Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Reservations For Sanity ❯ Chapter 3

Title: Reservations For Sanity

Authors: Skeren Dreamera, Makoto Sagara, and Bagelbunion

Archive: www.afallenangel.net/makotosagara/frames/fanfiction.html , www.fanfiction.net , www.foreverfandom.net (under Makoto Sagara), www.mediaminer.org , www.gundam-wing-fanfiction.net , and www.nfiction.net , (under Skeren Dreamera) (any others… Good luck finding them)

Category: AU, Shounen ai, Het, Action/Adventure

Pairings: 4+1, 3+5+3, 2+6, R+11, OCxOC, very subject to change

Rating: R

Contact: Skeren Dreamera: Mickeofas@yahoo.com Makoto Sagara: SagaraMakoto@aol.com Bagelbunion: Bagelbunion@cox.net

Spoilers: Yes, Romefeller in this chapter

Warnings: shounen ai, shoujo ai, het, language, violence, OOC, AU timeline from Antarctica on, angst, crazy muses and authors, too little sleep?

Disclaimers: All we own are our original characters and the story line. Everything else belongs to this *hideously* long list of companies with lots of lawyers who could get our pennies. So, seeing as how that's been said, please don't sue. Mako needs to save her money to move to Texas!! We sure as hell don't get any money off of this…Just have fun.

Notes: More insanity… And, um, sleep deprivation.

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Begin part three

Makoto begrudgingly woke up when Skeren came, and followed her out to her car. "Need more sleep..." she muttered, trying to straighten out her hair.

Skeren peered over her shoulder at Makoto as she snuck her back out to the car. She knew people would be looking for her in an hour or so. "Let's just get there, okay? Then I can come back in introduce you."

"Fine... but I'm goin' back t'sleep in the car." Her accent was stronger now that she was actually not awake, and she just shuffled along. "'Mind me to smack Riku when he gets back, darlin'." Skeren nodded a bit, trying not to laugh as she pushed her into the back seat and drove off, shaking her head in amusement. Makoto fell back asleep as the car started moving, and slept fairly well until it stopped. "Here 'ready, Sky?"

"Yeah, we're here. Want me to go get him?" Skeren already had her door open and was peering back at Makoto.

"Sure, 'teva." She was determined to sleep until the white haired man showed up anyway.

Skeren laughed, getting out of her car. She then went up and knocked. He did say to be back in 6 hours. She was five minutes early. Riku's friend Jay answered the door. "Oh, you. What was your name again? Spleen?"

"Keri. Now. I've come because Riku said to, so are you going to get him or are you going to let me in?" Skeren looked amused, having an air of immense patience.

"Yeah, he's in the back." Jay gestured down a long hallway towards a door on the left.

Makoto had a bad feeling, and crawled out of the car, shook her head, and walked up to the porch in record time. "'Ello pervert. Where's Riku?"

"Hey gorgeous! He's in the back." Jay grinned at her. Skeren nodded, then turned to look at Makoto. That was unexpected...

"Touch me, and I break in my new toy." Makoto continued to eye the man.

Jay didn't look concerned. "Ooh, and what kind of toy would that be?"

Skeren had to laugh, and she slipped in the door, an eye kept on Jay as she cleared the door for the Japanese woman. Makoto pulled out her new knife. "This kind, ya poof." She pushed past him and walked down the hall to the last room. "GET UP, YA JERK!" Riku was in the back, working on his new bike, a silver Kawasaki Ninja. He was wearing a tank top and the same pants since they last saw him.

"Such a precious child she is!" Skeren winked at Jay, then spun, following after Makoto to where Riku was located.

Riku looked up. "You're early ladies." He had already put all his old parts on his new bike, enhancing the engine to beyond street legal levels.

Skeren stepped in, head shaking. "Five minutes early. Though we're about on time now. So, why are we here again?"

"You're runnin' behind. I swear... I'm itchin' to stab him again." She glared at Riku and his new bike. "Got ya new toy ready?"

"Yeah, it's ready. I just have to tighten this." Riku crouched down again for a last adjustment. "I was actually expecting you to be late."

"Sky's never late. That's me." She sighed. "Ya know I got a bad feelin' about somethin' 'round here."

Skeren shook her head with a soft laugh. "You're forgetting something, Riky boy. I'm in politics." She gave Makoto a fond look, though one of understanding.

"Sorry about Jay. He did give me the bike." Riku shrugged a little as he got up and put the rest of his tools away. His hands were rather greasy.

Makoto stepped back, avoiding getting grease on her boots and clothes. "Gah, ya know, I didn' even get a chance to change clothes... Jay's... He's an ass... I dunno why you deal with him."

Skeren moved to Makoto and patted her shoulder. "That should be obvious. He has good merchandise."

"He comes in rather handy at times." Riku motioned at the bike and grinned. "Just gimme a minute to get changed..." He left them in the yard and went back into the house.

Makoto rolled her brown eyes and then turned to Skeren. "So, whatcha think?"

"I still don't know why I'm here to possibly get in hot water to Treize. He seems like someone I can handle though." She peered after Riku consideringly.

"Uh huh... Dun hurt that he's a hottie, now does it?" Makoto snickered. "'Sides, I'm sure Dorothy could sweet talk Mr. Khush into anything she wanted."

Riku emerged again a few minutes later in the same ensemble as yesterday, black cotton sweater over white dress shirt with the cuffs and collars sticking out. "Ready?" He nodded at them.

