Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Mistaken Words ❯ A Secret Revealed ( Chapter 9 )

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

Mistaken Words

AN: Thanks again to my editors, without their help this story wouldn't really be readable ^_~

Akira139: Thank you so much for the review! Glad to hear you're enjoying it ^_^ but what do you mean by almost? ^_~ Thanks again!

Midnight wolf: Thank you so much! I've tried my hardest to keep this story firmly planted in reality ^_^ as hard as that can make it to write ^_~ I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as the last.

Disclaimer: nope don't own

A Secret Revealed

Relena brought a hand up slowly to brush at her forehead, a sigh escaping her half-parted lips; she felt terrible, there was nothing to pinpoint the feeling on, she just felt sick. And she had been feeling this way for the last few days, it worried her slightly, but Relena had refused to dwell on it until now. It was difficult to hide this from the others, but somehow she had managed it, though she knew now that they would hear of it. She had had her secretary cancel all her meetings for that day, and if that news didn't making to her brother's ears, than she was not the former queen of the world.

Pulling her heavy blankets up and around her, Relena settled back into her large canopy bed. She could not remember the last time she had a day to herself, one away from the press, and politicians, which surrounded her for most of the hours in a day. In a way it was nice to be away from them, but Relena quickly remembered why she had—for three years—tried to avoid such days. Her mind was given too much time to wander, to relive memories, she wished forever removed from her mind. It gave her time to think of him. . .

It had been three years since she had seen him, and yet it felt like it had been so much less. He had entered her dreams of late, and it was those that felt so real. Relena had no idea what made her start thinking of him, it cause so much pain to remember what they had once meant to each other, only to relive the day that destroyed it all. She could clearly see his cold eyes staring at her from out of a soulless face in the deep night, and she shivered. That had been one of her dreams, so vivid she could almost believe it had happened.

Relena burrowed deeper into her blankets suddenly feeling very cold, all her eyes wanted to see what him, and it hurt so much.

I believed in you!

Those had been her words, Relena knew this but when had she spoken them? It felt so recent, and yet a lifetime away. It brought her to mind of one dear memory she had left buried, far from the reaches of her recollection during that difficult time. In her subconscious, Relena had wanted to preserve that memory as it had happened, and not let it become tarnished with his betrayal. Yet she seemed unable to keep it back, her mind wanting to correct that statement recently made.

~"Heero. . ." Relena called his name softly, clutching her helmet close to her chest, as she stared up at the massive Gundam. Fear gripped her heart as she watched Heero disappear into the cockpit. "Wait Heero tell me why it's necessary for you to go too, Libra is going down there isn't any reason left to keep on fighting." Relena pushed herself off the floor, floating towards the still opened doors, when she received no answer from the pilot inside. "My brother Milliardo Peacecraft and the White Fang have been defeated," she tried to reason with Heero, as he seated himself glancing about the cockpit.

His deep eyes turned back to her, a almost half smile touching his lips, "I'll make you a bet," he said sardonically. "Zechs doesn't think that he's lost. What's more I doubt him or Treize are ever going to allow this battle to end."

"What?" Relena asked in surprise, somewhat shocked as Heero stepped forward from Zero and pull Relena to him.

"That's why I've got to go and fight them," he told her, staring directly into her eyes, a light in his own that she had never seen before.

Relena found herself slipping into those endless cobalt eyes, no longer the emotionless steel that she had come to know so well. "Do you really think if you go that the war is going to come to an end?" she questioned softly.

"I'll defeat Zechs and I'll go get Treize, then the war will be over," his voice was unnaturally gentle in comparison to his usual monotone. "Afterwards if you get out of here there'll finally be peace. This is the only thing I can give you."

"Heero. . ." she breathed his name feeling overwhelmed at the closeness they were sharing.

On his face a ghost of a smile lightened his chiselled features, "I promise that I will protect but in order to protect you and the earth sphere I have no choice bit to fight."

Relena wanted to shake her head in denial, "No. . ."

"Please let me fight."

"I won't, no way," Relena refused, a terrible fear gripping her heart the more she looking into those prussian eyes. "Heero you're planning to die aren't you?" it was a hurt accusation. Nothing on Heero's face changed as he shut the clear visor of her helmet, "Huh?" she questioned blinking in surprise.

