Chapter 12

As soon as she got back to the Peacecraft mansion - or what was left of it - Relena let the few straggling reporters and interviewers take her away to do interviews and photo shoots and all the stuff she did every day of her life. Except now Relena knew it would be so much easier, because now she had the one thing that made her life complete: Heero.

She breezed through those interviews, assuring everyone that it was all okay and telling them not to fear or hunt the Gundam pilots, because she knew that somewhere up in space was a man that loved her, a man that was working to protect her and their future. Any time she even began to feel down, she remembered his lingering kisses, his laughter, and most of all his promise to get married when he returned. It was more than she had ever even dreamed, and Relena loved it all. All day she felt like singing, feeling almost giddy and light-headed. Finally she had the thing she wanted most in the world.

Zechs and Lucrezia noticed all of it - how different she was from that day at the breakfast table! Relena was bright, smiling, radiant, and confidant all day, even though five men up in space were working their hardest to protect her.

There was a press conference held around four o’clock p.m.. Relena stood up at the podium, close to at least six microphones, dressed in a black skirt and white shirt, and, with a radiant smile, answered nearly all of the questions.

A young reporter raised his hand and asked, "Ma’am, about the ball last night. We’ve had several readers ask us if your date was serious. Could you answer that for us?"

Zechs and Lucrezia, off to the right of the podium, exchanged glances. They knew something like this was going to come up. However, Relena smiled again and laughed a little, then said, "As you all know, I was saved from a kidnapping plot by five wonderful men who were the guests of honor at the ball last night. Now," she continued, her face growing serious. "Many people would not like me to tell you this, but I have always said that a leader must be honest to do well. Those five men were, in truth, the old Gundam pilots."

There were gasps of surprise from every corner of the room, and cameras began snapping like crazy as reporters had to yell over each other.

Pagin, one of Relena’s advisors, raised both his hands, and immediately the room quieted. He pointed to one of the reporters, who smiled and quickly asked, "These men saved you from the kidnappers? And one of them was your date? But weren’t the Gundam pilots vicious and fierce, didn’t they start the wars? I’ve heard they were responsible for the L6 riot - "

Relena shook her head firmly and cut in, "You have been very misinformed, sir. It was a secret force on a Colony in L1 that tried to begin the war, and it worked. The Gundam pilots were, indeed, against the Earth’s peaceful ways for a long time, until my own brother, and his leader, convinced them to fight on our side. The L6 riot had absolutely nothing to do with the pilots. Every one of them, except for one, is married and happily living here, on Earth, completely peaceful."

"Where is the other one?" the reporter asked eagerly.

Relena smiled. "Oh, he’s here, too."

Another reporter, an older woman, smiled shrewdly and asked, "That was your date, wasn’t it, Miss Relena?"

Relena laughed. "Yes, it was."

The reporters grew louder again, yelling their questions as loud as they could. Pagin, again, had to hold up his hands, and Relena nodded to one middle-aged reporter.

"Do you two have a relationship?" he asked bluntly.

Relena glanced at Zechs and Lucrezia. Zechs, grinning, gave her a tiny shake of the head. They had decided this long before. Relena turned back to the reporters and said, "I am not at liberty to say."

It was a pot of gold for reporters that day. Besides Relena’s friendships with the Gundam pilots, there was also the bombing situation. Relena addressed the Earth and Colonies later that night.

"I know everyone now is feeling unsafe in their homes," Relena said, her face on nearly every TV and vidcam screen in the Earth and Colonies. "And that is the worst thing that could ever happen. No, we are not in war, and I am doing everything in my power to keep it that way. Five wonderful men are in space right now, and they are working to protect everyone, everything that we’ve worked for. Yes, they are the Gundam pilots, and yes, they did have huge roles in the war years ago. But, as we all know, they are the best of the best, and I assure each and every one of you that they will do everything in their power to ensure that we are safe. The bombing did destroy the foundations of my house, but it did not destroy the foundation of what we have created here. Peace cannot be shaken by rage, hate, or jealousy, if the people uphold their ways of life. We must unite as a people; be strong. Comfort one another. Many, many lost their lives that night, including my own little nephew. Listen to those who lost a loved one. Believe me, I know how it feels. Talk to your children, let them know everything’s going to be okay. And please, please, don’t jump to conclusions about anything. We don’t know who is responsible for this act of terrorism, but trust me, the World Nation will find out. We are going to find out; nobody can hide from a people when they unite to fight the enemy. Believe me, my friends, you can count this enemy already gone, because when we are through with him, the only mark that he will leave on these people is the burned remains of my house, and the continuous ache in our hearts that comes when we lose a loved one. But time will heal everything; my house can be rebuilt, and we can learn to live with the pain. People have always done well at adapting and changing, and that is just what we are going to do now."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

They reached L3 sometime around eight o’clock that night. Heero and Duo were on duty in the cockpit, and the admission guard gave them a grin. Before either of them could give their aliases, the man said over the radio, "Nice to meet you at last, soldiers. Back in the war, you Gundam pilots were the idols, you know?"