Skeren tilted her head and looked over at Makoto for a moment. "Now don't go underestimating that one." She then turned to Riku. "Certainly, where to?"

"Is there somewhere I can change? I need to get outta these clothes, but I don't want the perv after me."

"I was gonna suggest the house... but Jay's in there. Couple other guys too. Remember 'Steve'?" Riku smirked at her.

"You can change in the car. Backseat again, for you. Just use the cloth to hide." Skeren cut them off, steering them both back to the vehicle.

Makoto openly snarled. "Does he remember "Miki"?"

Riku opened up a gate in the fence and wheeled his new bike out. "You can go remind him if you want." He said over his shoulder as he pushed the bike out.

Skeren sighed. "Cease the bickering and lets just go, hmm?"

Makoto thought about it, but then followed Riku outside the gate to Skeren's car, taking her jacket off in the meantime and tossing it to Skeren. "Hold that, Sky."

"Pop your trunk Skeren, I left some of my weapons in there." Riku set his bike by the car.

Skeren caught the jacket with a mildly perplexed expression, clearly questioning. Makoto then took her sword scabbard off, shoving it into her shoulder bag, and began looking around the huge thing. "I know I got some clean clothes in here..." she muttered.

Skeren popped the trunk. She was dressed in a different outfit herself, white jacket, red shirt, and dark violet skater pants. She had a cap hiding her hair. Overall, she looked like a guy at the moment, amazingly, and none of her weapons were visible at the moment.

Riku armed himself again, this time with four guns. He put his messenger bag over his shoulders. "Makoto. I need to go shopping again."

Makoto hopped into the backseat of the car, and took off her hip boots, careful to avoid the daggers that were on the three inside pockets of them. She then pulled out a slightly longer skirt than her current one and switched as quick as she could. "You and me both. I can' believe I'm down to three sets of clothes again," she shouted to Riku, while ducking down to switch into a button-up, skin tight black sweater.

"Then I need to make a withdrawal from my," Riku smirked, "account."

Skeren glanced to Riku and had to smirk. "Why? Can't manage to get the toys that will last?"

"I need some different kinds of toys," Riku said to Skeren.

"So, what about your account? Need the card?" Makoto was already moving towards her pockets.

"Not that one." Riku smirked again.

"First! You need to tell me why I needed to meet you." Skeren eyed Riku.

"I thought you wanted to meet with this Trowa guy?" Riku said as he turned to Skeren.

"Then you need the other thing," Makoto said, slipping out the dagger from the night before and setting it on the bench beside her while putting her boots back on.

"That's the one," Riku agreed. As if on cue, Riku's pager went off.

"Is that what this is over?" Skeren immediately perked up. "Good, good, everyone get into the vehicles we're taking so we can go. I assume that's him?"

Riku looked at his pager and nodded. "Yep."

Makoto got out of the car, feeling nearly human as she tossed Riku both the knife and her cell phone. "Call him," she said, starting to undo her hair.

Skeren grinned a little as Makoto tended herself, trying not to laugh. She'd already done all that. The gundam pilots would likely figure out she was a girl, but there was always a chance she couldn't be identified.

Riku pulled out his phone and dialed as he got on his bike. "Trowa." Riku said into the phone. "I'll be there in 20." Pause. "Yes." Pause. Then Riku hung up the phone.

"What?" Makoto said cheekily, winking at Skeren. "A girl's gotta look her best when meeting the infamous Gundam pilots."

He tossed Makoto back her phone. "I found my phone. Follow me," he said as he started the engine. "Makoto, you riding with Skeren?"

Makoto snatched the phone out of the air and shoved it in the back pocket of her skirt. She looked at Skeren. "Yes... Not scarin' me to death today..."

"At least not with the bike." Riku grinned and took off.

"Well, Mako chan, into the car." Skeren got into the drivers seat, her voice low. So that's how she pulled it off with the guy thing. She could drop her voice!

Mako hopped in the passenger side, and stretched out. "You act more and more like a guy every time I see you, suga'."

"Don't I? You missed seeing me feminine when Riku tried to blow me up. I'm just trying to make sure I'm not easily recognized." Skeren started the car, waiting for Riku to start out.

"What? No pictures? I'm depressed now... Think I should be more... demure when we meet? I've been told that I'm a bit... extreme," Makoto said with a snort. Riku was waiting for them to catch up at the stop sign ahead.

"Don't bother. From what I understand I'd be good friends with them. Treize was singing their praises all evening." Skeren chuckled a bit. Skeren followed Riku easily; she'd lost enough tails to know how to be one.

"Good. I hate bein' demure..." Makoto strapped her sword back on and slipped her jean jacket over it. "Much better."

"You taking the one I gave you too? I have my toys on me. I bet you still have no idea how I hide them." Skeren glanced to her then back to Riku so she wouldn't lose him.

Riku led them through the small city towards the edge of the town where a small nature preserve was located. He parked his bike and waited for the girls to catch up. He drove less crazy this time, but still wanted to test out his bike's speed.

"Ooooh, thanks for 'mindin' me," she said, shifting through some of the tiny pockets on the inside of her bag. "Gotcha some toys." She held out some of the throwing stars.

Skeren pulled to a stop by Riku's bike and took the stars, rolling them between her fingers on one hand as she studied them without pricking herself. "Surgical Steel. Good taste. Thanks." Then she put them away... Somewhere.

