Look Beyond My Facade
Part Four: Downfall

20-05-06
Author’s Note: Here’s part four everyone! As I’ve said before… the main characters in this story- except for Aria, Abdul, Tayoshii, Henry and a few minor characters, are from the Gundam Wing anime. Hope you enjoy!

Relena frowned as she glanced at Quatre across the table.

“Quatre, you look as if you didn’t sleep last night… Is there something wrong?”

Quatre didn’t answer, just stared at his breakfast and played with it, hungry, but too worried to eat.

“You didn’t have a fight with Aria again, did you? I mean, that was nearly two weeks ago.”

Quatre shook his head, then looked up at Relena.

“Relena, I had a dream last night… It was…,” Quatre bit his lip, “Horrible… There was so much pain and hurt.”

Confused, Relena shook her head, “Your not making sense Quatre.”

He put the fork down. “I dreamt of Thaliah last night, and it felt as if she was in trouble… then Trowa… Trowa looked as if he was dead…” Tears came to his eyes as he remembered the dream last night.

Relena got up from her seat and went to hug Quatre.

“Sshhh… It was just a dream Quatre… It can’t be right…”

Quatre shook his head. “No! You don’t understand… Trowa… He’s like an older brother, always looking out for me during the war… We, we became close… so close that we can feel each other when we’re in danger…”

Relena bit her lip… That much is true… Quatre seem to always know who’s in trouble with his friends-especially Trowa.

“Let’s just hope everything will be fine, okay Quatre?”

“That’s the only thing we can hope for, Relena… Also, I hope that he’ll remember what I told him before he left here… Please Trowa… remember…” Quatre whispered.

Relena shook her head… ‘This is not a good way to start a day…’ she thought as she hugged Quatre harder.

“Quatre… don’t worry… everything will turn out all right…” Relena closed her eyes, ‘I hope…’

Relena pushed her sunglasses higher up the bridge of her nose as she went inside Quatre’s building.

‘Please don’t let anyone recognize me…’ she prayed as she waited by the elevator with her package…

She sighed in relief as nobody stopped her or asked her any questions.

She walked up to Quatre’s secretary, “Hello, I’m hoping you could tell Mr. Winner that Mrs. Rena Yuy is here.”

The older woman looked at her planner, “I’m sorry Mrs. Yuy. But, I don’t think you have an appointment with Mr. Winner today or at this hour.”

Relena shook her head, “I don’t but, if you tell him that I’m here, I’m sure, he’ll let me in.”

The woman smiled. “Just a minute.” Turning away from Relena she spoke at the intercom, “Mr. Winner, a Mrs. Yuy is here to see you.”

In less than five seconds, the door at Quatre ‘s office opened and Quatre came out.

“Rena! What are you doing here?!” Quatre asked incredulously, “If anything might’ve happened to you, Heero would have killed me by now, and I don’t want that happening!”

Relena smiled at Quatre and glanced at his secretary who was clearly hiding a smile.

“I brought you food… I thought that you might be a little too distracted to remember to eat.” Relena said with a shrug.

Quatre shook his head then laughed. Facing his secretary he said.

“I’m eating lunch, please don’t let anyone disturb me until I’m finished.”

The woman smiled, “Enjoy eating sir!”

Relena looped her arm around Quatre as he took her package.

The moment they closed the door, Quatre faced Relena,

“Do you know the risk you took?”

Relena smiled and nodded her head, “But no one recognized me! I think that they’ve accepted me to be truly dead, and that I’m free to move around.”

Quatre laughed, “You’re right. You’ve been cooped up in my house too long. Now, let’s see what you got me, I am hungry…”

~*~

Later, after Quatre told Ms. Henderson that they’ve finished eating, there was a knock on the door, stopping Quatre and Relena’s conversation.

The door opened, “Mr. Winner, Mr. Tayoshii from the satellite communications department would like to see you… He said it is very urgent sir…”

From the look of the flustered older woman, Quatre nodded his head, “Send him in…”

Ms. Henderson nodded.

Relena looked at Quatre, “Want me to leave?”

He shook his head, “No, don’t worry, I don’t think it’s much…”

A man in crumpled white shirt and black pants came in. “Mr. Winner, I’m sorry about my disheveled look, but my team has been working day and night with this transmission, and we just cannot figure it out…” he said as he handed Quatre a disk.

Quatre entered the disk into his computer and a coded message came out. Quatre frowned. He wasn’t that good with these things… but he could try…

An hour later, with his tie loose and hair a mess, Quatre sighed in frustration, and so did the man.

“We’ve tried everything! What is this!” cried Quatre.

Relena stood up form the chair she was sitting on, “May I make a suggestion?”

The two men looked up.

Two words came out of Relena’s mouth, “Heero Yuy…”

Quatre slapped his forehead with the base of his hand, “I can’t believe this! You’re right!” he went to Relena and gave her a hug, “Thanks Rena!”

Going to their communications monitor, Quatre contacted Duo’s company.

