I do not own Gundam Wing.  This fan fiction has no commercial value and I am not making any kind of profit or income off of this.  

Chapter 12

At Quatre’s Mansion on L4 Colony

            “Mission accomplished,” Wu-fei said to the image on the videocom screen.  Lady Une breathed a sigh of relief.

            “Excellent.  It appears that Dermail’s old allies are finally feeling the pressure.  Which group did they hire to plant the bomb?”

            “I sent the fragments on to headquarters to be analyzed.  That’s all I have on their identity so far.”

            “Understood.  Good job, Wu-fei.  Report back to base as soon as possible.”

            Wu-fei nodded. “The others are curious, of course – and concerned.  They’re suspicious about my presence on L1.  How much can I tell them?”

            Lady Une frowned.  “You may tell them only what we know about this incident.  That ESUN’s inner circle is nervous about Mars’ representation, or more specifically its representative, and therefore they were responsible for the attack.”

            “But that will bring up more questions then it will answer.  They’ll want to know how ESUN knew about Relena’s movements, and why they wouldn’t capture her instead,” Wu-fei said, crossing his arms and glaring at the image on the screen.

            “Then think of something else, or just be your typical anti-social self and tell them to get lost.  I don’t have time for this.  They need to stay out of it; this is Preventer territory only!  Understood?”

            “Yes, Colonel,” Wu-fei sneered.

            “Dismissed.”

            *                      *                      *                      *                      *                      *           

            Wu-fei left without telling the others anything about his assignment or what he knew about the attack.  Quatre, Trowa, and Duo knew better than to ask the silent man any questions.  Instead, they concentrated on Relena and the plan to get her back to Mars.

            The news report that Relena Peacecraft had died in the blast was short-lived.  Rescuers never found her body, and so she was presumed still alive and at large.  Many even speculated that she was the one to set the bomb that leveled the motel on L1 colony - killing eighteen people and seriously injuring dozens more.

            In the aftermath of the wreckage, all units patrolling the usual trade routes between the colonies and Earth were on full alert with instructions to board random shuttles and be on the lookout for the fallen princess.  Within a few days, a virtual blockade was in place around the red planet that had become her home.  ESUN was closing in on its prey.

            *                      *                      *                      *                      *                      *

            Relena looked out the window of her bedroom in Quatre’s mansion and stared at the colony’s artificial night sky.  She could tell that her days were numbered, and she wished that she could have been spending them with the man who had captured her heart.  But she had left him behind.  “It was the right thing to do,” she told herself for the hundredth time and sighed.  All the misery of her heart poured out in that exhalation of breath, and reverberated in the ears of her unknown companion.

            “How are you holding up?”  Duo asked solemnly, standing at the door.

            “Okay, I guess,” she replied still staring out the window, her back towards Duo.

            “It doesn’t look like we’re going to be able to get you back to Mars for awhile.”

            She smiled sadly, but didn’t turn around to face him.  “I know.”

            “We won’t give you up without a fight, you know that, don’t you?”

            “Yes,” she replied quietly.

            “I’ve talked it over with Quatre, and if you want to come with me to L2, we can get you there to spend some time with Hilde until the wedding.”

            “Thank you, but I think it’s best if I stay here for now.  Please apologize to Hilde for me,” she said softly and turned away from the window.

            Duo could tell she had been crying.  He had become an expert at studying her facial expressions over the last two years, and she could never hide from him.  He nodded and flashed her a grin, “I understand.  We’ll send the bridesmaid dress here for the fitting.  You will still come to the wedding, won’t you?”

            She took in the hopeful expression on his face.  Relena knew she couldn’t miss their special day, no matter what the cost.  It was one of the things she had fought for, given up her life for - cast aside her heart and happiness for.  “Of course,” she said and smiled genuinely at her friend.  She just wished she could shake that feeling of foreboding clutching her heart.

            Relena came down from her room for the first time in several days to watch Heero’s game on TV.  Trowa thought he saw her almost smile as she settled into the couch and listened to the announcers gush over the rising star in their pre-game chatter.  For probably the millionth time since her resignation, he felt sorry for the young woman that fate seemed to look so unfavorably upon.

            The match was exciting.  The Bulldogs got themselves into an early deficit, but Heero was at the top of his game, scoring three goals to put them ahead of the other team.  They were heading towards a solid 3-2 victory over the Dragons, when the player marking Heero viciously slide-tackled him from behind.  Heero hit the artificial turf covered concrete hard - his arms stretched out to break his fall.  The plastic blades cut into his exposed flesh, causing an unpleasant burning sensation to erupt over the greater part of his hands, elbows and knees.  They were only minor wounds that he barely acknowledged as he climbed nimbly to his feet looking for his enemy. 

