Hi all!!! This is a REALLY long chapter!! And there's only chapter 8 and the epilogue to go! I did use some French in this chapter. I don't speak it, so please don't flame me if things aren't quite correct. I did my best. This chapter covers Wufei and Sally's relationship a little more and, of course, for all those who have been waiting.we get to see what happens with Heero and Releena.  I love getting comments and suggestions. Plus, it's really nice to hear from other GW fans!! So, please let me know what you think!

New Mobile Report Gundam Wing belongs to the Sotsu Agency, Sunrise and Fuji TV. I claim no rights upon the characters or their respective personalities.

Human Nature
A Fanfic by Goddess Moon - goddessmoon1@hotmail.com
Chapter 7
Year: A. C. 198
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Trowa took a deep breath and leaned his head back against the wall. They were fast and they always remained unseen. If it weren't for the red laser target identifiers and the sounds of explosions trailing them, it was impossible to know where they were.
Releena looked up at him expectantly. "Well, what did he say?" He kept his eyes averted. She would not be very happy to learn about the gundams. "Quatre'll meet us on the moon along with the others."
Trowa frowned glancing at their surroundings. They stood in a dark alley, just across from the well-lit capitol building with the words Coloniaux Bureaux De Gouvernement clearly displayed in front. It was going to be nearly impossible to enter the building undetected. He could do it if he were alone, but with another.
Releena followed his line of vision. "Trowa, we can't go in there." She whispered urgently.
"It's our best option at the moment. Lady Une can get us a shuttle - no questions asked. Stealing one at the port would alert both security and the suicide units. We wouldn't make it very far."
"Genot lives in that building! If he finds any reason to believe that Lady Une is conducting a covert operation under his nose, it will start another war! We can't endanger her position at this point. We have to do this on our own."
"He's only looking for an excuse, Miss Releena. The scapegoat will either be Lady Une or you."
"Me?!"
"Yes. You would be the first choice. You've been absent from cabinet sessions for almost a year. And one day you're found in the government capitol of colonies with security clearance to access almost any amount of information. That scenario can lead to a lot of negative conclusions."
She grabbed onto his arm, impulsively. "So why risk it? If I'm found here, I won't be able to defend myself. We have to get back to Earth. If Genot is truly a part of this, then he will be revealed before all the cabinet members in a public session. No one would dare put themselves at risk to defend him under such an accusation."
"It will keep him quiet for a while, but it will not solve the problem. We need to go to the moon and destroy any MS production that's going on. But by doing that, we're destroying the evidence. Everything that Bartkusonete has touched must be destroyed." He stood silently for a
moment, thinking about his next move, before another blast shook the ground and a 10-story building collapsed just a few blocks away. The sounds of sirens of both the police force and the fire department seemed to be coming from all directions. Trowa nodded slightly and turned to face her. "All right. We'll do it your way. Let's see if we can get on a regular passenger shuttle at the spaceport."
"But that could take hours!"
He ignored her outburst, his mind racing though various options. His eyes fell on another building right next to government headquarters - Première Banque Coloniale et Interstellaire Commercial Centre. "Money."
He whispered under his breath. "Releena, do you have any currency kept on the colonies?" He asked her urgently.
She bit her lip. It had been a while since she had reviewed her personal finances. "Yes, I think so. But.I'm not sure where. Most of it is held under the Peacecraft name. But.even still.I don't have the ident-chips that unlock the accounts."
"What about under Darlian?"
"Well, yes, but that's done through a palm scan. Anyone monitoring the system will know."
His eyes suddenly widened and he took her hand in his own and began running back down the alley. "Don't look back and don't stop!" Trowa called back to her, just as a target identifier made its mark on the back of his head.

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Gaston LeGuarde watched carefully as each person passed through the security gate. The recent explosions occurring throughout the colony were causing terror and panic among the public and had left the entire spaceport security on the highest level of alert. Several districts
were being evacuated by order of the Governor. He glanced at his comrade standing next to him. "Jean Claude, do you think it's another terrorist organization?"
Jean Claude Dédié answered, while keeping his sharp eyes fixed firmly on the crowd. "Most likely. Good things generally don't last for too long. Our freedom and peace were bound to come to an end sometime or another."
"True, but it has only been a year! What are those lazy aristocratiques imbéciles1 thinking? If we are being attacked, where are the Preventors? Where are these infamous warriors who are supposed to protect us? If they will not help us then I say we fight them ourselves!"
"Calm down, Gaston! The bombings only started a few hours ago! We have to give them time!"
"Their time is costing the lives of our people! We should run them off. They are not needed here! What we need is our own military!"
For the first time, Jean Claude let his gaze travel from the crowd to his friend and he turned piercing gray eyes on him. "Do not be so quick to put an end to peace. Don't reject those who fight for us simply because they are from Earth. If it costs my life, so be it. I, for one, would rather die here at home then in a cold, heartless battle in space."
Gaston was about to argue when a rather.strange looking woman caught his attention. "Gah! Quelles horreurs!2 That is the ugliest woman I've ever seen in my life!" Both he and Jean Claude stared.
Wrapped in a rather ratty looking dingy towel, the baby sucked on his fingers watching, with wide eyes, all the people around him while, in a very unladylike manner, Duo scratched the top of his head. His thick heavy-duty black boots awkwardly stuck out from the bottom of the long
powder-blue pleated skirt. The Preventors patch and rank insignia had been ripped from Wufei's old black and green jacket. It was a bit tight especially in the arms, but he had to keep the sleeves rolled down. A chic with very hairy arms - now that would be really scary! And how
they put up with wearing make-up was beyond him. The thick layer of foundation he had put on was literally dripping from his face along with beads of sweat.
He didn't really have time to care about his appearance. How in the heck was he gonna get past the metal detectors with all the ammo he was carrying? He hadn't planned on the spaceport being so packed - there were thousands of refugees fleeing the colony and security was beefed
up to the max. Somehow he needed to catch a shuttle to the moon. Lady Une had a small, secret Preventors base hidden in the middle of the shopping district.
His eyes suddenly went wide as he noticed a burly security officer coming his way. His gut hung well over his belt, supported by thin toothpick legs. When he smiled, Duo's eyes widened even further - he was missing a few teeth.
Gaston snickered. "It looks like Louis has finally found a woman!"
"No woman deserves that!" Jean Claude shook his head and sighed. "He really isn't a bad fellow. He's just in terrible need of a bath. I don't understand why the Captain refuses to speak with him."
Duo clenched his fist as Louis Saindoux took his free hand in his and kissed the back of it. Who was this idiot? Any more 'friendly' gestures and he'd knock him into next week!

