Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Mistaken Words ❯ For The Mission ( Chapter 8 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Mistaken Words

Midnight wolf: Thank you so much for the review! I hope you continue to enjoy the story, we're a little way away from a kiss right now ^_^ but they're steadily working their way towards it! I have quite a few chapters ready to come out, but I didn't want to overwhelm anyone truly interested in reading this story. Again thank you, please enjoy this next chapter.

Disclaimer: don't own

For The Mission

Heero drew in a slow calming breath, trying with everything he had to force himself back into a state of disinterest, back to a point where nothing mattered. Where Ash's words stopped echoing continuously in his mind. It disgusted him that he had been so easy to read, that a man who knew next to nothing about him had been able to see what had been kept hidden from the beginning. But that void was no longer attainable, Heero knew he wouldn't be able to simply throw himself back into in.

His mind was awash with raging thoughts, causing his already aching head to pound with the very beat of his heart. Standing in the spare room of his home, Heero dropped his head into one hand and leaned heavily upon the blank wall, willing the world to stop spinning. He needed to regain control, these emotions could not roam free, nevertheless the Japanese man also knew that if he shut down once more it would only cause further questions he did not want to answer right now.

You love her…

Ash's words taunted him, he would never deny his feelings for her, but at the same time they stabbed at him like a rusted knife reminding him yet again of what he had lost.

I believed in you…

Massaging his temples in slow circles Heero's breathing slowed, evening out, becoming normal. What did it matter now? He had lost her, and he had known from the beginning that that was a very probable outcome. But the peace was more important than all of them, than two people's feelings for each other. Heero knew that he had to accept reality and finish his mission, in that he would not fail.

With this new resolve Heero began to form a barrier around those memories, surrounding the weakness that was the only chink in his imposing armour. Even with the overwhelming wall of black realisation, Heero could not throw aside all hope of making them understand. He did not expect them to ever forgive; there was little chance now that they would ever find his laptop, had discovered his secret. Heero had chosen his words carefully that fateful date, but even Quatre seemed unable to look beyond the moment. To make them understand was all he wanted now.

Heero pulled one hand down his face, feeling his usual mask take hold of his features; it was a strange comfort to have it back, to know that all he had to hide was safe behind it. With a sigh he pushed himself off the wall, and turned back towards the door contemplating whether or not he actually wanted to go back out to the living room. The former pilot was not entirely sure he wanted to face Ash, yet remaining distant would only cause further problems. He quickly decided that ignoring what had happened was the best path to take, because avoiding the man was next to impossible even for Heero.

Feeling like death warmed over, Heero left the echoing room, and slowly made his way back out to the living room. Scanning the basically opened area, he was surprised to find no sign of Ash, it was as if the man had never been. Heero did not call out for him, but rather continued his half hearted search, making his way into the kitchen. There too Ash could not be found, but his prussian orbs did land upon a small piece of paper resting on the island. He reached for it, forcing his eyes to focus upon the small, neat script.

Heero

I've called you in sick, so don't even think about going into work today…If I find you went, I may just have to start telling people what you were up to last night.

P.S. Keep drinking water; you're still dehydrated

Ash

The former pilot glared daggers at the note, crumpling it up in his fist; he did not doubt for a minute that Ash had done what he said, and would start spreading information if Heero showed up. Tossing the offending piece of paper in the garbage Heero walked deeper into the kitchen in search of a glass. He did not like the idea of following Ash's orders, but he knew it was true, and if he wanted to get rid of this damn headache, water was the first step. Sitting on the counter Heero drank down the cool liquid, trying to decide what he was to do with the time he had, he needed something to keep himself from thinking too much.

***

Ash threw his car into park, and leaned forward onto the wheel so he could better see the building, which he had parked in front of. This was the very centre of the colony's government, it was where Dante had gathered those he could trust to uphold to laws he believed in. To Ash this building alone symbolised all that he fought to keep. This colony had become home to all those who found they could not relax into a peaceful nation, but that was not to say Dante allowed this to be a warlike state. It was merely easier for soldiers to relax around other former soldiers, knowing that there was not hidden hatred, no discomfort, and specifically no fear.

