The blond man sat in the garden of his estate, enjoying a sweet moment of solitude; he watched the golden hair of the girl sparkle in the sunlight, it swayed in the breeze as she walked toward him.

“Good morning Miss Darlian,” an inviting smile adorned his face and he said morning even though the hour was near noon.

“I’m just Relena today.” She smiled back and added, “I’m still on holiday, remember.”

“One week left. What are you going to do with all that free time?”

“A week and a half,” she corrected him, “but I don’t want to think about that now. It might end sooner if I think about it too much.”

Another person approached the two young people, his large form casting an even larger shadow. The blond man sighed, he had hoped for a few more minutes out there.

“Master, there is a call for you.”

“Can it wait?” he answered in a gentle tone that didn’t betray his longing to stay.

“No, it’s Lady Une. She says it is urgent.”

“Okay.” He turned to the woman. “I’m sorry Relena.”

She beamed her elegant diplomatic smile, “I know--it’s all right.”

He followed the larger man into the house and back to one of the studies. The young blond thanked the man and sat in front of the vid-phone.

Lady Une’s face appeared on the screen, “Hello Mister Winner.”

“What can I do to help?” he offered, wasting no time on formalities.

Quatre knew of the Preventers predicament; he knew Trowa, Wufei, and Duo had traveled to the L1 colonies to help. When he learned of their problem he had volunteered his assistance, but everyone reassured him it wasn’t necessary; besides Vice Foreign Minister Relena Darlain was staying with him during her vacation. What kind of host would abandon a guest?

“I’ll get right to the point then,” Lady Une said. “We found the person who sent the agency all the information. She needs protection.”

“I understand, that will be fine.”

“We will make a different arrangement as soon as possible,” Lady Une added, wondering if it was a good idea to leave the girl in the hands of such a young aristocrat.

“That sounds like the best decision,” Quatre willingly agreed to the assignment, “Is there anything else?”

“Preventer Chang, Duo Maxwell, and Trowa Barton will be accompanying her.”

“Okay.” Quatre terminated the connection.

Lady Une watched the screen go blank; she rested her head on the heel of her palm. Une ran her fingers through her bangs as she lifted her head.

“Should I have told him who she was?” The head of the Preventers asked Noin, not as a leader but a friend.

“Would it make a difference?”

The Lady Stood up, “I don’t know.” For the second time that day she had doubts; she turned to face Noin again. “We still need to make sure Mouse comes back,” Une used the girl’s alias and added, “She refuses help. All I’m positive about is that she needs to get off this colony immediately.”

Preventer Fire watched Lady Une walk to the door and asked, “Does she know?”

“Yes,” the older woman answered, “she knows everything but where Fujihara is.”

The two women exchanged knowing looks as they glanced out the office door toward where two of the former pilots waited. The boys sat in ignorance of what Lady Une had planned. The only people who knew were Une, Noin and Mouse.

A dark-haired figure stepped away from his position where he had listed to the phone call, he looked at the blond man and said “Three escorts for one girl seems a little extreme.”

The person he addressed looked up at him, “I know.”

“Is she in danger or is she the threat, Quatre?” He left the blond to ponder over these words of caution.

Quatre Raberba Winner watched the back of his retreating friend; so much had changed since the wars but in some ways nothing was different. He thought about the call, Lady Une had offered no information on the informant, only the fact that she was in danger. It did seem strange that she hadn’t even given him a name. He shrugged off his doubts and ordered four guestrooms to be prepared.

Relena entered the study; fresh flowers pinned in her golden tresses, “What did Lady Une want?” She smiled sweetly at him and watched for a reaction.

He smiled faintly back at her.

“You aren’t leaving are you?” a worried expression filled her face.

“No,” he took her hands in his own, “everyone is coming here.” He failed to mention the addition of the unknown visitor.

It had been a full year since all of the gundam pilots were under the same roof. Quatre’s earth estate served as a safe haven for all of his friends; the beautiful gardens and spacious acres of land provided a wonderful escape for even the most tormented of minds. Each of the boys frequented this welcoming abode; a room always waiting even when the master was absent. The Vice Foreign Minister also felt welcome; here she could hide from the mundane paperwork, avoid the tedious meetings and enjoy the companionship of true friends.

Relena sat on the arm of the chair reading over the shoulder of a very serious looking man. Her sandals dangled on the tips of her toes, threatening to fall at any given moment, her faded denim pants rustled as she swung her leg. She wrapped strands of his dark brown unruly locks around her fingers, playfully giving them a little curl; she continued this with several more locks of his hair. A slightly amused grin curved the corner of his lips as she leaned in closer and her honey colored tresses fell over the open pages.

