Three

Treize lay silently on his bed, fully awake in the middle of the night. Whether his eyes were opened or closed the dreaded scene of the couple by the pool haunted him. He had been so convinced that Zechs still had feelings for him...He hadn't expected such a betrayal. Perhaps he would have reacted better knowing that the pale-haired man had fallen in love with someone else, but to know that Zechs had taken on a new lover was rather overwhelming.

Sighing softly, Treize ran his fingers through his hair. What did he expect the other to do? Zechs had every right to find someone new. Especially since Treize was now mostly metal; a cyborg, a variation of a robot that imitated a human. `Even if he had still loved me, why would he want me now? What can I offer him when I must remain dead in all aspects? There is nothing more I can do for him... I don't even have much to offer my daughter, how could I ever find something to offer him?'

Carefully the door opened and Mareimeia's small face peeked around the doorframe. She was clutching a stuffed rabbit in her arms. “Father...” she seemed to struggle with what to say.

“Come in, Marie,” he told her, sitting up fully on the bed, the metal casing of his upper body glinting slightly in the pale light from the hall. The girl shuffled into the room and closed the door before climbing up onto the bed. She curled up next to Treize and rested her head on his lap, staring blindly across the dark room. Treize carefully stroked her hair as he questioned, “What's wrong? Did you have a nightmare?”

But she was not prepared to finish her earlier concern. “But Father, you don't really spend enough time with Duo-san or Mirialdo-san to talk with them. I thought you were supposed to talk out problems with someone else. So why don't you tell me?”

For long moments Treize was silent. He drew a shaky breath before speaking again, “I'm sorry, but I'm afraid this does not concern you. I'm supposed to take care of you, Marie, not the other way around.” He offered her a smile.

“Alright. How about you stay here tonight, Marie?” The offer appealed to her and Mareimeia nodded. Treize squeezed her shoulder lightly in reassurance.

It took some time, but Mareimeia eventually fell asleep and Treize moved her so that her head rested on a pillow. He lay back down beside her and studied the sleeping face. He knew that he could not fall asleep; it was too hard right then.

`I have to accept it. But how can I? How can I heal quickly?' He turned his head, staring up at the ceiling. The pain was so intense that he couldn't ignore it. `I can't just give you up so quickly, Mirialdo.'

Early morning light floated into the bedroom and crossed the bed where two figures lay. Zechs stretched his legs out and rolled over to sit up. As he tucked strands of pale hair behind an ear, he turned his gaze to his new lover, still sound asleep. The corners of his lips turned upwards, smiling at the innocent look on Duo's face.

Zechs stroked the chestnut strands of hair and let his thumb caress one soft cheek. He hadn't thought to find a new lover that could pull him from his cold wall of mixed emotions. Already he was calming whenever he was around Duo. The younger man's easy-going attitude and bright smile had tugged at something within Zechs and he was lucky enough to have the other return his feelings.

He had almost forgotten what it was like to be loved. `Thanks to Duo and Mareimeia I'm finding out again...' His thoughts suddenly turned to Treize and he removed his hand from Duo's face. `What about Treize?' Indeed, they had things to clear up but he didn't want to deal with that. Their present relationship was fragile with their communication quite limited. Zechs wasn't sure, himself, why he refused to deal with Treize. There was just something about that man now that Zechs could not bear to look at or be with him. And there wasn't the option to pick up where they left off years ago. Not now, things were too different.

`How can I face him?' And now there was the problem of letting Treize know that he was in a relationship. He knew that was important, somehow...

Duo grinned, cobalt eyes twinkling with light. “And what a good morning it is.” He pushed himself up and leaned against Zechs. “So, are you going to continue to avoid my question?”

One of Zechs' arms wrapped around Duo's waist as they sat quietly on the bed. Finally Zechs parted his lips to speak. “I was wondering how to let Treize know.”

“But if you have a problem with telling him for some reason, I could... or we could just not tell him at all, y'know.” When no response came, Duo sat up on his own and studied Zechs' blank expression. “Hey, don't zone out on me now!”

“Food, yay!” Duo grinned and jumped off the bed. “See ya in a bit, I need to go get dressed. Hey, reminds me, should I drag my stuff in here today?”

Duo shouted an “okay” before he took off down the hall to his room. Zechs slid his legs off the bed and stood, feeling a bit unsteady. If thoughts of Treize hadn't been haunting him, he would have had a peaceful morning and given his lover due attention. `Damn you... you always follow me around.'

