Author’s note: Whew! I finally got to put my mind into work, and came up with this one. I’ve so longed to write down this idea of mine but never had the chance. But with an awful lot of beautiful songs nowadays --- you can bet I got inspired big time! Newayz, I hope you like it. C&C’s are so welcome!

Disclaimer: I, unfortunately, do not own Gundam Wing --- and that would include Zechs and Noin too... *sigh* They belong to Sunrise, TV Asahi, Sotsu Agency, and Bandai, so don’t sue me.

By: Lucrezia Noin-Peacecraft

I am a murderer.

I have no respect for life.

Yes, that is true. For I, Zechs Merquise, supposed heir to the Peacecraft throne, had seen the blood of millions trickle down my cold, ruthless hands... Forgetting what my family --- my father --- had stood up and died for. Peace.

But nonetheless, I am human.

I wouldn’t have known that if a certain person had never opened my eyes, and not to mention my heart, to the beauty of life.

I never really understood how such a pure-hearted person could put up with a man like me. I have destroyed, killed, have shattered the lives of many. And I should be suffering till now. That one year living alone after the Eve Wars, when I was believed to be dead, wasn’t enough.

My heart should still be wretched with sorrow. It should be empty. That’s the price I’m supposed to still be paying for being such a savage beast who wanted nothing but revenge.

My heart shouldn’t be as light as this.

I’m not supposed to feel anything.

Killers don’t feel anything. They’re cold. Their hearts are nothing but cold, rusting steels...

I’m not supposed to love.

But why does my heart beat and warm at the very thought of a beautiful raven-haired angel?

Lucrezia...

I never really wanted her in my personal war. She was too good. And I loved her very much. Her courage and loyalty never ceased to amaze me. That was, perhaps, the reason I was too freaking dependent on her. My own weakness put her in this state.

I want to drive her away. So as to make sure I don’t corrupt her --- that I don’t taint her with my sins. And to even think that I once tried to to kill her makes me more unforgivable...Back then, all I knew was that I have to get things over with...My mission...Yet she's still here...

Oh God, why?

Why was she so stubborn? Why did she enter this nightmare...? I never wanted her here. I wanted her where she could be safe. But not with me...

I have too much to pay for. I don’t want to pull her down with whatever I have done...

A part of me just wants her here...so I would never be alone again. But then the other half wants her away, so she would be safe. She deserved more than this. More than this hollow life that I have broken down to start from scratch again...

"Zechs?"

My name on her lips broke me off my thoughts, and I looked right to see a pair of drowsy deep blue eyes looking up at me. Sighing, she sat up straight and brushed away the long bangs from her eyes. "You okay?"

I nodded and grinned. It was funny how she knew a lot about me without much of a hassle. And how she noticed everything about me especially when others don't. She just became a part of me so instantly. When I first met her at the Academy, I knew right then and there that she would be my friend...But I didn’t know, that she would be the only true one for me...

Noin nodded with understanding and sighed again. "Hmm...I bet you’re tired, too" she said and stretched her arms as she got to her feet. "I’m making some coffee, want some?"

"Thanks."

I watch her disappear into one of the ship’s rooms and let a deep sigh escape my lips. Alone...together...With this feeling deep inside me ready to explode anytime sooner if I don’t tell her already about how I felt. It’s been years. 8 years of keeping such a precious feeling for her, of trying to escape...But how could I not? I am a man with a mission. I don’t want to leave her all alone and hurting...If I would ever have her, I want to be there for her all the time. I don’t want to claim her for myself and just leave her whenever something comes up. I want to love her. I want to...

Shaking my head, I’ve finally decided to let my feelings out. To let her know how special she was to me. Time to take the risk...

In minutes, she was back in the cockpit. "Here you go Zechs, de---"

"Lucrezia," I said, climbing to my feet and grabbing her hands without noticing what she held there, and feigned possession of her beautiful, lush lips.

Her cup fell to the floor, the hot liquid splattering at our feet. I held her close, as tightly as I can. The taste of her lips were incredible...So soft...

"Ze-echs...What...?" she murmured when she could as I continued to seek the warmth of her lips. She was the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met in my entire life. They say that beauty is all but skin deep...But Lucrezia was the very exception. She was beautiful both in and out...

"Noin...Lucrezia Noin, I love you..." I whispered into her ear as I caressed her soft, silky raven hair. I never felt it would be this light, and lovely a feeling. Holding her here in my arms was the closest to heaven I could be...

For some time, there was silence between us. I, waiting for her response, and she...Oh God! What could she be thinking...She loved me too, right? Please say you love me too, Noin.

"I’m sorry, Noin..." I whispered desperately, "I’m sorry I never told you...I love you. At last I could tell you that...I know I’ve done a lot of things that would surely make me unworthy of you...But...Please Noin, tell me you feel the same way too..."

Right then, I felt Noin tremble against me, and I looked down to see her crying against my chest. I tried to soothe her, by whispering words of my love into her ear. "Oh Noin...I’m sorry I made you suffer like this... I’m sorry for letting you wait so long...I just can’t bring myself to love when I know that I can’t be there for you..."

"I-I..." she started, trying to catch her breath with every word, "I love you too...Zechs...You just don’t know how much..."

Those words...How beautiful...It was hard to believe she could love a monster like me, but...

"I love you, Noin." I sighed, my hand rubbing circles on her back. Her cries had turned to sniffles, and then she raised her eyes to meet mine. "Zechs, you just don’t know how happy you’ve made me..."

"No, Noin. It was you who have made me extremely happy..." And with those words said, I got down on one knee, her hands in mine, and looked up to those endless dark eyes.

"Lucrezia Noin...will you..."

"Yes, Zechs?" she swallowed hard. I can tell by the look in her eyes that she was nervous although overall, her face never really showed any sign of it.

"Will you...be mine forever, and I for you? Will you make me the happiest man alive?"

"Zechs..."

"I love you, Lucrezia. Will you...marry me...?" There. I’ve said it. I’ve let it all out now. No more secrets to keep...

"Yes...Zechs. I will..." she replied in a whisper as I climbed to my feet. And as I did, I felt her flung herself against me, and I held her back tenderly, swaying her softly.

"Shh...Noin. Don’t cry. It’s alright now..."

She nodded slightly.

"I’m sorry I’ve let you wait too long..."

Noin smiled and shook her head as she wiped the tears from her eyes. "No, Zechs...Don’t apologize," she murmured as she pressed her lips against mine. "I love you. And we’re together now."

I closed my eyes and let her voice drown me...

"That’s all that matters, Zechs...That’s all that matters now..."

Yes, my love. That’s all that matters most now...