Heero and Duo stood speechless.

The guard went on, not noticing their silence. "I mean, jeez, defeated everything from a Pisces to the Libra in OZ, ya know? And then, savin’ Miss Relena - " The guard sneaked a sly glance at Heero. "Rumors have it that at a press conference ‘round five she admitted she had a relationship with one of them, ya know? Wouldn’t have been one of you boys, would it?"

Of course, Duo just had to jab his finger at Heero, grin cheekily, and say, "Yup, he’s the one."

Heero ignored the comment and said, "Why do you think we’d be the Gundam pilots?"

The guard snorted. "Maybe ‘cause it’s known throughout the Colonies an’ Earth that five guys in an X-283 are searchin’ for the terrorists, ya know? Plus, it’s all Her Highness has talked about lately. Say that we’re safe with you guys in charge. You boys have got your faces on every TV screen and newspaper around, ya know?"

Heero stared, hearing but not believing. It was Duo who finally said, "Look, I’m sorry, sir, but we really need to - "

"Oh, yeah," the guard replied over the radio. "Sorry ‘bout that. Must be busy, bein’ Gundam pilots and all..."

Heero pushed forward on one of the control sticks and the ship shot forward, leaving the guard yelling, "Wait! Can I get yer autographs?"

They checked into a hotel fifteen minutes later. Quatre suggested aliases, but the hotel lobbyist knew who they were on sight anyway. She seemed both scared out of her wits and ecstatic.

The minute they were in their room, Heero went straight to the vidcam and punched in Relena’s number. She had told him that they were going to stay at Quatre’s spacious house, in the guest bedroom that had its own vidcam.

Duo came up behind Heero and said grimly, "This is trouble."

Heero snorted. "More than you know."

Duo glanced quizzically at him, but at that instant Relena’s face appeared on the screen, relaxed, leaned back in her chair, eating a bowl of vanilla ice cream.

"Heero!" she said with a grin. "Miss me already, huh?"

Heero did not smile, and she knew something was wrong. She was right.

"Relena, what’d you tell them at that press conference?"

She winced. "I messed up, didn’t I?"

Wufei came into the room and said quickly, "Woman, are you crazy? We’ve got our pictures pasted on every single television screen in the world and Colonies, thanks to your stupidity!"

Relena glared at him and said coldly, "I told you never to call me that."

"Relena," Heero said firmly. "What did you tell them, exactly?"

She shook her head furiously. "I specifically told Zechs that no pictures were to be released, no matter what. You must have your facts wrong, I didn’t - "

Duo turned a nearby television to face the vidcam, flipped it on, and said, "Then what’s this, then?"

A news reporter, grinning with her too-white teeth, smiled at the camera as she said, "And this just in; Miss Relena Peacecraft has just released the pictures of the five ex-Gundam pilots, including one of Heero Yuy - " Heero’s picture flashed on the screen, a perfect headshot. " - whom Her Highness has admitted she has an intimate relationship with. The other pilots..."

Wufei turned off the television and said curtly, "Enough for you, woman?"

Relena’s mouth was hanging open, and Heero looked surprisingly hurt. He stared at Relena and said quietly, "Tell me you didn’t say that. Tell me you didn’t say that we..." he trailed off, staring at her.

Relena shook her head furiously. "Heero, you know I wouldn’t do that!"

"Then what’d you say?" demanded Trowa, who had come in during the reporter’s spill.

Relena shrugged. "They asked if we - if we had a relationship, and I said I couldn’t say."

Heero groaned, and Duo clapped a hand to his forehead. "Not smart," Duo said miserably. "And what’s with the pictures?"

Relena, again, shook her head, looking worried. "I did not release pictures, Duo, you know I wouldn’t do that. Somebody...Zechs told me earlier that he thinks there’s a leak somewhere. He has no idea who it is...he checked the lobbyists’ background, but the guy’s a perfect civilian. Not even a parking ticket."