After he dressed casually in jeans and a red button-up shirt, Zechs headed down to the dining room where he could hear Mareimeia's voice. He stopped just outside the doorframe when he heard Treize's voice responding to something his daughter said. Bracing himself, Zechs walked in.

Although he tried avoiding eye contact with Treize, the cyborg managed to capture his gaze. There was something painful in the blank expression over the former OZ leader's face and Zechs stopped breathing momentarily. “I know, Mirialdo. You don't have to tell me.” With that, Treize broke the gaze and he turned his attention back to Mareimeia.

The room was silent, for Mareimeia was looking confusedly between her father and Zechs. Carefully, slowly, Zechs slid into his chair and breathed carefully. `How does he know?' His heart pounded in his chest almost painfully. The tone had sounded so calm as Treize spoke. Did he not care at all? But then again, what would it matter whether Treize cared or not?

Duo stared down the table at Zechs, his gaze questioning. Zechs made no remark and continued eating. Mareimeia started a conversation with Duo and the tense air began to break up a bit.

Mareimeia was running across the lawn with a bottle of bubbles in hand. She twirled and laughed as she waved the bubble wand around. Perfect, transparent spheres floated throughout the yard. Duo reached out and poked one of the bubbles and it burst apart in a small, soupy splash.

“But you enhance that beauty,” Zechs replied with a smile, one hand playing with the end of Duo's braid. The former Gundam pilot wrinkled his nose, a faint blush tinting his cheeks. Zechs chuckled and dropped the braid. He switched from his sitting position and lay on his back, staring up at the sky.

Noting the change in his lover's features, Duo furrowed his brow, not understanding. “Okay...” He wasn't sure if he should press Zechs for answers or not.

“Duo... I should tell you something.” Zechs' voice seemed strained as he spoke. He slowly sat up and met Duo's gaze. With one hand he caught the other's chin and stroked his thumb across the parted lips. “The relationship that I was in... involved...” He sighed, averting his eyes. “Treize was my former lover.”

“Oh, all right,” Duo blinked, uncomprehending why the topic bothered Zechs so much. `Please don't suddenly tell me that you're not actually in love with me...'

“We ended off very badly, love, and it's been hard to heal. It's awkward being around him now. I thought he'd died.” His face was twisted in a mix of confusion and held traces of pain.

Duo wrapped his hand around Zechs' forearm and kissed the hand on his face gently. “I understand, koi, it's okay. I take it you two haven't yet settled your differences?”

Silently Zechs shook his head, face still turned away. He whispered softly, “I can't face him... I can't see him like he is now.” He turned back to face Duo and startled the other with the strong emotions unveiled in his eyes. It was a mix of fear and pain that broke through the typically cold shield of blue. “I can't be sure he's human anymore, Duo. That scares me to think that he truly is dead, yet his face and voice have somehow been copied.”

Shaking his head again, Zechs ran a hand down his face. “We both made too many mistakes, love. I am not sure how to solve them now. He... he seems so much like an imitation - a doll.” He lifted his eyes to lock with Duo's. “He seems no better than the mobile dolls that were destroyed.”

“Zechs...” Duo sat up and wrapped the pale-haired man in an embrace. Zechs didn't fight against him and gave in to the warmth that surrounded him.

“I... oh hell, man, I don't know what to say. Love, I don't know what to tell you... At least Heero and I got through things all right. You guys really need to talk, I think...” He kissed Zechs' cheek and ran a hand through the long, pale strands of hair.

Neither noticed that Mareimeia had stopped running about and was standing still, watching them from a distance. Her small face was concerned and questioning yet she did not speak or call out.

“I'm sorry to burden you,” Zechs murmured, holding Duo against him. “I haven't been able to talk with anyone... You're such a relief, love.”

“Don't apologize, I may like to talk but I'm a great listener too. Just promise me you'll clear up things with the guy, eh?” He pulled back a bit to allow Zechs a view of his wide smile.

Moaning softly, Duo parted his lips, allowing Zechs entrance. They stayed locked in the passionate kiss for some time before they pulled away, a bit short of breath.

“Father!” Mareimeia exclaimed happily as she spotted the tall form coming towards the group. She ran towards Treize and he swung her up easily. The child laughed as she was carried like a toddler against Treize's hip.