He had hated the fear. Ash remembered the first time he had looked into another man's eyes, and saw fear, it had been clear then that he was not welcomed where he stayed, and he had searched this place out. Dante wanted to keep the peace, he like everyone else had sacrificed much to see these marvellous days, but he also wanted a voice. And that was something he did not feel anyone possessed while in the Earth Sphere Unified Nations. For a long time he had kept his feelings hidden, but now Ash could see all there hard work coming to a head, they had Relena, one of the final steps in their plan.

Whistling tunelessly to himself Ash exited the car and began to climb the wide marble steps, which lead to the ornate doors. The building was strangely structured of stone rather than the metal of most colonial buildings, giving it a feeling of antiquity. One knew they were standing in a position of power the moment their feet touched the slowly climbing steps. Ash lightly jogged up them, raising a hand in recognition of an acquaintance who was leaving. His open personality allowed Ash to befriend people quickly most felt very relaxed in his company; but he did not really consider all that many to be his friends. Oddly enough the one he felt closest to besides Dante was Heero, the only person to continually treat his friendship with disinterest.

Even now Ash was still feeling shock over his recent revelations, his mind not wanting to accept the fact that Heero ever loved Relena. It seemed messed up in his mind, that any emotion even closed to love could be so callously pushed aside. If that was the case how could it be called love? Nevertheless Heero's violent reaction clearly told Ash, as strange as it may seem the small man did love her, but was forcing it all aside for some unknown reason.

An easy smile lighted his face as Ash strode into the open foyer its polished stone floor glowing softly with the frosted lights, and the artificial illumination spilling through the stain glass windows. He turned that smile to the tiny girl seated behind the desk, busily talking into her headset. Samantha was her name, and she had devoted much time to Dante and himself, proving to be the best receptionist and secretary either had ever seen. It was not just soldiers who had come to call this colony home, but all misfits of society. Samantha had had a run in with the law, at one time in her life, and had not been able to shake the effects of such an experience anywhere but here.

"…Yes I'll give him the exact message the moment he's available," she told however was listening on the other line, before turning her own dazzling smile on Ash. "I'm glad to see you're back," she smiled all the more, leaning forward on the polished wood desk.

"Can't say how much I'm glad to be back," he returned the expression, "I take it Dante's is in?"

She nodded her head a small pout touching her pretty face, "Yes, would you mind brining this into him?" Samantha passed a small sheet of paper over to him, and he accepted it without question, not missing the subtle change in her personality.

Ash was fully aware that Samantha liked him, but he could not see why, not to mention he did not share the same interest as she. It at times made things difficult, but Ash found playing the oblivious usually saved him from the more difficult conversation topics. With a brief nod of his head Ash walked away from the desk, and made his way towards the far end of the foyer, all the while feeling the girl's eyes on him…on one particular part of him. Ash found this greatly disturbing, and did not know how Heero could ignore all the leering stares that followed him wherever he went, it was an effort to keep from running.

It was with some relief that Ash finally reached the door which lead to Dante's spacious office. Not bothering to knock, he simply ducked in. A rich chuckle awaited him, as his eyes landed on Dante. He sat relaxed behind his desk; chair turned to the side, and one hand resting upon the rich mahogany surface. His blue eyes sparkled with mirth; "You shouldn't let her get to you," he laughed.

"That woman's got no decency," Ash jokingly fumed, as he crossed the room to drop lazily down into one of the chairs. "Oh she gave me this for you," he tossed the paper across the table, and waited patiently as Dante read its contents.

"The princess is responding well, I had feared some form of reaction, but that doesn't seem to be the case," he told Ash eyes not leaving the simple sheet of paper.

"Is it really wise to have this information going through Samantha?" Ash questioned, he knew the message would be coded to some degree, but to him it just seemed to be an unnecessary risk.

Dante shrugged crumpling the paper and tossing it into the bin next to his desk, "Little updates such as these… there's nothing to worry about. I have a secured line here for the more important information, and they have runners if it comes down to that."