“Mr. Heero Yuy is not in at the moment, would you like to leave a message?”

“This is Mr. Winner. Please tell Mr. Yuy that I need to speak to him, urgent.”

He closed the monitor and faced the two other people in his office, “All we can do now is wait… Thank you Mr. Tayoshii for the diskette. Go back to your office and wait for my call.”

“Yes sir!”

Relena fiddled with the hem of her skirt while Quatre kept looking at his communications monitor.

~*~

“Where is he? It’s nearly 4:00!” Quatre asked in frustration.

“Don’t worry, he’ll call…”

Then, Quatre remembered something, “I forgot to tell the secretary why it’s urgent! He might think you’ve been in an accident!” he said as he slapped his forehead.

Relena laughed, “Well, you can tell him that I’m all right because there’s a call for you on the monitor right now.” Said Relena as she saw the blinking red light.

Quatre turned on the monitor. The moment he saw Heero’s face, he spoke.

“Don’t worry Heero, Relena’s all right.”

With that said, Quatre downloaded the message to Heero. He saw him glance at his computer screen. Heero looked at him and Quatre saw, though only for a few seconds, worry in his eyes.

“It’s from Wufei...”

~*~

“Wufei… we haven’t heard from him in years, Relena!” Quatre said as he paced across the floor. “I hope he’s all right…” They just finished talking with Heero.

Relena is worried, “Why do you think he needs a shuttle with full armament?”

She saw the lost look on Quatre’s face, “I don’t know, Relena…I just hope that nothing bad happened to him.”

Quatre dialed a number on his screen and Mr. Tayoshii’s face came up.

Relena nodded.

“Mr. Tayoshii, I want you to keep tabs on the frequency where you got that message, I’m expecting a return message very soon… And when you do, contact me ASAP.” The man nodded and the screen went black once again.

Quatre suddenly punched his desk, “Damn! This is turning out to be such a great day!” he said with sarcasm. “What else can go wrong?”

Relena kept quiet. It’s very rare to see Quatre angry. “You know, I’ll start going home… All right Quatre?”

Quatre nodded. “I’m going to go and take a walk, maybe pass by Aria.” He said as he picked up his coat, they were about to leave when Ms. Henderson stopped him.

“Mr. Winner! Wait please!”

Quatre turned around, “What is it Ms. Henderson?”

“Mr. Rashid is on the line, and he said that he needs to talk to you. It’s very urgent.”

Quatre frowned. Rashid never said that urgent before… He glanced at Relena.

“Let James drive you home, Rena… Ms. Henderson, I’ll take that call.”

Relena hugged him. “See ya later…”

~*~

“… Mr. Walker is a very hard man, Quatre. I really don’t like him… But if the Winner Foundation won’t buy him out, he’ll loose his company and it’ll shut down. We’re their only option, but he isn’t happy with it…”

“I don’t want those people working for him to loose their jobs. It’s because of his mismanagement that they started loosing money anyway, not those workers’ fault…” Quatre said.

“Whatever you do, don’t let that happen.” Quatre ordered.

“Of course, Master Quatre. He’s at the end of his rope, by tomorrow or the next day, he will sign the paper.”

“All right. Don’t dawdle too long over there, we miss you here.” Quatre added.

Rashid smiled, “Yes Master Quatre.”

The monitor screen went black.

Before he could relax himself in his chair, Ms. Henderson went inside his office with Michael Aux, his L-623 connections manager.

“What’s wrong, Michael?” Quatre asked, noting his employees’ worried face.

“Sir, one of the main generators at the L-623 blew up. Some say it’s sabotage, but right now, production is slowing down, and if this continues…”

Quatre held up his hand, “I know what will happen Michael… What do you suggest I do?”

Michael bowed his head, “I know that this will sound like an over the fence idea, but I think that if you go there as soon as possible, it will boost the men’s morale and will stop them from worrying…”

Quatre nodded. “Ms. Henderson, cancel my appointments from tonight to six days… And book a flight for me to L-623 tonight, possibly at 8.”

Ms. Henderson nodded, “Yes. Mr. Winner. I will have you booked, don’t worry about it.”

Quatre smiled, “I’m not worried. Thank you. If there are any more problems, contact my oldest sister. I’m going to start packing my bags.” With that, he left his office, his steps sure of where to go…

Quatre knocked on Aria’s door. Then heard the muffled steps and locks.

When she saw Quatre, she hugged him. For the first time that day, Quatre felt happy.

“What are you doing here?” she asked as they went inside her house.

“I- Aria I have some news to tell you…”

Aria saw the serious expression on Quatre’s face, “Oohh… You look serious… is it that bad?”

Quatre nodded, “There’s some trouble at one of the company plants, and I need to go there… I don’t know how long I will be staying …”

Aria’s happy smile faded. She felt like a lump of lead has been forced down her throat... “Well… If you’re really needed… you need to go…”

She forced a smile on her face, “When do you leave? Maybe I can help you pack.”