Zechs stood and helped Duo up. The younger man began jogging back towards the house while Zechs hesitated, meeting the empty gaze of sapphire. “...Treize...I need to speak with you, later...”

The one-syllable name sounded harsh on the pale-haired man's ears, for he was accustomed to hearing his birth name from Treize. He turned and walked away, making no other comment and not looking back.

“Father?” Treize focused on Mareimeia, noting that she appeared to be studying him. She prepared herself for what she was about to say and then said, “Mirialdo-san told me a while ago that if I wanted to know about something I would have to talk to you.” She paused, looking up at Treize. “He wouldn't answer for me, so I need to ask you, now. What was your relationship, Father?”

Lady Une was waiting for them in the front sitting room. She was busy with something on her laptop and gave a distracted greeting as Duo and Zechs entered. Typing in something, Une finished her work and nodded to the two.

“Forgive me, Mirialdo for having to involve you in a case while you're supposed to be on vacation. But this is quite important and I require all my top agents.” Une set her laptop aside and clasped her hands in her lap. “Sally is going to the colonies now to gather the other former pilots of Gundam. Wufei has remained on Earth and will leave with you when you are ready.”

Motioning for them to sit down, Une began speaking. “The organization that we stopped almost two months ago had already sold off many of their creations. We thought that we had tracked down all of their buyers, but a message that Preventers headquarters received a few days ago proves that wrong. We are not positive who sent the threats, but the message is coming from a colony in the L4 cluster. They have threatened to kill the Earth diplomats that arrived a few weeks ago. We have been given a period of time to work something out and now we have 60 hours left. We must move quickly. Pack now and on the way to the spaceport I'll give you all the details.”

Zechs and Duo were out the door right away, hurrying up the stairs and to their respective rooms, packing only the necessities. By mistake the small item that Zechs had purchased some time back fell from the dresser and into the open duffle bag.

A light knock on the doorframe caused Zechs to turn around. He was a bit surprised to see Mareimeia watching him with a confused, sad look in her eyes. “Marie, what is it?” he questioned.

She watched as he finished his packing and zipped up the bag. Zechs slung the bag over his shoulder and headed towards the door. Mareimeia opened her mouth again, asking, “How come you love Duo-san now and not Father?”

That stopped Zechs in his tracks. The bag dropped to the floor as he stared at her. Slowly he found his voice. “I see Treize told you...” Mareimeia kept his gaze locked with hers, her young face holding eyes filled with emotions for that of someone much older than herself. “Marie, it just doesn't work. Yes, I love Duo. It's all right to love more than one person, it's all right to change one's feelings. You know that, don't you?”

Mareimeia wiped a hand over her eyes and it was then that Zechs noted the sheen of tears waiting to fall. “But I don't see how someone can change feelings that easily. Mama always loved Father. Did you not love him that much? Mirialdo-san, I know Father still loves you!” A few tears escaped her eyes even as Mareimeia fought them, wiping them away. “I'm not a little kid that doesn't understand love. So why... why do you make him so sad?”

“Marie...” Zechs face contorted in pain. He didn't know how to explain to her, to tell her. He dropped to his knees and hugged the child to him, stroking her hair as she cried softly on his shoulder. “Marie, I cannot force myself to love him as I once did. Times have changed, I've changed, and he's changed. It just won't work now, Marie.”

The child was shaking her head against his shoulder and Zechs gave up on explaining farther. He couldn't find the correct words at that point in time and it seemed that Mareimeia did not want to listen to what he was saying.

Mareimeia let him go and Zechs stood, picking up his bag again. He took the girl's hand, and gave her a reassuring smile as they headed after Duo. Une was standing outside with Treize and was explaining the situation. Zechs glanced at them from the bottom of the stairs. He tossed his bag into the back of the Preventer jeep with Duo's bag and let go of Mareimeia's hand. Duo situated himself and looked quizzically at Zechs.

“I think I need to finish something before I leave. I'll make it as quick as possible.” Zechs met Lady Une's eyes, hoping that she picked up on how important it was that he finish his confrontation right then.

“Hurry as best you can, Mirialdo.” Une nodded and took over talking with Mareimeia and Zechs turned and hurried up the steps. Treize was still at the top, watching.

Sapphire eyes turned empty, and it struck Zechs how that knowledge affected Treize. “I don't believe I can portray well enough how deeply it scars to observe the one you love make love with another.”

