Chapter 4

Hilde drove quickly down the street, bushes and trees whizzing past her car as she sped along toward the Peacecraft estate. Her hands gripped the wheel so tight that her knuckles turned white, and her teeth ground together.

"Hilde," said Sally, in the passenger's seat. "Calm down. What are you so worried about?"

Hilde let out a long breath and glanced at her friend. "Sally, how can you be so calm? Heero's been gone for seven years, he's coming back saying Relena's going to be kidnapped, and you're not even worried!"

Dorothy Catalonia Winner, in the backseat, said in her slightly-snooty voice, "I don't see why you're worried, Maxwell."

Hilde rolled her eyes. "Dorothy, all you ever saw in Heero for three years was his capability as a Gundam pilot. After that, even though you were past that stage, you didn't have time to get to know him better. He's Duo's best friend in the whole world, and he's the reason Relena gave up half a year of her life and kingdom to find. Though, personally," she added. "I never thought Relena would be crazy enough to go chasing after some guy she didn't know well at all."

After a moment of silence, Rebecca, seated next to Dorothy, said quietly, "Girls, I admit I didn't have a chance to get to know Heero Yuy at all. But from what I've heard, he must have been something. He's the top Gundam pilot in the world, yet he shows no emotions and cares only about his missions. No wonder Relena loves him; she has such a kind heart that I know she felt at first that she had to help him, somehow. Then, when Heero told her about the whole "Perfect Soldier" thing, she was sympathetic. After putting up with all those gun barrels in her face and disappearances, she still loves him because she was brave enough to find the real Heero. And that, girls, is why we don't understand why Relena went off to find him. She knows a different Heero, and that's the one she's chasing – not the emotionless, reclusive Perfect Soldier."

Sally nodded. "Amen Reverend."

Hilde arrived at the huge driveway. She parked, and all four women jumped out of the car and raced up the steps into the mansion. Zechs's study was located on the third floor, yet they hardly noticed the flights of stairs in their hurry to make sure Relena was all right – and Heero, too, though none of them admitted it.

They burst into his study, scaring the wits out of both Lucrezia and her husband, who were seated on one of the two couches lining the walls of his study.

Seeing the question in all of their eyes, Zechs said, "He's not here."

"Yet," added Lucrezia, giving her husband a glare.

The women pulled up chairs and took seats on the couches, sitting rigidly with their backs straight. Even Hilde, who liked to slouch, sat up straight on the couch and twisted a short lock of dark hair around her finger impatiently.

There was a moment of silence, then Zechs stood up and said loudly, "All right, this is stupid. Why in the world am I sitting in my study for Heero Yuy himself to come striding into the room telling me my sister, who is safely in her room, is going to be kidnapped?"

Hilde's head snapped up in surprise, and she and the other women exchanged glances. Sally, who was usually calm and composed, looked slightly panicked, and even Dorothy was worried.

Zechs didn't see their look. He went on in a furious rage.

"Watch, he'll have me sitting here on my butt all afternoon, waiting for him to come through that door. I told you the email was a decoy, Lucrezia – why, he's probably with Relena right now!" Zechs face turned red. "That's it! I'm leaving to see her in her room right now – "

Suddenly, all heads turned as the door opened, and in walked Heero Yuy.

Dorothy gave a small gasp. He had changed. The last time they had seen him had been seven years ago, when he was young – sixteen. Now, he was a fully-grown man of twenty-three, and his features were far more mature than they had been when he was sixteen. His body had developed completely, leaving him heavily muscled. His hair was still roughly-cut, and dark brown, still falling over his forehead, but the features on his face had left behind their normal boyishness to reveal an astoundingly handsome, serious-faced man. Those dark blue eyes were the same, though, and everyone in the room felt that they always would hold such a high level of intensity that when he looked at you, there was no way you were going to look away.

He stood there, in tan khaki pants and a black shirt, watching Zechs with that familiar expressionless mask on his face. He said – and the women were surprised to hear such a deep, handsome voice on Heero Yuy, "Can you be sure of that, Merquise?"