"Believe in me. . ." he bade her, his voice so compelling, as he pushed her from the Gundam.

Relena was suddenly torn from her trance like state, as she was thrown in the low gravity, "Heero!" she called eyes never leaving Zero as the hatch closed, concealing the man she loved from view. Taking hold of the railing Relena watched as the massive Gundam moved to walk past her, "I do believe in you, yes I do."~

***

Ethan bit back a curse of surprise when the picture on his screen suddenly changed, revealing a long held memory just now floating to the surface. He was not alone in the massive room, and more than one head turned to consider him from where they worked. But he paid no mind to their questioning looks, unable to remove his eyes from what he was witnessing.

They had had Relena for eight days, and had monitored her the entire time; shifting through her seemingly endless memories for one that would give them some much needed answers. Now seeing that very memory Ethan couldn't believe what his eyes were showing him, it all seemed too impossible. His brown eyes left the screen to scan the room, to look over Relena's tiny form among all the machinery and technicians. There was a soft hum, which filled the room surrounded the mind and encouraged sleep, yet Ethan had learned to tune it out and focus upon his work. However there were still times when it filtered through and began to grate upon his nerves, like the continuing crash of ocean waves.

This just happened to be one of those days; Ethan could feel the beginnings of a massive headache forming right between his eyes. He had been short tempered with everyone around him, much like a bear with a sore paw, at least that was the consensus among his peers. Now in light of all that had just been revealed to him, Ethan could hardly keep a crooked smile from his face. They had just been given their answer; the long wait was over. "We have a Gundam pilot," he announced drawing all eyes too him, as he focused once more on the screen, "And you'll never guess who it is."

***

Dante sat down at the private little booth, smiling with pleasure at the location. It was nicely sectioned off from the rest of the room, but not so secluded that he would not be able to see the waiter before he appeared at their table. He knew already that Heero would approve of such a choice, and anything that could put that young man at ease was to be used. Dante had been meeting him and Ash for the last week; they had made it a habit to have lunch each day. He was not at all sure how Ash managed to convince the Japanese man, but he had done such a good job that Heero was coming even now when Ash couldn't make it.

A frustrated sigh escaped Dante's lips as he leaned back in the padded leather seat. Every day was a new approach for gaining answers, but Heero dodged every one of them. He was running out of ideas, and still Relena had not given them a name. There was no telling what could go wrong if Heero discovered where she was; he was still unknown to Dante, and he was not supposed to have been for this long.

The object of his dark musings came into view then, as solemn as ever; nothing showing in his dark cobalt eyes. Dante watched his movements carefully while rising from the table to offer his hand. There was a fluidity to Heero's movements, an almost perfect balance, something that few men attained through years of laborious training. To have achieved such a deadly grace at so young an age told Dante instantly that the Japanese man was not to be underestimated. There had to be a natural talent along with rigorous training for him to be so sure of himself. He was quite clearly the best soldier Dante had ever seen.

Heero accepted the hand without a word, eyes flickering around the room, taking everything in, in one sweep. As the each took their seats, Dante noticed absently that Heero never fully relaxed, but at the same time he was not sitting on the edge of his seat ready to pounce, he was just ready…every muscle prepared for whatever could come his way. As much respect as that drew from Dante, he could not help but pity the young man. They had both lived through the war, and clearly seen their share of action, but that was about as far as the similarities ran. Dante had been more than happy to settle into a calm peace, whereas Heero still seemed to expect some attack on his life. That could easily have been impart to the fact that he was a wanted man, but somehow Dante did not think that was entirely the case.

"Ash is not coming?" the Japanese man questioned, surprisingly breaking the silence between them.

"He did not call you?" Dante was taken aback by that, Ash was the only one who considered Heero a friend, and seeing them together that was not saying much. "Perhaps he thought you wouldn't come if he wasn't here," he joked lightly, and easy smile gracing his handsome face.

Almost nothing changed on Heero's face at that, but Dante thought he might have seen what would amount to a ghost of a smile. ~Perhaps there's actually a friendship there. . .~ he thought to himself, sharp eyes catching sight of their waiter as he strode calmly towards them. "He told me this morning that he wasn't feeling well, and would stay home," he offered as way of explanation, as he turned a welcoming smile on the waiter.