"Thought ya'd like those.... And I got my new toy right here." Makoto patted her skirt. "Inside pocket. 'Specially made."

Riku rolled his eyes. "Women." he scoffed.

Makoto stepped out of the car, picking up her bag and slipping it on her shoulder as she walked over to Riku's bike. "Got a problem, otoko?"

Skeren got out of the car, locking her door. "Really, hmm?" She then moved to Riku as she glanced around, her voice softer, but her own instead of a male's. "Hey, don't sound so scornful."

Riku sighed. "C'mon, we're meeting them up there." Riku pointed over a small hill and led the way.

Skeren fell into step just behind him, her fingers reaching up to straighten her dark red hat. It was curious how she looked good when she didn't match worth a damn at the moment.

"Hills..." Makoto sighed and picked up her skirt, rolling it to mid-thigh. "'Right, let's go." She started in the direction he'd pointed out.

Duo bounced on his heels a little, standing around while he waited for those people to show up. He never had gotten around to asking why they were meeting them.

Riku and Trowa greeted each other with a small handshake as the hill leveled out into a flat area. "Always nice to see you again," Trowa said with a small smile.

Wufei just looked over the three newcomers and scoffed. "They brought a woman."

Makoto sneered. "Ya got a problem with me, China boy?"

Skeren glanced over each of the boys; her lips twitching a little as she saw the two with Trowa. Well, if those two weren't signs that said 'gundam pilots here' she didn't know what was.

"These are my colleagues, Makoto, and Skeren." Riku nodded at the women.

Skeren tilted her head, allowing a smirk to cross her face. "Careful about Makoto. She's liable to decapitate people when annoyed."

"Delighted," Makoto crooned, still glaring at the Chinese boy, and resisting the urge to grab her new knife. "I'm sure."

Trowa nodded at each of them, his eyes lingering on Skeren. He couldn't tell whether Skeren was a 'he' or 'she' although Makoto was *definitely* female. 'I don't think I've ever seen boobs that big!'

"Chang Wufei," Wufei said, not bothering to look at two suspicious characters with the white haired man, Riku.

Duo ran his gaze over each of the new people, and then moved forward. "Hiya! Duo Maxwell here." He offered his hand to Skeren first. Time to determine gender.

Makoto leaned over to whisper in Riku's ear. "The braided one's bouncy. I think I like him." Riku nodded, keeping a cold expression. He was always leery of strangers.

"Pleased to meet you." Skeren returned the shake firmly, letting her amusement show over their attention to her ambiguous gender. "You know, people never just ask."

Duo grinned, releasing her hand before moving across to Makoto and offering her his hand. "Hey, I know better than to ask those questions."

Makoto snorted. "I never had to..." She shot a look at Wufei. "Do you just scowl, or do you talk too?" She took the braided boy's hand. "You're from L2, ain't ya? I can tell... You got that... look in your eyes."

"Yeah." Duo glanced to Wufei, and then back to Makoto with a grin. "Hey, don't mind him. He's just upset we're meeting Tro's drug dealer."

"Who do you work for?" Riku asked, addressing Duo and Wufei, getting straight to the point.

Skeren immediately turned to eye Riku incredulously, mouthing the words 'drug dealer?' Riku lifted one shoulder at her, before turning back to Duo and Wufei.

Duo moved back from the other three, giving Riku an annoyed look. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Ahh, he's on a those self-righteous pricks, ne?" Makoto snorted at Skeren's reaction. "Side business... I've had to do it too."

"It means, 'Who do you work for'?" Riku asked again.

Wufei's hackles went up. "I work for the peace of my colony. Nothing more; nothing less. Why did I agree to come here?"

Skeren shook her head a bit with a mock groan. "I knew there was a reason I'm the talker here. Riku, kindly shut up."

"Don't tell me what to do," Riku replied with a side-glance in her direction.

Makoto burst into a huge laugh. "Oooh, I needed that... Too many serious people around me."

"I'll tell you what to do when I'm the one in charge. You still owe me for that bomb, boyo." She then glanced to the boys. "I'm trying to win a few enemies of yours over to your cause, interested?"

Riku rolled his eyes. "I was trying to kill Khushrenada. Your death would have been an acceptable loss."

Makoto grabbed one of Riku's arms. "Down boy. And no killin' Khush... I still haven't met him yet."

Riku gave her a look. "Better hurry up then."

"No, my death would have meant the Alliance would have won this Goddess damned war. I'm too important for you to casually off!" Skeren turned her full attention to Riku with a glare. "And you are not going to go killing him off when I have him about convinced to side with these guys!" She gestured at the Gundam pilots.

A set of eyes made Makoto feel hostile, and she held up one finger to Riku, letting him know that she didn't trust one of the newcomers. "Then you better hurry up and do it." Riku replied his mouth set in a thin line. "I don't have time for politics." He gave Makoto a look of acknowledgement and made another gesture. 'Which one?' he asked.

Skeren caught the interaction and frowned, looking to Makoto immediately and flicking her sleeve meaning 'something wrong?'. Then she set back into Riku. "Politics are the end all be all of war. They start it, and they end it! So don't you go telling me you don't have time, because otherwise, I might decide that you are expendable!"

Makoto flicked her glance at the Chinese boy, biting her lower lip. 'Too unpredictable.' Makoto then signaled to Skeren with her balled up fist. 'Hostile. Not predictable.'