Zechs had gone pale when he walked into the room, but at the sound of his voice, his complexion went red again. "What!" he yelled. "Can I be sure that my sister is in her room, safe and sound! Of course I can! I am the master of this household, and older brother to the Queen of the World, who – "

"Is not in her room," cut in Heero quietly.

Zechs stopped short and stared at the other man. "What?" Then, his face turned so angry that even Lucrezia became frightened. "YUY, IF YOU'VE HARMED A HAIR ON THAT GIRL'S HEAD, I'LL – "

"Zechs, shut up and listen to me," Heero snapped. "I haven't touched her."

Zechs obeyed, startled.

"She's not in her room, and I know where she is." He glanced around the room, and added, "So do your visitors." He looked at Hilde and said, "Haven't you told him?"

Slightly frightened, Hilde shook her head. "I didn't have a chance," she explained.

His face still a mask, he turned to Zechs and said, "Relena and the pilots are in space at the moment, aboard an X-103, headed for L1."

Zechs was silent for a long moment. Then, he began shaking. His eyes did not leave Heero's blue ones when he said slowly, "What…is…she…doing?"

Heero sighed, and the women noticed for the first time that he looked extremely tired. "Trying to find me."

Zechs stared at Heero, his mouth unable to work. The women exchanged worried glances yet again; they had never seen Zechs like this before. Usually he was calm, collected and composed; now, he was in such a fury that they were all afraid he was about to explode.

Very, very slowly, Zechs whispered, "She's looking for you."

Heero nodded and added, "With Duo, Quatre, Trowa, and Wufei."

Still whispering, Zechs said, "And they're in space."

"Headed for the L1 cluster."

"What did you tell my sister to make her get such wild ideas?" Zechs voice was above a whisper, dangerously low, his blue eyes flashing.

Heero raised an eyebrow. "I didn't do anything, Merquise. You'd be surprised at what your little sister really is, if only you took the effort to get to know her better. In real life, she's much different than the pampered pet you see on TV each day."

Without warning, Zechs threw himself on the younger man, yelling, "YOU STUPID IDIOT! YOU MADE HER GO INTO SPACE, WHERE SHE COULD BE KIDNAPPED AT ANY MOMENT! WHERE SHE COULD BE MURDERED! HURT! IN AN ACCIDENT! I'LL KILL YOU IF IT'S THE LAST THING I DO!"

Heero dodged him easily, soldier instincts taking over. As Zechs threw himself at his opponent again, Heero ducked and gave him a light blow to the stomach. Zechs landed with an "oof" on the floor, winded.

"Now listen to me," Heero said, glaring at Zechs with his dark eyes hard and flashing. "You can kill me as many times as you want, I don't care. I don't care about anything anymore, except that she's safe. And if I were killed, how do you think she would feel?"

Zechs felt the words hit his heart like bullets from the gun at Heero's waist. How do you think she would feel…If Heero died, Zechs knew exactly how she would feel. She'd resign from her position, he was positive about that, and go into such depression that he knew she'd move away forever and mope around forever. Plus, her heart would forever be shattered in two…something Zechs knew he'd never be able to stand.

The older man rose to his feet, breathing heavily. He glared at Heero for a long, long minute, then finally had to look away from the intense gaze of the Japanese pilot's dark blue eyes.

With an inward sigh, Zechs motioned to a chair and said quietly, "Tell me your information, Yuy."

Heero shook his head, preferring to lean against the wall with his arms crossed. Hilde and the other women were sitting back in their chairs, speechless but listening. When Zechs sat down and Heero felt he had an attentive audience, he began.

"Very early this morning I received a message, from a very reliable source, that told me to visit a location a few blocks down from my apartment. I followed the instructions immediately and left. When if found nothing wrong, I hurried back to the apartment and found it a total mess."

"Did they take anything?" Rebecca asked.

