Uh…okay, so it’s a little later than Monday, but at least it’s up. I was beginning to wonder if I’d ever finish. Uploading from my friendly local library, so this hasn’t been proofed or edited, only spell-checked once. Be tolerant, please.

 

Still Grows the Lilac

Book II of The Lilac Princess

By Lady Dante

 

Chapter 9 Showdown

 

Why did she let that happen?

Lucretzia Noin stalked out of the Bachelor Officer’s Quarters and made her way across the compound the main hanger building. She angrily shed her uniform jacket and climbed into the cockpit of her Aries. Tomorrow, she and Zechs would be pitted against each other in a mock battle for a group of visiting Romefellar bigwigs. Their division would be split into two sections, one led by Zechs, the other commanded by Noin. Normally, it would fall to Zechs’ second in command to lead the other team, but the officer Treize appointed to that position a few weeks prior had been mysteriously called away. Very coincidental, Noin thought. But then again, there were always coincidences afoot when His Excellency got involved.

Noin wasn’t blind. She could see what was going on, even if Zechs refused to talk to her about it. Colonel Treize was trying to break them up, kill their friendship. From his point of view, it made sense. Fraternization between officers could lead to poor performance on the battlefield, but Zechs and Noin were friends. Their relationship was platonic and had never caused a problem with their duties. Well, it hadn’t been a problem until last night.

            “Damn fool,” Noin muttered as she began yanking off electrical panels to make adjustments to her suit’s maneuvering system. “Damn, drunken sot.”

Noin continued to curse the fact that Zechs had gotten himself falling-down drunk, but that wasn’t really why she was mad. That wasn’t what hurt. What upset her was the fact that Zechs reached out for her yet didn’t mean any of it. He held her close, whispered sweet endearments to her, made her feel beautiful and wanted and…but he was drunk, so he couldn’t possibly have meant any of it. He probably would have said the same things to any woman who found him in such a state. Noin rubbed her eyes wearily. No. Zechs wouldn’t have said those things to just anyone, she knew that, but that made it worse in a way. Zechs was upset, he got himself drunk and decided to use her to make himself feel better, without regard for how it might affect her. Under different circumstances, Noin would have relished the feeling of his body held close to hers, at first she had allowed herself to enjoy the moment, but as Zechs leaned in for a kiss and Noin caught the pungent odor of whiskey on his breath, she was suddenly hit with the realization that it was not real. Now she was confused, torn between the anger of being used and the joy of his passionate embrace.

Confusion seemed to be the only thing they had lately. Their duties, Treize more precisely, kept them apart more and more. The less she saw of Zechs, the more muddled their relationship seemed to become. He was starting to hide behind that mask more often, whether it was necessary to hide his identity or not, unwilling now to meet anyone’s gaze, not even hers. Noin felt as though he was hiding from her, not just his enemies.

In a way, Noin hid from him as well. They were friends, comrades, fellow officers. She could speak to him about battle, about their hopes for the future, the sickening realization that they were becoming very skillful killers, but there were some things she could not speak of around the wounded young man. They no longer spoke of the past, not in any meaningful way. Sometimes they reminisced about insignificant moments from their childhood, but never strayed deeper and even those mild memories were being steadily buried. Zechs couldn’t bear to be reminded of where he came from anymore. It seemed the older they got, the more battles they fought, the more Zechs hated himself. He had fallen far short of what he perceived to be his father’s expectations and this knowledge ate at him daily. Noin tried to help him see the futility in his guilt, but soon found that the more she tried, the more he pushed her away. Fearful that he would shut her out completely, she had finally dropped the effort and instead remained ready to listen in the event he changed his mind.

But he didn’t change his mind. Instead he grew more passive, hiding himself behind a wall of cool sophistication. It made him a striking figure. The dashing young lieutenant gallantly leading men into victory. Romefellar’s Lightening Count, the sword of Duke Treize. Noin knew him as a wounded boy, troubled by demons he could not slay. Her understanding seemed sometimes to be the only outlet for his suffering. Still, Zechs had treated her like a toy and she would not tolerate such behavior from him. She had as much to mourn as he, as much reason to fight. He had no right to think he was the only one in pain. He had no right to think she would just give in to his advances. She was not some weak, pathetic person who would melt at the slightest overture of romance and she was going to prove that tomorrow on the battlefield. Noin smiled as she continued the adjustments to her Aries.  Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, the lieutenant mused, particularly if she has her own mobile suit.