Ash nodded his head in silence, trusting to Dante's judgement, he had not led them astray yet, he would not now. He rubbed at his chin idly feeling the rough stubble beneath his callused fingers. "So how was he this morning?" Dante inquired, suddenly breaking the silence.

"He was charming," Ash said with a sarcastic smile.

"Were you able to learn what caused his reaction?"

All Ash could do for several moments was just nod his head, he knew this was doing little but peeking Dante's interest but he just could not put the thoughts to words, not since his first outburst. He racked a hand through his hair, "You're not going to believe this…" his almost whispered.

"Well not if you don't tell me," Dante prodded, turning his chair to face Ash fully.

"He's…" the hazel eyed man shook his head, and leaned forward in his seat, as if to suggest what was to be said needed to be kept secret, even from this empty room. Dante obliged leaning across his table to close the distance between them, "He's in love with her."

"What?!" Dante gasped in both confusion and shock.

Ash threw himself back in his chair arms flying wide in an equally disbelieving gesture, "As crazy as it sounds, it sort of makes sense when I think about the odd way he's been acting of late."

The other man continued to stare as though in shock, he was clearly having the same difficulties coming to terms with this revelation as Ash had. So he gave him time, using the silence himself to gather his thoughts, there was much now that they needed to know, though the answers were not likely something they could easily get. The rhythmic ticking of the ancient looking clock was the only sound to break the silence.

Dante slowly shook his head; "…So why did he shoot her?" it was a question directed more to the room, than Ash himself.

"And that my friend is the million dollar question, one I doubt will ever get an answer too," Ash said with a sigh.

"But we need answers to at least some things," he shook his head," We know so little about him, and this more than ever show just how much we really need to know."

"I know better than anyone how difficult it is to get answers from Heero, he makes a rock look conversational," Ash chuckled dryly shaking his head.

Dante's head came up suddenly, "Will he endanger our plan?"

It was a serious concern that up until now Ash had not even considered, "Honestly I don't know…" he began leaning forward in his seat so both elbows were resting on his knees, with his fingers locked tightly together. "If I had only known he tried to assassinate her, I'd say we'd have nothing to be concerned about. But the fact that he loves her…" Ash spread his hands showing there was no way to be sure.

"hmmm…" Dante rocked his chair back slightly, "I think we'd do best to keep an eye on him, see what he does in the next few days."

"That won't be easy, Heero's one of the best hackers I know, I'm not sure we have someone skilled enough to monitor him without getting caught."

A tiny smile alighted Dante's features, "You already know there's no hard data anywhere about what we're doing. He'll discover that soon enough, then it's just a matter of seeing where he turns to next."

Dante stood from the leather chair, straightening his business suit unconsciously as he walked around his desk. Ash watched him carefully trying to read what he was thinking, but at times Dante could easily be as hard to read as the Japanese man they were speaking about. "I wonder if it would be possible to get him to come to us…" the blond haired man mused as he looked down on his friend.

"You mean, if you were to somehow let slip that you're the only one with the information he's looking for?" Ash stood at this feeling a spark of excitement form as Dante nodded his head. "And how do you suggest we do that?"

"A meeting perhaps?"

"No that would never work," the former soldier shook his head, "Heero's far to suspicious… he'll see it for what it is right away."

The taller man stroked his chin in thought, eyes distant; "Would he come to lunch?"

Ash had to admit if only to himself that he felt sort of special, being the only one close enough to Heero to make these sort of judgements. Though that was not say much, Heero had avoided Dante almost from the beginning, of course never giving any reason for this needed distance. He considered the question carefully taking into account what he knew of his friend, "That might work actually, but we'd have to do it under the guise of a congratulation for a mission complete."

"And when should we do this?"

"Definitely not today," Ash informed him firmly.

"I take it he wasn't in the best of shape this morning," Dante smiled slightly at the `you have no idea' face Ash was making.

"I called him in sick at work, so I think we'd best leave it till tomorrow."

Dante nodded his agreement, "And you're sure you can get him to come?"

"I'll do my very best," an evil grin touched Ash's face, "I have a few cards I can play against him if the need should arise."

