11 Oct 2000
DISCLAIMER: All Gundam Wing characters are property of Sunrise, Bandai Visuals, Sotsu Agency, and Asahi TV. This work is not written for profit, but for entertainment purposes only.
PAIRINGS: 6X9 AND 13X6
WARNING: Implied shounen-ai; sap
"You, my dear, look like the cat who swallowed the canary!" Sally's face smiled at Noin from the comm unit screen. "I demand to know what's going on *right now.*"
Noin had to laugh, knowing it sounded giddy, but not caring because that's what *she* was at the moment. She leaned back in her chair, and beamed. "He said *yes*, Sally. He really, truly said *yes*!"
The woman on the screen looked somewhat shocked. "He *did*? So... you two are getting *married*?"
Not saying a word, just looking very self-satisfied, Noin grinned and nodded her head.
"Well... Noin, that's just *wonderful*! Have you set a date? Will I be invited?"
Another laugh from the dark-haired woman. "Yes and yes - the wedding will be a week after we get back to Earth next week and I want you to be my maid of honor. What do you say?"
"Oh, Noin, I'd love to. Of course I'll do it." She leaned forward and wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. "So... have you tried him out in bed yet?"
Noin blushed to the roots of her hair. "We~ll, uh... yes? "
Sally smirked. "And...? Is he as good a lover as he was a pilot?"
Thoroughly embarrassed and giggling uncharacteristically, Noin buried her face in an upturned hand. "Um... he's... better. *Much* better!" She brought her other hand up in front of her. "I can't *believe* I just told you that!"
Her friend gave a broad smile. "Noin - I'm so glad to hear it. After everything you've done for the guy, all the time you've waited for him, you *deserve* to be this happy. And I'm really happy for you. Oh!" Sally gave a sudden start. "Where is this wonderful event taking place, so I know where to send the sexy lingerie."
"Sally!" Noin chided, looking around the ship's communication room and giving silent thanks that no one else was there. "It's going to be in Sank. Relena's only just finished the rebuilding project and when Zechs told her she was thrilled to host. Gives her a way to show off, I guess."
"Good," Sally smiled. "I'd like to see what she's done. She seems the type to be very thorough in restoration."
"I'm sure," Noin murmured, giving Sally a wry look. "Well listen, I have to go, but can you come a couple of days early?" They discussed dates and preceding activities and then Noin signed off. She stretched lazily and looked at the ship clock on the console in front of her. "Hmm... two hours until dinner. Think I'll find Zechs..."
"Is it true that you and Captain Noin are getting married, sir?"
Zechs looked up from the reports he'd gotten from the Martian colony earlier in the day. A fresh faced young officer stood next to him. "Hmm? Oh - yes. Yes we are. After we get back to Earth." They were two days to landing and the wedding was nine days away.
"You are one *very* fortunate man, sir," the young officer said, looking at the blond in awe. "Not only are you the best pilot in the United Earth Nation, but you're getting the best instructor Victoria ever had... and the most beautiful woman in the world." The officer stopped speaking and suddenly turned bright red. "That is... if you don't mind my saying that about your future wife, sir..."
Zechs attempted a smile. "At ease, officer - Noin has many admirers. I'm just one of them. Was there something you needed?"
"Yes, sir - you have a message from your sister waiting on your comm account. The Vice Minister... or is it the Princess - anyway, she wanted you to be notified as soon as it reached us."
"Thank you," Zechs said, nodding politely, "consider me notified."
"Yes sir..." The boy trailed off and headed for the door where he turned around and looked back at the tall blond. In a shy voice, he said, "And all the best for you and Captain Noin, sir," and then disappeared around the edge of the door.
Zechs stared at the doorway where he'd stood. There was a pensive frown on his face. "Thank you," he murmured. "Thank you very much..."
The landing of the ship had gone without a hitch, as had their 32 required hours in post flight decompression. Zechs was feeling fine, but Noin had the common "hang-over" feeling that most people did after returning to Earth from long-distance space travel. She emerged from the post flight quarters into the bright sun of of a Sankian summer day, Zechs's arm around her for support. As he led her towards the waiting car, she stopped for a moment and looked up at him.
"Zechs... look at you... look at this *place*..." Her smile was a little weak, but even in discomfort she appeared to glow with happiness. "You fit here, you know that?" she told him.
Zechs gave a puzzled little frown. "What do you mean?"
She rested her head against his shoulder and gave him a squeeze. "Everything here is gracious and beautiful... just like you... this is where you belong, Zechs."
They were at the car now, a chauffeur tipping his cap at them and taking their bags from the small cart behind them. As he loaded them into the trunk of the car, Noin turned to face her fiance, wrapping her arms around his waist and gazing up at him. "I want us to live here, Zechs. Can we do that? Can we stay here after the wedding?"
The puzzled frown returned. "Noin... I thought you were happy in space... I thought we'd be going back afterwards. Don't you want to go back to Mars?"
Another tight squeeze and she rested her head against his chest. "We can talk about it later. But... well, give it some thought. all right? It's just so beautiful here..."
Zechs lifted a hand to stroke her hair and looked off toward the hills. At the foot of them stood the palace, complete restored and looking exactly the way Zechs remembered it. The palace, with it's gracefully proportioned rooms, exquisite views from every window, and gardens to get lost in.
/Gardens... oh dear God... I shouldn't have come back... Treize.../
Across the continent, a telephone rang in a small Swiss hotel room. A man picked it up and waited for the caller to speak.
"They've landed and are leaving the spaceport today."
"Thank you. As always your skill in intelligence work is top notch. You're to be commended."
"I... I don't like doing this secretively. Can't you just tell people? Do you really need to hide like this?"
"Believe me, it's necessary. Especially now. I have to approach at the right time. Has the delivery been made?"
"Yes. It should be there when they arrive."
"Excellent. Let me know if he goes out by himself.
"Yes, I will."
"'Till then."
The connection was broken and the man in the hotel room sighed happily and laid back down on the bed. Everything was tiring, still, but he was much stronger than he had been, and getting stronger everyday. Soon he would be ready to leave Switzerland and head for Sank.
"The Princess will be with you in half an hour. Please meet her in the east drawing room then." The servant who'd helped Zechs and Noin to their room bowed deeply out of respect for Zechs and then left. Noin sighed, giving Zechs a hug from behind. I'm going to start a bath. I won't take long. All right?"
"Yes of course, Zechs said, eying a package that sat on the desk by the comm unit. He heard the bathroom door close and the water coming on as he crossed the room and stood at the desk, looking down at the unassuming package. It read, "Mirialdo Peacecraft, Sank Palace, Millefort City, Sank."
"Mirialdo..." he whispered. The only person who called him that was...
With trembling fingers he reached for the package, opening it carefully. A small box, about 4 inches long and 2 inches wide, tied with a deep red ribbon. Zechs pulled the ribbon slowly. It came loose and he pulled off the top of the box. Inside, nestled on red velvet, was a small silver rose, about 3 inches long lay against the soft fabric.
Letting the rest of the box drop, Zechs held it up in front of him, his head swimming with possibilities. But the trouble was those possibilities are centered around one person... a person who was, undoubtedly, dead.
The delicate silver petals caught a beam of sun from the window and gleamed.
End of Part 3
(:./kumiko/rosen3)