The blond Arabian shuffled through the paperwork on his desk. He watched Relena lean in closer to the man in the chair, resting her head on his shoulder and still playing with the hair on the opposite side of his head. An uneasy feeling grew in Quatre’s stomach as he waited somewhat impatiently for the arrival of his guests: anxiety, excitement, and curiosity all in one. The pastel colors of dusk turned into the deep blue hues of twilight as he read through the important documents. He twirled the pen in his fingers as he stared at the letters that formed the words he barely noticed. A flutter of wings from outside brought his attention to the window; his eye caught the last glimpses of birds fleeing the inner courtyard. Two headlights pierced the dark night as a black car pulled into the circle drive. Quatre pushed the chair from the desk, announced the arrival of the expected company to his friends and led the way to the entrance hall.

“Quatre!” Duo exclaimed as he bound through the doorway; he grabbed the blonde’s hand and patted him on the back.

Wufei walked in; he watched Maxwell enthusiastically greet their host. Quatre looked around him trying to see the other people that should be with them.

“Hey, buddy, I didn’t know you’d be here,” Duo grinned at the man standing a few feet from Quatre, then walked right past him to the Vice Foreign Minister said, “Relena, how have you been?”

She smiled as he released her from his embrace. Relena reached up, brushed the bangs away from his face and asked, “What happened?”

He ran his fingers through his hair, unconsciously exposing more of the red flesh. “Oh, that,” he grinned wider as he answered the question, “Someone got a lucky punch.”

Chang snorted.

Relena looked at Wufei he seemed amused at Duo’s answer. She asked, “Who?”

“Squeaker,” Maxwell answered.

She looked puzzled, what did that mean? Relena looked from the dark-haired man, to the Arabian prince, and then the Chinese Preventer, trying to make sense of what was happening. With his arms still crossed over his chest Wufei pointed to the door where Trowa and a brunette were now entering the hall. The brown-haired woman was glaring at Duo, obviously not pleased with being called “squeaker.”

“She did that?”

Duo gave his companion a dirty look without saying anything.

“You must be losing your touch,” the Japanese man who had asked the question continued, “and you call yourself a ladies man.”

Maxwell glared even more at the man who said this; why did he have to choose now to be sarcastic?

An awkward silence followed. A servant interrupted; he walked in carrying the bags from outside. He stepped next to the brunette, his towering form making her look like a mere doll. “Here Miss,” he held out his hand, a strong powerful hand that was bigger than the girls face, “let me take that to your room.”

“No thank you,” she smiled and hugged the bag in question closer, “I’d like to carry it myself if you don’t mind.”

The servant smiled back and took up her large duffel along with the boys’ bags and left.

Relena looked at the five men in turn, questions racing through her mind. Quatre had an apologetic look, Duo wore his usual grin and the other three were as hard to read as always. She left the room feeling like she didn’t belong there, not unwelcome but something made her feel like she didn’t fit. Her questions would have to wait for a more opportune time to be answered.

Trowa led the brown-eyed girl further into the house.

Quatre watched her, the lose legs of her navy blue slacks taking the form of her leg as she stepped forward. She placed the strap of her cream-colored bag over her shoulder and for the first time Quatre could see the front of her light blue sweater, it wrapped around her abdomen, the two sides forming a V shape low on her chest reveling a white shirt underneath. Delicate white flowers were embroidered along the neckline and around the sleeves' wrists, a small bow near her hip, clear beads on the thin ribbon moving as she walked.

Prussian blue eyes kept a close vigil on the girl from across the room; she returned his glare full force. “What’s your name?” he asked in monotone.

Quatre shot him a glance.

“They didn’t tell you?” she asked in a cool voice, not at all surprised that Lady Une chose not to reveal her name.

Maxwell shuddered as the two continued to stare. “I can see why she worries Lady Une,” he muttered in a voice so low no one heard.

A smile spread across her face as neither person backed down, “I am called Mouse.”

“Fitting,” he said, closing his Prussian blue eyes.

“I’m Quatre Raberba Winner,” he smiled trying to lighten the mood, “and this is Heero Yuy,” he pointed at the other man when he made the formal introduction.

“Heero Yuy, the gundam pilot?” Mouse looked from the blond to the Japanese man, she studied his blue eyes, cold emotionless orbs; their height was about the same and his slightly muscular physique didn’t indicate the true strength beneath.