"Bonjour Madame. Vous avez un si beau bébé!3 Please, tell me - how I can assist you?"
Duo grimaced. For as much as he wanted to knock the ox into next century, he could use this to his advantage. 'Damn it, Heero! You owe me big time!!' He tried his best to giggle and talk in his most feminine voice, which sounded more like a strangled cat. "Oh thank you! I need to board a flight to the moon. My sister lives there and I know she'll take us both in."
"Mais naturellement!4 My I ask your name, my lovely flower?"
He mumbled a few choice words under his breath before attempting to giggle once again. Now what name did he put on that stupid ID card?!
The citizens of L4 spoke a variety of languages. And since Hilde threw around a few choice German words every now and then, he figured 'what the heck.' "Um.it's.Umsponnener." He trailed off for a moment. "Hauch."
He suddenly cried.
Louis stared blankly for a moment and then broke out his awful smile.
"A braided puff - well it suits you for.you have.a lovely long braid and your.skin.is smooth and soft just like. a puffy cloud."
If it had been anyone else, Duo would have been rolling on the floor with laughter. But.circumstances being what they were, he didn't find it the least bit funny. 'A braided puff?! That's what she'd been calling him all this time?! I'm gonna have a long talk with her about
that. And sheez! Heero could probably spout better poetry!' He whipped out the ID card with his hair and Hilde's face. "Err.please, kind sir.I really need to get to the moon as quickly as possible." He plastered on a fake smile and winked.
Saindoux's eyebrows raised in surprise and he smiled broadly. "Come with me, Madame and I will personally escort you to your shuttle."
"Oh thank you." Duo's eyes went impossibly wide as he felt the man pinch his backside. But before he could react, Louis' arm came around his shoulder and he got a fresh wiff of full flown body odor, nearly choking him.
From their posts Jean Claude and Gaston were busting with laughter.
"The poor woman! Her face is turning green!"
"Oh no, it's the child I pity. What if they do end up getting married?!" They broke into a new round of laughter, the force of it so hard, their sides began to ache.

*******French Translations********
1. aristocratiques imbéciles are stupid or idiotic aristocrats.
2. Quelles horreurs means 'what horrors!'
3. Bonjour Madame. Vous avez un si beau bébé! - Hello Madam. What a beautiful baby!
4. Mais naturellement! - Why naturally!

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Sally stood in front of the elevator with Wufei, watching him intently from the corner of her eye. She smiled wickedly - she couldn't wait for him to see who'd she'd asked to pilot Deathscythe. She already had a list of things to rake him out with.
As the doors opened, a smiling Hilde Schpiker emerged in her old purple spacesuit, holding a helmet under her right arm. She flashed a giant smile at them and then turned to take a good look at Deathscythe. "So this is the chariot of the god of death, eh?"
Sally smiled and stood next to her. "That's right. Sorry for dragging you into this, but.it's hard to find trustworthy help now-a-days."
"Oh, I don't mind at all. In fact, I've always wondered what it would be like to pilot a gundam - especially Duo's!" Although she cringed at what Duo would say after she promised to stay behind. It was always so important to him that she not get involved. But she was desperate for
any information about him. Since the time the war ended he would not talk about what happened before 195. Getting anything out of him was worse than pulling teeth. Of course, he always seemed cheerful. But there were moments when the laughter and mirth were missing from his eyes, despite smiles he gave so easily. Now she would get the chance to walk in his shoes - to control and pilot one of the most dangerous weapons ever created - to hold the lives of both the guilty and the innocent in the palm of her hand. That last thought stuck in her mind and the smile she had worn quickly faded as she continued to stare at the colossal structure with haunted eyes. Did she really want to face that?
Wufei watched her silently, keeping his face void of emotion and his arms crossed in front of him. "It isn't going to be easy. Are you sure you want to do this?"
Sally glanced at Wufei, a troubled expression marring her pretty features. There was no tone of contempt or conceit and he did seem at least somewhat concerned for the girl's welfare.
Emerging from her dark thoughts, Hilde shrugged. "Yah. I wasn't expecting it to be a piece of cake. But I have piloted a mobile suit before if that's what you're worried about." Her smile  returned quickly, lifting the tension. "But no matter what, the look on Duo's face will be well worth it!"
He almost smirked at that. Yes, the look on the braided idiot's face was something he definitely wouldn't want to miss. But there were larger problems - her ability to actually pilot this particular gundam was in question - physically and emotionally. Wufei shook his head. "That's not the problem. Duo is left-handed. The new control devices were constructed with that in mind. All of the gages and the weapons consul are on the right. The strongest arm is required for maneuvering and operating the twin beam scythe, while the other can perform minor functions."
She glanced at her right hand and tightened it into a fist. She looked back up at Wufei, determination filling her eyes. "This is something I need to do. I can do it."
He was silent for a moment and then nodded. She quickly turned around and began to make her way towards the machine that could perhaps answer some of her questions.
Sally stood in quiet amazement and wonder and for the first time she was speechless when Wufei met her gaze. "If the gundams fall under attack, she may not survive. Never-the-less, she will die with honor."
Sally could feel her anger building inside and almost made a comment, but she held back, and suddenly it faded. What was is that made Hilde worthy in his eyes? He gave his respect and approval so sparingly, yet this girl, whom he barely knew, had it. Her shoulders visibly sagged.
Wufei noticed her movements, but decided against pointing it out. Now was not the time to aggravate the woman - she was quite a formidable opponent when enraged and that seemed to happen more often that not.
Still.entering a battle with warring emotions could only lead to negative consequences and he was sure their approach to the moon would not be uneventful.
The tension between them was thick as they stood staring at one another for a moment. Quatre called them over, breaking the silence.
"Everything's just about set. Hilde's strapped in and ready to go and Dorothy is finishing the last pre-flight checks on Sandrock."
Wufei lifted a brow. "She's piloting your gundam?"
He nodded. "Don't worry so much. I trust her - she's come a long way and I think she'll do fine."
Wufei crossed his arms and grimaced. An emotionally and perhaps mentally unstable person was about to pilot a gundam. Dorothy Catalonia tended to get caught up in the moment and dramatize things. They didn't need a philosopher or a dreamer - they needed a good pilot. Ah well.
It's his machine he's risking. "You'll be piloting Wing Zero then?
Quatre visibly cringed and let out a long sigh. "Yes."
"Ok, people, get going. All the pre-flight checks are complete." Howard called from the scaffolding around Wing Zero.
Sally nodded. "This is it."