Duo couldn’t help but sigh in what he believed a wistful manner. "Oh, to be young and innocent again..."

Heero said roughly, "This is not a time to kid around, Duo. Besides, you’ve never been innocent." He turned back to Relena. "You’ve got to get those pictures and information back, somehow. Everyone knows we’re in space, including the enemy. There’s no way we can get anywhere without being mobbed by people who want our picture and autograph."

Relena snorted. "Welcome to my life." She sighed and began twisting a lock of golden hair with one finger. "Well, I can’t turn back time, and now that the pictures are out, they’re not coming back. I’ll tell you what, though - Duo, I put a plastic bag in the back of the cargo area with some disguises and..." Relena gave a sly little smile. "A few extra tidbits you might need. Go get that, and you and the others sort through it." Duo nodded once and hurried off. "Wufei, Trowa - find Quatre. You’re going to have to do some shopping, and you’ll need money. I’ll send you some if you give me a minute. Man the computer, will you?" They hurried to do her bidding.

Heero looked at her, impressed. "They listen to you."

Relena smiled. "They know that I’m as serious and good at this stuff as you guys are."

He nodded, then said, "I’ve got to go."

She sighed. "Yeah, me too." But before he could switch off the vidcam, she said, "Hey, Heero?"

"What?"

Relena smiled. "I love you."

The vidcam went black.

Heero grinned and went to help Duo.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Duo found the plastic bag easily, without any trouble. He carried it back to the hotel and there, in the small kitchen, he upending the sack onto the table.

The other pilots crowded around, eager to see. Duo sifted through the equipment hesitantly. He held up a box labeled "DISGUISES" and tossed it to Trowa, who opened it promptly.

Quatre whistled appreciatively. Inside the box was everything from colored contacts, in all prescriptions, to wigs and the largest assortment of makeup they had ever seen.

From the table, Heero picked up a watch. "Why would she give us a watch?" He strapped it on, and instantly the face flickered, then lit up with a neon green light. Heero pushed the top right button, and the time disappeared. In its place came a pair of numbers: 35, 4 - 2, 11.

"Hey!" Duo said. "Those are our coordinates, right now!"

Quatre smiled. "What else is up with that watch?"

Heero pushed another button, and the face went black. After a moment, small green letters appeared. Heero read them aloud.

"Enter sending digits."

Wufei couldn’t help but look impressed. "It’s a portable vidcam."

"What else has she got in here?" Duo picked up what looked like a pack of bubblegum. "What in the world..."

Heero took it from him and pulled out a piece. Holding it up to the light, he started unwrapping it, but just as the silver wrapper fell away, a beam of red light shot from the stick of bubblegum and bored a hole through the ceiling.

Heero wrapped it up again quickly, grinned, and said, "It’s a laser."

"Sweet!" Duo exclaimed. "Jeez, this girl is good."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Heero gained admission to the police station quickly, assuming the role of an FBI agent from another cluster. Thanks to his superb hacking skills, the pilots were able to create a new identity for Heero to investigate with. Duo, too, was transformed into a whole new person. Quatre, who was the best at computer images, altered their pictures enough so that the equipment in the disguise box Relena had sent would well take care of everything.

Heero and Duo entered the police station using a well-developed sort of swagger, a walk that made it clear to everyone that these were people not to mess with. A young man at the front desk, new to the police force, said hesitantly, "Badges, sir? Or are you visitors?"

It seemed like a stupid question. Heero put on his fiercest face and whipped out a forged badge - but they couldn’t see that - and slid it back into his pocket again. "FBI. We’re here for a private investigation, also a check on the quality of the police force and station here."

The young man saluted smartly and said, "Of course, sir, I’ll get the chief!"

Heero and Duo exchanged relieved glances. At least the guard hadn’t recognized them. Of course, Heero’s supposed two-day beard and Duo’s thick mustache, along with padded clothes for Duo to make him look larger, worked fairly well. They also wore colored contacts, and Duo once again had his hair up in his hat.

The guard came back, with a stern-looking man right behind him. The guard took his seat once again and said, "S-sirs, this is our chief -"

"Mel Adams," the chief said, extending a hand. Heero shook it with a firm grip and said, "Agents Morris and Brown."

Duo wrinkled his nose, but nodded a greeting.