============================

            Zechs smoothed his platinum hair away from his forehead and put on his mask, unusually grateful for it’s tinted lenses. Normally, he considered the eye slits too dark, a hindrance to his peripheral vision, but that morning was different. He welcomed the shield from the glare of the rising sun, particularly since he suffered from an acute hangover. No. “Hangover” sounded too benign. He should come up with a completely new word to describe what he suffered at that moment.  His head ached, his vision blurred, his hands shook. On top of it all, he was expected to stand in front of his men, give them a reason to fight for him and win.

            The famed Lightening Count rubbed his stiff neck and took a deep breath to steady his nerves before stepping out into the hanger. Before him stood fifteen mobile suits and their pilots, all waiting expectantly for Zechs Merquise to rally them to the fight. He paced in front of the line as he spoke, expounding on the nobility of their cause, praising their abilities, demanding their best effort. By the time he was finished, the group of young officers was cheering for a sure victory. Zechs watched them leap into their machines, ready for a good fight. He grabbed the cable to his own Aries and hoisted himself into the pilot’s seat, letting out a relieved grunt as the hatch closed and left him in relative darkness.

            Zechs called the group to march and led them out onto the field, having all of the suits raise a salute to the visiting dignitaries as they passed. He ordered his group to stop opposite a line of fifteen more suits led by Lucretzia Noin. Zechs swallowed to dispel a sudden dryness in his throat. He was nervous, he realized with contempt, he was actually nervous. He had been piloting suits since he was a child. He was hardened by real battle, but he was uneasy about meeting his best friend in a duel. Normally, both he and Noin would leap at the chance to square off against each other, enjoying the friendly, if fierce, rivalry they shared since childhood, but the impending battle was different.

            Zechs made the first move, as he usually did. He didn’t like waiting for his enemy to be bold and make the first move. The best way to judge an opponent’s skill was to fight and see where the weaknesses lay. He ordered his men to do the same, charging each to take on a specific suit. Zechs tactics were of personal skill, the individual soldier besting a specific opponent and moving on. It honed his own skills to take on as many enemies as he could at the same time. He had his men do the same.

            Noin’s strategy was completely different. She put an emphasis on the group. Everyone had a job, every one worked together. Which is why Zechs felt he could defeat her. Her tactics had failed against him before, why should today be different? Not that he was arrogant enough to believe this would be easy. Noin was a cunning adversary, always full of surprises, but her devotion to The Art of War worked against her. He knew that book, but disagreed with much of it. Noin felt the best way to fight was to find a way not to fight at all. Zechs felt that avoiding a fight simply delayed the inevitable. It always came back to war, to victory and defeat. There was no peace without a threat of war lurking behind.

            Which made it all the more surprising when Noin’s troops took the lead. Four of his fifteen suits were disabled already, two more in less than great condition. Noin was relentless, both in her commands to her soldiers and in her own method of fighting. She had a good plan, he could see the general outline in his mind’s eye, but it was the fierceness with which she fought that surprised him. Noin put three of the damaged suits out of commission personally. She was out to win today, as always, but also to prove herself and her methods. And she was succeeding.

Zechs had avoided taking her on directly at first, but now charged her directly. He was letting his guilt over the night before cloud his judgment. This was a battle. There was no place for regrets on the battlefield. He drew his beam saber and advanced. Noin was ready and, uncharacteristically, attacked first. This caught Zechs off guard momentarily, but he recovered quickly and returned each blow methodically. Noin’s troops moved into support positions, clearly expecting the battle to be decided by that one central duel. They were correct. Zechs knew if Noin bested him in this fight, his men would loose confidence and become easy targets for the opposing team.