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The room was dark and empty save the lights coming from the MS simulation chamber. Inside, Liet pulled on the control throttle will all her might. "I'm loosing it!" She grit through her teeth. Finally she let go, and a red light flashed across the screen in front of her.
"Damn it!"
Heero almost shook his head. This was not good - she barely had the strength to control a mere simulation test. He moved back to the command screen and began entering a new sequence of events. "Do it again." He instructed.
Her hands tightened into fists. "I still don't understand the point of this!" Liet complained, "We're wasting time!"
Heero ignored her comment and readjusted the controls in the simulator.
"Don't be impatient. It'll get you killed. Take your time and get this right. We're not leaving until you do."
She pounded her fist on the controls. "Don't you get it?! I don't have the strength anymore! The clyzenodine has completely worn off!"
He stopped and stared at her intently for a moment, watching the emotions spread across her face - anger, hatred, regret, sorrow. "Don't think so much. Forget about what you can't do. Concentrate on your mission. Nothing else matters."
She narrowed her eyes. "Unfeeling monster!" She spit out. She cried out, struggling to get free of the safety harness and lunge at him.
"We're all going to die! I don't want to die!"
He caught her wrists and held them firmly. "Then survive. But the only way you're going to do so is if you get past Bartkusonete. Those suicide units are going to be a tough enemy to defeat. If you can do that, there's someone who's going to meet us at our destination. She may be able to help you. But first, we have to get past them."
"They'll be piloting space Tauruses same as us. And aside from the implants they're not that different from the rest of us."
Heero shook his head grimly. "Yes, they are. During the first few injections, Clyzenodine increases the amount of stimulant that the brain releases in order to deal with fear. Right now, they fear.nothing. They will show no pity, no remorse, no pain. Their sole focus is their mission. That's why it was so easy to keep you here during the first few months of your injections. After that when the fear returned, it was so great that you couldn't leave." Liet stared at him, her eyes boring holes into his head. "Did it do that to you just now? You don't seem any different."
"No." He turned around and began typing in commands to reset the simulation.
She frowned, finding his answer inadequate and unsettling. Her eyes turned glassy and her voice wistful. "I wonder what I'll do if I survive this." After a moment, she looked at him. "How do you live? What do you do?" Immediately, the muscles in his back tensed, though he kept typing. Obviously the question made him uncomfortable. It was, to say the least, disconcerting. He was A-prime, number 1 - the perfect subject. If he couldn't get past what had happened to him, how could she?
Finally he answered. His voice was still monotone, as always, but there was a certain soft edge to it that hadn't been present before. "You're the only one who can decide that. But that's long run. Right now you're goal is to live. To do that you have to fight - and fight to win."
She stared at him a moment longer. 'I'm strong enough to do it!' She told herself. 'Even if.even if I don't make it, I can help the others.'
With new-found determination, she placed her hands on the control, and nodded confidently to Heero. "I'm ready. Let's do it again."
Heero nodded and reset the simulation, but her questions still troubled him. He couldn't move on - he'd told himself that many times. He was asked to fight and hunt down one mad-man after another - one more mission, one more possible kill. He hadn't had to in over two years, but still that sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach remained - that he would and could again. Fear of what you are makes the future uncertain. Exactly what was he? There wasn't anyone who could answer that. He didn't feel quite like a normal person. But then, what was normal? Emotions were so confusing.
From the very beginning, Releena made him feel things - things he hadn't felt before, things he wasn't supposed to feel.well, at least.he didn't think so. Coming to Earth proved to be the most difficult part of his life - so many decisions. 'Act on your emotions.' Yes, but act on them as long as you can control them - then the outcome can be, with little margin of error, predicted. Control.that was something he lost so quickly in her presence. It he lost control so easily over that, what would be next? The exact same thing that drew him in pushed him away. Every time he faced her, he felt ashamed, weak. His indecision and weakness had already cost her so much. He blinked. This was not the time for such thoughts. He watched Liet's moves and reaction time on the screen. She was doing well, very well. 'Yes. She's ready.but.am I?'
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Duo released his breath as he flopped into the seat. What a nightmare! The shuttle was stuffed way beyond capacity! He could hardly move! It would be a miracle if they reached the moon within 5 or 6 hours! He shook his head as he looked down at the baby in his lap, gurgling
and tugging on his feet. "I sure hope things are better for you when you're older, Yuy. War ain't pretty. You shouldn't have to live through that."
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Releena nervously clutched onto Trowa's sleeve and gulped as she watched the hoards of guards standing at various stations in the docking bay. "Are you sure about this?"
He nodded, his green eyes suddenly comforting. "Yes. We just need the right." He trailed off, examining each of the guards one by one.
"There." He nodded toward a very overweight, bald man with the shirt of his uniform hanging out on the side. He was standing with a glassy look to his eyes and a broad smile.
Saindoux stood happily, watching as each passenger climbed up the ramp to the bay doors of the shuttle. He couldn't believe his fortune! No, she wasn't a pretty woman, but she seemed nice and he did like children. Why, she had even given him her sister's address! As soon as
this whole ordeal was over, he would soon be making a trip to the moon! All he had to figure out was how to approach the captain for an advance on his pay.
Trowa had his arm about Releena's waist as they casually walked toward the ramp. Her breath caught in her throat as the burly guard stopped them. "May I see your boarding pass?"
"We don't have any." Trowa calmly replied.
Louis' eyes went wide. "Well, then, you're not going to board this flight, are you?" He replied rather sarcastically, before he turned to call for help.
Trowa quickly grabbed his wrist. "I wouldn't do that if I were you. We can make it worth your while."
Saindoux warily watched the strong, young man in front of him. The grip on his wrist was like iron and the look in his eyes could be likened to the gaze of a lion. It was then that he noticed traces of a well-concealed weapon just inside the young man's jacket. Beads of sweat began to appear on his brow and he prayed that nothing would happen. Merciful heavens! What if they were terrorists?! What if they were the ones responsible for all this damage?!
Releena could see the sheer panic forming on the man's countenance. She stepped close to him. At first she recoiled from the smell, but stood her ground. Placing a hand on his forearm, she used a calm and soothing voice. "Please, sir. It is vital that we get to the moon. We cannot
explain our reasons nor justify our need for a quick departure at this time. But I can assure you that we are not the ones responsible for all this damage. In fact, we're currently involved in trying to resolve this conflict. Please."
Louis remained quiet for a moment. "Je ne sais pas.5 Tell me who you are." He pulled out a thumb-print pad from his belt and held it out to her. Despite the warning glance from Trowa, she placed her thumb on the pad. Saindoux watched in amazement as her name appeared on the small screen. " Mon Dieu!6 Vice Foreign."
"No!" She whispered desperately. "Please. You mustn't reveal us!"
He nodded weakly and Trowa released his grip on his wrist. " Veuillez me pardonner!7
Vice Foreign Minister, I apologize, I."
She shook her head. "It's alright. Please just help us get onto the shuttle."
"I would.but.it's filled beyond capacity. The only room is the cargo hold with no air or temperature regulation.
"That's alright. Take us there." Trowa replied.
Releena looked at him questioningly and began to protest, "But."
"It's fine. There are always oxygen tanks and space suits kept in cargo holds. It will be cold, but safe."
"Alright. Follow me."
As soon as they were secure in the hold, Saindoux bid them farewell. "I'm sorry I couldn't do more to help you, Madam. But I am a simple man with a simple life.and.a simple head, I'm afraid."
Releena smiled in return. "You have a large heart that wants to do the right thing - that's what really matters. No decent, loving person would want a war. Do you have a transmit device?"
"Oh, of course!" He unstrapped the small, hand-held device from his belt and placed it in her hand. Releena quickly did a thumbprint scan and clicked a few buttons on the touch screen. Once she was finished, she turned the power off and gave it back. "I can't thank you enough."
Saindoux smiled and swelled with pride as he watched the shuttle take off from the docking bay. It wasn't everyday you got to meet the former Queen of the World - the very symbol of peace itself! No, he wasn't able to do much, but if he had in some way helped to further the cause
of peace, that was more enough. Suddenly his transmit device began to beep. He took it from his belt and activated the message retrieval. He almost fainted as he read the statement from the latest transferal of funds to his account. He broke out his crooked smile and stars lighted his eyes. "Un cadeau de ciel ci-dessus!8 I'm coming, my lovely flower!"

