Disclaimer:  Standard Disclaimer
Authoresses Note:  A lot of droll setting up of the stage.  Wow!  So exciting!  Of course, I wanted to make this one pretty short, so there's a little Heero and Relena action at the end of this.  Plus, hopefully things will be clearer when this parts done.  But don't let me distract you!  Read!!!!
Written By Desert Bloom
Title:  Finding Somewhere
Part:  One

Flashback:

 The young girl walked slowly, her thoughts slowing her pace.  Her golden hair blew behind her, and her eyes flashed blue fire.
 Every thing was so confusing at the moment.  Things were muddled - indefinite, not clear.  The girl was still naïve; she was not quite ready for the peril she would face in the time to come.  She turned a corner, and sighted a beach.
 She smiled to herself.  She loved beaches, and this one in particular. There were fond memories contained in its sands.  Memories of a father and daughter running about, their feet barefoot and their spirits high. Memories of sandcastles that reached the sky, that time she had sighted a dolphin - yes, it was all there.
 She reached a railing bordering the sand, her eyes roaming about.  It was then that she sighted the body, and then that she ran down to aide him, her footsteps etched in the golden sands.
 She lifted the body, sooty and broken, with her two hands, worrying distantly if he was dead.  All thoughts as such stopped, however, when he jumped out of her hold.
 "Oh, you're alright.  My name's Relena Darlian.  What's yours?"  The boy stared at her for a moment as if she was loony.  Then a gun appeared from his pocket.
 "You have seen my face, Relena Darlian.  Now you must die."

End Flashback

 "Hopefully, however, our relationship with the Caracas Nations will be more stable from now on." Read the officer Noin.  She quickened her pace to keep up with her audience, Relena Peacecraft, as they to walked down the hall to the 'Speech Chamber'. "Concerning the Preventers, they will be sending an ambassador to deal with the Jasmine Border issues."
 "Oh?  Who?"
 "Heero Yuy, Miss Relena."
 The blonde haired girl stopped immediately, her eyes flashing. "Yuy?" she repeated, not sure if she had heard correctly.
 Noin nodded. "Yes.  He has become a high officer."  The pair resumed walking. "He will have accommodations in the Cinq Palace, and it is suggested that you stay there as well while the discussions are taking place."
 Relena nodded.  She could do that, as long as they had someone sufficient to watch the children.  But Yuy!
 "That is all." Finished Noin. She returned from serious officer to loving friend. "And just in time, it seems.  Good luck with press conference, Relena."
 They had stopped by a door.  Relena smiled back at Noin, and walked into what some may term 'The Lion's Den'.
 Golden light bathed her quickly, and she had to blink a couple times to regain her wits.  They dimmed the lights at her entrance, and silence fell upon the rowdy group of reporters.  Relena made her way to the middle of the stage, stopping at a small booth.  "You all came here on the issue of my separation with Senator Howard Green." She began, being sure to be loud and clear. "If your questions are dutiful and respectful, then I will answer with duty and respect. The questioning will commence now."
 At her words it turned into a madhouse.  Relena stifled a long sigh. Here she went again.  She would personally not even have this meeting, if it were not for the tabloid's awful articles.
 "Yes, you there, with the black suit and red tie." She pointed.
 The man nodded, raising a microphone. "Miss Peacecraft, is it true that you are pregnant?"
 Well, an easy one. "Yes." She turned o the other side of the conference room. "You, the one with red hair and a blue suit."
 "Do you know who has custody of the children yet?  If so, who?"
 Relena smiled warmly. "Yes.  I am lucky enough to have that honor.  Now you, toward the back of the room, the one that's jumping up and down like a rabbit."
 This brought out some laughs, and the man seemed to blush for minute. Never fazed for long, however, he popped back with question of, "Miss Peacecraft, you now have a five year old, a two year old, are pregnant, and divorced.  How do you expect your male peers to respect you now?"
 Relena went very pale, and a hushed silence fell upon the room for a moment.
 "My separation with the good Senator was mutual, I assure you.  And sir, I have yet to understand what is so embarrassing about my female role.  If bearing a child for the point of survival means that I am weak, then so be it."
 She tried to still a smirk, and failed miserably.  She loved to watch how they squirmed.
 "Next question, please."