"That's good to hear," Dante sat himself once more behind his desk, "I'll make the arrangements, let's hope this works." His voice was incredibly serious, and Ash knew exactly why, "He's a wild card in all this, and if we want to locate a Gundam pilot we certainly can't loose our only ace." Relena was everything to the mission, and until they gained the information they sought everyone would be balanced on the edge of a knife.

***

"…Heero?" a voice called to him as he walked down the halls towards his office. The building in which he worked was sprawling, filled with many different businesses catering to a number of the people's needs. Heero was just one among the many who came to this place day after day, and to some degree he felt comfortable within these large numbers, knowing he was easily forgotten as a part of the background.

"Hn?" he looked up, he had been aware of her presence, but had not been focused enough to know she had spoken to him.

`She' was Kim, a young computer technician who showed a great deal of skill in the work that she did, which had earned her Heero's respect, something that was incredibly hard to gain. Kim, like Ash, had made overtures of friendship from the very beginning, yet her reasons were far different from what Ash's had been. She was searching for something more than `friends' something Heero was never going to give to anyone…not anymore…

He shook his head away from such thoughts, "What?" he asked, his voice colder than he had wanted it to be.

Kim hesitated for only a second, a tiny blush creeping into her features, "I just asked if you were feeling better?"

Heero stared at her quizzically not following her question, "You were sick yesterday…weren't you?" she asked, noting his confusion. He wanted to growl in frustration, but managed to contain it, his mind had been so caught up in other matters, that he had completely forgot Ash's lie. Heero had not even considered the fact that other workers might have received the news at some point during the day. He blinked realising Kim had started talking again, "…You've never been sick before, so I assumed it must have been serious."

He pulled a hand through his unruly hair, trying to with hold a sigh, as he studied Kim, not really paying all that much attention to what she had said. She was easily a full head taller than him, though he was not sure if she had ever noticed this, Heero knew his `presence' was far greater than his small stature, and he wielded it without thought. All he really wanted right now was to make it, uninterrupted to his office, and work for the rest of the day. "Heero?" Kim called softly ducking her head slightly so she was better looking him in the eyes; it was an unconscious act, "Are you alright?"

There was true concern in her voice, which was the last thing Heero felt like dealing with right now. "Yeah I'm fine," he told her emotionlessly, and continued down the halls to where his office awaited him.

Once inside Heero closed and locked the door, further securing himself against other `concerned' acquaintances. Most everyone who worked here knew he was not really the approachable type, they preferred to leave him to his solitary way of life, to which he was more than grateful. For several moments Heero simply stood leaning against the door staring at his large workspace. It was always a mystery when he came into work, having little to no idea before hand what would be required of him that day. Whether he would need to check the security of an implores online site, or their actual business, there was no telling when he would be commissioned to create the blueprints or actually build a needed device for the colony's ever growing population.

It was this wide variety of jobs that had first drawn his attention to what the colony had to offer. Heero liked the fact that so many of his natural and trained talents were being put to proper use, and the few that he could only use for killing were placed aside, having no purpose here. ~except when you use them on a mission~ he thought bitterly to himself, and sighed. Futilely he tried to push that thought away, and although it left without a fight, he knew in the end It would win, because there was no telling what little innocent thought, would dredge It up from hiding.

With a sigh Heero crossed the room, dropping down into the chair before his computer, leaning back he contemplated whether or not he wanted to check his messages and see what work there was for him. But despite his wanting to think of nothing other than work, Heero knew there was something far more important that he had to focus his attention on. He needed to find where Dante was holding Relena; he had to be able to keep an eye on the situation.

Heero had known from the beginning what Dante wanted Relena for, he and Ash were on a search for one of the Gundam pilots. Yet any and all information about them had been carefully destroyed, and of those who had known them during the war, most had died, and those who still lived saw no reason to expose them. Heero was not about to just hand himself over to them, he wanted to know their plans first, but that was something Dante did not impart to his men. So he had gone along with the plan to kidnap Relena, knowing that she would be safest if he was involved.