"People who express their importance are usually the ones that are most expendable," Riku replied. He looked Wufei over and gestured to Makoto in agreement.

Duo saw the flurry of silent talk, not sure what it meant, but between the yelling and the glances, he had an idea. Wufei watched everyone around him. "You are saying that you are trying to convince us to side with Khushrenada?" He glared at the one in the hat.

Skeren let out a breath. "You don't get it. Nobody knows I'm the one pulling the strings; therefore I don't express my importance. Get it?" Skeren then rounded on Wufei as she heard him speak. "No, I'm trying to get him to side with you, and he's really considering it too, but he's concerned one of them will off him on sight. You, I take it?" She had no qualms transferring her anger from one Asian to the other.

"Okay, everybody step back. Riku, down, so we can talk. Sky, chill a sec. China boy, shut up," Makoto said, glaring at the last one.

Duo stepped forward, arms out to his sides as he got between the two currently trying to glare each other down. "Deep breaths people, eh?"

Riku tapped his chest in another silent gesture to Makoto. Makoto quirked an eyebrow. 'What?'

Riku shook his head. 'Later' he mouthed. He turned his eyes back on the Gundam pilots, watching them. He wondered how well they were armed.

Duo turned, making sure he could see the fuming woman and Wufei both. "Hear me? Deep breaths. In and out."

"Who are you speaking to?" Makoto looked at the braided teen and smiled sweetly. "I'm good. Just trying to keep your friend from boring holes in my head with his beady little eyes."

"Won't work, he does it to me all the time. Besides, you're a girl; it's automatic for him. Now, Wufei, stand down already here! And you, Skeren lady, calm down."

Throughout all of this, Trowa was pretty quiet; still a tad unnerved at introducing his fellow pilots to his 'drug dealer', who also happened to be a rebel with a rap sheet ten miles long.

Makoto smiled widely. "I haven't been a girl for a long time, darlin'. Not since I left Texas.... And whatever his problem is, he can shove it, or I'll do it for him."

Skeren exhaled a bit. "I'm calm. I'm terribly sorry about that, I can usually keep my head better, but nobody is allowed to belittle what I do." She sent another glare at Wufei then turned to Riku. Then she smiled. "I just have a temper at times." To which Riku snorted.

Wufei's hand twitched towards his sword's hilt as both women spoke, and he suddenly turned his back and walked down the other side of the hill.

"Why'd you bring him?" Riku asked Trowa.

"I trust him." That was all Trowa used to reply.

Skeren caught the movement, but simply drew herself up. "Doesn't any male with Asian blood know it's an insult to belittle a lady?" She released a sigh after the low comment, and then turned to the two remaining pilots.

"Oh, I do," Makoto drawled, smiling.

Duo grinned at them both. "I think she meant guys, if I heard correctly. So, who set up this meeting anyway?"

"I did," Trowa said.

"Why?" This was from Makoto.

"Duo, you mentioned something about a white haired dude, and I thought you'd like to meet. Riku's the one who blew up that building. And broke into that weapons facility downtown, and conveniently left the door open for us," Trowa replied, smiling a tad.

"Aww, our work was appreciated, Riku," Makoto said with a vague hint of amusement, though her face was deadly serious.

"He also," Trowa looked at Riku. "Set that base in Australia on fire."

Duo laughed a bit, flashing Riku a grin. "I see then. Considering it seems like the miss over here knows who we are, maybe we should have a talk?" Riku nodded.

"Which Miss?" Makoto asked.

Duo pointed at Skeren. "That one."

Skeren cleared her throat as the moment of silence drew out. "Yes, I do. So, are you two willing to hear what I'm trying to do?" Trowa nodded. She waited until Duo also nodded and smiled. "Alright. Due to recent political turns, Treize is backed into a corner. He is starting to see the corner. I've gotten him to the point where he will safely meet with you guys if his life won't be in imminent danger by doing so. He's seriously considering joining up with you guys, from what I can tell. He isn't stupid, and I know Dorothy talked to him last evening, and she is a supporter of mine for this plan. Would you guys be willing to talk to him if I can arrange a meeting? His main four, and the five of you, with me and my own group, meaning Relena, Dorothy, Makoto, and Riku, as mediators." Skeren fell silent, and waited.

Wufei had finally rejoined the group as Skeren had started to speak, ignoring the presence of the over-developed woman, and listening. Wufei looked at the woman, and began to think. "How does he think he could help our cause?"

Trowa was also silent, thinking about the prospect. He couldn't say he was comfortable with it. But it didn't surprise him that Treize was considering leaving. It was one of their goals after all. Oust Treize from power. It wasn't how he expected it, but it would work.

Skeren let out a breath she hadn't even realized she was holding as she heard Duo speak up as well. "What do you mean by him being backed into a corner?"

"Romefeller," Makoto spat, feeling sick already.

"That reminds me, Makoto. 0200 hours," Riku said, speaking a code he knew Makoto would understand.

Skeren nodded, answering the questions in the order they had been asked, meaning she started with Wufei's. "He has his own followers. Not all of OZ is unified. There are those there to fight for peace and honor that would follow Treize were he to leave OZ, just as there are those within that are out for revenge that would stay enemies. As she said, Romefeller." Skeren looked to Duo. "It's an old, corrupted group that works from behind the scenes, and often manages to step in with whatever group is in favor, taking it over, and destroying the reason the group existed in the first place. They've already gotten in deep with OZ, and are putting serious efforts into taking Treize out of the picture."