Quatre quickly shook his head. “I’ve already packed,” he lied, “I’m going to leave in about (he checked his watch) an hour…”

Aria’s eyes widened, “An HOUR?!” Her hand went to her cheek… “Well… I wasn’t expecting that…” She saw Quatre looking worriedly at her and she forced a smile on her face.

“Then, there’s only one thing I can tell you… Take care of yourself out there, okay?” Quatre hugged her.

“I need to go…” and he opened the door.

Aria grabbed his arm and gave him a kiss, “I’ll be waiting here for you…”

Quatre smiled down at her, then left.

Aria closed her eyes then leaned on the door… He’s only going to be gone for a few days… why is it that I feel so… lonely…why is it that… I miss him already…?

America, Earth:

Boggart lighted his cigar and blew a stream of smoke towards Walker.

“Give me the money, and I’ll give you the information…”

Walker opened a drawer, drew a thick envelope out and threw it at him.

Boggart opened the envelope and started counting… It was all there… More than enough… Why does he feel so guilty? Why doesn’t he want to give the information to this man?

“Your stalling Boggart.” Walker said.

Boggart mentally shook his head. Unwillingly he started to speak. “She’s at the Gaia Colonies.”

Walker pounded his fist on the table, “Well?! Go and get her!”

Boggart shook his head, “The deal was to find out where she is… this is not part of the deal… I’m finished with this work.”

“Fine! I’m going to get her myself!” Walker shouted, “She’s going to be very sorry…” he promised.

Boggart shivered at his words… and left the office. He looked up at the sky and took out the picture of the girl he was looking for.

“I’m sorry… But, I need the money…” he said to the picture. He went to the trash can and dropped it…

He took a few steps away when he stopped.

“Shit! This is a damn time to develop a conscience, Boggart.” He muttered as he retraced his steps to the can and fished out the picture.

“I don’t know why, but I want to help you…” he said to the picture. He saw a taxi and flagged it down.

“Where to?”

Boggart glanced at outer space once again, “To the airport…”

L-623, Outer Space:

Quatre wiped his forehead with his sleeve.

“Master Quatre, would you like some water?” asked the man on his left, holding a welding machine.

Quatre smiled. “If I’m going to be given water, get one for yourself also.”

The man laughed and walked toward the passageway.

The other man on his right stopped to look at Quatre. “You know sir, I never expected to see you down here, helping us, working with us…”

Quatre smiled at him. “Thank you… that was a very nice thing to tell me…”

The man blushed and started hitting at the metal, “So, do you have any girlfriends? I mean, I heard you’ve got 29 sisters… But, no wife… Inquiring minds wants to know…” he said with a toothy grin.

Quatre smiled then leaned on the railings beside him… “Actually, there is a girl…”

The man smiled some more… “I knew it! Do you love her?”

Quatre laughed at the man’s curiosity. Then, abruptly, he stopped. “Do I love her…? You know, that’s a good question…”he muttered to himself. Since he’s left Gaia two days ago, the only thing he could think of, when he’s not working, is Aria.

When he remembered that she said she’d always be there, he always feels better…

“Do I love her…?” Quatre tested how it felt to say those words, “I love her…” and he felt better, he felt wonderful!

Quatre looked at the man, who was observing him, “I love her!” he announced to him.

The man laughed… “That’s good Mr. Winner… When are you going to tell her?”

Quatre laughed. “The moment I get back to her, I’ll tell her!” He quickly hugged the man in delight. “Thank you!”

“I didn’t do anything, Mr. Winner! And if I did, I’m glad I helped.”

Their laughter was cut by the other man coming back with two other glasses of water, “Here it is, I drank one already back there…” He looked at the laughing people, “Hey! What did I miss?!”

Instead of answering, both just laughed harder.

Gaia Colony, Outer Space:

“It’s been three days since Quatre had left… “ Aria told herself uselessly as she glanced at Quatre’s window.

‘Why do I feel so terrible?’ she asked herself. She sighed. “Maybe if I go out and get some fresh air…” she took her coat and went outside.

Minutes later, she saw Abdul. “Hello Aria! How are you doing today?” came the cheery greeting.

Aria couldn’t help but smile at the man, “So far? I have no idea…”

Aria saw what Abdul was carrying, “Beautiful flowers!”

“Thank you. My wife wanted to do some flower arrangements. (he picked one of the many petal flowers out of the bouquet) Here, have one…”

Aria smiled, “Thank you!”

“I need to go and hurry back before these dries up. See you later Aria!” With that, Abdul hurriedly walked to the direction of the apartments.

Aria twirled the flower in her hands as she walked aimlessly across the streets. Suddenly, she came to the street where Quatre had saved her. She grinned. Then, she saw the fruit stands across the street and remembered that she saw Quatre helping an old man, and an idea came up to her.

Walking across the street, she went to the stall where she thought Quatre helped that day. And sure enough, there is an old man.