The Japanese man leaned forward dropping his head into his hands. He knew Relena would not betray any of the pilots, not even himself. She may have hated him, but she still knew what sort of information he held within his head, the very peace could be destroyed with only him. Nevertheless Ash had at all times been positive that they would get the information that they so desired. How was what Heero wanted to find out.

Striking a key on his computer, the screen lit up, and the search was on. Heero tried not to really dwell on what or more importantly who he was searching for. Still that was easier said than done; his mind taunted him seeming to enjoy his suffering, and all he could do was continue to harden himself against it. He had learned to live with all forms of torture, physical and mental; this would be no different. "I no longer care," he told himself coldly, his fingers flying upon the keys as he hacked his way through ever mainframe on the colony. Yet believing that statement was another matter altogether.

He was not really aware of time's passage as he continued his frustrating search. There was no sign of her anywhere; it was as if Relena was not even upon the colony. Heero knew she was, knew there had to be some way of locating her. As the hunt wore on the former pilot began to feel a grudging respect forming in the back of his mind for Dante. The man had not made a single hard copy of his plans; he had left nothing to chance. However at the same time a growing fear began to eat away at him everything would hang in the balance until he could discover Relena's location, and the methods they were using to get information. He would not leave her in their hands if they might actually be able to gain a name.

The ring of his phone, snapped Heero from his deep thoughts, but for several seconds his fingers continued their intricate dance, as he refused to give in. His progress gained him no further results, and he halted with a growl. Removing the receiver from its cradle, Heero opened the line for audio only, not feeling like dealing with some face to face. "Yes?" he asked into the phone.

"Hey Heero," Ash's cheerful voice greeted him, "You feeling any better today?"

Heero's only response was a grunt, as he turned most of his attention back to the computer screen, and his frustrating quest.

"I'll take that as a yes. Look, I was hoping you'd have time in you busy schedule to come out to lunch with Dante and I," Ash continued getting right to the point.

"No I don't think so…" he responded, not at all in the mood for such an undertaking.

But Ash had clearly expected this, and was not about to give up so easily, "C'mon when was the last time you ate out? Hell when was the last time you ate a proper meal." His tone turned accusatory "I'll bet it wasn't this morning."

It was true, even if Heero refused to admit it; he had skipped breakfast, not really interested in putting out the effort. "Ash I don't have--"

"Don't tell me you haven't the time," he cut in quickly, "'Cause I know there's no one breathing down your neck, besides you're given a perfectly long lunch break, more then enough time to meet with us and get back to work."

Heero briefly considered hanging up the phone, but knew Ash would call back, and would keep calling, disrupting his work until he had agreed. It would only be for an hour, and perhaps he might be able to use the time to probe Dante for some answers, since the computer was turning up nothing at all. "Fine, where?"

"At the Tir N'an Og[1] it's a wonderful little pub, so don't worry about changing, do you know where it is?"

Scouring his memories, Heero searched out the pub's location, "Yeah I know how to get there."

"Good then we'll see you in a half hour," not waiting for the response that wouldn't come Ash simply hung up the phone.

Dropping the receiver back in its place Heero looked back the computer, there was really no point in starting further searches, if he had not been able to find her by now, there truly was nothing out there. But Dante had to know; Heero wished there was some way to ask the leader without drawing attention if he had a phoenix shaped brand on his chest. If there was just some way to know, Heero would be able to breathe a sigh of relief, as the Free Born had shone no tendencies towards violence. Nevertheless if Dante was not a member what did he need a pilot for? There were simply too many questions, that Heero could not ask.

***

At exactly noon, Heero found himself standing outside the Tir N'an Og, and he hesitated a moment before going in, eyes scanning the faces that passed him on the street. Despite the fact that this might be his only chance at gaining any significant information, Heero was uncomfortable with the situation. A very large part of him simply wanted to walk away, but he couldn't let himself do that, not when there were no other options open to him. Suppressing a sigh, Heero forced himself forward, climbing up the shallow steps to the open doorway.

