Duo sighed impatiently as he watched the richly established estate house. He had received orders to check out any possible armies that would recreate Oz. Jones Federation was the first on the list, renowned for the experienced warriors and great size. He had been here since dawn, and the greatest activity so far was that a fox had trotted past him. The old man Jones had come and gone with paper, and Duo could smell a hint of pancakes. He was leaning against a giant firtree looking into the giant living room, his sunglasses lowered on his nose. A girl had walked in, carrying a small, gray kitten. He smiled at the picture they made. The girl's hair was wild and untamed, the color of sun touched apples. She yawned sleepily, her black robe slipping to reveal an old faded T-shirt. She sat on the window seat, apparently talking to the kitten. Duo frowned, almost glowered at the girl. This was ridiculous. The Jones federation was not going to start up Oz, it was a well-known fact the Wally Jones promoted peace. What the hell was he doing here, spying on girls? He should be off fighting in a battle, kicking the new Oz ass. He was just going to turn and leave, when he heard the front door open and shut. He pulled back behind the tree and peeked out, pushing the sunglasses up. He caught the fleeting glimpse of gray and the annoyed expression on the girl's face. He grinned a lop sided grin. The kitten must've got out. The girl walked into the woods, unaware of the danger. He took on an impish look, watching her walk through the wooded area, calling for the kitten. Maybe he could have a little fun before he went. The girl walked right past him, as he was hidden in the light shadows. He got a close look at her face and decidedly she didn't look that bad. She had dark green eyes, like the forest itself. He walked silently behind, not betraying his presence. Her shoulders lifted with a sigh and she turned around, bumping into him. She pulled back in a startled jump, looking up at him.

"Hi!", he offered her a smile, his cobalt blue eyes twinkling behind the shades.

"Hi.", she returned back somewhat numbly, her face confused. For a moment they just stared at each other, measuring one another up. "Who are you?", she asked, with a guarded look. Duo tensed, wondering if she would catch him in a lie or if he should just knock her unconscious. The confusion passed from her face. "You must be a new guard.", she came to the conclusion for him.

"Yeah, first day.", Duo went along with the lie she gave to him. She nodded, but her face still held suspicion. Duo smiled charmingly at her, which seem to make her annoyed. "You know you're not suppose to be in the actually grounds, you're suppose to be protecting the perimeter. That's why they're called guards.", she told him, her wicked green eyes dancing with sarcasm. Duo blinked, the girl had some spunk.

"I thought I was protecting you.", he returned, grinning wickedly back. She narrowed her eyes at him in a smile and tossed her head.

"I don't need protection.", she told him loftily. Duo laughed out loud. She needed as much protection as that kitten. He looked up to see her glaring at him. "Why are you laughing?", she asked, a strain of anger in her voice.

"Nothing, just the fact you say you don't need protecting, when I just successfully sneaked up on you.", he told her with a chuckle. She put her fists on her hips and her black silk robe slipped further down her right shoulder, exposing the rest of her old white T-shirt and a tanned, smooth belly. Duo had to make an effort not to stare at her chest and instead looked at her angry face.

"Sneaked up on, yes, successfully, no. I knew you were out here, which is why I came out.", she told him. Duo gave her a look that said 'yeah right'. Her eyebrow raised and she rose to the challenge. She brought to fingers to her lips and a sharp, shrill whistle echoed through the forest. Duo stared dumbfounded at her actions until a rustle to the left of them made him look away. Out of the dark foliage and brush emerged the little gray kitten, which promptly ran to the girl and jumped on her shoulders. She crossed her arms in front of her chest as the kitten settled itself on her shoulder and smiled superiority at him. Duo's first reaction was shock, when did she see me? Was she going to tell her uncle? Did she know who I am? But he smiled back at her, a sheepish smile with grudging respect.

"Not bad.", he admitted as he casually leaned against a tree. She just tossed her wild hair over her shoulder and the kitten batted at it with a paw.

"I thought you might've been a spy from Oz.", she told him as she walked along the forest. Duo stared after her. Spy from Oz? He decided he needed to hear this.

"Spy?", he questioned as he caught up beside her.

"Yes, from Oz. To see what my uncle's decision is. He is very annoyed with it all.", she continued on.

"So he's not siding with Oz?", Duo asked, hoping she wouldn't get suspicious.

"No. I thought maybe you were a spy who was sent to find out. I was hoping you'd try to kidnap me.", she tossed her head as the kitten batted at Duo's braid.

"Try to kidnap you? Why would you want that?", he asked, glancing at her. She glanced back at him and their eyes met, she smiled mysteriously at him. Before Duo could press her again, she took a sharp turn to the left and then sprinted off. Duo looked after her, wondering if he should follow. He cocked his head like a curious cat. So she wanted to play, eh? He followed behind her, at a steady jog, dodging bushes and trees with ease. Finally he came to a huge old oak, its circumference larger then him. He looked all around, and thought about calling for her, but he didn't know her name. He heard a light rustle from above and he looked up, seeing nothing but branches and leaves. Then suddenly the world was dark as a pair of hands covered his eyes. He fought the instant instinct to turn around and attack the person when he realized that the hold was loose and the hands were soft.