All five men were visibly stunned but they quickly recovered.

The identity of the gundam pilots remained hidden from the general public. Even after the wars the information was kept confidential. The average person only knew what they heard on the news during the battles, pieces of information leading them to fear or side with the gundams. The only surety among the masses was the knowledge that there were five pilots with exceptional skills and outstanding suits. In the confusion after the fight with Dakim Barton people sought to find the identity of the boys, some claiming them as criminals others insisting they were heroes. All records of the machines and pilots had been destroyed at the orders of Lady Une. Only a few could match a face with the position of gundam pilot, but a name would never have linked him to that.

“No,” Heero answered in a gruff voice.

“What would make you say that?” Duo asked, trying to mask his concern with a grin.

“It would make sense to use the name of the assassinated colony leader,” she held her head erect as she answered the question; her brown eyes cast down. “But to use the code name after the mission is over.” She fixed her almost venomous glare on Heero, “Yuy is a difficult name to live up to.”

“Hn.” The Japanese man walked up to the brunette. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Mouse took a step closer to him, bringing them face to face, in an indifferent tone she said “Sorry, I must have made a wrong assumption.”

“I wonder who will win the staring contest?” the braided boy whispered to Quatre.

“Duo,” Winner turned to his friend, his blue eyes as big as they could possibly get.

“Geeze,” he ran his fingers through his hair.

The blonde’s outburst made Heero and Mouse turn to look at him, ending the “staring contest.”

“Aw, you ruined the fun,” Duo murmured under his breath.

Wufei glared at Maxwell with murderous intent.

Trowa stepped over to his friend, “Quatre, maybe we should leave this for tomorrow.”

The Arabian looked at the clock, “It is late, and you all have had a long day. I think that would be best.”

“Good,” the American said and placed his hands behind his head, “I’m beat.”

“Beat by a mouse,” Chang mumbled with an amused air.

“Trowa and I will show you to your room,” Quatre said addressing Mouse.

The brunette turned to him, “Mister Winner, I am grateful for your hospitality,” with that she made a little bow and faced Heero, “I apologize if I seemed argumentative.” When the three left the room Heero turned to Wufei and asked, “What do the Preventers know about her?”

“I have been told nothing,” he answered, mentally cursing Lady Une for leaving them in this situation.

“She said ‘they’,” Duo butted in, “Does she mean the Preventers?”

“Of course she does,” Wufei practically yelled at the American.

Heero left the two in the room to settle their own dispute. He walked to his room thinking about the possible danger they where in. Few people knew enough about the gundam pilots to identify any of them. Mouse said his name was a code name; she used the word ‘mission’ to describe the gundams’ activities. If she knew it was a code name did she know what the original mission was? How much could she possibly know about operation meteor? His earlier question about who was in danger and who was the threat remained unanswered.

The next morning Relena found the brunette sitting on a bench in the gardens; her feet were pulled up onto the seat and she rested her chin on one knee with the other leg laying folded on the wood surface.

“May I sit here?” Relena asked approaching the girl from behind.

“If you’re quiet,” she answered.

Relena looked injured. A bird flew past her head and Mouse turned to face the other girl, she laughed at the face she was making. The blue-eyed girl was beginning to get upset.

“What are you laughing at?” the girl with the golden tresses placed her hands on her hips.

“I’m sorry,” Mouse said stifling the giggles, “It’s just the expression on your face. When I asked you to be quiet I didn’t mean to be rude,” she tried to explain her previous comment; “I was watching the bird and I didn’t want you to frighten it away. I hope you weren’t too terribly offended.”

“It’s okay,” she laughed as well and sat next to the other girl.

The brunette grinned again; Relena asked, “What’s so amusing now?”

“I’m caught breaking into private files, sent to earth under the protection of three boys, and end up sitting next to Vice Foreign Minister Darlian.”

“That is an awful tragedy; it must be so hard for you.” They both laughed. “Call me Relena.”

Mouse didn’t respond; her eyes were turned to the dark form of Heero Yuy.

Relena followed her gaze and frowned.

“He doesn’t trust me,” the brunette said, once again facing the girl on the bench.

“Heero doesn’t trust anyone,” Relena informed her.

Mouse looked back to the man standing in the shadows, “I know,” she whispered to the breeze.

Relena looked at Yuy. “What is going on? What are you thinking?” she thought and sighed. The blue-eyed woman thought about how much he had changed and hoped he wasn’t reverting back to the way he used to be.

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