“Hello…” Aria greeted, the man returned the smile.

“Good morning, lass. What would you like to buy today?”

Aria looked at the fruits. “The apples looks delicious, I’ll take seven please.”

The old man happily complied by taking out a bag and slowly putting the apples she picked into it.

“Uhm… Sir, I don’t mean to ask a lot of questions, but I remembered that there is a man who usually helps you in the morning?”

The man shook his head, “Not usually, lass. Ever since I started selling here, he’s always helped me. He jogs around here, you see… And one morning, my arthritis was acting up, and he saw I needed help, so he did. Ever since then, he’s come each morning to help me… If not him, a man that was sent by him, or so that man says…”

Aria smiled. It’s just like Quatre to help people like that.

“He is a very kind man… You know, he never asked for anything from me… Funny… He never really introduced himself to me either… I call him sonny, he calls me sir or grandfather…” the man said thoughtfully.

“His name is Quatre.” Aria told him. The man smiled at her in surprise.

“Thank you lass. It’s good to know his name at last…,” He looked at the package on his hands, “Oh! Here are your apples… I hope you enjoy.”

Aria gave him the money. “Thank you!” She looped the bag around her wrist and held the flower on both hands, twirling it.

Unconsciously, she started pulling at the petals, murmuring, “He loves me… He loves me not…”

She reached the apartments just as she plucked the last petal. And happily, she cried, “He loves me!”

Aria shook her head as she laughed, “Aria, you bonehead… What a childish thing to do…” she muttered as she went to her door.

She opened pushed her key in then, frowned as the door opened with the slight pressure.

“That’s funny… I knew I locked it…”

“You did.” A short reply came from within her apartments.

Fear gripped her heart as she twirled around to face the speaker. She saw a man dressed in all black, sitting in one of the chair tables in the middle of the living room.

“Who are you?!” Aria demanded as she reached for the door behind her, ready to flee.

Boggart saw the move, “I wouldn’t do that if I were you…”

Aria let go of the knob… “What do you want?”

The man lit a cigar, “I want you to listen to me. I came all the way from Earth to talk to you Ms. Aria Walker… And believe me, it’s better than talking to your picture.”

Aria frowned, “What do you mean?”

The man motioned with his hand, “Take a seat, Ms. Walker.”

Unwillingly, Aria left the door and sat at the farthest cushion from him. The man smiled at this action.

“I won’t bite Ms. Walker. In fact, I’ve been looking for you for over a month now, and it’s good that I’ve found you.”

Aria’s eyes widened, “My father…” she started as realization dawned on her.

The man nodded. “Your father hired me to look for you. We never expected you to go to outer space, so I spent most of the time going all over the world for you.”

“How did you find me?” Then, Aria remembered the rent papers, “No, don’t answer… I know…” Then, she stood up. “Well! You’re wrong if you think I’m going back to my father with you!” she declared eyes flashing in anger.

Boggart smiled, “I didn’t say that you would… In fact, I came out here to warn you that your father is coming over here, and that you must leave this place or else, he’ll take you back home.”

Aria clutched her blouse, “Here? My father? Why? Why are you warning me?”

Boggart stood up and walked toward the door, “I do not know…” he opened it and was about to leave when Aria touched his shoulder.

“Thank you though… For the warning…” Aria said softly.

Boggart nodded, feeling better. “I think you’d better leave as soon as possible. I was delayed for two days because there weren’t any flights open. I am surprised that you’re still here…” and with that said, he walked away.

Aria closed her door and placed her face in her hands as tears started to fall down her face. “What am I going to do? I don’t want to leave… Oh Quatre…”

She started walking to her room and took out a pen and a paper. “There isn’t anything else to do… I can’t go back there… I hope you understand Quatre…” she said softly as she started writing a letter...

~*~

Relena knocked went inside the apartments’ office. “Abdul? Anybody here?” It just occurred to Relena that somebody should be looking after Quatre’s apartment. There might be bad fruits and trash to throw out- her thoughts were cut when she saw Abdul.

Abdul came out from the other side of the office, “Yes? May I help you?”

Relena took off her glasses and went to him, “Abdul, I’m a friend of Quatre’s and if you please, I would like to go inside his apartment.”

Abdul’s expression hardened. “I’m sorry, but I don’t let just any friend of Quatre in to his home.”

Relena smiled. “You don’t remember me?” she asked him.

Abdul’s eyes creased, then, after a few minutes of looking at Relena’s face, he paled.

“B-but… I thought…”

“You thought I was dead, and that’s how it’s going to stay.” Relena finished the s

entence for him. Abdul nodded, and smiled, “I didn’t see a thing… Now, whom should I call you?”

Relena smiled, “Mrs. Yuy… I’m married now.” She said as she showed her hand.

Abdul’s smile faded. “Yuy? As in… Heero Yuy?!” he asked incredulously.

Relena laughed, “The one and only!”

