Quatre woke up with a severe headache and feeling quite cold. Suppressing a shiver, he pushed himself up off the stone floor of the cave and looked around. Trowa and Duo were laying next to him, just beginning to come to as well. Shakily, Quatre sat up and waited for the dizziness to pass. The last thing he remembered was being out on the beach. There had been no attack, or at least not one that he remembered.

"Where are we?" Duo asked, rubbing his head.

"You're in a cave not far from the beach where you were on watch." a quiet voice said from the shadows. All three heads turned toward the mouth of the cave. Nari was stretched out in a cleft in the rock that was a safe distance away from everyone.

"Did you bring us here?" Trowa asked her.

"Yes, I did." Nari admitted.

"Kidnap us is more like it." Duo said, pulling his gun and aiming it at Nari.

"Duo, put it away!" Quatre shouted.

"No, he's right." Nari said. "I did kidnap you."

"I thought there was something not right about the doctors." Trowa said, pulling his own gun.

"Stop. I'm sure she has an explanation for this." Quatre said, trying to calm the two down. He knew that the girl he talked to the other night would not just kidnap and kill them.

"Well, I'm not interested in explanations from her. Whatever it is, we can get it from the other doctor." Duo said, aiming the gun at Nari's heart.

"Duo, stop!" Quatre jumped towards Duo in attempt to stop the shot from going off. But he was too late. The gun shot reverberated around the stone cave. Quatre noticed the look of confusion and fear spread over Duo's face. Quatre slowly turned around to see what Duo was staring at. Nari stood on a small ledge across from them. She just calmly regarded the trio with disappointed eyes. The bullet had left a hole in her shirt, showing that Duo's heart shot had been aimed perfectly. But she remained unhurt.

"How did you do that?" Duo asked dumbfounded.

"She's wearing armor." Trowa answered.

"Kind of." Nari answered.

"Well, I've had enough." Duo stated. "I'm not sticking around here anymore."

"Duo, wait." Nari called. "That's a rip tide."

"I don't care." he answered, stepping into the water. As soon as the water reached knee level on the braided pilot, Duo was sucked under the swirling water.

"Duo!" Quatre yelled, not exactly sure what to do.

Nari dove straight down into the rip tide and disappeared. Trowa and Quatre just watched in stunned silence. A few heartbeats passed and Trowa laid a hand on Quatre's shoulder.

"She's not human, Quatre." he stated.

Before the Arabian could answer, Nari broke the surface with a sputtering Duo in tow. She gently laid him down on the ground and retreated back into the knee-deep rip-tide.

"I can explain everything if you give me time." she quietly said.

"What's everything?" Trowa asked, regarding her with cold, green eyes. He was surprised to see Nari, ever so slightly, shift uncomfortably underneath his stare.

"Why bullets and rip tides don't affect me like they do a normal human being. Why you need to be extremely careful and watch out for your lives. And why there have been murders in the Sanc Kingdom." she answered.

"You know who is responsible for the murders?" Quatre asked, shocked by the revelation.

Nari nodded her bowed head.

"Why didn't you say anything?" Quatre asked softly.

"I was afraid." she answered simply.

"So when are you going to tell us?" Duo asked, now fully recovered from his experience.

"I would like to explain all of this with the whole group." Nari said.

"That's fine." Quatre answered, before anyone else could. They didn't need to fight Nari right now. Quatre could see in her blue eyes that she was already fighting with the strongest enemy, herself.

"So how do we get out of here?" Duo asked, planting his hands on his hips.

"This way." Nari said, stepping out of the water. She drew her arms close to her sides as to not accidentally touch any of the three pilots as she passed through the group. She reached down and picked up a piece of driftwood. Pulling a rag from her pocket, she wrapped it around the driftwood. Nari laid the stick down, next to the stone wall and drew her small pistol. She fired one shot, causing a spark which ignited the rag. Calmly, she picked up the make-shift torch and started to head into the cave.

"Wait a minute." Duo said. "You just jumped into the water, and are soaking wet from head to toe."

Nari nodded her head in agreement.

"How could that rag stay dry?" he asked.

Nari stopped and turned to face him. She looked ethereal with the firelight playing on her flawless features. "I soaked the rag in gasoline. Gasoline has the same reaction as oil when it comes into contact with water."