 Relena studied him thoroughly.  When had she last seen him?  Eight years ago?  Yes, that seemed about right.
 He was still the same.  Taller, he had grown a bit more.  He was sporting the beginnings of a short beard.  But otherwise, he was still he same.  Tall and gangly.  Unruly brown hair.  Fierce brown eyes.  She shook her head.  Who would've ever guessed this was how things would end up.
 He watched her carefully back.  Still the same old Relena.  Small. Blue eyes flashing with fire.  Long golden locks.  The only difference was her very pregnant figure.
"Relena Peacecraft, this is the representative of The Preventers, Heero Yuy." Noin introduced the two, as was custom. "Heero Yuy, this is the Queen Of The Cinq, as well as Vice Foreign Minister, Relena Peacecraft."
She grinned. "I trust you know each other well enough already."
 Relena nodded. "Thank you Noin."  Noin backed out of the room with a wry smile playing at her lips.
 "Noin tells me you are an important officer to the Preventers. Congratulations."
 "Yes."
 Relena sat behind her desk, her eyes glancing over various forms that would have to be filled. "I'm afraid, Yuy," she said, her eyes peering over the mountain of work, "That I am a bit too busy at the moment.  Let me call my maid and she'll show you to your room.  That's where you shall stay during the negotiations."
 "All right." He paused, shifting uncomfortably by his post at the doorframe. "You're going to stay here too?"
 Relena nodded, her fingers working away at the comm. link. "Would the maid Rose McGrath please come to Miss Relena's private office?" she spoke into it.  She turned back to Heero. "I hope you enjoy your stay here, Yuy.  And hopefully the negotiations will go well.  I only want the best for the Jasmine Borders."
 Heero nodded quietly.  It was at that moment that the cheery maid Rose bustled in.
 "Ah, is this the representative?" the large woman boomed out. "Come then, my dear." She took Heero by the shoulder. "Don't worry Miss Relena, I'll show him the house."
 Relena smiled innocently back at them.

 "Mommy, Matthew pushed me!"
 "Did not!"
 "Did too!"
 "Not!"
 "Too!"
 "Children, please!" hushed Relena with a long sigh. "You two!"
 Little Matthew looked up from his glaring contest with his sister. They were seated on the green grass of the palace gardens, and were supposed to be watching the clouds. "She's lying." He told her with complete sincerity.
 Relena rolled her eyes. "I think its time for some children to take their nap."
 Raine pouted. "Look what you got us into too, Matt-hew." She stressed his last name.
 Relena sucked in her breath.  Oooh, sometimes these children just really got annoying....  She exhaled sharply, her eyes surveying the two.  But oh, she did love them!  Matthew had his father's sharp, playful green eyes, and her golden hair, while Raine had both her father's eyes and red hair.  She shook her head, bursting with a silent laughter.
 "What's so funny, mommy?" asked Matthew, peering at her curiously.  He forgot it, however, when he sighted something even more interesting.
"Oooh, look, there's Tiger!  Mommy, can I go play with Tiger?"
 Relena swung her head round to see where Matthew was pointing.  There, indeed, was Tiger, that old tabby that Rose adored so. "Yes, I suppose so." She paused, thinking hard. "But don't fight with Raine, and stay out of the Ruins."
 Mathew nodded quickly.  The ruins were what were left of an old castle seated to the north of the Cinq Palace's property.  For you see, the current Cinq Palace was not the first leader's home for the Cing Kingdom.  There had been another that was destroyed in some long forgotten war - thusly now only being a pile of rubble with a few intact rooms that could collapse at any moment.  Relena watched her two little angels run off.  She only wished that they could stay that innocent forever.

 Well, here it was.  She had been vastly dreading this moment for some time now, but she would have to overcome it.  She had responsibilities, after all.
 Relena tramped down the hall sullenly, wondering vaguely what was wrong with her.  It was only Yuy.  True, they had an - interesting, past, together, but that was done.  Gone.  It was all said and done and gone. Besides, he wouldn't be here longer than three weeks or so.
 She was only a couple yards from her office when she heard the voice. She recognized it well - that of a foolish officer that seemed to think she and him could have a form of relationship.
 "Relena!  Wait up for me!" Travis.  She rolled her eyes, sighed, and turned to face him.
 The curly haired young man came running up behind her, stopping just a couple inches from her face.  He flashed his baby blue eyes at her, grinning from ear to ear, and Relena had to force herself to be polite.  "Hello, Travis.  How are you?"
 He smirked wider, if that was possible, his hand reaching to touch her  hip.  Relena shivered, and grabbed at it.  Unfortunately Travis took this the wrong way, bringing her hand to his cheek.  A look of disgust passed Relena's face, and she withdrew immediately.
 "I'm busy, Travis."
 With that Relena turned her back and went into her office, closing the door sharply.