“How can you stand him?!” he asked. Then, clapped his hands to his mouth, “I’m sorry, ma’am…”

“That’s all right… I ask the same question to myself…” Relena answered, “Now, if I may, I want to see Quatre’s home and clean up a bit.”

Abdul complied, “Yes, of course, Mrs. Yuy.” He rummaged through his desk and gave Relena a spare key.

After she thanked him, Relena went to Quatre’s apartment.

Relena wiped the sweat trickling down her cheek. “Boys will be boys…” she whispered. “At least it’s not as messy as I thought…”

She finally sat down on one of the cushions when she finished. She remembered yesterday… It was quite a shock to have seen Trowa yesterday outside Quatre’s door… But then, she shouldn’t have been surprised… Quatre did say that Trowa is in trouble…

She heard her stomach grumble. “All right, all right! I’ll make some food!” Relena said as she stood up and headed for the kitchen, “I think I saw some eggs in there… and sausage…” And she started to work out a small meal.

~*~

It took longer than she thought to write to Quatre… about how she feels… and why she’s going to leave…

A lone teardrop fell on the envelope… as she walked toward Quatre’s house. She frowned as she heard some noises. Someone frying…?

Her frown disappeared. ‘Quatre must be home!’ she thought, elated as she ran to his door.

It was open. “Quatre!” she cried, then stopped as she saw a woman by the stove…

Relena turned around and saw a very nice looking raven-haired woman burst into a door, carrying a letter.

For Aria, what she saw broke her heart. Blonde, long legs, beautiful… the perfect woman for Quatre… She bit her lip hard, trying to even the pain she was feeling emotionally.

“I-I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to not knock…” Aria said as she slowly backed towards the door.

Relena saw that the woman is near to crying, ‘Oh no…’ Relena thought, placing herself on the shoes of this girl… Aria?

“I- Please tell Quatre good bye for me…” Aria said as she turned around to walk out the door before she cried in front of this nameless beauty.

“Aria please wait!” Relena called out, gambling a chance.

At the sound of her name Aria stopped. Her eyes wide, she looked at Relena.

“How do you know my name?”

Relena turned off the stove and walked toward Aria to close the door. Leading her to one of the cushions, she motioned her to sit.

She looked at the girl, her distress and shock evident through her eyes. Relena smiled.

“How can I not? You’re the only one Quatre talks about constantly!”

Aria’s frowned as she remembered that Quatre talked about a sister who knows how to cook… “Are you Thaliah?”

Relena shook her head. “Oh no! I wish I am, then I won’t get hungry all the time. I’m just a friend.”

Aria shook her head. “How can anyone be just friends with Quatre? He’s the sweetest person. Everyone simply loves him.”

“That’s an easy question,” Relena said as she relaxed on her cushion, “I’m already in love with someone else, and I’m married to him.” Relena replied as she held up her hand

Aria couldn’t stop her tears from falling… There’d been too many shocks this day already… “Congratulations…”

Relena leaned over to offer the girl a box of tissue. “Are you all right?”

Aria shook her head, “I …don’t… know…” she replied, brokenly.

Relena moistened her lips. The girl is clearly in shock, but she wants to know, “Aria, do you love our Quatre?”

Relena saw the dark brown eyes look directly at her, honesty showing through…

“Yes, I do… I love him very much.”

Relena smiled, “That’s good. He’s been so much happier since he met you.”

Aria looked down, “So have I… Tell me, how long have you known Quatre?”

“Oh… I first met him seven years ago…”

Leaning on her shoulders, Aria asked, “Could you tell me about him?”

Relena tilted her head, “I don’t think it’s my position to tell you anything about him, Aria… I can’t…”

Aria nodded then looked at her watch. “I’m glad to have known you…”

Relena offered her hand, “Mrs. Yuy, but call me Rena.”

Aria nodded, “Rena.” Tears started falling faster down her cheek. “Please, tell Quatre that I’ll miss him… (She saw Relena about to speak, so she continued) I can’t tell you why… But, it’s better this way… I don’t want him getting hurt.”

Aria turned around and went to the door. She remembered the letter she made and placed it on the table by the door. “Please give this to him.”

Relena stood up, “Where are you going?”

“I need to pack… I have to go away…” and with that, Aria ran out of the door.

Relena quickly went to Abdul’s office, “Abdul! I need to use your phone!”

Before Abdul could reply, Relena was already dialing.

“Long distance to Colony L-623, Winner Foundation…”

L-623, Outer Space:

“Master Quatre! There’s a phone call for you.” Shouted a man from the other end of the passageway.

Quatre waved to show him that he got the message and went to the phone pole.

“Hello? Quatre speaking.”

“Quatre, this is Relena… You have to go home right now…”

Quatre could hear the worry in Relena’s voice, “Why Relena? What happened?”

“I met Aria just a while ago… She’s worried Quatre… She thinks something bad will happen if she stays here… She’s leaving. She’s packing right this instant!”