As soon as Heero went down, the referee blew sharply on his whistle, stopping play, and held up a yellow card for the defender’s misconduct. But Heero was incensed.  He lost his temper and struck the player that had fouled him.  A fight ensued between the two, but Heero easily gained the upper hand – breaking the guy’s jaw, and one of his ribs.  It took several players from both teams to pull Heero off his opponent, and he was immediately red-carded and ejected from the match.  The whole audience was stunned; the announcers were uncharacteristically silent as the Dragon’s player had to be taken from the field on a stretcher to an awaiting ambulance. 

            “Heero,” Relena whispered to the television, tears welling in her eyes at the unexpected turn of events.  “I’m so sorry.”

            “And in other news tonight, the World Soccer Federation’s number one draft hopeful Heero Yuy has legal troubles on his hands after a vicious fist-fight erupted during today’s match against the L5 University Dragons….” The news announcer said, prompting Relena to turn off the TV in disgust.

            She went up to her room and slammed the door.  “Heero, what’s gotten into you?”

            *                      *                      *                      *                      *                      *

            A woman stood, looking graceful and elegant in the front office belonging to the University President. Her hair was done up in a bun, and she wore a very pretty gray business suit made up of a double-breasted jacket and flatteringly pleated skirt.  An exquisite black hat with large black bow and wide brim rested fashionably on her head at an angle - perfectly obscuring most of her face.  She spoke softly and handed the secretary a card.  “I’d like to speak to Mr. Foster as soon as possible.  I’m afraid it’s urgent.”

            “What did you say your name was?”

            The woman smiled, and pointed to the card.  “Jessica Matthews.  I work directly under Mr. Winner.” 

The secretary smiled and nodded.  “All right. I’ll see what I can do.”

She didn’t have to wait long, before a tall distinguished-looking man emerged from behind the closed mahogany door and greeted her warmly.  Jessica smiled to herself as she was ushered into his office - she could practically see the dollar signs in his eyes when he looked at her.

“Mr. Foster,” she began, after settling down in the chair he had offered her.  “The Winner Corporation would very much like to present this University with a gift.”

            “Really, Mrs. Matthews, that’s wonderful,” the President gushed.  “We never knew that Mr. Winner was so fond of our school.”

“It’s Miss Matthews…. Actually, Mr. Foster, Mr. Winner is a big soccer fan - and his favorite player happens to play for your University.”

The smile fell from the President’s face.  “Heero Yuy?” He asked.

Jessica smiled broadly at the man.  “Yes, I think you understand where I’m going with this, don’t you?”

“How much are we talking about?”

Jessica withdrew a check from her purse and handed it to the man.  She watched his eyes widen momentarily in disbelief before he regained his composure and smiled.  “We didn’t know Mr. Yuy was so well connected.”

“He’s an old friend of the family, apparently.  I take it this will be more than enough to settle this unpleasantness quietly as well as renovate your stadium next year?”

“Of course.”

“And Mr. Winner looks forward to seeing Mr. Yuy play again as soon as the league’s suspension has been fulfilled.  We know you weren’t going to take any other disciplinary action against the young man.  It’s certainly not his fault he’s been distressed of late,” she said and rose from her seat.

Mr. Foster stood up as well, accompanying her to the door.  “Oh, no, the University wouldn’t dream of such a thing.  He’s such a fine, upstanding young man.  We’ll be very sorry to see him go, next year.”

Jessica flashed her best fake smile.  “I’m sure you will.  Thank you, Mr. Foster, for seeing me on such short notice.” She said and held her hand out to shake.

“Anytime,” he replied, accepting the handshake.  “And I do mean, anytime.”

            She smiled at him and started to leave.

“Why don’t I accompany you to your car?” he suggested, opening the door for her.

Heero opened the door to the President’s office suite and looked at the secretary.  She smiled at him and asked if he had seen his friend.

“My friend?”

“Yes, Miss Matthews from the Winner Corporation,” she said and handed him the business card Jessica had given to her.

He frowned at the card; he didn’t recognize the name.  “Why do you say she’s my friend?”

“Well, I could hear them in Mr. Foster’s office talking about you.  She said you were a friend of the family.”

“What did she look like?”  He asked looking puzzled.

 “Um, the funny thing is, I didn’t get a very good look at her.  She was dressed very nicely, wearing this large black hat.  Mr. Foster walked out with her – they were just going to her car.  You can probably still catch her,” she said with a smile, despite the fact that the last part was only heard by the slamming door. 

Choking back a small cry of surprise that rose in his throat, Heero ran out the door, leaving a stunned secretary behind.  There was only one person it could be.  “I won’t let you get away this time, Relena.”