Noin spun her suit around, using both arms to deliver a crashing blow to the leg of Zechs’ suit. He retaliated with a strike of his own and followed up with an attempt to slice the suit’s head off. In battle, it was typical to go for one of two points on a mobile suit. Either the torso, containing the pilot, or the head which housed the main sensor arrays and navigational relays. Cut off a suit’s head and you effectively cut off the pilots ability to maneuver. The increasingly brutal duel continued for an hour, each advancing and retreating, vicious blows delivered and received. At one point, Noin managed to back Zechs into the stray remains of one of his team’s suits, forcing him to pull his Aries violently to the side. The action temporarily left the torso unprotected and Noin immediately reared back to deliver another hit, but froze, saber halted just in time. The blow, very appropriate in a real battle, would have been too dangerous for the present game. Zechs immediately took advantage of Noin’s halted strike and sliced the head off of her Aries. Her suit lurched backwards and fell to one knee and the battle was finished.

Lieutenant Merquise quickly exited his own mobile suit, to the cheers and fanfare of his own men and made his way off the field without bothering to wait for Noin. The open com-links had provided him with an audio clue as to the young woman’s condition. She was unhurt, but very definitely angry at the loss. He didn’t have the strength at that moment to face Noin, both because of his still resounding headache and the uncertainty of how she would behave. It was normal for her to be angry with herself if her team lost, but she was also still angry about his behavior the previous night. She had to be. He had never seen Noin react that way to anything and he had no idea what it meant.

It would serve him right, he decided, if she just didn’t speak to him again. He was supposed to greet the Romefellar representatives, but instead quickly made his way inside, seeking out one of the officers’ lounges. He paced for a few moments, then turned to start back out the door and came face to face with Lucretzia Noin.  He stepped to the side to allow her to pass, but she moved with him, still blocking his path. Zechs finally turned, stepping aside to yield the right of way. Noin remained in the doorway, arms crossed and unmoving.

“Will you just apologize already so we can get on with our lives?”

Her tilted head and the hint of amusement on her face were a definite relief. Once again, she let him off the hook. Not that Zechs felt he deserved it, but he was glad just the same. Particularly since she seemed to have found her sense of humor again. He reached up and, after making certain they were alone, pulled off his dusty mask, tossing it into a chair near the door.

“I’m sorry,” he said simply. It was all he could say at the moment, and Zechs knew it would be enough, but still he felt the need to explain his actions. To himself if not to her. “Noin, I behaved abominably last night. I don’t know…” Zechs paused, oddly at a loss for words. Strange, he thought, he had no trouble formulating the perfect impromptu pep talk for his soldiers, but having to apologize to his best friend invariably sent his tongue into a coma. Noin picked up on his hesitation.

“Look…you were drunk and your hormones got away with you, that’s all. So did mine.”

Zechs glanced at her, eyebrows a fraction higher. “Yours?”

“Yes,” Noin said firmly, but did not look directly at the young man “We’re seventeen, Zechs. Our minds may be set at thirty, but our bodies are still stuck in teen-mode. I think it’s normal to feel…” Noin paused, gesturing vaguely as she considered her words. “…to feel…that way, you know? Hormones have a tendency to run amok.”

“Especially when fed too much liquor.”

Noin’s jaw tightened. “Yes, especially then.” Zechs could see her body stiffen ever so slightly and it worried him. Suddenly she was angry again. He took a moment to recall exactly what he did the previous night. It was a little fuzzy. He knew he held her too close, tried to kiss her, but had he gone further? Did he do something worse, something he couldn’t remember? He wouldn’t have been that careless. He couldn’t have been.

“Noin, if I did something more than make a clumsy pass I don’t remember. That’s no excuse, but if I have more to apologize for, then you will have to tell me.”

Noin looked to the side, turning her face from his and allowing her long bangs to shield her face. He knew that trick, but he resisted the impulse to reach over and brush her hair from her eyes, at least until he knew why she was still angry. He stood in silence, waiting to see if she would answer. After a moment, she did, but in a strangely quiet, very controlled tone.

“It was just difficult to hear those things…”

Zechs cringed. Oh hell, he must have said something vile and insulting. What? He remembered quoting bible verses, whispering her name…

“…all of those lovely things…”

What could he have said that was so offensive…wait, did she just say lovely?

“…especially when you didn’t mean a word of it.”

The young man gazed at his friend for a moment before slowly asking, “What makes you think I didn’t mean it?”