 Yuy gazed out the window of Relena's private office, waiting patiently for her to arrive.  Rain streaked the glass, and there was a dense fog outside.  A howl of the wind sounded, and he shivered, turning in time to see Relena make her entrance.
 She seemed to be out of breath.  Her face was pale, and the door was shut a bit louder than needed.  For a moment she just stared absently at him, as if she had forgotten why he had come.  Then she brightened somewhat, seating herself behind her desk.
 "I'm sorry, Yuy." She gasped, and Heero couldn't wonder briefly what made her so aggravated. "Please seat yourself." She motioned to a chair.  He accepted with a nod.
 "Okay, just let me get out paper and pen, if you don't mind, so I can write things down while we talk." She rummaged about in her desk.
"Here's some paper -" she laid the sheets down on the desk. "But I can't find a pen!" she stood up at this announcement, going to another desk by the window.
 Heero watched this whole display trying to stifle a grin.  He was able to, partly, anyways, and soon there was an odd quirk playing at his mouth - one corner of his mouth down, the other one up.
 He pushed this away, understanding that he had to get things rolling. He wasn't sure how he would take his first suggestion, but it would work best, so he would have to give it a shot.
 "Miss Peacecraft," he began stiffly, "We could enlist the help of Senator Howard Green."
 Relena stopped what she was doing, turning to face him. "Why?"
 "Miss, you want stronger borders between the Kingdom of Jasmine and the Kingdom of Hiatus, do you not?"
 "Yes.  The dictator of Hiatus is a war-hungry man.  He would attack Jasmine any chance he got."  Relena studied him carefully.  What was this leading into?
 "You probably did not know that Green comes from Jasmine."
 "Oh, I heard something about it."
 "He is very well liked there.  If we were to get him on our side, then the Preventers would be able to make a move with the support of Jasmine as well."
 Relena shook her head, her brow furrowed in thought. "I -" she paused, unsure of the exact words. "It wouldn't work.  Green doesn't like the idea of stronger borders."
 "Relena." Heero crossed his arms. "Don't let your hate for Green get in the way."
 Relena's eyes flashed blue fire. "What did you just accuse me of?!" She placed her hands on her hips, and took a step closer to Heero, as if daring him. "I can't believe I just heard that from you!" she hissed through her teeth.
 "Relena, you know he would be a good asset in the plan."
 Relena threw her hands up in the air, exasperated. "I can't believe I'm hearing this!" she repeated. "Not from you, anyways!"
 Heero got up from his chair in a defensive position. "Relena!  Calm yourself.  You're no good this way!"
 Relena smirked at him. "Oh, I'm no good this way.  Then I suppose I should leave." She moved for the doorway, but Heero stopped her, grabbing her arm.  Relena grimaced at his tight and painful grip, biting her lip.  She looked down at the ground for a moment, and thus they stood, nether daring to look at the other.
 Finally when she looked up, Heero was able to note tears in her eyes. He let go his grip at the shock of it, staring at her in disbelief.
 "Face it, Heero." She hissed angrily. "Two men have left me in my lifetime, and one of them has been you."
 He could not find a response to this.  And when silence followed, Relena left, slamming the door behind her.

Flashback:

 The boy watched the sunset quietly.  A flash of blue, a soaring red filled the sky.  He mused at how lovely it all was.  He wished so much that he could stand in this moment forever, away from the horrors of everyday life.
 But he could not.  He was immediately rushed by a gaggle of foolish girls, lead by a particular blonde.  He sucked in his breath as they swarmed around him.  What did they want?
 "Excuse me." Said their leader as some giggled.  She handed him a card. "I would like to invite you to my birthday party."
 The boy took the card, staring at it for a moment.  A couple girls giggled.  Then he tore it in half, letting the two pieces fall to the ground.  Everyone gasped, and the one that had invited him looked to the ground.
 "Oh." She murmured quietly.
 The boy began to walk past her, ignoring the glare of her friends. He stopped as they brushed shoulders, lifting her chin up so that he could stare into her eyes.  He marveled for a moment at how they seemed to contain a blue flame, flashing with power.
 "I will kill you." He promised her, wiping away her tears.

End Flashback


Authoresses Last Word:  Okay.  A lot of politics.  A moment with Relena's cute kids.  A fight at the end.  Seem good so far?