Quatre felt as if a door closed in front of his face, “But, she promised that she’ll be there…” he whispered.

“Hello? Quatre?”

“I’m here Relena… Everything is back to normal here. I’m going back. Have Jimmy pick me up at the airport in two hours and thirty minutes.”

Quatre hang up the phone and started to walk out of the mine in a quick walk.

“Bye guys! I’ll be back. I have to stop the woman I love from leaving me!” he called out as he passed by his employees. They’ve created a good relationship while he worked non-stop for the past three days. And, they’ve gotten to know about their employer’s girlfriend.

“Good luck!” One of them shouted. Quatre remembered that voice, being the man who made him realize how he felt about Aria. Quatre waved a final good bye and boarded the elevator in his work clothes, oil and dirt all over white coveralls.

He pushed an intercom built inside the elevator.

“I want my private shuttle fueled up and ready to go when I get there, which will be…,” Quatre checked his watch, “In 15 minutes. Set course to Gaia colony.”

“Yes Mr. Winner…” came the reply.

Quatre leaned on the elevator as he checked his watch. It’s a two hours flight from here to there… He’ll be there by early evening.

‘Please let me make it…’ he silently prayed.

Gaia Colony, Outer Space:

A bulky man got out of a black limousine in front of the well-maintained apartment complex. “Milliard Garden Apartments…” he said softly to himself as he read the sign. “So… You’re here, are you Aria… Not for long…” And he slowly walked down the pathway, looking for a certain number.

Quatre walked out of the passageway through the crowd. Everyone is looking at him, but he doesn’t care. His eyes scanned the area ahead for a familiar suit. Then he saw him and Quatre walked to him.

He saw his driver’s eyes grow wide, “Master Quatre? What happened to you?”

Quatre shrugged, “A hard days work, Jimmy. Take me to Milliards Garden.” He said as he walked towards the exit with a gaping Jimmy.

Aria zipped up the last of her bags and started to the door, but when she opened it, she gasped.

“Dad!”

Ren Walker looked down at his daughter, “Hello Aria.” He suddenly noticed the bags. “Going somewhere?”

Aria’s chin went up, “Yes. And I still am.”

“You will not.” he replied in a dangerously low voice as he went inside the house.

Aria backed away in fear. “Dad… Please… I want to live my own life… Mom wouldn’t do this.”

Ren snorted, “How would you know what your mom would’ve done.” He sat down on one of the cushions. “Nice décor…”

Aria moved toward the coffee table to block her father’s eyes from seeing the picture on the table, but she was too late.

With a raised eyebrow, Ren looked at his daughter, “You’ve been having your fun Aria, haven’t you… Well, at least I won’t have to wait until you’ve packed up. Have you said good bye to him yet?”

Aria’s eyes swelled up in tears, “Don’t talk about him… I love him and I won’t let you say anything bad about him!”

Just then, Aria’s door banged open. At the door stood a deeply breathing Quatre.

Aria’s heart leapt as she saw him. Ren, on the other hand, was looking at Quatre in distaste.

“What’s going on here, Aria?” Quatre asked.

Ren stood up and fished a checkbook out of his pocket. “Boy, let me make it easy for you… I am going back with Aria to where she belongs… And, for keeping my little daughter in company, I will give you a million dollars, so long as you will stay away from her.”

Aria gasped.

Quatre’s eyes hardened, as he looked at the man, Aria’s father? He remembered what Aria had said that day at the dance, about men hardened by power…

Ren saw that the boy will not budge, “All right,” he started writing on his checkbook, “Make it two million dollars…” he ripped it off and dangled it in front of Quatre’s face.

Quatre’s anger flared and he clenched his hands into fist. “Who are you?” he demanded.

“I am Aria’s father, Ren Walker.”

Quatre frowned… The name sounds familiar… Then, realization dawned on him, “Ren Walker of the Walker Export Industries?”

Ren looked at his daughter, “Well, Aria, I give him points for knowing the names in the business arena, though I can’t say much about his taste in clothes.”

“Dad!” Aria shouted. But then, she looked at Quatre. She’d seen her father do this more than once to many people, and they all do whatever her father likes for the money… Quatre… please don’t do it…don’t take the money…

Ren smiled as Quatre took a step forward to reach out for the check.

Aria couldn’t look. If you could hear a heart break, she already heard hers… She turned around as tears formed in her eyes…

Quatre took hold of the check, his eyes hardened as he looked at the check, “Two million, huh?”

Aria hugged herself as she tried to gain control of her emotions. Then, she heard a ripping sound. She turned around, her eyes widened in disbelief at what she saw.

Quatre tore the check into little pieces in front of Ren Walker’s hardened face.

“Your daughter is worth more than two million dollars, Mr. Walker… She means my future… my happiness… “

With every word Quatre said, Aria’s cried in joy.

“And, with or without your permission,” He looked into Aria’s eyes, “And if she will have me, I would like to marry her because I love her.”

