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 2

            Heero awoke in his dorm room and knew he wasn't alone.  It was dark outside, typical for that time of morning, but his heightened senses could detect movement.  He instinctively reached under his pillow for the gun that he usually kept there, but his hand

came up empty.  He sat up and glared at the shadowy figure.

            "I didn't mean to wake you," a soft voice said.

            "What are you doing here?  How did you get in?"

            Light melodic laughter erupted from the delicate form.  "You, of all people, ask me that?  You're no stranger yourself to sneaking into rooms and watching their occupants sleep."

            Heero turned on the light, and stared at the young woman in front of him.  "Relena…"

            She stopped the rest of his sentence by placing a finger to his lips.  "Shhh…don't talk.  I just wanted to say goodbye.  I'm sure you had guessed I was leaving, but in case anything happens, or anyone needs me, I'm going to Mars to be with my brother and Noin."

            Heero nodded silently, meeting her gaze.  His deep blue eyes always threatened to burn holes through her soul.  She looked away then moved back towards the window.  Before she climbed out, she turned back to him, a sad look on her face.  "I love you."

            He looked down at the floor, "Relena…." But she was already gone.

            *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *

January 19, A.C. 200

            The Speaker looked out at the assembly, "I believe we have heard enough arguments from both sides.  We will send the issue to a vote."  He paused a moment before continuing, "And may I remind you to consider all that is at stake."

            "All those in favor of declaring Relena Peacecraft a traitor and issuing a warrant for her capture, vote yea.  Those who believe that her actions are not on the level of treason, and therefore her resignation was adequate, vote nay."

            There was silence on the television screen as the delegates voted by pushing one of two buttons in front of them.  The world once again held its breath in anticipation.  The general populace was widely split over her actions.  Most still respected her regardless

of whether they agreed with her decisions. 

            Milliardo was pacing back and forth in their small dwelling underneath the Mars surface.  "Oh, for God's sake, can't they hurry up?"

            Noin put a hand on his shoulder, "It will be all right, dear, I promise."

            Relena kept her attention on her stack of papers.  Some things just didn't change; Mars had readily accepted her leadership in trade negotiations and general administrative duties.  The end result was that she was still ever mired in paperwork.

            "And YOU…" Milliardo said in an accusatory tone, pointing at his sister.  "You just sit there, calm, like these people aren't deciding whether you get to live or die!"

            Relena looked patiently up at her older brother, "Milliardo,

I told you I took care of everything.  I called in every last political favor I had to ensure that vote would turn out all right.  It was a mad rush before I turned in my resignation, but I have enough votes.  They have to have a 2/3rds majority…."

            Just then, the Speaker came back on camera.  "We have come to a decision.  The Unified Nation has determined, via a poll of all its members that the actions Relena Peacecraft took on March 17th A.C. 199, constitute treason.  A warrant will be issued for her capture and execution…."

            Relena didn't hear the rest of the sentence even though the house was deathly quiet.

            *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *

            Hilde buried her face in Duo's chest and cried.  He held her close as his own tears trickled down his cheeks.  "It's okay, shhh….she'll be okay," he whispered soothingly.

            "No, it will never be okay!  Duo, they're going to execute her!"

            "Shh…no way, Hilde babe.  Those ESUN guys will have six* pissed off Gundam pilots to deal with if they try anything," he said while rubbing her back.  "We won't let anything happen to her."  He silently hoped he sounded more convincing than he felt at the moment.

            Trowa just stared at the television screen.  Catherine had turned it off what seemed like hours ago, but he was still sitting in the same position as when they made that announcement.  Oh, God, that announcement!  How could they do this?  And it was his fault, their fault, all the Gundam pilots’ faults.  He shook his head, and wished it would disappear like the hazy mists of a dream.

            A stunned silence reigned over the Winner mansion as Rashid hung his head and said a prayer.  Tears coursed down Quatre's cheek as he switched off the transmission.  He remembered how Relena had given him sanctuary in her Kingdom during the war, when he and Heero so desperately needed it.  She had always been so strong, and he

wondered again what cruel force kept testing that strength.

            Wufei narrowed his eyes at the monitor.  Sally was crying, as were many of the other Preventers watching the television in the break room. 

        "Weaklings!  They were beaten by a woman.  There is no honor in executions, they should just accept their defeat!" he growled and stalked angrily out of the room.

        In the middle of a college student center, the broadcast suddenly came to an abrupt halt as the monitor was violently yanked from the wall and thrown aimlessly in a fit of fury.  It landed with a loud crash as bits of glass and metal were thrown helter-skelter

about the room.  Everyone stared at the usually silent and reserved young man with the wild brown hair and emotionless blue eyes who stood over the remains of the recently deceased television screen. Every muscle in his body was so tense he was shaking. His fists were clenched in anger at his sides. To those who knew him, and those who

didn't, Heero Yuy looked ready to kill.

*Duo includes Zeches in the total count of "pissed off Gundam pilots".