"Oh." Duo conceded, continuing to follow the group. Quatre walked up next to Duo and nudged him in the ribs.

"What?" Duo hissed.

"Thank her." Quatre told him.

"For what?" Duo asked.

"She saved your life, you idiot." Trowa told him.

"I'll thank her when I know for certain that she's not the bad guy here."

_______________________________

Javin looked around the expansive lab. This had been the birthplace of Nari and Inazuma. Well, the gundanium bodies at least. The lab was a reconditioned warehouse in the L-5 Colony Cluster. From the outside, the large building looked broken down and boarded up. But the center rooms had been combined into the lab. It was the perfect hideout.

"Everything is up and running, Javin." Inazuma said.

Javin looked over at the blond as she restlessly paced around the room like a caged animal.

"Something troubling you?" he asked her.

"Yes. Since you asked, yes, something is bothering me." Inazuma replied, throwing her hands up.

Javin calmly leaned against his desk and crossed his arms across his chest.

"I can't believe that we just left Nari in the Sanc Kingdom with those Gundam pilots. You know she's going to tell them all about us, our plan, the gundanium bodies, everything!" she raved.

"And what do you suggest we do?" Javin asked.

"I suggest, we go back there and blow the Sanc Kingdom off the map. Killing those pilots and Nari."

"If you just want those people dead, why destroy the whole country in the process?" Javin asked her.

"Because think of what we could rebuild." Inazuma's eyes took on a greedy, wily look. "And whatever new kingdom we build, we will be the rulers of."

"You would share power with me?" he asked skeptically.

"Of course." Inazuma answered, walking over to him. She smiled a sly smile and wrapped her arms around an unmoving Javin's neck. "I couldn't think of anyone else who I would want to share power with other than you."

"What about Nari?" Javin asked her.

Inazuma immediately withdrew her arms and stared at Javin with a shocked expression. "What?"

"What if Nari doesn't sell us out? What is she wants to come back to us?" Javin suggested.

"You're not going to kill her, are you?"

"It's not my first choice, no. I'm willing to give her a second chance."

"Would you give me a second chance?" Inazuma asked, smiling slightly.

"No, I wouldn't." Javin shrugged indifferently.

"Why does she get special treatment then?" Inazuma demanded.

"I love her."

"You don't love me then?"

"No, I don't." Javin answered evenly.

"Don't you realize that I can kill you with my bare hands? And it wouldn't take much at all." Inazuma threatened.

"And aren't you forgetting that I can self-destruct you at any given moment?" Javin countered, pulling out a small silver cylinder with a red button on the top of it.

"Does Nari have one of those?" Inazuma asked snidely.

"No, she doesn't."

"And why not?" Inazuma demanded, her anger returning.

"We've been over this before."

"Okay, so what has that spineless twerp done that she deserves your love?"

Javin caught Inazuma's enraged glare and held it with his cold one. He wanted her to hear every word he was about to say.

"She's special."

________________________________

Nari watched as the rest of the pilots filed into the room and sleepily sank into the chair around the table. Quatre watched as each person took their seat, Nari attempted to push down more fear that welled up inside of her. But sheer panic seemed to overtake her when Zechs and Noin walked in. Nari lowered her eyes to floor and refused to look at anyone after Zechs entered the room. Quatre wished now he had chosen to sit next to her and not across from her. She looked so hopeless. Of course, what she was about to do was sign her death warrant. But she needed a friend. Quatre caught Trowa's eye and inclined his head towards Nari's direction. Trowa looked over at the girl sitting next to him and looked back at Quatre with a questioning look. Quatre mouthed the words "calm her down". Trowa nodded his head and looked back at Nari, not quite sure how to go about the action. Nari stared at her hands that were clasped tightly in her lap. Suddenly, a third hand was placed over her two. She looked up to see Trowa looking down at her.

"Don't worry." he quietly told her. "Quatre trusts you, and I trust Quatre. You've saved Duo's life. You already have three pilots on your side."

Nari gave him a shaky smile. "Thanks."

Trowa smiled back at her before removing his hand and directing his attention to Zechs, who at the moment was stifling a yawn.

"All right." Zechs said, placing both hands on the table and leaning on them. "What happened?"