Makoto looked at her companion. "0200," she mouthed. Riku nodded curtly back before looking at Skeren.

Skeren turned her gaze to Riku as she caught the movement, and then looked back to the boys. "So, are you willing to let me set this up? I'm on your side in this war, but I'm helping you in some rather unique ways. I'm trying to unify you with those people in OZ that are actually worth being allied with."

"Ah, so our enemies are worse than Khushrenada," Wufei said. "You have my attention."

Skeren quirked her lips, looking to Wufei. "Romefeller is worse than OZ ever could be."

"They are in OZ," Riku pointed out. "I doubt they'd make good allies."

Makoto snorted. "Nah, I heard a few are salvageable..."

"I also know secrets about the ranking people in OZ that you do not, and that seriously change things. You kill those four top officers off, and you are killing allies that we direly need. And don't go after Zechs either. The princess would break off her alliance with me if my associates killed him." Riku crossed his arms but said nothing.

"Besides, it's a waste to kill somethin' that pretty." This caused Riku to roll his eyes at Makoto.

Duo eyed Skeren. "Okay, another question. Why would Miss Relena break off her alliance with you over him?"

"Jealous?" she asked, snickering before winking at Duo and Skeren. Duo grinned at Makoto immediately.

Skeren rubbed her eyes. "Well, what I say doesn't get shared if I tell you. Can you all do that?"

"Are you saying that we would dishonor our verbal agreement?" Wufei asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

"No, but you haven't made any yet, now have you?" Skeren's voice was rather pointed. "Keep this one thing a secret, alright?"

Duo nodded after a long moment of thought. "Okay, but only if we can tell our teammates."

"As long as you don't tell them exactly how I know Riku," Trowa said with a small smile.

"Yes, it will be hard to convince Yuy and Winner without a bit more information," Wufei said, listening intently now.

"I don't even know exactly how you know Riku. He tried to kill me, remember? We're not exactly good friends. Now the punching princess... Entirely different matter. No killing Zechs because Relena doesn't want me killing off her brother. Especially not when she just discovered the relation, even with all his precautions against that happening."

Trowa looked at Riku. "You tried to kill her?"

Skeren turned a glare on Riku. "Yeah, he did. I was that unnamed politician with Treize."

"Not specifically her," Riku replied with a little glare in Skeren's direction.

"I need to get a better leash," Makoto said.

"Although I'm reconsidering it," Riku replied, turning back to Trowa, only half joking.

"Try a straightjacket next time! That just about ruined a good dinner. I was considering taking you there, Makoto, but the building went boom."

Makoto pouted. "Good vegan food?"

Duo was frowning a little. Was he the only one questioning the subcontext in the conversation? "Now, you weren't referring to Miss Relena as the punching princess, were you?"

"No food you'd want to eat, Makoto," Riku said.

Makoto snickered. "You know any other princesses?"

Duo looked perplexed. "Why would you call her that?"

Skeren took off her hat, showing her blue hair, and pushed her hair out of the way to show the scar. "She gave me that with one of her punches. Sure taught me not to butt into one of her fistfights."

Wufei snorted. "Fistfight?"

"With Dorothy Catalonia. It's how I met her a year ago. They were arguing whether or not violence could solve anything." She put her hat back on. She absolutely adored telling this story.

Duo was sniggering, a huge grin on her face. "I can tease her about it, can't I?"

Wufei nodded, respecting the princess a little more now. "Alright..."

Skeren shrugged. "Don't see why not. So, are you people willing to do that meeting?"

"Yes."

Trowa shrugged, complying non-verbally.

Duo nodded as well. "We'll convince the other two." Duo dug into a pocket and pulled a paper and pen, bending his knee to jot something down and handing it to Skeren. "That's how you can contact us. It's an e-mail account I made that can't be traced to where I am. So don't try. Buzz that when you have a few more details for us, okay?"

Makoto pulled out a card and handed it to the braided boy. "You can reach me, Sky and Riku through that. Don't worry about taps," she said with a cold smile. "Till next time, boys." She turned and headed down the hill. Riku followed. He and Mako had work to do, and Trowa knew how to contact him if he needed to.

"Sword?" Mako asked as she walked, knowing the presence behind her.

"What about it?" Riku didn't seem inclined to get the hint.

"Do I get to use it?" She felt that cold smile again.

"I wouldn't have it any other way." Riku smiled as he fell into step beside her.

Skeren grinned at the three, the last to go. "See you soon boys." She paused, taking out her own card and handing it to Duo. "Feel free to call that. It's my own number, or to drop in on the base I'm stuck at. Just don't get caught. See you." Then, she took off after the other two, leaving Duo to look at the card.

Duo immediately turned to look at Trowa. "You have a really interesting drug dealer."

Wufei scoffed. "His woman is not acceptable."

Trowa nodded. "That's really the first time we've talked... save for a short conversation a few hours ago."

Duo looked over to Wufei with a little amusement. "You said Woman instead of Women. Does that mean Skeren, the one you stopped glaring at, is acceptable? Or did you mean Makoto?"

"The loud mouth, big-breasted, half-Japanese spawn," Wufei snarled, going to find his way back to his Gundam.

"I guess that means he liked the other one." Duo grinned at Trowa then took off after Wufei. "Any clue where our other teammates took off to?" Trowa followed Wufei and Duo back to his own Gundam.

The base where our OZ members were.