*******French Translations********
5. Je ne sais pas. - I don't know.
6. Mon Dieu! - My God!
7. Veuillez me pardonner! - Please forgive me!
8. Un cadeau de ciel ci-dessus! - A gift from the heavens!
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"Hold tight. We're getting close." Quatre stated through the com.
"We're a bit far out. Do you really think they'll come so far? At this range, they'll be visible to all satellite and infrared detection systems." Dorothy asked.
"Maybe, but we're not taking any chances." Quatre answered.
Wufei snorted, "Those who have mobile suits will either be too small of a force or cowards who won't risk their precious political careers."
Sally rolled her eyes. 'Here we go again.' "Wufei, is it really necessary that you." Suddenlty a target 'blip' appeared on Heavyarms' tracking screen, followed by another and another and another. "Hey, are you seeing what I'm seeing?!"
"Yes!" Quatre called as they came into visible range. There were a few hundred Tauruses - possibly estimated to about 60 to 70 suits per gundam. Using the twin buster rifle could eliminate them quickly, but at a range of only 300 kilometers from the moon, it was risky.
Hilde gasped and broke into his thoughts. "Are those civilian shuttles behind them?!"
Dorothy quickly analyzed the situation, her brain working like lightning. "Yes, they are. It's a perfect plan. We can't engage them in combat so close. Yet to fall back now would be to give up the strategic advantage in backing them towards a gravitational orbit. They're using them as a sort of shield."
"It's too late to worry about what we don't have." Sally piped in. "I'm going to create a diversion." She swung heavy arms around, turning to face the sun, and put the thrusters into full gear.
"Are you insane, woman?!" Wufei cried out, the worry in his voice unconsciously outweighing his anger at her foolish stupidity.
Quatre sighed. He hadn't expected this. Wufei would definitely not miss the chance to take matters into his own hands, but Sally? Either they were spending too much time together or trouble was brewing. They should be sticking together and working as a team. No use in trying to undo what was already done. Besides, it was working. "Quick everyone! Follow Sally. If we can draw them out a further in that direction, they'll be facing the sun and I may be able to use the buster rifle."
Wufei wasn't paying close attention to Quatre's words. He was already on his way to intercept her. Heavyarms abruptly switched on the reverse engines, fired the manuevering verniers and turned around to face the oncoming battle, beam gatling barrels raised and ready.
Wufei grit his teeth and did the same, taking a firm hold on the control for the double-ended beam trident. He figured they had about a minute before heavy combat ensued and he was going to speak his peace. He set up a direct link with Heavyarms, and his voice boomed through Sally's com. "Why do must you always do that?!"
"It's not like you haven't ran off and done anything really foolish! If I remember correctly, someone even joined the wrong side!" Sally bit out.
"I had my reasons!"
"Yes! You're infallible sense of justice and honor!! How can I forget?! Do you know how much trouble we could have avoided if you'd helped from the beginning?!"
"If you thought my values so twisted, why did you ask me to work with you in the first place?!" He cried incredulously. Did she pity him?! Did she think him so weak that he could no longer fight without her supervision?! 'No.' He immediately suppressed his anger. This argument
was not addressing the issue he wanted to discuss. He would not be sidetracked.
No. No. No. She didn't want to shake his confidence or put him down! This wasn't what she wanted to happen! "I never thought there was anything wrong with your values - only your attitude! Why can't you treat me like an equal?! You can't even call me by my name!"
"When you can accept yourself for who and what you are, then I will treat you differently! Whether you admit it or not, you are a woman! Sally is a feminine name, isn't it?! You always have something to prove! You can fight and you fight as a soldier! I know that and I admit it! But that isn't enough, is it?! When will you stop?! You have to prove to the world that you are the equal of a man. Is this what you want for the rest of you're life?! There are other things! But if you want to continue this way, don't be a coward - tell me now! Other than that.I can't promise equals." He paused and took a deep breath, gritting out the last few words, "but I would make the effort to try."
Sally sat in the cockpit in shock, her jaw nearly touching the floor. It was too much. All the things he said were swirling, jumbled in her head. What did all that mean?! What was he getting at?! But she had no time to think as the Tauruses began to engage them.

The firepower was heavy with bursts of light and explosions at every turn. It was so hard to control the twin beam scythe, but Hilde was determined. Truth be told, she had never been in a battle this intense before. There were so many of them!
Quatre managed to glance at each of the other gundams even though it was difficult. The Tauruses were so fast! The Mobile Doll lines in the battle with Libra were a piece of cake compared to these units. Suicide Units - they were correctly named - no fear of death, no hesitation what-so-ever. Dorothy was holding her own for the moment. He managed a smile. He was proud of his new friend. She had been so depressed and lost. He was glad he was able to help her. He watched Deathscythe's twin beam saber slice through the gut of one M.S. She was doing well, but her timing was just a bit slow and he was worried. She would only be able to fight like that for so long. The weight of the controls were  hard to get used to and Hilde didn't have her muscles already trained for such a burden. He had to find a way to get her out of there.
"Sally, how's your ammunition holding out?" He called.
"I'm getting low. I'll have to switch to the beam gatling soon!" Quatre took in the landscape. They were surrounded and still too close to moon for the beam buster rifle. Somehow, he needed to create a hole for Sally and Hilde to make it past. He activated the pop-up machine
cannons on Zero's shoulders, and hit the forward thrusters. He got about halfway through when he ran out of ammo and immediately broke out the beam saber, slashing through Tauruses like hot butter. It was thick and intense at first, but after a few minute the ranks began to thin out. Quatre furrowed his brow in confusion. He hadn't hit that many.