Noin’s head snapped back around, surprise and anger evident. “Don’t you dare joke with me about this, Zechs. That was not easy for me to say.”

“I wasn’t joking. Last night I…my method might have been inept and childish, but the sentiments were honest.”

Noin swallowed, her eyes leaving his as she half-heartedly joked, “What you can remember of them anyway.”

“Touché.”

Noin moved from the doorway and took a seat, sighing wearily as she did so. “This is starting to become a problem isn’t it?”

“Yes,” Zechs acknowledged quietly as he joined her on the sofa, “but that’s not to say we couldn’t handle the situation. It simply isn’t the right time.”

“I know. It won’t be the right time for a while.”

“We’ve sacrificed our youth to this cause, but it won’t always be like this. The rebellion is brewing.”

“Once we have destroyed the Alliance, then what? Throw away our uniforms, grab a pair of jeans and try to act like we’re normal?”

Zechs leaned back, draping an arm against the back of the small couch. “No, of course not, but we will be able, finally, to look to those areas of our lives that we were forced to ignore.”

“Is that what you really want?” Noin asked and turned to look at him, large violet eyes searching his own. Zechs suddenly felt a little lost, consumed in a sea of blue. He looked away, not trusting what would come out of his mouth if he continued to gaze into her eyes.

“Yes, that is what I want. Eventually.” It was the first time Zechs allowed himself to say it aloud, the first time he fully acknowledged the feeling to himself. “Just not now…not until I’ve had my chance at the bastards who destroyed my family… assuming I live through it.”

“Assuming you’ll live through it,” Noin mocked with a snort. “You talk a good game about being willing to die in battle, Zechs Merquise, but when it comes right down to it, you’re out there trying to keep your arrogant butt alive, just like the rest of us.” Noin smirked, crossing her arms as she leaned back against the sofa.

“Yes, well someone has to be around to beat you at chess and keep you from becoming too full of yourself.”

Noin grinned, tilting her head to peer around her hair. Zechs admired the pretty change of expression then smiled faintly.  “Are we okay now?”

“Yeah, we’re okay,” Noin nodded, smiling mischievously, “at least until you do something else stupid.”  

============================

            Treize stood at the window of his temporary office, gazing out at the battlefield. He had just arrived that morning, barely in time to witness the battle. Actually, it was a practice maneuver, but Treize saw little difference in the mock skirmish he witnessed earlier and a legitimate battle. The only distinction, to his mind, was the lack of death. He had hesitated to pit Lucretzia Noin and Zechs Merquise against one another initially, but then realized it would be the perfect opportunity to deepen the rift slowly forming between the two. If neither backed down, then it fed their natural rivalry. They had always been competitive, but until recently, it had been a friendly adversaries. Treize was determined to change that. If, on the other hand, they faced off and one hesitated to strike, then His Excellency had the perfect excuse to send the weaker officer away. And so it came to pass. Lieutenant Noin blinked. Demotion was not a consideration, but reassignment was perfectly acceptable. The dashing young man walked to his desk and activated the intercom.

            “Yes, Excellency?”

            “Send for Lieutenant Noin.”

            “Yes, sir.”

            “Step one,” Treize thought as he walked to the elaborate chess set he insisted on bringing everywhere. It lent an air of dignity to his surroundings. It also served another purpose. Meeting over a chessboard was an effective way of measure another’s temperament. It was a test Zechs had endured many times. Today, it was Lucretzia’s turn. It would seem cruel to someone who did not understand his motives, but Treize had convinced himself that separating his two best officers was the only way to keep them sharp. Their duty lay with OZ, not each other. The sooner they both realized that, the better off everyone would be. He had given Zechs the chance to leave, but only because he knew the outcome. Zechs would not give up his quest for revenge, not even for the beautiful Lucretzia. Lieutenant Noin might have made a different choice. His Excellency knew the young woman well enough to see that her duty was important, her commitment to OZ deep, but nothing could outweigh the compassion Lucretzia harbored in her heart. She would not turn from a friend under any circumstances. Her heart simply did not work that way.