Heero looked at her, and something hit Rebecca's heart as she looked into those dark blue eyes, something that made her finally understand why Relena had fallen in love with this man. Though his face was expressionless, at certain times his eyes would show the deep, inner pain and anguish that he hid inside. This was one of those times.

"You must be Rebecca," he said softly.

She nodded in reply, unable to look away.

He did so for her, his gaze shifting back to Zechs. "No, they didn't take anything. They were looking for information about the – "

"Hawds," Zechs said shortly.

Heero nodded once.

Sally, Hilde, and Dorothy all said at once, "What?"

Lucrezia gave a humorless smile. "Take the Gundam names – Wing, Deathscythe, Altron, Heavyarms, and Sandrock – and mix up the first letters of each. Hawds. Kind of a really stupid code, but it works."

Dorothy's eyebrows came together, and she said, "They were looking for information about the Gundams? Gundams you destroyed seven years ago?"

Heero gave Zechs a sharp glance, who shrugged. The older man scrutinized Heero for a minute, then said, "You didn't tell Relena, did you?"

Heero raised an eyebrow and said coldly, "Of course I didn't. Why would I? You didn't tell Lucrezia, did you?"

Zechs narrowed his eyes and said sarcastically, "Of course I didn't. Why would I?"

Heero glared at him.

Sally said, "Wait – didn't tell us what?"

Zechs stared at Heero coldly. "I think its high time they knew."

Heero was silent, so Zechs turned to the women and said quietly, "Ladies, the Gundams were never destroyed."

"WHAT?!"

"But we saw most of them blown up on video!"

Zechs shook his head. "Fake mobile suits. Actors, I guess."

"Then where are they now?" questioned Hilde.

"Hidden," Heero cut in. "In secret places only the pilots – including me – know about."

"But they think Relena's got the information…" Lucrezia whispered.

"…So they're going to kidnap her!" Rebecca finished.

Heero nodded once, his face still a mask.

Zechs looked at Heero. "What are you going to do about it?"

Heero raised an eyebrow and said sarcastically, "Me? What are you talking about – I'm not the older brother to the Queen of the World. You are."

Zechs said very, very quietly, "No, you're not her older brother. You're closer than that."

There was dead silence in the room, all of them watching Heero warily. He stared at Zechs for a long, long time, his face completely unreadable. Yet the women could tell that something was going on between the two men, something they couldn't comprehend.

Finally, Heero said softly, "I'm going to find those people who are trying to kidnap her, and kill them."

"You're going back to being the Perfect Soldier, Heero."

Heero looked at the ground for the first time. "I know."

"And you're doing it for Relena?"

Heero looked up at Zechs again. "You know I have to, Merquise."

Zechs stepped forward and held out his hand. "Heero," he said solemnly. "I know now that you're here not for money or reward, or something worse, but just to save my younger sister and rid the world of some terrible people. I'd like to help in any way I can, beginning by contacting Relena and ordering her to return to Earth at once."

Heero nodded and said, "That's exactly what I wanted. I'll leave immediately. Make sure she comes back." He paused for a minute, then said quietly, "If she doesn't, contact me and I'll bring her back if I have to drag her all the way."

Zechs nodded once, and then the two men shook hands.

And with those words, an alliance was formed.

They set to work immediately; there was much to be done.

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

They stared at the computer screen for a long time after Duo uttered his comment, completely aghast at what they were seeing. Finally, Duo said very quietly, "Well pardon me, but I think we better act on his words."

Tearing her eyes away from the screen, Relena looked at Duo and said in a shaky voice, "What do you mean?"

Duo said quietly, "Relena, Heero just ordered me to keep you safe, and that's what I'm going to do. We're going back to Earth right this minute."

Relena replied instantly, "No."

Quatre shook his head. "Relena, I'm sorry, but it's the only way. You can't be floating around in space while there's a whole group of people going to torture you just for information about the hawds."

"Hawds?"

Duo sighed. "The Gundams."

"But I thought – "

"I know what you thought. We didn't destroy them – they're hidden. Just take my word for it."