What was going on?
Wufei was having similar thoughts as he turned the Altron around. Why, they were heading back to the moon! He made a move to follow them, when Quatre called out.
"No. Let them go. Dorothy, can you track them?"
"Of course."
"They're leaving?!" Sally asked incredulously. "But.why?! We weren't winning!"
Dorothy raised a brow. "Refueling, perhaps?"
"It makes sense." Quatre nodded his head. "Sally, take Heavyarms to base and see if you can reload. Hilde, can you cover her back?"
"Sure thing."
"Alright. Wufei, Dorothy, and I will stay here and keep watch."

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Liet let out the breath she had been holding. They had blended in perfectly with the other shuttles and had landed without any difficulties. The man next to her - Heero Yuy- he was just too quiet and didn't look at her once. She was nervous and uncomfortable, having no idea what their next move was. They were going after Barkusonete's special M.S. production facility and that's all she knew. Liet had asked about the details earlier, but as usual received no answer. She wandered if he was deep in thought or just ignoring her. The next thing she knew, a space suit, helmet, and other gear made for weightless, non-atmospheric terrain were roughly shoved into her arms. She looked up at him questioningly.
"We're going through the air ducts. When we reach the main generator, we'll have access to the outside. We're not going through the tunnels." "But.isn't that dangerous?! We may never make it!"
Heero didn't answer her as he began to put on the suit over his clothes. Before placing on his helmet, he said, "Too many check-points." He then turned around and crawled through the vent.
__________________________________

Trowa was literally dragging Releena through the hoards of people at the Lunar Spaceport. She resisted, digging her heels into the floor beneath her. He stopped, holding her arms, shaking her slightly. "Miss Releena, we have to keep going! We can't draw any unnecessary
attention!"
Tears streamed down her cheeks. "But I saw him! I know I did! You have to believe me!" She begged.
Trowa frowned. He had seen a rather obscure woman carrying a small bundle, but he wasn't able to clearly identify the baby or get a good look at the woman. For some strange reason, she seemed to remind him of Duo. That thought was.just.disturbing. Hmm.perhaps it was the long
braid.
"Please, Trowa!"
He remained silent for a moment before relenting and nodded.
Releena quickly wiped away her tears. She didn't care if the world saw her weak or crying. Her baby was more important. It was him - she knew it! She could feel it in her bones that she was right.
Trowa didn't waste any time and pulled her into a corner just outside the main terminal. From there they could watch all refugees making their way from the disembarkment area.
Releena held her breath and stood scanning the crowds frantically for any signs of the odd woman she had seen. No one! She closed her eyes. 'Please. Oh, please God!' She opened them and searched the faces once again. On impulse she looked in the opposite direction. There! Just about to enter an obscure exit door that looked like a 'personnel only'
area was the woman! She yanked off Trowa's grip on her arm with surprising force and ran with all her might toward the exit. She pushed open the door but it was pitch black inside. Releena desperately tried to see through the shadows when she once again came face to face with
the barrel of a gun.
Duo squinted in the darkness- his eyes hadn't yet adjusted as he was having a hard time trying to see just who had followed him. Suddenly another figure appeared in the doorway, weapon drawn and ready. Duo started, he would know that hairdo anywhere! "Trowa?!" He called out,
surprised.
"Duo." Trowa immediately returned.
Duo quickly pulled the woman and Trowa in, shutting the door behind him. He reached for a light switch and the stairwell was filled with light. Before he could react, Releena let out a mewl of distress and swiped the baby from his arms.
She was laughing and crying at once. Tears poured from her eyes and she hugged and kissed her son over and over. After a moment, the laughter died and she leaned against the wall, slowly sinking down to the floor as sobs racked her body.
Meanwhile, Trowa was staring at Duo with a strange expression on his face. Before Duo could say one word, he broke out into hysterical laughter. Now, it was rare for Trowa to even crack a smile and even rarer still to hear him laugh.
Duo grimaced. This had been a day from hell! Once again he found himself the butt of all the jokes and he was not enjoying it one bit.
He quickly ripped off the skirt and extracted a handkerchief from his back pocket, desperately wiping the remains of the make-up off of his face. 'Damn it all!' He thought as he watched Trowa in the throws of hysterical laughter. 'I've always been able to laugh at myself, and I'll be damned if I stop now!' He broke out into a smile and chuckled a bit. After all, he had made it with both himself and the kid in once piece and as an added bonus, he'd gotten Trowa to laugh - real laughter. That was something he'd been trying to do for two years.

Suddenly, Trowa's laughter ceased and his face returned to its stoic self. He turned to Duo. "We need to get going."
For his part, Duo stood with his jaw to the floor and then rolled his eyes. He spent way too much time around people who were dysfunctional in the department of emotions. Her glanced at Releena. She had stopped sobbing, but her tears continued to fall from her closed eyes. She was smiling and whispering into her baby's ears, who was happily playing with her hair.
"Hey, 'lena! Long time no see!"
Her eyes flew open at Duo's outburst and immediately she was on her feet. She caught him in as tight a hug as holding a baby in her arms would allow. "Thank you, so much! I don't know how I can ever."
Duo smiled and shrugged. "What're friends for?" When she didn't break the hug, he noticed how tightly she was holding onto his shirt. "Hey, you ok?"
She quickly stepped away and wiped away her tears, smiling slightly.
She nodded.
"A'right. Let's get goin' then!"
__________________________________