Treize straightened his jacket and the cravat around his neck, before then smoothing back his hair. He proceeded down the halls to greet his guests, seconds later only to stop before the door and knock, waiting for an answer.

There was murmuring on the other side, before Dorothy pulled it open, moving back to let him in after blinking a few times. She was a bit sleepy still. "Good morning, cousin."

"Good morning, cousin. Did you sleep well after our conversation?" Treize looked over at the bed to see Relena still sleeping. "I see that the princess will awake later. Perhaps a kiss should awaken her?" He winked.

Dorothy laughed a bit then. "I don't know about that. She might just slug whoever tried, and then roll over. But, aside from that, why don't you come in? It seems our other room occupant decided to do some errands." She waved the paper.

"She's not in? Did she say where she was going?" Treize was not feeling good about Skeren being gone this early in the morning.

Dorothy shook her head, handing him the note. All it said was this: "Had some urgent business to tend to. Just have to step out and cover the errands and I should be back soon. Skeren."

"Errands," he said out loud, and then scowled. "Well, then, I suppose I shall wait for her to come back. Shall I have breakfast sent to you and Relena, or would you like to join me in my office for the morning meal?"

Dorothy glanced over her shoulder to where Relena was crawling from the bed as she spoke, knowing the answer that Relena would give. "Your office. I hate eating in my bedroom."

"Well, I will meet you there then. I will make sure something light will be available. Coffee as well," he said, giving Dorothy a chaste kiss on the cheek. "Morning." He left, wondering where the hell the other girl was.

Dorothy blinked, not expecting the show of affection, and then went to get changed from the bags they brought so she could meet Treize in his office with Relena.

When Treize arrived in his office, he made sure that his assistant was getting breakfast, and then called Zechs' room. "Zechs?"

"Yes, Treize?" Zechs sounded none to pleased to get called in his room already that morning. He was hoping for at least another hour of solitude.

"Dalren is gone," Treize elaborated to the man on the other end.

"What? Where is she?" Zechs decided that perhaps sleep could wait.

"That I'd like to know. Contact the front guards. I want to know exactly when she arrives back on base."

"Yes sir." Zechs then hung up to follow the orders.

A minute later the two girls slipped into his office in fresh clothes.

"Ah, good morning, ladies. Might I say that you look lovely?" Treize smiled, looking up at his visitors. "Did you sleep well?"

Dorothy and Relena each took a seat. "I slept wonderfully."

Skeren drove in past the gate, having made sure that Riku was in her car after they dropped his bike off somewhere safe. She wasn't going to have him being the loose cannon after all her hard work. Of course, by the time she reached the base, he'd somehow fled the vehicle.

A call broke through the conversation. "Excuse me?" Treize picked up the phone. "Yes?" Pause. "Good." Pause, scowl. "Thank you." He hung up and looked at his guests. "It seems as though Skeren is back."

Dorothy looked over to Relena. "I just bet you did." Then she looked back to Treize. "She is?"

"Yes. Would you like to join me in finding her?" He stood and waited for their answer.

Dorothy considered a moment then nodded, Relena a second after her. "Certainly. Don't you want to give her a chance to come to you though?"

"Never. Come," Treize said, offering both arms to the young women and heading down to the main corridor of the base, finding Skeren, and another woman, standing in front of the doors.

Skeren blinked a few times as she glanced up and saw Relena and Dorothy flanking Treize. "Didn't expect that." She tugged Makoto forward, moving up to Treize with a smile. "Good morning."

"Good morning, Ms. Dalren. May I ask who your lovely companion is?" He gave the other woman a courteous smile.

Skeren grinned, subtly steering them all back towards Treize's office. "Makoto Yuzuki, a friend of mine. Makoto, Treize Khushrenada, Dorothy Catalonia, and Relena Darlian-Peacecraft." She gestured to each in turn.

"Delighted," she murmured, smiling brightly at the nobles before her. "I am so glad to finally meet you, General Khushrenada."

Dorothy nodded to Makoto. "Well met."

As Relena added her own, "A pleasure."

Treize took in the Japanese woman's attire: black leather boots that disappeared under her knee-length black jean skirt, her tight black knit sweater, and her black jean jacket with the hint of a sword's scabbard showing. "You seem to be well armed, Ms. Yuzuki. May I ask how you got past my guards?"

Makoto smiled and nodded to the ladies at Treize's side. "There's never been a man that I couldn't bat my eyelashes at and get away with murder," she said sweetly.

Skeren closed her eyes briefly to avoid rekindling her temper and they all found themselves back in Treize's office a few moments later as she closed the door behind them. "I knew I shouldn't have let you sleep."

"So it would seem," Treize said, extending one hand to the newcomer. "It is nice to meet you."

"As it is you, General Khushrenada."

"I insist that you call me Treize."

"Well, Treize, I wantcha to call me Makoto. And, Sky, darlin' if you hadn't, they'd be picking you up with a dust buster."

"Even you aren't good enough to catch me, Mako. I thought you knew that by now." She glanced over, noticing the food that had arrived while they were gone as she moved to it, picking up a muffin as she removed her cap and shoved it in a pocket.

"Dun have to catch ya to getcha," Makoto said with a sly wink.

"Where are you from, Makoto?"

"Small town in what used to be Texas. Tyler." Makoto picked up a glass of orange juice. "This organic?"

Skeren rolled her eyes as she heard that. "Just drink the damn stuff. I doubt they snuck a cow in there."