Relena raised an eyebrow. "How come no one told be about it?"

Quatre looked at the floor. "We swore not to tell a single living soul – except for Zechs, and he only counted because he used to own a Gundam."

"Oh, and the Queen of the World didn't count at all?"

Quatre sighed. "Re, you know we don't think of you like that – "

She sneered. "Then why were you so surprised when you saw the real me?"

They all looked taken aback. Duo said, "Everyone was surprised, Re. You know what Winner meant. We think of you as Relena, as a friend and ally."

"Oh thanks."

"You know what I mean! We didn't want to put you in danger by giving away the secret locations. People, just like now, would kidnap you just for the information, then kill you when they had it. That's why we'll never tell."

"As you can see," added Quatre. "They think we told you, which is why they're after you."

"It'd be useless telling them you don't know," said Trowa with a nod, in his serious, quiet voice. "They'd just think we were lying."

Wufei nodded his agreement and said, "Woman, I suggest you turn right around back to Earth where you'll be safe."

"And what'll you do?" Relena shot back.

Wufei snorted. "Exactly what Heero's doing, of course."

"No!" Relena shouted, taking them all by surprise. "I will not go back. Right now Heero's probably at the mansion, or leaving for space. I don't care what you say, I'm going after him. Gosh, you guys, I'd follow him to the ends of the earth and beyond, you know that. There is no chance in heaven or hell you're going to get me back in that prison of a mansion while Heero's out here risking his neck for me. Besides, I came out here to find him, and that's what I'm going to do."

Quatre opened his mouth to protest, but both Duo and Trowa saw something in Relena's eyes and each clamped a hand over their blonde-haired friend's mouth. "Don't, Quatre," said Trowa.

"She's serious," Duo remarked slowly, gazing at Relena in awe.

"Darn right I am," she replied, then turned on her heel and began to stalk out of the room.

Suddenly a shrill sound came from somewhere above their heads; Relena stopped immediately.

It was the vidcam.

All five people whirled around and dashed to the screen, each knowing exactly what the other was thinking. If only it could be Heero!

Trowa hit the "Receive" button, and as the screen hummed and flashed, hoped furiously it would be their long-lost comrade.

It wasn't. Zechs appeared on the screen, and the pilots sighed, though Relena instantly demanded, "Miliardo! Is Heero there?"

Zechs raised an eyebrow as his sister's outburst. Relena did not blush; it was almost as if she was too much in a hurry to take the time.

"No, he's not, Re. Why?"

Duo rolled his eyes. "Don't dawdle, man, tell us what's up."

Zechs replied instantly, "Shut your trap and listen up, Maxwell. Heero just barely left – "

Relena let out a very low groan.

"And he's on his way into space in an X-284."

Despite himself, Duo whistled appreciatively.

"Shut up, Maxwell. He's going to find the people who ransacked his apartment and who plan to kidnap you, Relena. Little sis, you're not going to like this, but you're coming home right now."

Quatre glanced at the young woman and found a furious battle raging in her eyes.

"I will not!" she declared, her braid swinging back and forth, blue eyes flashing.

Zechs raised an eyebrow. "If you don't, Heero's going to have to drag you down here."

A slow smile spread across her face. "Good."

Zechs rolled his eyes. "Relena! Just get your butt down here and save him the trouble of dragging a silly girl down from her wild ideas!"

That was pushing it too far. Relena's face grew dark with fury.

"Zechs!" she yelled.

That was enough to tell him he was in deep trouble. She always called him Miliardo.

"You have no idea how it feels, do you? I got all this ready just to see him, and I am not going to return after only one day out here, just because some people are going to try to kidnap me! Whatever you may think, I am perfectly able to take care of myself, thank you very much! I am going to stay here until he comes and gets me, or I'm going to continue my search for him, even if I have to follow him into the enemy's house!"

"You'll kill him one of these days, Relena," Zechs said quietly.

"Shows how much you know," Relena retorted, and she shut off the vidcam.