Quatre stood to his feet. "Trowa, Duo and I were on watch tonight when something unexpected happened. Nari tranqed us and took us to a safe hiding place where she announced her willingness to help."

Nari watched as Quatre sat down and nodded for her to explain herself now. She slowly rose to feet and tried to find a pair of friendly eyes. Other than the three pilots in the cave, no one was sympathetic to her. She would have to be very convincing. Taking a deep breath, she began her explanation.

"A couple years ago, there was man, by the name of Javin Lowe, who took the ideas of the Vayeate and Mercurius and scaled it down considerably." she began.

"How small are we talking?" Zechs asked.

Nari looked him straight in the eye. "Five foot and five foot seven."

She watched as the realization crept into his blue eyes.

"Javin designed human bodies made from gundanium alloy. These bodies are indestructible and give the user unlimited strength."

"How do you keep your own personality?" Heero asked.

"Javin took two human bodies and surgically inserted a computer chip into the brain of both bodies. Once the chip is inserted into the human brain, its purpose is to compiled certain information stored in that brain, some of which includes personality, practical experience and emotion. A computer acts as the brain for the Gundanium body and is able to download the information from the human brain."

"And Dr. Braken is the other person in a gundanium body?" Zechs asked.

"Yes, she is." Nari said.

"Is this information in any way connected to the murders?" Noin asked.

Nari looked over at Quatre. The blond nodded his head.

"Yes, it is." Nari admitted. "The ones responsible for the murders are Dr. Braken and myself."

Zechs stood up to his full height as everyone else stiffened at the announcement. Nari couldn't even bring herself to face Quatre.

"I brought the victims to the beach and Inazuma was the one that killed them." Nari said.

"And what was the purpose of those murders?" Noin demanded.

"To bring the Gundam pilots here so that Javin could dispose of them. Once they were killed, and their Gundams destroyed, Javin would rebuild the Gundams and place Gundanium soldiers as their pilots. Once that happens, Javin intends to restart Operation Meteor and take over earth before going after the colonies." Nari explained.

"Why the sudden change in heart?" Zechs asked.

Nari glanced over at Quatre and caught his eyes. Even after her confession, they still held a compassionate look towards her.

"I found something that I didn't think existed anymore." she answered.

"And that would be?" Zechs pressed.

Nari snapped out of her stare and looked over the long haired man. "It's something that I can't regain, but I would like to try. But you just can't retake your innocence. For nights I was forced to watch innocent people be slaughtered on your beach. I didn't believe I had the strength to stop it so I allowed it to continue. I realize that's not an excuse. But it is a reason. I can not stand before you, Milliardo Peacecraft, and ask for a pardon from my crimes. But I do ask for your forgiveness."

Zechs regarded her for a moment. She was genuine in her words, that much he could tell. To deny her forgiveness would be hypocrisy on his part. He was part of many massacres in his OZ days.

"My forgiveness you have." Zechs said, much to the surprise of those around him. "But your pardon will be discussed. That I cannot give you without consulting others."

"I understand. Thank you sir." Nari replied, bowing her head.

"Are you willing to help us stop Javin Lowe?" Noin asked.

"Yes. I was about to request such a thing." Nari said.

"How will you go about doing this?" Noin asked.

"There is a lab located in the L-5 colony cluster where the bodies were created. I can lead you there and we can destroy it. Javin and Inazuma have most likely made their retreat to there."

Zechs and Noin passed a look between each other. After a few tense seconds, that seemed like an eternity to Nari, Noin nodded her head.

"We accept your help for now. However, trust must be earned." Zechs told her.

"Of course." Nari agreed.

"She's already earned the trust of three us." Trowa spoke up.

"How so?" Heero asked.

"Duo was pulled under water in the cave by a rip tide." Trowa told them. "Nari saved his life."

Everyone looked over at Duo, who merely nodded his head.

"I was wondering why you were so quiet." Wufei mumbled.

"Thank you for your concern." Duo said to the Chinese boy.

"Actually I was wondering how long it was going to last." Wufei came back.

"Humph." Duo said, before slouching down in his chair.

"Anyway," Trowa cut in, "Nari was given the chance to kill us in the cave as well. Instead, she defected from Javin's ranks and put her neck on the line to tell you all this. I think that proves how genuine she is."