"As far as I'm aware, the orange juice is freshly squeezed," Treize replied, lifting an eyebrow. "Are you vegetarian?"

"Vegan. If it comes from an animal, I won't eat it."

Dorothy looked over to Skeren, a bit shocked at the vulgar language from Skeren. Usually, she was so polite around her. Relena stood in a similar state.

Makoto laughed at the looks on the other girls' faces. "Oh, dun mind Sky. She only talks properly to people like y'all. When it comes to me, she's very earthy." She snorted at her own joke.

Skeren laughed quietly. "One way of putting it. Now, this morning... I never thought I'd get to yell at a Gundam pilot." This was her icebreaker into the topic.

"Gundam pilot?" Treize asked, looking seriously at the woman. "Which one?"

"Wufei, I do believe he called himself. He kept cutting me off, so I yelled at him." She smirked, more than a little pleased with herself.

Makoto scowled. "That little Chinese pilot, while cute, has a mouth I'd like to fix," she snarled.

"You're just mad that I got him to respect me and he called you spawn." Skeren grinned, trying not to laugh.

"You met Chang?" Treize said, looking at both women. "Who else was there?"

"Well, at least he has eyes in his beady little head." Makoto's voice got no friendlier.

"Oh, some spunky kid with a braid, Duo.... And this one kid with this funky bang... What did he say his name was, Sky?"

Skeren laughed a bit. "They've agreed to meeting all of us in this room and a few others. Duo Maxwell and one called Trowa Barton were there. From what I understand he set it all up with the man I would like to strangle! I can't believe he escaped on the way here..." She trailed off into a mutter.

Makoto laughed. "Told you. Riku's not comin' on no OZ base... 'Specially not since he likes blowin' all things Ozzie to high hell."

Skeren just scowled. "He's the one that got me yelling in the first place, you know. I can't believe he said I was expendable, the little prick!" Skeren huffed a bit then, giving a sheepish look to the other three.

"Ah, that just means he likes ya.... Trust me, he tells me the same thing, even when he tells me to take control of his God forsaken bikes."

Skeren gave her an odd look, opened her mouth to ask, and then shook her head. "No. I don't want to know." She quickly ate her muffin, watching the other two noble girls get food. "But, I got Wufei to agree you don't need to be killed on sight."

"No, ya'd live longer not knowin'." Makoto turned to Treize. "So, did you have fun with Sky last night? I'm the one who called and interrupted ya before." She winked.

"The conversation was most... stimulating," was Treize's droll reply.

"Heh, I could give a... I couldn't care whether or not he likes me. He's lucky he's not eating his little toy sword right now." Makoto had to stop herself before she said something too vulgar.

Skeren moved to a seat, watching the pair still standing. "Actually, much as he seems to dislike you, I was talking to Treize."

Treize laughed as the Japanese woman blushed. "Really now? The Dragon dislikes a lady... Well, Skeren, how did you manage that, I might ask."

"Simple. I pointed out the current situation to them, and they agreed that there were worse things than meeting with you for a truce if you are willing to join up with their portion of the fight due to Romefeller." Skeren, of course, didn't realize that that didn't sound simple at all.

Treize thought about what she said. "Cousin, you were right about her. Congratulations, Ms. Dalren, you have my full trust."

Skeren smiled brightly. "I'm glad. Oh! Mako, darling, tell him about that little girl you heard about!"

"Oh, good thin' you reminded me. Anyway, seems that Dekim's cartin' around this gem of a little girl. 'Bout six or so, I've heard. They say she's his daughter's only child."

"Daughter?" Treize choked out, feeling a bit lightheaded all of a sudden. "Did I hear you correctly?"

Skeren got up immediately, moving to the taller figure and steering him into the chair. "Yes. That's what I heard too." Dorothy and Relena wisely remained silent.

"What? Did I stutter or switch to Japanese again?" Makoto looked at Skeren. "Yes, his daughter's daughter. Red hair. Blue eyes. Cute as a button. I can pay more for a picture, if ya want."

"I think he's in shock here." Skeren picked up a paper from his desk and fanned him with it. "Breath, man!"

Treize took a deep breath, picked up a glass of juice, drained the cup, and then looked at everyone. "I'm fine now, thank you." He thought over the current situation. "A picture you say? How much?" Skeren put the paper down, looking at him dubiously before she settled onto the edge of his desk.

"Guess shouldn't cost more than... Three million, due to who her ojiisan is... When do ya want it?"

"As soon as possible."

"Okay, gotta make a few calls. Privately."

"Do you need my phone? It's a more secure line than yours last I checked." Skeren was already digging around in her numerous pockets. They clanked.

Makoto left the room, reaching in her back skirt pocket for her phone, and dialed a familiar number when she was sure she was alone.

She shook her head as Makoto left the room. "Guess not. I swear if I'm missing anything though…" She kept digging for her phone. More sounds of metal on metal. She didn't sound like that when she walked at all.

Makoto came back in smiling. "Nah, darlin', I'm good. Riku decided to play around with my phone the other night. That's why I used his last night." She looked at Treize. "It's a gift." She winked as she sat down.

Skeren nodded a bit then moved around the desk, clearing a space before starting to empty her pockets. "That's good, because I can't find my phone."

Treize raised an eyebrow at Dorothy. "You've been rather non-vocal this whole time, cousin. Care to share what you are thinking?"