"Guess who.", she had deepened her voice and it sounded rough and distorted. He smiled, but didn't try to remove her hands. He felt the kitten twining around his legs.

"Elvis?", he tried, and he heard an answering giggle. "No.", the rough voice returned. He pretended to think.

"Are you that girl?", he asked.

"What girl?", the voice asked back, he thought he detected curious jealousy. He could smell her scent, it was lightly floral with spice.

"That crazy girl who runs around in her pajamas?", he grinned.

"Oh!", she cried at his teasing and removed her hands from his eyes to slap him playfully in the back. Duo turned to grab her hands, but his legs got tangled in the kitten and he fell over, pulling her with him. They landed in the forest floor covering of leaves, her stretched out on top of him.

"Oh! Are you ok?", she asked putting her weight on her hands, that were on either side of his head. Her lower body was still pressed against his, and her robe had fallen all the way off her shoulder, leaving nothing but a skimpy T-shirt. He didn't move for a second, and just stared at her. She stared back, the morning light playing on her skin and eyes.

"What's your name?", she asked suddenly, breathlessly. Duo got a crazy idea into his head. He was a crazy guy, but this was an incredibly crazy idea. He even wondered why he would've thought of it. He wanted to tell her. He wanted to tell her his true name and all about himself. But he couldn't do that, it would most likely get both of them killed. So he did the next best craziest thing he could think of. He kissed her. He had kissed before. He had kissed Hidre when they went out together. He liked kissing well enough. He was just doing it to stop her from asking questions. It had nothing to do with her beautiful green eyes or that her lips looked like sweet cherries. He pulled her down to him, one hand went to her back and the other to the side of her face. He brought her to his mouth, and she didn't resist. Their lips met and blended. It was a short brush, a testing kiss. Then she returned the favor, and he held her harder against him. She opened her mouth slightly, and Duo slipped his tongue gently inside, but pulled it back. Another testing kiss. She pulled away slightly, but they were still close together. Duo could feel her breath on his face, and he realized his hands had strayed from their original positions. He blushed and removed one from her side, and the other from the back of her neck. That was nothing like kissing Hidre.

"That's quite a name.", she told him softly. Duo suddenly wanted to get out of there. He felt too close to this girl, and he had just met her. He pushed her away firmly but gently. He stood, and busied himself by brushing off his clothes. She looked at him like he slapped her and he felt slightly guilty. He pulled his dark cap from his back pocket and pulled it over his long braid and head. She pushed up her robe and looked down, her long wild hair covering her face.

"Better go patrol the borders and all.", he mumbled and turned to walk away.

"Hey.", she called out suddenly. He turned, not all the way around, just so she could see the side of his face. She looked like a loss for words, and then she tossed her head defiantly. He was beginning to like that about her, which was another sign that he had to go.

"You never asked my name.", she spoke calmly, walking closer towards him. He gave a little half smile. "What's your name?", he fell for the bait. She grinned a sudden ferocious grin at him and grabbed him by the lapels of his shirt. He didn't hold her back, but he didn't stop her either. She kissed him, her soft mouth nuzzling his. But he didn't respond, even though he really wanted to. He felt guilty to Hidre, and he didn't want to hurt this girl any more, he was leaving. She pulled away from him, a look of disappointment on her face. She covered it quickly by tossing her head and turning on her heel. She walked out of the forest, heading to the house, the kitten at her heels. Duo looked after her and sighed, then turned and walked in the opposite direction.

Nikita was so embarrassed! How could she have kissed that boy! She didn't even know his name, and since he was a guard she would see him everyday! Thinking about it made her blush. She walked back in through the kitchen, and sat down at the table. Her uncle was still there, the newspaper gone.

"Hey girl. Where have you been?', he asked, using his usual greeting for her. "

Hey old man. I went for a walk.", she returned. Aunt Avvie brought over a glass of OJ. She smiled up at her. "I met the new guard.", she told her uncle as she took a sip. Her uncle looked confused.

"What new guard? We don't have a new guard.", her uncle asked her. Nikita stared at him, chills going down her back.

"You didn't?', she asked. Her uncle shook his head. "Then who did I just talk to?", she turned around to look out the kitchen window, but she couldn't see anything.

"I have no idea. I'll go call Harold.", her uncle got out of his seat and went to the hallway to use the phone.

"Nikita, Denny wants you to meet him at the warehouse.", her aunt was not at all worried.

"Ok.", Nikita got up, still thinking about that strange boy and who he was. She walked to the hallway along her room, crumpling the note she had written earlier. She went to her room and changed into her dark blue tank top and black shorts. She sat on her bed to slip her black boots on, they were heavy and went up to her ankles. She pulled a brush through her hair and tied it back. She grabbed the gun she had stuffed earlier into the robe and slipped it in her jacket pocket as she put it on. On her way out she poured out some food for Tigris and grabbed her mirrored sunglasses. She walked out, waiting for her car to get up the driveway. The black armored car rolled up and she got in, greeting the driver, Joe. He drove her to the warehouse that was down the road from home. It wasn't actually a warehouse. It was a hanger for mobile dolls. Denny called it the warehouse because Aunt Avvie wouldn't let Nikita go hang out with weapons. Her aunt knew nothing of what Denny and her uncle taught her. They were against it first, but Nikita was determined and she always got her way. She got out of the car and waved to Joe, running up to the door. She knocked on it, knowing Denny would get mad if she didn't.