Sally and Hilde went as fast as they could with jetpacks on their backs. It was ridiculous to think that they could land unnoticed with such an incredibly large machine. The fact that it wasn't just any old mobile suit, but a gundam was bound to attract even more attention.
The sooner they could return with a crew of mechanics the better. They had landed quite a distance from the main districts - out in the barren flat lands. It had taken them a good ten minutes to reach the outer edges of the shopping district and another five to locate the false
panels for what could have been a ventilation system, but actually led to an underground entrance to the base.
Once they had passed through all the security checks, Sally immediately ordered a crew to be sent out to service the two gundams and re-arm the Heavyarms as soon as possible. It was going to be difficult with weightless conditions, but they had no choice. Neither Sally nor Hilde
could do anything to help, so they waited.
Sally sipped a hot cup of coffee as she stared out the window into space. For the first time she was able to think about what happened just before the battle. They always argued - that in itself was nothing new. But this time was different. She had always believed that Wufei thought her weak simply because she was a woman. And he most likely did when he first met her. In a way, she couldn't blame him. She had heard stories of how closely the ones who left China for the colonies stuck to the 'old ways.'
Sally smiled sorrowfully. Her father had been that way. She often blamed herself for his heart attack. It happened shortly after she left. She didn't find out until almost a year later since she had been in training at the time. Most of the young, 'independent' women were leaving their homes and either going to military training or just.leaving. He had pleaded with her to stay home and care for them as a proper daughter would. But she had had bigger plans. Her mother
followed her father into the grave not long after. She had dishonored her family and brought shame upon the father who thought it to be one of the most important things in life.
Perhaps that was why she was drawn to Wufei. He was.home - all the things she thought she had left behind. And here she was rebelling again. But.he accepted me. I don't know when and I don't know why. He accepts what I've become and all that I've done, but he wants more. And
he's right in wanting it.
Ever since she left, Sally wanted to prove herself the equal of a man, thereby proving her father wrong. And in doing so, she'd given up so much. There was no room in the life of a soldier for little things - she loved the traditional gardens surrounding her parents' home and the peace of sewing and embroidering flowers and making little trinkets to serve with tea - all such trivial things. She had thought them repulsive at one time, but.after her first battle in the rebellion
against OZ, all that changed.
But she had no time to dwell upon such things. Now she had a reputation to uphold and units to command. There was no room for tears or sorrows or.much of anything. Her life was missing those things. And those underneath her expected her to have a will of iron.
In truth.Wufei was right. She never truly would be happy until she accepted all of herself - her past and the present. 'Damn! I hate it when he's right!'
"I can't promise equals.but I would make the effort to try." Yes. And then.maybe she could accept him too despite his shortcomings.
"Major Po?"
Sally turned around to see a young Preventor standing in front of her.
"Yes, soldier, what is it?"
"You're needed on level 0."
She saluted and dismissed the young man. "I should be back in a few minutes, Hilde. If any of the mechanics report back here let me know."
Hilde nodded in return, doing her best to form a smile. She knew that if she opened her mouth, her voice would barely come out as a squeak.
She didn't know what piloting that gundam had done to her right shoulder, but to put it in Duo's words, 'It hurt like hell!' But she wouldn't tell anyone about it. No. She was stronger than that. If Duo couldn't be here to pilot it, she would.
__________________________________

"Heero!" Sally smiled when she saw him, but it quickly faded as she saw who was with him. She was thin and would have looked fairly pretty with her head of curls if not for the sunken, haunted look marring her face.
Never the less, she stood proud and tall next to him.
Liet answered the questioning look of the older woman. "My name is Liet. And I am one the test subjects from L4. I was told you might be able to help us."
Sally sucked in a breath and clenched her fists together - a move that did not go unnoticed by Heero. Sally opened her mouth to speak but found that nothing would come out. How could she tell her? She couldn't help her - no one could. Her condition was a cancer of sorts. True
there were many developments in treatment before the centuries of on and off wars began. But no cure was ever found - there wasn't much funding left for research and development outside of military causes.
If not caught in the early stages.it was.fatal.
She felt some part of her die with the look in the woman's eyes. She fought back tears and quickly lowered her head. So that was it. For a few moments, she couldn't think of anything. Her mind was just a blank.
Then she angrily fought back her tears. "What about the others? Can you do anything at all?"
Finally, Sally found her voice. "It depends.on how far advanced they are. It really must be caught within the first few months."
"But.there are only 150! A little over 300 are over a year.and about the same amount are near the end."
Sally felt her heart breaking. That was almost 800 children - 600 of which were terminally ill. Unconsciously, tears began falling from her eyes.
"What can we do?" Liet asked bravely, though inside she was trembling. She took a deep breath and wiped the tears from her cheeks. "First we need to get inside the base and free everyone. Then we have to get them to the nearest hospital. They aren't going to have enough medication or equipment to treat everyone. Some will have to be flown either to other colonies or to Earth. Lady Une can make whatever arrangements are needed."
"Hn.All transmissions and communication to and from the moon are jammed. It's going to take a return trip to notify her of the problem."
Liet nodded. "I can do it. Give me a mobile suit." She turned to Heero.
"I can do it!"
He nodded.
__________________________________

Heero and Sally watched from the window, as a white Taurus suit blasted into space. "She's a brave girl." Sally commented. "I just hope she makes it."
"She will." With that said, he immediately turned to one of their communication controls and plugged his own machine in. Immediately he began typing furiously. After a few moments, he stopped and flipped the open channel switch on the control board. "Quatre."
"Heero?!" Immediately his voice returned. "Where are you?!"
"I'm on the lunar base. What's the current situation?"
"The M. S. Production facilities are exactly where we'd thought they'd be. I think we'll have a relay time of about forty minutes. I'll have Wufei send you the coordinates and a few infrared sensor diagrams. Is it enough time?"
"Doesn't matter. It's our only option at this point. I'll contact you again, just before I go." Heero then cut of the connection and disconnected his gear. He turned to Lieutenant Creig. "Go to the
ammunition stock room, get me anywhere from thirty to fifty detonation devices, 5 spools of wire, and one switch. Make sure all the safety switches have been removed. Have them ready and waiting in a land cruiser in five minutes."
Creig turned to Sally for confirmation.
"Get going! You have your orders."
"Yes ma'am!"

__________________________________

Hilde leaned back against the wall. She was seriously considering taking a walk toward sick bay. 'No. I can't.' She knew that in her condition, the doctor on staff or the medic wouldn't let her back out into space. She had to stay. If she was needed, she'd fight again. It was difficult - knowing the power that you held in your hands. Duo had named himself correctly. No one escapes from death. It holds all - both the innocent and wicked in its hands. The same could be true of a gundam or more preferably it's pilot. She sighed and began walking as straight as she could manage, keeping her head down to conceal her expression of pain.
Suddenly, she bumped into someone head on. She winced and inhaled sharply - her entire arm and a part of her upper back felt like it was on fire. For a moment she felt so dizzy, she thought she'd fall over.