"I agree with Trowa." Quatre spoke up. "If she was here to kill us all, she would have done so by now."

"But what about her involvement in the murders?" Noin brought up.

"My suggestion would be, if she helps us nail Javin," Quatre proposed, "dismiss the charges."

"Murders took place, Quatre." Noin said. "You of all people should realize the severity of the crime."

"She didn't take action in the murders." Trowa defended.

"She didn't take action against them either." Heero spoke up.

"As of now," Zechs broke in, "Nari will remain in company with at least one pilot until she proves her sincerity. After that, she will be a free woman."

"What about the murder charges?" Nari asked.

"Look at it this way." Zechs told her. "One of two things will happen to you. One, you will lead us to Javin where you will help us defeat him. That will gain you your freedom. The second outcome is, you don't help us defeat this man, you die."

Nari held Zechs' cold stare with a determined one. "I understand."

"Dismissed." Zechs said. Nari watched as Noin followed Zechs out of the room, leaving the six pilots all looking at her. Nari felt the familiar feelings of unease come over her again and quickly sat down at the table.

"Do you sleep?" Heero asked her.

"No." she answered, her voice quavering a bit.

"I'll stay with her till morning." Quatre volunteered. Heero nodded his head and stood up. Arys, Wufei and Duo followed his example and filed out of the room. Once they were outside of the conference room, Heero touched Arys' elbow, getting the dark haired girl's attention.

"Meet me in the lounge. I want to talk to you." he told her. Arys nodded her head and headed off in that direction. Heero turned around to face Duo.

"She saved you?" the Japanese boy asked.

"Yeah, she did." he reluctantly admitted.

"Why aren't you happy about that?" Wufei asked the American.

"I don't know. I guess cause I feel a little guilty." Duo said, looking down at his feet. "I shot her, which didn't do anything. And then she saved my life. Now I feel indebted to her."

"Hm." Heero said, before heading towards his meeting with Arys.

"Don't worry Duo." Wufei said, "She doesn't seem like the kind of person to keep track of debts."

____________________________

Quatre, Trowa and Nari remained seated at the conference table, allowing silence to hang in the room. Quatre watched Nari as she slowly processed the turn of events. She had walked into the conference room, believing she was facing an inevitable death, only to find out she had received a full and complete pardon. Trowa watched Quatre as the Arabian continued to study the dark haired girl. Trowa had witnessed his friend's compassion and caring for other people first hand. He knew some of the other pilots viewed that aspect of Quatre as a weakness. Trowa directed his gaze to Nari. Quatre would need to proceed with caution when dealing with her. Not because she would be dangerous, but she might run, which would be just as detrimental to her as turning on them. But if anyone could calm her and keep her together, it would be Quatre. And Trowa wished him the best of luck. Silently, the taller boy stood to his feet and left the room without saying a word.

Quatre saw Trowa get up and leave out of the corner of his eye. But he wanted to try to figure out what was going through Nari's mind at the moment. She kept her eyes downcast and refused to look up.

"Are you all right?" he quietly asked.

"As well as a person can be after they've just sold out two extremely dangerous people." she answered.

"We won't let them hurt you. Don't worry." Quatre promised.

"I appreciate your concern. But if they want me dead, I will be." she told him.

Quatre remained speechless. He had no way to assure her of anything right now. And she knew it too. He got up from his chair and went to stand by the window. Daybreak was just beginning. The shades of night were slowly starting to fade, turning the sky into a dark purple and black.

"Have you ever watched the sunrise the way you watch the sunset?" Quatre asked her.

"No, I can’t say I have." she answered.

"Why is that?" Quatre asked.

"When the sunsets, it gives everything a finality. It's a symbol that everything has an ending." she said, walking over to the window and standing by him.

"What do you say about going down to the beach and watching the sunrise? It can be your new symbol."

"New symbol?" Nari questioned.

"You're old life has ended. The killing and serving under Javin and Inazuma all disappeared at sunset." Quatre told her. "Now the sun rises on your new life, with us. You're one of the good guys now."

Quatre watched her closely as she stared out the window at the retreating colors of night. Her face took on a haunted look and her eyes seemed to empty. Then, just as quickly as she had grown silent, she snapped to life.

"Let's go down to the beach." she said smiling.