The chief gave them a brief smile and said, "Pleased to meet you. You’re here for...?"

"Checkup on quality of the force, and a private investigation on this so-called ‘sudden span of peace.’"

Sergeant Adams said hesitantly, "We’ve already had two CSI officials in here, along with the best investigators in our own force, and - "

"Trust me, sir, we’re the best of the best of the best. The FBI crime scene investigators top even the CSI agents themselves, though it’s not our favorite area among the agents to pursue. However, it was a necessary class at the academy, and both Agent Brown and myself graduated top of our classes."

Sergeant Adams smiled, pleased. "Right this way, then, sirs."

He led them down a hall and unlocked a door with "EMPLOYEES ONLY" written in big black letters. They entered a room full of desks, computers, and police in uniform, working busily. The chief led them to a large bulletin board posted on the opposite wall, full with papers and documents.

"This is where we post up cases to work on, the results of these cases, things like employee of the month, stuff like that," explained Sergeant Adams. "And this is where those notes keep appearing."

Heero leaned in close to the bulletin board, reading a few of the documents. After a moment, Duo nudged him and Heero turned around, saying, "Do you have any of the notes that we can look at?"

The police chief grinned. "Do we ever. We received one a few days ago, but for some reason we don’t know, it tells us to come get the criminal this Saturday...exactly a week later than the day we received the note."

Heero stiffened involuntarily, but Sergeant Adams didn’t notice. Duo glanced quizzically at his friend.

"Come here, I’ll show you," the police chief said. He led them to his own personal desk, set in a slightly secluded corner of the room, totally covered with paperwork. From there he opened a drawer and pulled out a piece of paper.

"It isn’t wrapped and covered," he explained. "Because we’ve already tested it for everything: fingerprints, hairs, so on and so forth. And even though it’s handwritten, the only thing that we’ve managed to figure out is that it was a ballpoint pen with red ink."

Duo snorted, but Heero took the paper. His dark eyes began to skim it, until he realized that the handwriting was horribly familiar.

His mouth dropped open for a split second, then he looked up at the police chief and said, "Sir, I’d like to borrow this for a few days. I think this is the final clue in a case we’ve been working to solve for a long time."

Sergeant Adams grinned and said, "Great! Take it, boys. And when you do solve it, if you go public, put a mention of us in the paper, will you?"

Heero nodded absently, grabbed Duo, and they left.

"Sheesh, what was that all about?" Duo said indignantly, rubbing his arm where Heero had dragged him out the door. "And what’d you need the paper for?"

Heero said curtly, "Tell you when we get to the hotel."

Duo eyed the many people bustling around them and said with a sigh, "I hate it when you do that."

Heero couldn’t help but retort, "That’s why I do it."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Zechs and Lucrezia held a very small, very private funeral for their little boy. Only Relena and a few very close friends, such as the other pilots’ wives, attended. Everyone cried a little, but sadly, in the midst of all that was happening, many pushed thoughts of Treize to the back of their minds.

Relena decided to walk home rather than drive after the funeral was held. Dressed in a long black dress, she walked slowly down the sidewalk, holding her umbrella over her head as rain drizzled down lazily from the sky.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Quatre looked up as Duo burst into the hotel room, shaking rain from his hair and pulling off his hat. Trowa, at the kitchen fixing himself a snack, said quietly, "You have something to tell us."

Duo winked at him. "Thanks for that speech, buddy. Actually, Heero has something to tell us."

The named person strode into the room, taking off his jacket as he read the piece of paper for the umpteenth time.

"He didn’t talk the whole way home," Duo said, a little indignant. "Just kept reading it over and over and over and over and…"

"We get the picture, Maxwell," Wufei said curtly, striding into the room. "Yuy, if you have something to tell us, you better do it now."

Heero looked up and said calmly, "All right, Wufei. Calm down."

"Then explain yourself."

Heero took off his hat and said, "I told you that my apartment was ransacked, right?"

"Yes, you did," Quatre replied. "You never went into much detail though. That was before you and Relena – "

"Shush," Heero said, but he couldn’t hide a grin. He continued, "I got a note from the same people, written in ballpoint pen, in red ink."

Duo’s mouth dropped open, and he said, "You recognize the handwriting?"

Heero snorted. "I didn’t pass the handwriting analyzing exam with one hundred and twelve percent for nothing. It’s the exact same. Very strong hand, very precise words, except that both the notes – mine and this one – were written very quickly."