Aria ran to Quatre and hugged him “Yes! Yes Quatre! I’ll marry you. I love you…” she cried as she buried her face to his chest.

A loud crack resounded as the man crashed his cane onto the coffee table. “You will not do such a thing!”

Quatre was nearing the end of his patience with this man. “Mr. Walker, I don’t want to be rude to my fiancé’s father but, I don’t think you have any say in this.” He noted Ren Walker’s surprised expression. “If you value your company, Mr. Walker, I suggest that you leave this colony tonight. Right now, your company is worth nothing, and be happy that the Winner Foundation is buying it from you. At least you are going to get something from the bargain.”

“How- how did you know about that?!” Ren asked. Aria looked at Quatre thoughtfully.

Quatre looked at Aria, “I’m sorry, Aria…” he whispered. He faced Ren once again, “One more thing. Your spy was caught with the act of sabotage at the colony L-623. If you don’t want a lawsuit, I suggest you accept the contract being offered to you.”

Ren paled, “I- I don’t know what you are talking about!”

Quatre’s eyes turned to slits, “He confessed. And right now, I am at the end of my patience. Either you leave quietly or I will have to call the authorities to put you in a shuttle heading back to Earth.”

Ren laughed recklessly, “Crazy boy! Who do you think you are the owner of this colony? Mr. Winner?” again he laughed.

Aria gasped.

Quatre remained silent, and only looked at the man.

Ren slowly ceased laughing, noting the serious expression on Quatre’s face.

“The man who owns this colony is Mr. Winner.” Quatre said as he walked took a step nearer to Ren.

“And right now…” Quatre said through clenched teeth, “Mr. Winner is very angry.”

Ren shook his head at the absurdity of the unspoken message by this- this boy!

“You can’t be Winner. You’re filthy! You’re young…”

Quatre slowly shook his head, “I inherited my father’s business when I was fifteen, right after he died… I have been the owner of this company ever since then… I’m filthy, as you say it, because I came back from the plant you sabotaged.”

Ren looked as if he was going to faint, and so does Aria…

“Now Mr. Walker, I want you out of this house right now, and out of this colony tonight. I don’t want you disturbing Aria any more, and I will know if you’ve left.”

Walker shook his head. “You cannot possibly expect me to believe that you are Mr. Winner…”

At that moment, Jimmy bust through the door, “Mr. Winner! A Mr. Tayoshii called you in your car phone… He said that they’ve intercepted another message. It was not decoded. He said it’s very urgent that you get to the airport and talk to him.”

Quatre looked at Ren, “Tonight.” He repeated in a low voice.

He faced Aria, “Aria, there’s a lot of things I need to tell you…”

Aria placed a finger to his mouth. “Sshh…Me too… But, Quatre… You’re needed somewhere… Go.”

Quatre took her hand, “Come with me, then… I can explain…”

Aria nodded.

“Jimmy, start the car.” Quatre nodded, Jimmy nodded.

Quatre turned back at the man, “Remember what I’ve said.” They walked out of the room, but Aria turned around to look at her father one last time,

“Good bye… Dad…”

~*~

“Mr. Tayoshii, what does it say?” Quatre asked the monitor inside his limousine. Aria looked around in awe… ‘This is better than my fathers’…’ she thought. Then, she looked at Quatre who is all business. Serious and calm… The first person to turn down her father… the man who said he loves her… She smiled at him.

“Here is the recorded frequency, Mr. Winner…” Quatre listened at the message. A girl’s distressed voice came through his monitor.

“Please, help… we need to land… help us, please…”

“Thank you Mr. Tayoshii, connect me with the salvage team…”

The man nodded, and later on, the screen cut in half. “Ryan, I want you to get a team out to the quadrant that Mr. Tayoshii will give you and retrieve anything that you will find. Contact me as soon as possible.”

“Yes sir!” Ryan answered. The monitor turned black and Quatre gave his attention to Aria.

“I’m sorry about lying to you, Aria…”

Aria shook her head, “Hey, I wasn’t very truthful to you about myself too.”

Quatre looked down, “There are a lot of things you don’t know about me… my past, I’ve done so many wrongs…”

Aria moved to where Quatre sat, “I don’t care about your past Quatre… I’ve seen how you act. They say that actions speak louder than words… And I’m pretty sure that what you did before was for the sake of a lot of people… You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. I still love you all the same, Quatre Reba or Winner.”

Quatre smiled, “I want to tell you…”

Aria leaned her head on his shoulder, “Then, I’m listening…”

~*~

Aria glanced at Quatre. ‘A gundam pilot…’ she whispered. Quatre had left her side only once, to make a phone call, when they got to the airport… Fifteen minutes later, Rena- no, Relena Peacecraft- came in and gave both of them a hug.

“I got your call… I’m glad both of you are still together…” Relena had said.

“Is everything all right?” she added as she looked from Quatre to Aria.

Quatre looked at Aria who nodded and laced her hand through Quatre’s.

