, protecting. It may take some getting used to, but... As I said, the project has been good for me."
They had stood on a completely different line during the war. Killing, destroying. Their very mission was to obliterate anything on their paths.
Truth to be told, Commander Une was the one who assigned him the security commander post. But she also gave him a way out, acknowledging that there were other missions more suited to his nature. He thought he accepted the assignment because he wanted to atone, to make reparation, to settle things right. Feeling uneasy, he now wondered if he subconsciously wanted to change.
"Did Miss Relena tell you that we are building another colony from scratch?"
Surfacing from his thoughts, Heero replied. "Colony 06E-3."
Quatre nodded. There was a shadow of pain in his eyes, but his gaze was otherwise resolute. It was his own way to atone. "Even after X-18999 is complete, I am keeping the construction arm. We are in this for the long haul."
Heero nodded. Quatre seemed to have found his path.
"Have you thought of what's next, Heero?" he asked, blue eyes inquisitively acute.
He had no answer to that. He had never thought that far.
Relena looked back at the glittering lights of the colony in the distance, taking in the view.
The group stood in front of the tall column made of metal and glass, one of the main elevators heading towards the spaceport area.
She had waved off the Maguanac's offer to escort them to the port, exchanging fond farewells after dinner.
Quatre insisted on accompanying them, at least to the elevator.
All of them shook Quatre's hand differently than they had done in the morning. One shook it excitedly up and down, commenting how the day had been a blast. The ladies shook it gratefully, with both hands, expressing their thanks. The oldest officer shook it firmly, sincere in his polite appreciation.
Heero clasped his hand briefly but solidly, his gaze direct, no words needed.
Relena ignored his stretched hand and pulled him for a quick hug, which he returned.
"Thank you, Quatre," she said, gesturing to the colony in the backview. "All of these. Thank you."
His smile was equally heartfelt, "It's my pleasure, Miss Relena."
"It was wonderful to have you." Catching Heero's eyes who stood not too far away, he dropped his voice lower. "When the other project finishes, I hope you will stay for a longer visit. Both of you."
A brilliant smile on her lips, Relena replied. "Of course."
She didn't get it. She understood that Quatre referred to colony 06E-3. She knew its significance to him. What she did not understand was how long building a colony from scratch could take. On average it took three to seven years from the first proposal to have it actually working in space. A particularly large or unusual one would take more than ten years to make.
Quatre kept his eyes on Heero. A few beats passed before he nodded.
He smiled, glad for the wordless promise. Quatre knew it might not mean that things would stay the same for that long. Regardless, Heero was not one to make a promise lightly, it at least guaranteed a reunion of sorts.
Waving the group goodbye, he watched them stepping into the elevator.
He really hoped they would stay together. They both needed a little looking after.
A/N: Apparently a good number of foreign diplomats speak 3 languages or more. I am envious. On that note, please forgive misappropriations of the Italian, Japanese, or German smattering. I am not out to butcher the language, honest.