Wufei rolled his eyes. "You want to tell us what it says?"

"Read it for yourself," Heero retorted, handing it over.

Quatre, Trowa, and Duo crowded around Wufei, reading over his shoulder.

It was exactly how Heero had said it was – red ink, and it was close to being scribbled.

Police force:

We’ve got another one for you

Corner of seventh and walden on Saturday night

8:00

Duo looked up at Heero and said, "Come on, man, this doesn’t match up to your excitement."

Heero began pacing up and down in front of them, saying, "I told you I received a note. The only thing is, I didn’t tell you what the note said."

"Go on."

"Basically, it said that they know we didn’t destroy the hawds, and that they knew I – " Heero stopped for a minute, then continued, "Had a weakness."

"Ha!" Duo burst out, but Quatre clapped a hand over his mouth before he could continue talking.

Heero rolled his eyes and said, "Whoever wrote it told me to meet them at the corner of Seventh and Walden on L3 2491-5, a week from then – which would be this Saturday."

Duo broke free of Quatre’s grip and said, "So they were planning on selling you to the cops, man."

"If they could get a hold of me," Heero said wryly. "That’s probably why they told me to be there at six o’clock – they need two hours to get me under wraps."

Quatre snorted. "More than that, knowing you."

Heero flashed him a smile. "Thanks."

However, Wufei was slightly more pessimistic. "What do we do now?"

"Well, for one Heero doesn’t show up on Saturday," Duo said, sounding as if that were obvious.

"Actually, Duo," Heero said, a slow grin spreading over his face. "You’re wrong."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Relena went immediately to Zechs, to get the whole thing sorted out. They locked themselves in Quatre’s study, talking furiously as Lucrezia waited impatiently outside.

By that night, all pictures of the Gundam pilots were withdrawn and the entire press was ordered not to say anything about the pilots, period.

But Relena felt it wasn’t enough.

She climbed into her guest bed uneasily that night, pulling the covers up to her chin and turning onto her side. A portable radio played softly; it was a longtime pastime: she absolutely had to have music playing when she went to sleep. Surprisingly, it was on a country station.

Relena smiled at the irony, remembering the day she had driven to Duo’s house to reveal her plan, switching off the radio then because of all the country songs about broken hearts. Now, they didn’t all seem to be like that; there were actually quite a few that seemed to fit her situation very well.

She could not get to sleep, to put it mildly. Her eyes wouldn’t stay shut, and she couldn’t seem to find a comfortable position. After tossing back and forth for nearly a half-hour, Relena got out of bed and stood up.

As soon as she did so, there was a beeping overhead. Relena’s eyes lit up as she hurried to the next room over; there was a vidcam message waiting for her. She hit the ‘Receive’ button with more force than necessary and waiting anxiously, hoping it would be –

"Heero," Relena said with a smile.

He grinned back, in a much better mood than before. "You cleared up everything pretty well. I’m impressed."

Relena laughed quietly. "I’m not Queen of the World for nothing." She wrinkled her nose and added, disgusted, "I hate that title."

"I know you do," Heero said in reply. There was silence for a short moment, then he said, "We’ve got a plan. Duo and I visited the police station today – " He paused. "Wait – is this a secure connection?"

Relena grinned, knowing well how cautious he felt. She, too, had begged Quatre for a private line. "The best in the house, Quatre made sure. He said only you could hack into this one."

Heero laughed quietly. "Quatre would say that. Anyway, we’ve decided to investigate the ‘messenger of peace’ thing at an L3 Colony. You wouldn’t know about it – "

"Oh yes I would," Relena said quickly. "Duo shoved the article under my nose and demanded that I admit it was you."

"Did you?" Heero asked, mildly surprised.

"No," she replied, her head high. "I told them you wouldn’t – "

Relena’s eyes opened wide as she caught on. "They’re planning to turn you in as a criminal. But – but they couldn’t, everyone knows your face, now that – "

"Whoever these people are, they’re masters at disguise," Heero said shortly. "I had no idea I was being watched on L4, and the CSI can’t figure out who’s writing these notes. These people are good."

"Do you think it’s an organization?" Relena asked, but before Heero could reply, she saw Duo enter the room Heero was standing in.

"Enjoying a little mushy talk late at night?" he asked cheekily as he came up and leaned on the vidcam control panel.

Heero rolled his eyes and said, "Not funny, Duo."

"Did you tell her about the plan?"