"Open!", a voice called out inside. She went in, pushing her sunglasses up on her forehead.

"Denny?", she called out, her eyes adjusting to the dimness.

"Over here!", it came somewhere from the back. She walked past the odd parts of different mobile dolls, grinning as she slid her fingers over a huge grenade launcher, making her way to the back. She found Denny working at the main computer. She walked over and leaned against the back of the chair he sat at, draping over him cat like.

"Whatcha doin?", she asked, glancing at the computer screen. Denny waited a moment, typing intently.

"I am….", he started, finishing the last of his typing. "Checking out this info that's reading into the satellite." She studied the screen closer. It looked as if they were getting feed from an unknown colony in far out space. Nikita had never seen something like it before. It was fire walled encrypted and sealed with password access. Whoever sent it to them didn't even want them to read it.

"Can you break it Denny?", she asked. Denny sighed, and leaned back in his chair. Shaking his head, "No way. They went overtime on the protection."

Nikita smiled, confused. "Why would they send us something we cant get into? Is it a virus or something?", she asked.

"No, I'm not getting any warnings from the system, and if it was, why would they have it so protected.", Denny pointed out. Before Nikita could ask another question, a video window popped up on the screen.

"What, I didn't get any readings of that.", Denny looked shocked, which really frightened Nikita. She had never seen Denny shocked before. Denny leaned forward to type earnestly on the keyboard, as Nikita looked on confused. Then suddenly a man appeared in the video window. He was a tall, dark hared man, who wore glasses. His dark skin showed off in the lights. He wore a white lab coat and Nikita thought he looked like a doctor or something. "Attention Jones Federation. I am aware of your neutrality of the Oz situation. I recommend you reconsider. Oz will destroy if you do not side with them, fearing that you will side against them. If you truly want peace, then you must fight them. Neutrality is not an option. I am also aware you do not have the firepower to deal with Oz. I will remedy that problem for you. I am sending the location to a mobile doll unit in the encrypted file. It is one of the most powerful dolls in the world. Able to take out a troop of Oz soldiers. It is even equal to the legendary Gundams. I call it Gundam Angel.", as he said this, the screen switched to blueprints of the doll. Nikita and Denny gaped at the drawings. He was right, whoever this man was.

"Oh my god..", Nikita breathed as she saw the weapons that came equipped with the doll. The man appeared back on the screen, but it was too late. Nikita was hooked. She had to have that doll. It was so…different. Powerful. It was sleeker then the usual chunky form of dolls. It could actually be described as feminine. It even looked like an angel, with two out-stretched wings that folded neatly behind the doll for swiftness. It was beautiful. Nikita wrinkled her nose at the thought of some of her uncle's soldiers piloting it. If a man did it, it would destroy the beauty of it. You needed a woman pilot, she could use the curves and slim figure to her advantage. The deadly force all women had. She would have to talk her uncle into it. "When you find out the location of the doll, go there immediately. You also have to have a password to get into the doll once there, but you can set that yourself.", the man took a moment to pause. "There are three other similar dolls. I have sent them to three different locations. If you wish, you could join the organizations I sent them to. . The four Angels would make a most powerful force.” Nikita gasped. Three others? Amazing. They would be unstoppable. The screen flickered and the video window disappeared. In its place was a command strain of the password. Denny quickly typed them in, confirming the password. Nikita stood and anxiously waited for the coordinates to come up, but Denny covered her eyes.

“Oh no, I don’t thinks so Kita, there’s no way I’m gonna let you go to find this thing.”, Nikita fought him, but he had already shut down the machine by the time she was free.

“Oh come on Denny! Please! I have to see it!”, she argued, but Denny wouldn’t move on the matter.

“No, I have to go tell Dad and see what he decides.”, he told her firmly.

“But Denny!”, she wailed. “I was made to pilot that doll, didn’t you see its figure, its power?”, she protested, grabbing him by the shirt. He pushed her away.

“Yes, which is exactly why I can't let you near it. We’d never be able to get you out of it.”, he told her with a chuckle. Nikita pouted, but it did no good. Denny wouldn’t tell her the location. On the way home, she still pestered Denny about it.

“Admit it Den, I should pilot that doll, I have the grace to handle its form. Come on, Denny!”, she demanded he at least admit it was practically made for her. He laughed and smiled.

“I should have never taught you how to fight. Yes, I admit you would be the perfect candidate for the job, but you know my mom would never let you in it.”, he pointed out. Nikita pouted, knowing it was true. Well, at least she got him to admit it.

~ Continue to Gundam Angels Part 3

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