"Good afternoon, are you gentlemen ready to order?" he inquired politely.

"We would like a moment," Dante spoke for the both of them, his eyes briefly resting upon Heero enough to see him nod. "But I would like some of you're best red wine."

"Very good Sir," the man said making a note of that on a pad of paper he was carrying, "And you Sir?" his attention turned to Heero.

"Water."

That continually struck Dante as odd, Ash had told him of Heero's infrequent use of alcohol, and how far it went. But neither of them had ever seen Heero touch the stuff outside of one of those days. He was not sure if Ash had ever asked him about it, it was a curiosity to Dante but he couldn't very well ask himself; not without giving himself away as Ash's confidant. The waiter had left with another smile, leaving them to turn their attention to the elaborate menus resting on the table.

"I must say I'm surprised, word has not yet leaked to the press that Relena is missing," he began casually watching from the corner of one eye to see if Heero gave any reaction to that.

"It's hardly surprising," he spoke up, voice lacking all emotion, it was deep and smooth something Dante supposed could be pleasant to listen to if only it sounded alive. "Une will be doing everything in her power to find her, but only so far as she can hide it from the press. The last thing they want is a world wide panic that the war is starting again."

"Well we certainly don't want that," Dante shuddered internally at the idea of another war, all those innocent lives lost. So many young and promising children had been sent off to their deaths, he like so many wanted nothing more to do with fighting. There was always another way to accomplish your goals, one that would leave everyone alive.

Heero's eyes finally left the menu, and Dante signalled for the waiter to return bringing with him their drinks. Having already known himself from the beginning what he was going to have, they placed their orders, and with the man gone turned their attention to each other. Eyes scanning intently for several minutes, "Have you received a name?" the Japanese man inquired breaking the silence, that was the second time he had done that, and Dante did not miss the oddity of it all.

"Unfortunately no," he admitted softly.

"You've had her for over a week, and still nothing?" he sounded somewhat incredulous, obviously he had begun to believe their reassurances that no matter how long it took Relena would offer them a name.

He smiled, "One must have patience, we really have nothing to fear if this takes another three weeks," he pulled the number at random. "With Une hiding everything from the press, and your extraction perfectly concealing where she was taken, I really have nothing to fear," ~Except you~ he added silently.

"What method is it that you're using?" he asked sounding truly interested.

Dante knew he was searching for information, he only hoped Heero did not see the same thing in his questions. The meetings were akin to the most very difficult games of chess he had ever planned; he needed constantly to be ahead of his opponent, but could not seem to see what he was thinking. He leaned forward on the table peripheral vision constantly watching for the coming waiter, "It's a form of virtual reality where we can actually search through the persons memory, cause them to relive something that had happen. . .even ten years back."

He leaned back as the man returned bearing their meals; he offered a thank you, while Heero remained silent eyes not leaving Dante's face. For a moment Dante merely ate, savouring the elaborate flavour of the food, and watched as Heero picked at his without too much interest. "Relena played such an integral role in the war, it is of course assumed that she had some form of communication with the Gundam pilots, we're positive that her memories with give us the identity of at least one of them."

"Hn, I'd be interested in seeing this system in action," Heero admitted quietly, nothing unusual showing on his face, he was too good to make an amateur slip like that.

Yet this was the closest he had ever come to admitting he wanted to know where Relena was being held, and Dante was not going to lose this opportunity. "What is your relationship with Relena?" he asked bluntly, his mind racing three steps ahead, preparing answers to any number of responses the other man might give.

"Excuse me?" Dante was impressed; he actually managed to sound surprised.

"Please forgive me," he placated; "But considering what I know of your background with her, I would not have thought you would hold such an interest in her."

Heero opened his mouth to give his response when Dante's cell phone suddenly rang, interrupting their conversation. Instead of being irritated as he would have been at any other time, Dante's heart jumped, as the cell phone he was carrying had only one use, and one time to be used. He schooled his features carefully offering the man across from him an apologetic look. Heero simply shook his head, and signalled with a raised hand that Dante should answer it. Pulling the small black object from his pocket, the Free Born leader tried to contain his excitement.