As she regained control, she mumbled an apology and tried to go around the man she'd bumped into. She frowned when his hands came up to steady her. 'I know those hands.' She gasped and looked up. "Duo!"
One thing was for sure - he didn't look happy. She sighed and leaned back against the wall. "Please don't yell at me, Duo. I wasn't planning on coming - honest! But there was no one else and."
He held up a hand, and wordlessly plied her left arm away from her right shoulder. He gently touched it and she winced, biting her lip to keep from crying out. When she finally opened her eyes, she saw him shaking his head.
Duo took a deep breath, trying his best to stay calm. She was as stubborn and independent as he was. It was unbelievable! No matter what he did to try and keep her out of the whole messy business, she ended up right in the thick of it. In the end, he conceded. Now wasn't the time for an argument anyway and truth be told, he was just too tired.
"So, did yah break my record?"
She suddenly smiled back and let out a small laugh. "No, but I have lots of time to try!" She knew that would get his dander up.
He smiled wickedly in return. "No way! The God of Death is gonna loose his reputation if you keep flyin' for me. You're not scary enough."
"Humph!" They both laughed and he gently put his arm around her.
"Come on. You need to get that looked at."
__________________________________

Just outside sick bay, Duo waited for Hilde's examination to finish. He quickly turned on an open channel to the control room. "Hey, Sally?
How's the progress on Heavyarms and Deathscythe?"
"You're ready to go, Duo. Heavyarms will be complete in about five minutes. Trowa's already on his way out."
"Got that. Uh.have you heard anything from Heero? 'leena's been looking for him since we came in."
"He's about to exit through the B.D.'s on level E. He's heading out to destroy the base." She answered.
"Has he talked to her yet?"
"I don't think so. She's on the observation deck where we're trying to re-establish contact. She's trying to see if she can get any information on Zechs and Noin. Plus, right now isn't a good time. We only have minutes until the next attack."
Duo cursed as he closed the connection. "Damn!" He poked his head
through the door and looked at the nurse. "Tell her that I'll be right back!"
The nurse nodded affirmatively and Duo took off, running down the hall towards the nearest flight of stairs. He needed to have a little chat with 'Mr. Perfect Soldier.' Now.
__________________________________

Heero walked down the corridor in a fast pace, any worry he had about Releena's whereabouts and safety put to rest at learning she was here.
He opened the door to the decompression tunnel and was just about to walk through when Duo grabbed onto his arm. "Tell me you're coming back."
Heero regarded him silently and then calmly answered. "Life is a risk. Now, let me go."
He shook his head. "Uh-uh. Not until you make me a promise. You have to come back to her."
Heero's eyes darkened considerably and he stared at the cool shadows on the cold, metal floor. "I gave in once. I can't do it again."
"Why the hell not?!"
His eyes flashed and he glared at the other man. His words were low and deadly. "Duo. Don't. Push. Me." He pulled his arm back and turned around to leave. Then he stopped and without turning and continued quietly, "I can't do it. It isn't right."
"I don't care if you think it's right or wrong, pal! Don't you think it's a little late for that?! That one time may have been a slip up, but it came with consequences. I always knew you were stubborn and thickheaded, but I never took you for a coward! You're afraid to face her aren't you? Yah.cuz you know that she's better than you and you're afraid of what she makes you feel, aren't you? Or is it that you're afraid to really live?"
Heero kept his back turned. 'You're right, Duo. I am a coward; I always have been. I should have ended it a long time ago, but I couldn't even accomplish that simple task,' he thought to himself. "I'm not making a promise that I can't keep just to satisfy your conscience." He replied
flatly.
Duo could feel the blood rush to his face until it was beet red with anger. He grabbed the back of Heero's suit and pulled him back inside the corridor. Immediately Heero whipped around to deliver a crushing blow, but Duo moved out of the way just in time. He could tell that the perfect soldier was holding back and it only made him angrier. Duo lunged at him and they both toppled to the floor, battling for the upper hand. He fought with everything in him and when he hit Heero
square-in-the-jaw, he could see the dangerous glint in his eyes. With an angry grunt, Heero pushed Duo off of him and jumped to his feet. The clyzenodine serum still ran thick through his blood, increasing the speed of his every move. In a flash, he pulled Duo up by the collar and slammed him into the metal wall. Duo refused to cry out even though the rough blow to his head and back were close to causing a ruptured disk or a severe concussion. "Hey take it easy will, yah? My head isn't as thick as yours." He bit out painfully, gasping for breath.
"I doubt that." Heero replied. He blinked and suddenly his muscles visibly loosened. He released his hold on Duo's neck and let him slide down the wall to stand on his own two feet.
After a coughing fit, Duo returned Heero's glare. "You have got to loosen up, buddy or you're gonna end up with some serious mental damage!"
For a long time, they stood facing one another, neither saying a word. Finally, Heero spoke. "What do you want from me?"
Duo shook his head and put his hand on Heero's shoulder. "I'm your friend Heero." He shrugged nonchalantly and grinned, breaking the tension. "But since that's a new thing for you, I'll cut you some slack. Basically, that means I care about what happens to you. I don't wanna see you screw up your life more than it already is. By turning your back now, you'll regret it for the rest of your life."
He continued. "So you've got issues, so you've got problems. We all do. But you don't see us running, do you?! Yah, it's hard. It's damn hard. I still see their faces - all the people that have died - all the ones that I killed. Then I see the ones of my friends and the people who took care of me. Do you know how many times I wish I were still with them? That my life shouldn't be? But then I stop and I say, wait - there's people who care for me. And if I can't live for myself, at
least I can live for them. If you abandon them now, you really are less than dirt! They need you - especially that kid!"
Heero froze. Although showing no outward reaction, he was confused - terribly so. His mind quickly ran through everything Duo had just said.
Living for others - the ones who care about you, the ones you're responsible for - He got that. Suddenly it hit him.
'They need you - especially that kid!'
They? Kid? He immediately whipped around and once again grabbed Duo by the collar of his shirt, fixing him with an intense stare. Guess work wouldn't be enough. This was something he needed solid confirmation of.
"Duo, what kid?"
For a minute, Duo stared at his friend in shock. "You mean.you don't know?!" He finally choked out.
"No." Heero plastered him with a look - 'This better not be a joke or else.'
Duo gulped and laughed nervously. As Heero released him, he mumbled under his breath. "Why me?" He took a deep breath and wrapped his arm around his friend's shoulder, despite the death glare directed at him.
"Heero, buddy.I am going to give you some.well.interesting news." He nervously chucked again as he ran his left hand threw his bangs. "It's good news.well.he he.I guess that depends on how you look at it, right?"