“She knows everything…” said Quatre.

Relena smiled at Aria. “I’m glad…I brought a friend along, Quatre.” Relena said, and the door opened.

Quatre saw thick brown hair, he didn’t have to see the face for him to know who he is and Quatre ran to him.

“Trowa!”

Trowa looked up and smiled sadly at Quatre, “Hello Quatre.”

Aria watched as they hugged each other.

Quatre glanced back at them, “Excuse us…” Aria and Relena nodded, and the two men left.

“They’re very good friends, aren’t they?” Aria asked Relena as she stared at the door feeling the happiness that Quatre exuded from seeing this man.

Relena smiled, “Like brothers…”

“Are there others?”

Relena looked at Aria with a soft smile, “You know Quatre…”

Aria laughed, “Yes I do…And I want to meet them all.”

~*~

All four of them were together in the room when the intercom buzzed, “Mr. Winner, the salvage team has returned. They are on deck 4 level 2.”

Quatre pushed the button, “On my way… Call the medics, in case we need them”

The four rushed toward the area just in time to see the team carefully land a shuttle wreckage.

“Oh my God…” Relena whispered…

Aria held on to Quatre who squeezed her hand.

The team finally managed to open the lock, and one of them went inside, a moment later, he came out with two suits in tow.

“Turn on the gravity. Get the medics down there.” Quatre ordered. Then he looked down at the two women and at Trowa, “Let’s go down.”

They got there before the medics did. Trowa saw one of the suits from the wreckage quickly pull the helmet off his head. Trowa frowned as flowing red hair fall down…it’s a girl!

The girl quickly kneeled by the side of the other suit…Quatre had the worst feeling as she slapped a helping hand away from the body.

“Wufei…” he whispered. Relena looked at the body as the girl took off his helmet and bit her lip…

Aria saw the girl’s tears fall down as she hugged the body lying unconsciously on the floor, and she felt her pain…

Quatre and Trowa walked up to her with Relena and Aria behind him.

Aria saw the blood trickling down the girl’s face, and she couldn’t help herself. She pushed Quatre out of the way while tearing off a piece of her shirt.

Quatre stared as Aria kneeled in front of the woman who looked at her with scared green eyes…

“Don’t worry…Everything will be fine…” Aria said as she gently brushed the red hair away from the girl’s forehead, “Let me look at that…It’s a nasty wound…” she said as she lightly dabbed on it. “Hold on to this.” Aria ordered the girl and turned her attention to the man on the floor.

“Aria, what are you doing?” Quatre asked…

Aria smiled at Quatre, “I forgot to tell you that I’m a doctor.” She glanced behind Quatre and frowned. “You call yourselves medics?!” she shouted at the team hurrying to them, “My grandmother could have run faster!” she said as the medics got to them.

Relena stifled a laugh as she saw Quatre’s mouth fall down, then close, and a proud smile cross his face.

“Cut his suit open, we need to see if there are any damages… Get that stretcher ready…” The flow of orders came out of Aria’s mouth, and soon Wufei is on his way to the hospital with Aria, Quatre, Trowa, Relena, and the still stunned girl behind it.

“We need to get those bullets out of his body… He’s lost a lot of blood. Very critical condition…” Aria said as she shook her head, remembering the wounds inflicted on that man’s body.

Quatre had called Heero but he wasn’t there. So he left a message to call him back.

They got to the hospital. And everyone filed into the waiting room. Aria, Trowa and Relena tried to stop the girl’s tears and reassure her that everything will be fine.

The monitor blinked and he opened the communications lines. Heero’s face showed up.

“What happened?” Heero asked as he noted his Quatre’s sad look.

Quatre gave him the details.

“Girl?!” Heero asked in disbelief. Quatre nodded. “I thought he usually works alone.”

Quatre smiled. “Not this time…How’s Duo?”

Heero didn’t answer. Knowing Heero well enough, he knew that something bad happened. “All right… How about if you bring Duo with you? Trowa’s also here, (At Heero’s questioning glance Quatre explained He just arrived this morning… maybe they can talk to each other about broken hearts…” Quatre suggested.

“ Broken hearts? Trowa? There?” Came Heero’s barrage of questions. Quatre nodded.

“Well, it seems that we’re going to have a reunion, Quatre. Make room for two more in your mansion, we’re coming ASAP.”

Then, Quatre saw a slow smile appear on Heero’s face. “Quatre, make that three…”

Quatre smiled. “You’ve got a plan.” They said their good byes and the monitor turned black.

Quatre looked thoughtfully at Trowa…He accepted Aria without question… ‘I wish I can help him…’ He sighed. Then, placing a smile on his face, he walked to the four to wait patiently for the results…

(Well? Sorry, but this is the sort of end for Quatre’s story. I know that it was kind of long… Now, don’t get mad, at least the two ended up together, right? What do you think happened to Trowa and Wufei? Let’s look into Trowa’s life first shall we? Story Four is on its way. Bye!)