"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."

"Alright, well leave it alone for now, and when I'm done here, I'll look over what you have and see if this cannot be salvaged." With that he hung up, replacing the phone in his pocket, and turning his full attention back to the small Japanese man, the man who half the world had feared. ~This is a Gundam pilot?~ he thought in wonder, looking at the young man with newly opened eyes. Despite the shock of it all, Dante did have to admit that it made sense, yet even as some questions were answered more came. He had know from the beginning that they were searching for a Gundam pilot, he had even helped in taking Relena because they felt she would know. Why not just reveal himself? Why was he hiding?

Taking a calming sip of his red wine, Dante watched the deep hue of the liquid as it swirled about the crystal. "Forgive me for that, but where were we?" he queried placing the glass once more on the polished wood table.

"You were asking a rather forward question," Heero informed coldly.

Dante smiled slightly at that keeping his eyes firmly on the former pilot; ~If you loved her why shoot her? Why give her over to us? Unless you hoped to be able to protect her. . .it must just kill him that he can't find her~ "Perhaps it is forward, but does it really matter if there is nothing there?" he thought it a legitimate question, Heero's look seemed to imply otherwise.

"There is nothing between us, and never was. I guarded her for a year, the rest you know," his voice was deadly, had Dante not known what Ash told him he might have believed his words to be true. However now he could see them for what they really were, but did it even matter anymore? Relena had given him up there was no need to hide her from him. . .in fact she could still be used to their advantage.

"Indeed I do. . ." he agreed softly, "Well if you truly are interested in the VR process, and considering your field of work, I can see why you would be. I can arrange for you to see," he sipped the wine again, noting that Heero's meal had been all but forgotten. "As much as Une wants to keep her disappearance from the public, so too do I want to keep it from this colony. Only my most trusted men even know that she is here, and not even half of them know where she's being held."

Heero nodded in understanding, "I wise safety precaution."

"There is a rather small bunker built into this colony, with its own power source and no outside communication capabilities, it is about as self sustaining as the cottage Relena was staying at. It is there that we are holding her," he offered the Japanese man a smile, "A good deal of your research went into it's construction, I can well understand if you'd be interested in seeing it."

"I would be interested. . ." Heero admitted simply.

"Good, we'll have to arrange a time for that, but if you will excuse me, there is a little matter I must take care of. I left a few people to draft new legislation, and they've stumbled upon a problem with the wording that they don't seem capable of solving for themselves." He folded his napkin onto the table eyes glancing up at the clock on the wall, seeing that it was around the usual time they went their separate ways so nothing would seem amiss. Heero nodded mutely pushing his chair away from the table.

Dante offered him a smile, "I'll be in touch, have a good day," he accepted Heero's offered hand, shaking it firmly.

"You too," was the monotone reply, "I'll get the bill on this one."

"Thank you," Dante was smiling as he stepped around the table and walked from the restaurant, nodding to several people that he passed. He had tried his hardest to make himself approachable to the people of his colony, yet today he prayed for no delays. All he wanted was to make it back to his office and contact Ash; this was information that could not be contained to just himself.

Thanks for reading ^_^

Alone With Regret:

"…Hee…ro…" the name escaped her lips in a breathy whisper. It was so quiet he had barely caught it, and at the same time so expressive it tore him apart. There was too much pain and regret, like he had never heard before; such hope and longing just beside the anger and hate.

A harsh shudder raced through him and his fingers fumbled in their careful work. Halting, Heero rested his hands on the padded bed, eyes locking upon Relena's face despite his best efforts to remove them. Little in her appearance had changed as refreshing liquid entered her body, but to him she was still beautiful. Though now far beyond his grasp. He had to keep telling himself that, reconciling himself with the path he had chosen, with the only life he could lead.

His body's decent was so slow at first that Heero had not even noticed it was moving of its own free will. Blinking he found himself mere inches from Relena's sleeping face, but it was too late to pull back, too late to try and save himself. He wet his lips in anticipation of that special contact he had not shared with another soul, that he had not known he was capable of before meeting her. Their lips touched ever so gently, and Heero's eyes fell closed savoring the memory as there could be no feeling here…only the memories of what had been lost.

Morganeth Taren'drel

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