They reached L1 an hour later. Duo stood in the cockpit, disguised in very slight makeup and a costume, his hair tucked under a big hat, and gave the admission guard his passport. They entered Colony 1253-6 without any problem.

Once on the colony, it was only a half-hour before they were checked into a hotel and unpacking. Hotels were usually very close to the docking harbors, and they found a rather nice one. They got three rooms, signed under the names of Rei Dausten, pilot; Thomas Renz, pilot; and Adam Frank, mechanic. Relena got her own room, while the pilots split the remaining two.

After unpacking what little they brought off the ship, Relena told the rest that she was going to take a walk around the Colony. Immediately, everyone except Duo volunteered to go with her, after a long argument dealing with protection and kidnappers and serial killers hiding in grocery stores (Duo's idea). Eventually, Relena left with three of the four pilots tailing her, even though she insisted that they would only attract more attention.

She also made them go out in disguise.

After they left, Duo sat down at his laptop, researching. This time, he wasn't looking for the

whereabouts of Heero Yuy; he was searching for any possible people that would have conjured up a scheme to kidnap the Queen of the World.

A message came on the vidcam and Duo pressed the "Receive" button absentmindedly, sure it was Quatre. There was silence for a while as Duo skimmed a web page, until the person on the vidcam said quietly, "Don't look on that site. I've already searched it."

Duo whirled around so fast the flimsy chair he was sitting on broke, sending its occupant tumbling to the floor. In an instant he was up on his feet, staring at the face on the vidcam.

"Heero," Duo said after a while, folding his arms and grinning broadly, "haven't seen you in about, oh, seven years?"

Heero rolled his eyes. "Don't bring it up, Duo. I've already gotten the lecture from Lucrezia, Hilde, Dorothy, Sally, and Rebecca…not the mention Zechs, which was worse than the rest put together."

Duo raised his eyebrows. "Heero buddy, I think that's the most I've ever heard you say in one reply."

Heero glared, and Duo shut up.

"Now answer me this, Duo: Why isn't Relena returning to Earth this minute?" Heero's eyes were hard and cold, but Duo was so used to it he barely noticed.

"We tried, man, we tried, even before Zechs called us on the vidcam on the ship. I told her I was following orders, and she got this look in her eyes like I've ever seen before, man." Duo grinned suddenly. "Boy, has she changed. You wouldn't believe it's the same old Relena, buddy. I mean, she's so different she doesn't look like Relena, much less the Queen of the World. She changed her hair, her clothes – "

Heero interrupted, "Is she there?"

Duo eyed him with a grin. "Got you interested, huh? I told Zechs – "

"Duo, get her so I can tell her to get her butt back to Earth. This isn't funny. They're after the hawds, and I don't have much time."

Duo caught the serious note in Heero's tone and said quietly, "She's not here."

"What! Where is she?"

"Left with Quatre, Trowa, and Wufei. Wanted to look around the Colony."

Heero's mouth dropped open. "Duo, you stupid idiot! You think three pilots are going to be useful if she gets mobbed! Get her back in there this minute! I mean it!"

Duo held up his hands in defense. "Sheesh, sorry! I'm going, I'm going."

"And keep watch at night, Duo!"

Duo nodded, watching his old friend with a smile on his face. After a moment of silence, Duo said softly, "I knew you'd be back. 'Course, when you love a girl like Relena, seven years isn't even enough to keep two people apart."

And before Heero could say anything, Duo shut off the vidcam, grabbed his jacket, and exited the hotel room.

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

Heero sat back in his chair as Duo shut off the vidcam. With a small sigh, he turned his off, too, and pressed a few switches to urge his ship on into space.

Just as he had closed his eyes to get some rest, a huge impact jolted the whole ship. Heero's eyes flew open and immediately darted to the radar. He cursed under his breath and flipped open his laptop, where he wrote another email, his fingers a blur, and sent it to Duo immediately.

BB:

Going down, mayday, under attack from enemy. Mobile suit.

CO: 45, 34 – 98, 123

-Zeroone