"Not yet he didn’t," Relena cut in. "He’s going to. I’ll tell you one thing, though, he won’t be going to that intersection on Saturday – "

"Actually, I am going," Heero said, grinning, clearly enjoying this. "We’ve derived a plan."

Relena stiffened and said quickly, "Heero, you are not going. I am not going to let you go, there’s too much danger – "

"Relena," he said quietly, interrupting her. "I’ve lived my life in danger."

That shut her up for a minute, but soon Relena resumed her fierce attitude.

"You are not going, Heero. I couldn’t stand it, I’d worry way too much – "

Heero grinned suddenly, and she stopped. "I’m going whether you’re going to worry or not, Re. You’re worrying right now."

"I am not," Relena said, drawing herself up.

Duo chuckled. "Maternal instinct, Heero, better get used to it."

Heero grinned, shrugged, and continued talking. "Anyway, I’m going to be there on the corner of Walden and Seventh at six o’clock."

"Alone?" Relena asked curtly, slightly cross at the fact that she had lost her battle.

Duo guffawed. "Are you nuts? Well, he wouldn’t be caught, but there’d be a fight, and the Gundam pilots never miss a fight." He paused thoughtfully, and added, "Except for Quatre."

Relena laughed. "Better not let him hear you say that."

"What’s he going to do, give me another Dorothy-taught lecture?" Duo asked, raising his eyebrows.

Heero shook his head. "Would you shut up, Duo?"

"Sure, whatever. You know, that phrase is getting quite common around this place – "

"I wonder why! Shush!"

Duo shut up obediently.

"Thank you," Heero said, exasperated. "Now, as I was saying, I’m going to have backup when I go to the intersection. I – "

"Is everybody going?" Relena interrupted, cocking an eyebrow.

"Nope," Duo cut in, and ignored the glare Heero gave him. "Me and ‘Fei – second-best hand fighters in our group. And we’re good with firearms, too."

"What are Quatre and Trowa going to do?" she inquired curiously.

"Well," Duo said quickly, before Heero could answer. "Those two streets are pretty secluded – out in the least populated section of that Colony – they’re still building. Basically it’s just industry, and little businesses. Anyway, Quatre’s going to be nearby, but not too close, with a heat radar, and a radio. He’ll call us if there’s hidden enemies around."

"And Trowa?"

"I know the plan perfectly well, thank you," Heero said, glaring at Duo before he could say anything. "And I was the one who called her in the first place."

"Well ‘scuse me," Duo said with a malicious grin. "I didn’t want to hear the lovey-dovey stuff anyhow."

Relena groaned. "Lame, lame, lame."

Duo grinned. "You know it’s true."

Heero rolled his eyes and continued, "Trowa’s going to stay here, for…" he glanced at Duo uneasily. "…certain purposes."

She was on her guard instantly. "Certain purposes?"

Duo nodded. "Yup."

"You want to explain that a bit more specifically?"

Duo shook his head furiously. "Nope."

Heero groaned. "Thanks, Duo."

He grinned cheerfully. "Welcome."

"Heero, what do you mean?" Relena demanded.

Shuffling from foot to foot, Heero muttered uncomfortably, "Nothing special."

Relena sighed in exasperation.

"So," Duo said with false cheerfulness. "How is Quatre’s guest bedroom?"

Heero groaned and buried his face in his hands.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Relena stood in her flannel pajama pants and t-shirt, arms crossed over her middle, looking skeptically at the familiar faces on the vidcam. Now what were they hiding?

"Heero, tell me," she said quietly, solemnly.

He shook his head and said, "Sorry."

She would have replied, really, but before Relena could speak, a hand from behind clamped over her mouth, nose, and eyes.

"Hey!" Duo cried, at the same time Heero yelled, "Relena!"

But something hard hit her in the back of her head, and Relena’s world faded into pitch blackness.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Shaking, Heero watched helplessly as a figure, clothed all in black, threw Relena’s limp body over his broad shoulders and turned off the vidcam. Duo, however, had a completely different reaction to the kidnapping. His arms were in the air, waving wildly, his mouth going a mile a minute as he yelled the worse curse words he knew at the burly man.

He calmed down as the screen stayed blank, unmoving, then room silent. Heero was frozen, unmoving except for a slight tremble running up and down his body.

They stayed like that for a long, long time, until Duo said, very quietly, "What are we going to do?"

Heero turned to look at his friend and confidante, and said slowly, "We’re going to save her."