Momentarily Zechs stopped breathing. His head turned away, breaking the gaze that Treize laid on him. `It wouldn't have been the way I would want you to know.' “I apologize...” he murmured softly. “I don't know what else to say.”

“It happened. There's nothing you can do about it.” Treize waited patiently while Zechs gathered himself together and was able to meet Treize's gaze again. “I suppose Duo told you to speak with me.”

“She said that you told her to ask me. I did, because she desperately wanted to know. If she said something that bothered you, I'll say sorry for her.”

“I know this is not what you need right now, but I want you to listen to me. When we first arrived here I still felt that perhaps you still cared enough for me to try and pick up where we once left off. Now I see that I have been thinking of myself too lowly and you have been unwilling to try patching things together, so nothing can work out now.” Treize paused momentarily. Carefully he spoke again, but in a few tones softer, “Mirialdo, I have no choice but to admit that my feelings - my love - still remains for you and I find it unfortunate that you now move on.”

Treize managed a formal bow and met Zechs' eyes one last time. “I apologize for still feeling bitter towards your new lover, but you must go free on your own, that I know. Now I bid you farewell and good luck. May I pray that at least friendship remains.” He walked past Zechs and into the estate.

The pale-haired man was left standing at the top of the steps, something clenching painfully in his chest. `There's a new life for me now,' he reminded himself. `Treize is letting me free...' He jerked back to reality and looked down the steps to find Une and Duo looking up at him, waiting. “No time to think about this right now...” He hurried down the steps and got in the jeep after placing a goodbye kiss on Mareimeia's forehead. The girl ran halfway up the steps and waved as they pulled away. Zechs smiled at her and he waved. He also caught sight of Treize standing just within the main door, watching them pull away.

Duo also caught sight of the cyborg and he glanced towards his lover, noting the sudden fall of expression on Zechs' face. He bit his lip silently, thoughts rushing through his head.

Each Preventer was given their own cabin on the shuttle, although Duo managed to sneak his bags into a room with Zechs. Over a late lunch Wufei, Zechs, and Duo went over the details of their assignments. Before the shuttle took-off, they had received word from Sally and she along with Heero, Trowa, and Quatre were on their way to the colony where the threat had come from. They would begin scouting the place, trying to locate the kidnapped diplomats.

Duo peered curiously at the Chinese young man and poked his arm. Wufei just glared at him. Grinning, Duo continued poking until his hand was slapped away. “Damnit Maxwell, quit it.”

Pouting cutely, Duo asked, “Can't you call me by my name?” Wufei gave him another glare. Giving a small “eep!” Duo ducked behind Zechs. “Alright! I won't ask again!”

Duo's view of Wufei was blocked since he was behind Zechs, but the pale-haired man caught a glimpse of a passing expression over the young man's face. Realization and then disappointment chased briefly over Wufei's face before his features were schooled back to being stoic. `What was that?' Zechs wondered.

Once he'd disappeared, Duo wrapped his arms about Zechs' waist, nuzzling his head against the taller man's shoulder. “Ne, ne... Wu left us alone. Whatcha want to do about that?”

“You really want to know...” Duo grinned. “C'mon, big boy, follow the braid!” He pulled away from Zechs and began walking back towards their cabin. He swung his braid purposefully and glanced over his shoulder with a little seductive smile.

Duo looked innocently at him. Duo hit the button to open the cabin door and he slipped through, Zechs following. Once the door was shut, Zechs reached to hit the lock.

Everything had been going fine. Wufei, Duo, and Zechs arrived on the colony to find the good news that the others had located the building where their kidnappers were. They still had twenty-three hours to work with. Everyone knew their parts. It seemed basic and possible.

Sally, Quatre, and Zechs each followed a different person into the building. Everyone was split up to enter from all sides. Zechs was assigned to move in with Wufei through a ventilation system that emptied at the roof. They managed well enough and ended up in a deserted hallway and no security cameras were to be spotted.

Zechs pressed a button on his communicator to inform the others that they were in. On everyone else's screens a silent message would come up to let them know that he and Wufei would take out the security system. They headed towards the location where the room was supposed to be according to maps of the place. Wufei handled the two guards at the station by himself and Zechs immediately set to work locating the Earth diplomats. Finding them, he sent another message to Sally and Quatre as to where to meet. They would be taking care of the diplomats while the others saw to the kidnappers.