He was taken by surprise upon entering the pub, inside was a world different than the sterile metal of the building's outer wall. Great oak beams spanned the ceiling at even intervals, reflecting the subtle glow of fake kerosene lambs, which were the only lights about the large room. It felt to Heero as though he had actually stepped through time, and came out in old Ireland. The young man standing behind the bar offered him a welcoming smile as Heero stepped further in; he did not bother to return the gesture instead began to search out his friend.

It was not hard to spot Ash and Dante where they sat around a table carefully situated in the corner, a reasonable distance from the others. Ash had been watching the door, and waved the moment Heero looked over. He offered no response to say he had seen them his eyes scanning the room's occupants memorising the faces and where they sat. It was a habit, which had been drilled into him since he was young and even now, three years after the war he could not relax, he was always watching. He noted absently that Ash and Dante had left him the seat against the wall, affording him a clear view of the room at all times.

Both men came to their feet as he approached, Ash wore a large smile on his face, and Heero accepted Dante's offered hand, cobalt eyes studying his face intently. The leader of the Free Born hid his true intentions behind an impressive mask; one that rivalled Heero's leaving him with the daunting task of trying to decipher what he was truly thinking. For the first time Heero could actually see what others had to go through when talking to him. They seated themselves around the table in silence, all eyes shifting about looking to see who would make the first move at conversation.

The slightly uneasy silence was not broken by any of them however; rather a petite young waitress came to a stop at their table, politely asking what they would have. Dante and Ash were quick to answer, with both meal and drink; Heero took a moment to glance down at the menu resting in front of him, before speaking his order. The girl wrote it all down a smile playing on her lips as she did, and then looked up to Heero, "And what can I get you to drink?"

"Water," he told her without hesitation.

"You know Heero, they have a very fine rye here," Ash offered both elbows resting on the table and fingers locked before him.

"Just water, thank you," Heero said firmly, not taking his eyes off the girl. She nodded once her smile faltering ever so slight before disappearing behind the bar, taking their menus with her.

Silence pervaded over the table, once the waitress had left, and Heero watched those sitting before him very carefully. They too, studied him both with an intense gaze. The question was, who would break the silence? Heero wouldn't, Ash knew him too well, and to start asking questions, would stick out in his mind as odd. "I hear from Ash, that it is you we have to thank, for brining Relena to the colony," Dante began easily, his voice at a careful level, quiet enough that it would not stray beyond their ears, yet still loud enough that others would not become suspicious.

Heero stared at him for a moment puzzled, but quickly realised what he was referring too; "I was just in the right place…" he said with a shrug.

"I'm surprised she had so few guards there," the Free Born leader commented leaning back casually in his chair, "I would have thought they'd leave nothing to chance."

"As far as they knew they had," Heero replied indifferently; "No one outside a very select group was supposed to know."

"This concept of theirs intrigues me, when did they build the cottage?"

"A little over two years ago," he told them easily, this subject was bordering on very touchy for him but he would not let that show if he could avoid it.

Dante nodded, "And it is self sustaining, is it not?"

"For all intense and purposes," Heero rubbed absently at his forehead, "The power supply, replenishes itself continually, but the food stores have to be restocked."

"The land doesn't really allow for farming now does it?" Ash put in with his relaxed smile.

Their conversation fell into a natural pause, and the waitress returned bearing their drinks on one hand. She placed them before each man, with an expert hand, offering Heero a supposedly dazzling smile before walking away.

Dante sipped at his drink, resting one elbow smoothly on the table as a look of pleasure overtook his features. "If you don't mind my asking, how is it that you knew of the cottage?" he looked up with his eyes not bothering to raise his head from the drink in his hand. There was a subtle shift in his tone, something that rang out clearly to Heero's ears, what Dante hadn't added was, since that was after the assassination attempt.

"Skill," Heero breathed, with a dangerous note in his voice, something that brought out a smile on both men's faces. The silence returned as all turned their attention to the drinks they had, Heero let the ice cold water cleanse his throat, before he decided it was time he asked a question. "You've had Relena for a little over two days, has she given you any names yet?" it was an effort to keep his voice soaked in that low disinterested tone but somehow he managed.