_________________________________

Sally quietly made her way to where Releena was standing, gently swaying back and forth as she rocked the baby to sleep. "Have you heard anything yet?"
Releena frowned. "No. They're still unable to re-establish the connection. I'm worried, Sally. We just left them. I don't think I could ever forgive myself if."
"Don't worry too much. Those two make an impeccable team. And it's not as if they're defenseless. I wouldn't give up hope too easily." Sally said, smiling.
Releena hesitated before asking her next question. "Have you.have you heard anything from Heero?"
Sally nervously averted her eyes. "Um.about Heero."
Suddenly her com light began to flash. "This is Major Po."
"Well?! What's going on down there? You're supposed to have been briefing us every ten minutes? Are all the fools down there so incompetent that they can't set up a single secure connection?!" Wufei blared.
"He really makes me nervous when he rants like that." Sally commented absently.
Releena smiled sadly. "It's difficult to be angry with him when you know the risk he's taking."
She sighed and shook her head. "I forgave him the moment after it happened." A smile crossed her features. "I finally realized what I've been doing wrong."
Releena knit her brows and she cocked her head to the side.
"I've been trying to change him. But.I kind of like him just the way he is. He's the most stubborn, pigheaded, arrogant, chauvinist I've ever met. And that's why he needs me because I won't take it." She chuckled as tears seeped out of the corners of her eyes. "He's good for me too. In his own odd way of reminding me of my 'place,' it helps me to remember that it's okay to let someone take care of me for once. It's okay to not be the unbreakable Major Po. I can just be Sally and he won't be disappointed or think I'm weak because he knows better. He knows me."
"Woman, are you there?!" The irritated voice blared out again over her intercom.
At the sound of his typical greeting, she laughed - never so glad to here it as now. "Yes, Wufei. I'm here."
"Is everything in place?"
"Yes. The explosives are ready to go. We're waiting on Heero. It shouldn't take him more than a half an hour." At the mention of Heero's name, Releena's head had snapped to attention and Sally winced - the poor girl. "If he's not back by then.fire at will."
For a moment Wufei said nothing and Releena's wide, shocked eyes bore into her. The air was heavy and thick. Finally he let out a grunt and she heard him terminate the connection. Suddenly, she felt Releena grab hold of the lapel of her uniform.
"Sally, what is going on?!"
She sighed and looked out the glass window in front of her. She pointed to a large building off a far distance from where they were. "That is a MS production facility.and is where the suits for Barkusonete's special forces are kept. There are three times as many as there are suicide
units to pilot them. While they attack the gundams, it will give Heero a chance to sneak in and blow up the remainder of them. In space, mobile suits use more fuel for propulsion. So they'll need to refuel after about 60 minutes in battle. A thirty-minute time limit gives Heero the chance to make it back safely. After that."
Releena stood frozen in shock for what seemed like an eternity. She clutched her fist until it was white, her nails digging into her palm. She should have been used to it by now. After all, death seemed to stare him in the face every time he fought and still he always managed to pull out unscathed. Why not this time as well? Because. She glanced down at the tiny form sleeping peacefully in her arms, clutching her shirt in his tiny hands - so innocent, so pure - someone who had never had to kill, never seen war or death or any of the horrors life could bring with it. He had to know - he couldn't leave again without knowing - he had done this. He didn't destroy everything he touched - this little boy, his little boy, was good and was a part of him. She turned
to Sally, her eyes full of determination. "Where?" It was the only words she could manage to speak.
"He's be leaving through the back bay doors on level E. You'd better hurry."
She didn't need to be told twice and broke into a full run.
_________________________________

Duo watched Heero's expressionless face and gulped nervously. He was staring right at him.well no.that wasn't quite correct. It was more like he was seeing right through him. "Hey, uh.Heero, buddy? You okay?"
He would have waved a hand in front of his face, but feared the consequences. He already had enough bruises for one day, thank you.
Suddenly his friend blinked, furrowed his brows and then abruptly turned around. He stooped down to pick up his gear and hit the release to open the doors leading to one of the store rooms just outside of the hanger.
"Hey!" Duo finally cried out.
Heero stopped when he was halfway through the doorway, but remained silent.
"Just where do you think you're going?!" Duo cried.
"I have a job to complete." That said, he walked into the room and the doors closed behind him.
Duo's face turned red with anger and he narrowed his eyes. He spun on his heels and quickly punched the wall. He grunted and rubbed his soar knuckles. He took a deep breath and let some of his anger escape. He tilted back his head to look up at the ceiling and shook it. "You
should be glad I'm so understanding, pal!" He really couldn't blame him.that much. After all, it wasn't everyday someone blurted out to you that, 'Congratulations, you're now a father!' And knowing Heero.well.he probably took it a little harder than most. Sheez! He couldn't imagine
if it was him on the receiving end! He sighed. "I really need a drink."
He heard the main doors leading to the hall open and as soon as he turned around, Releena assaulted him. "Where is he?!"
Duo shook his head. "Sorry, 'leena, but."
"No!" She made a dash toward the rear doors, but Duo caught her arm.
"I heard the bay doors open. That means that the room is exposed to the atmosphere. You can't go in now."
Tears streamed down her face and her body shook as she tried to hold back sobs. "But.I have to.I have to tell him!"
"He knows." Duo said quietly. She gazed up at him questioningly and he sighed. "I told him."
She shut her eyes tight and Duo pulled her into a careful hug, trying to console her. She opened her eyes briefly - her vision blurred with tears. She gasped and quickly moved from his embrace, pushing past him to do to the large window. He was there! Just about ready to strap
himself into the land cruiser. Desperately, she pounded on the glass, not caring that he couldn't hear her in the weightless atmosphere of the moon. "Heero!!" She cried with everything in her. He had to hear her - he just had to! When he didn't turn around, she cried out to him again.
_________________________________

Heero was running over the final checks on the land cruiser. All the equipment was in place. It was now or never. He glanced at his wrist-watch/com - thirty minutes. He couldn't think about what had happened earlier - to do so meant failure. He would not fail. What Duo had said simply didn't exist. The conversation never took place.
Suddenly, a shiver went down his spine - a very rare occurrence. Something was telling him to turn around - begging and pleading that he do so. He knew it was against his better judgement to do so, but he always made it a point to follow his gut feeling, and he slowly turned.

There she stood - a single tear made it's way down her cheek. Her hair hung beautifully framing her face. He took in her every feature. Eventually his eyes fell down to see the bundle she held in her arms, wrapped in a blue blanket. Time seemed to stop and his lungs refused to breathe. That split second seemed like an eternity. He stared for a few more minutes before closing his eyes and turning around. When he opened them, there was nothing but a raw determination - to survive.to win.and to return. As quickly as was possible, he swooped down and strapped
himself down in the solitary seat of the vehicle and put it in gear.

Still standing in the corridor, Releena placed her hand on the glass. 'Come back alive, Heero. Just stay alive.'
_________________________________

To be continued in chapter 8.
Lordy! I really hadn't expected this chapter to be as long as it turned out to be! ARG! And still another chapter and the epilogue to go! So what do y'all think? Was it too long, too wordy, too mushy - what? PLEASE!!! I need feedback! College life is quickly squashing out all of my free time! I need you all to help keep me motivated!!