Here came the interesting part. In the pile, she ended up with: Keys, a kit of some sort, two guns, a five point set of throwing stars, a four point set, a six point set, throwing knives, a Swiss army knife, ammo, matches, three zippos, an unidentifiable explosive, a set of binoculars, a few needles, aspirin, and her wallet. "No Phone."

"Your car?" Makoto tried to suggest a place she might leave it.

Dorothy pointed over to the desk. "I'm watching her. She tends to talk more than I do in these instances." She looked at the pile. "How did you fit all that in your pockets?"

"No. I wouldn't leave it in my car. It was never off me. I bet that little mediator decided to borrow it." Skeren was ever so tempted to frown, but refrained.

"Who? Riku? Doubt it." Makoto just shook her head.

"No, Duo. When I wasn't looking." Skeren eyed the pile. It was a big pile for the fact that she looked like she wasn't wearing all that.

Treize eyed the large pile. "I think a few of those things are... a little less than legal, Skeren."

Makoto shoved her phone at Skeren. "Number 5," she said without a hint of her accent. "Call and see if the boy has it."

Skeren looked over the pile then back to him. She then immediately pocketed the explosives, needles, picks, guns, and ammo. "Nothing that's on the desk." She picked up one of the star sets before saying that. They were black gundanium. Skeren stuck the stars in a pocket before taking the phone and hitting the speed dial. She then put it to her ear as she headed through the more legal objects.

"Cell phone of doom speaking. May I take your order?" This was the reply she heard as the other end was answered.

"It is not a phone of doom. Why did you take my phone?" Skeren picked up one of the stars and passed it to Treize so he could look at the shaped gundanium.

Treize eyed the star in his hand. "Excellent workmanship. Rather difficult to find. I suppose it cost a small fortune to have them made?"

"It was a good idea at the time. Think of it this way; this is my way of making it so that I have to come visit you later today. Ciao." Then, Duo disconnected the line.

Makoto laughed having heard Skeren's reply, leaving that as enough to figure out who it was. "Awww, you got pilfered by the cute one. And no, those were a gift from me."

"And where did you get them from?" Treize asked, eyeing her carefully.

"I have my ways," Makoto said in that accent-less voice again, feeling irritated for some strange reason.

Skeren turned off the phone and looked back to Treize. "You'll be having a visitor later to return my stolen item." Skeren leaned over showing him a couple of the others from different sets, the surgical steel from that day, and a set of white gundanium. "She and I get each other this stuff all the time. Never learned what it cost." She handed him the others to compare. Skeren had to grin. "Why, would you like a gundanium weapon?"

"Sky, I need to go lay down. Now." Makoto cut across the conversation.

Treize snorted. "No, I think I'll stay with my rapier and mobile suits, thank you."

Skeren pushed up from the desk, leaving the three stars with Treize as she steered Makoto towards her room. "I'll be back in a moment."

Dorothy reached over, picking up one of the stars consideringly. "If you won't, I might take her up on that."

When they were far enough away, Makoto looked at Skeren. "There were others there at that damned meeting!" Skeren looked to Makoto, and then gestured for her to explain. "Remember how I told you I had a bad feeling? Well, China boy came back a little too calm. Shimatta! Baka! It took me this long to realize it. There was someone else there!"

"Do you think he might have gotten another of the pilots?"

"Had to have been. I would have noticed anyone else. I'm not that dense... No matter what I project. I need to call Riku, NOW! Know any really secure places?"

"We just left it and it's occupied at the moment. It's almost the only place on the base that isn't bugged. I try with my room, but someone keeps rigging it."

"Your car?" Skeren nodded, gesturing for her to lead the way.

Makoto strolled casually out of the base to the black car, and waited for the alarm to be turned off. When they were, she slid in the back seat, hit the speed dial, and waited for the man to pick up. "C'mon you paranoid fuck. Answer!"

After two rings, Riku answered. "Yeah?"

"Your friend was followed," Makoto hissed. "Probably by those two missing pilots."

There was a pause before Riku replied. "I know."

"NANI? Why didn't you say anything before now? I'm gonna strangle you one of these days, or let Sky do it now."

"I had other things to worry about," Riku replied.

Skeren let out a breath and took the phone from Makoto. "Sorry bout that, she kinda flipped. We aren't dead, so it doesn't matter, correct?"

"Well, while you were worrying about those, we could have been GREAT target practice for a few pilots." Makoto was leaning over to be able to listen in.

"No, we weren't. They'd have to picked Trowa off if they wanted to get me." Riku's tone was flat as he spoke, as though this were clear to all, and old news as well.

"No, it does matter, because I'm not playing with people like that," Makoto continued.

Skeren reached out to make Makoto meet her eyes. "They didn't hurt us, because they had no reason to. They would have taken us down if they didn't want to play nice."

Riku spoke up again. "I wouldn't worry about it. You can defend yourself."

"Oh, but you better bet I'm gonna say something the next time I see them. And you bet your sweet ass I can." Makoto was glaring into the air.

There was a snort of laughter over the phone line. "I don't doubt you will. Anyway, we have a job."

Skeren let out a breath and relinquished the phone back to Makoto fully again. "If he dares go after any of my four with that job, then no mercy."

Makoto took the phone back. "Specs?"

Skeren watched Makoto talk, just knowing that she had to get back.

Makoto waved a knowing hand at Skeren. She mouthed the words 'Go back. I'll at least say good bye before I go.'

To be continued.