Things continued to work out fine... Up to the point where Sally, Quatre, and Zechs met just outside the room where the diplomats were being kept. Inside there were to be five guards. Preparing themselves, each nodded that they were ready. The next instant Zechs let the door swing wide open and he dashed into the room, hitting the floor and rolling when the guards began to fire. A bullet whizzed just past him, surprising him, but he didn't let it distract him as he tripped two of the guards.

The man he was standing right before stood up, eyes filled with relief. Zechs noticed an odd glint in the man's eyes, but it was too late but the time he felt the barrel of gun pressed against his stomach. Extreme pain soon followed as the gun was shot. Stunned, the pale-haired man fell to the floor, his knees buckling under him. The taste of blood entered his mouth. Only the startled shout from Sally and Quatre reached his ears after that for soon he was swallowed up in unconsciousness.

The voices blurred together again as did the people around him. He could only see streaks of color and that made him dizzy. He fell back into the black void that clutched him. Only the strange sound of his breathing echoed in his ears. Dimly he realized that must mean that he was on an oxygen tank.

“Thank you, I'll see her right away.” He turned back to his daughter, smiling gently as she chased after a dragonfly. “Marie, Lady Une is here, I'm going to see her now.”

Treize stood and headed towards the room where he would find Une. As he entered the room his faint smile faded. Une's hooded gaze and silent posture made him finely aware that something was horribly wrong.

He did not bother with mentioning that she need not give him such a title, and he merely sat, waiting silently while he braced himself. “What is it, Lady?”

Slowly Une lifted her head, her pain-filled brown eyes meeting his sapphire gaze. “The mission went horribly wrong, sir,” she whispered softly. Dread suddenly filled Treize and he just prayed that his assumptions were wrong. “Before we even arrived they had killed the diplomats. In their place were the kidnappers' own men... We... we didn't know.” She stopped, and Treize heard her breath hitch.

“It wasn't until Mirialdo was shot that they knew things weren't right. Quatre, Sally, and Heero also suffered some serious wounds. The others had more warning in the end, they're alright.” Une raised a hand to her face, fingers pinching the bridge of her nose. “Heero seems to be alright, he'll just rest a bit. Quatre will be weak for some time - he lost a good deal of blood and he shattered his kneecap during a struggle. Sally's suffered a bad shoulder wound and fractured her elbow.”

It took a few more moments for Une to fully compose herself. She finally dropped her hand and opened her eyes. She met Treize's gaze, she knew what he felt for the other man. “He was terribly wounded near to the point that he was on the verge of life and death. The gun was fired at point blank just beneath his ribcage - the amount of blood he lost was life-threatening enough. Internal organs were damaged also... Currently there are doctors from other colonies taking over an operation. It has been necessary to replace nearly his entire torso with mechanical parts. There is not a hundred percent chance of the operation being a success. Sir...” She faded into a whisper, head bowing down again.

Treize leaned back against the armchair. Eyes closed, he brought a hand up to cover his face. `Dear Mirialdo... please survive... You can, Mirialdo...Dear God protect him...' He was trembling, which was as close to crying as he could get in his cyborg body. He prayed silently while he waited with Une for any updated news.

“I can't believe this happened! Shit!” Duo stopped his pacing and slammed a fist into the wall. He remained there for some moments, eyes squeezed tightly shut.

“I do not have anything on Mr. Peacecraft yet. Mr. Winner just left surgery, which went well. He should recover fairly easily. Ms. Po also had a successful operation. Later you may visit them. You are free to visit Mr. Yuy for a short period of time.”

Everyone nodded and the doctor disappeared again. Duo rested his head on Wufei's shoulder, face pained. “Why can't they tell us yet? I'm so worried... oh God...”

“Rest a bit, Duo. When you get to visit Zechs you don't want to be a mess, do you?” Duo shook his head. Wufei fought to place a small, fake smile on his face. “Come and sit down.”

As Duo sat down beside Wufei, still leaning against him, he questioned softly, “Why are you being so supportive suddenly? And you're using my name...?”

“Fei?” Duo lifted his head, searching Wufei's face. “What's wrong...?” He was confused, something was off. Wufei didn't look at him, his eyes averted away.

As Duo prepared to prod some more a doctor still in operation garb entered the room. His gloves were already removed and his mask had been pulled down. “I have information on Mr. Peacecraft.”