"Unfortunately no," he sat a little straighter eyes darting in the direction of the bar, as their waitress once more appeared with lunch. For such a private conversation it seemed strange to Heero that Dante and Ash would have chosen a public place, but both seemed unconcerned, and so he let it go. "Thank you," he said smiling disarmingly at the girl, she blushed a shade of red, but her eyes continually darted in Heero's direction. He paid her no mind, instead turning his attention to the plate of food in front of him.

He picked at the food without much interest, but upon seeing Ash's slight glare he decided eating would probably be for the best. At the very least his friend would not be able to cause a scene. "I told you she wouldn't volunteer any information," Heero began after a moment of silence.

"Yeah you did," Ash smiled at seeing the Japanese man eat, "But I'm still positive we'll get the answers we need."

Heero wanted to ask what their method was, that could make them so sure, however he already knew that would be a question they would not answer. Dante lowered his fork passing his napkin across his lips, "Would you mind if I asked you a rather personal question?"

He shrugged, "Go ahead, I may not answer it though."

"Why did you try to kill her?" Dante asked bluntly, though his eyes returned to his meal, as though it was not an earth-shattering question.

The former pilot did everything he could to keep from flinching, there was no way that Dante could possibly know what that question actually did to him. As far as he and almost everyone else was concerned, Heero had tried to kill her, and would do it again if given the chance. Everyone that was except for Ash, he resisted the urge to glance in his friend's direction. Instead he kept his face blank and calmly answered, "I had my reasons."

Dante looked at him for a moment, a tiny smile tugging at his lips; "I had a feeling that would be your answer, you know that's the question everyone would like an answer too--"

"I hope you're being careful with the information that Relena's on this colony, you've come too far and risked too much to lose it all now." Heero cut through what Dante had been saying, not wanting to hear anymore, he had come here to try and get some answers, not give them out. Nor did he want to delve into those memories, when he was sober.

"Don't worry, everything's contained," he assured, "I'm the only one who knows her location."

Heero sighed internally; he had suspected something like that from the beginning, but had hoped there was something else. Anything would be easier than getting this information from Dante. He finished his meal in short order, his need for the conversation now at an end, and glancing at his watch he was relieved to see that he would need to be returning to his work shortly. Both Ash and Dante too seemed content with the silence, much to Heero's relief.

Pushing his chair back from the table Heero was a little surprised when Dante came to his feet ahead of him. He wore his usual welcoming smile, and extended his hand to the former pilot, saying; "We'll have to do this again sometime."

Nodding his head without words, Heero dreaded the thought, yet the chance to manipulate information from an inside source was something he simply could not pass up. He could deal with these lunch meetings as often as they came up, so long as he still needed Dante. With a brief nod to both men, Heero stepped around the table and left the pub, his mind puzzling over what he was to try next. With Dante openly admitting only he knew where Relena was, he knew there was not point searching for her, but perhaps he could find something, a tiny flaw in the plan. He seriously doubted the leader of the Free Born had thought of everything, there had to be a crack, a lead, anything.

He would not give up, not until his mission was complete.

[1] Tir N'an Og: [cheer na nohg] it's a nice little pub near where my brother is going to university ^_^ just had to use it. It means `Land of Youth'

^_^ thanks for reading!!

A Secret Revealed:

"Yes?" he spoke with all calm into the receiver.

"Sir we've made great progress today, she has given us the Gundam pilot 01. And may I suggest now a certain amount of caution is in order." The technician told him his voice containing a strange note within it, that Dante could not quite place.

"I see," Dante responded, "And is it a serious problem?"

There was no hesitation from the other man, "Sir I'm not sure you'll believe this but, you're having lunch with 01."

Dante's heart literally skipped a beat at that, and it was a great effort to keep himself from glancing in the Japanese man's direction. "Are you certain you can find no other way?" he prayed his slight stress of certain would not be picked up by Heero.

"Yes Sir" the tech man told him, that note in his voice now becoming clear as disbelief, "There is no mistaking, it was Heero Yuy that she gave to us."

Morganeth Taren'drel

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