            That said, Noin was an excellent soldier and commander, inspiring loyalty from her troops that almost rivaled their loyalty to the duke himself. Once drawn into a fight, she was fierce and cunning. Lady Lucretzia had a good deal of potential, His Excellency acknowledged, but she was still far too kind. She disliked the carnage of war and avoided battle if it was possible. A good trait in theory, but if a new age was to be born, Treize needed officers who were ruthless and relentless not benevolent and good.

            How, then, to keep his best and brightest on track? How to help Zechs reclaim that intense, hate-driven focus he possessed as a boy? And how to instill the same bloodthirsty need for revenge in the lovely, violet-eyed songbird? It would take finesse and tact, a mind for misdirection. Treize caught himself smiling at the thought of his new game. He enjoyed his intrigues and the complexities of psychological manipulation. Not that he was flippant about his goal for humanity and the part he would play as the world’s savior. On the contrary, he was deadly serious when it came to his duty to the future, which was the very reason he needed his occasional diversions. He needed the distraction. Anything to keep himself from seeing his true self. If Treize allowed himself to see what he had become, to think about what iniquitous acts he had committed in the name of peace—or at least his vision of peace—he knew his heart would rebel. His Excellency couldn’t allow that, he couldn’t allow himself to feel such things as regret or guilt. If he opened his eyes to see such things, then he would not be able to complete his mission. If he could not complete his mission, then it had all been for nothing. Johnny, Leia, his daughter…Treize wouldn’t allow it to be for nothing.

            A soft knock interrupted the young nobleman’s thoughts. He turned as his aide opened the door and announced the arrival of Lieutenant Noin. The pretty young woman saluted formally as the aide left. Treize smiled and waved away the salute and made his way to the wet bar.

            “No need for that, Lucretzia. I was hoping to keep this informal.”

            Noin nodded, smiling slightly. “Very well, sir.”

            “You performed admirably today,” he began, pouring a drink, “despite your mistake at the end.” Treize paused, noting the slight tensing in his junior officer’s posture. “I wanted to discuss your future with OZ.” Treize gestured to two chairs by the chess table, indicating Noin should sit.

            “You have another temporary assignment for me, colonel?”

            Treize smiled. He had always admired Lucretzia’s forthright manner. “A new assignment, yes, but whether it is temporary is up to you.”

            Noin waited expectantly, but Treize wasn’t in the mood to elaborate just yet. “Would you care for a match? It’s been quite a while since we faced off over a chessboard.”

            “Yes, it has, Excellency, far too long.”

The young woman smiled as she prepared to make the first move. Treize was suddenly caught up in the memory of their last game. Lucretzia had been a child then, and a brilliant one at that. The memory expanded to include another woman. Treize took a swig from his glass, willing away the memory and the tightness in his chest that accompanied it. Instead, he made another move and let the game progress in silence for a few moments, carefully analyzing his opponent’s every move. He was impressed with her strategy, but focused on her mistakes, her weaknesses. She was being far too protective of her king.

“It seems most of your division will be moving on soon.”

“Oh?” Noin asked absently as she studied the board.

“Yes,” Treize kept his voice casual as he moved his bishop, “Lieutenant Merquise has accepted a new command in space.”

Noin’s reaction was much as the duke expected. She froze, eyes widening slightly, but made no other indication that the information had an impact.

“Oh?”

Treize smiled in spite himself. “Yes. I spoke to him about it just before the match and he accepted.”

“Well…good for him,” Noin replied calmly as she resumed play, “I’m sure he will perform admirably as well.”

“Oh, I am certain he will…now, I wanted to discuss your new assignment,” he paused to move another piece, “It is a bit different from your other duties, but your targeting skills will most certainly be put to good use.”

Noin simply nodded and made her next move. The game progressed for several minutes, the pieces quickly dwindling.

“There now.” Treize moved a piece into position. He was three moves to checkmate. “As I was saying…”

“Checkmate.”

It was His Excellency’s turn to freeze. He had been so intent on breaking down her defense of the king that he neglected to watch the rest of the board. Silly mistake on his part, and rather damaging to his ego. After the shock wore off, he looked up, one eyebrow raised. “Very impressive, Lucretzia.”

“You were about to tell me of my new assignment, sir.”

Noin’s tone was cool, no hint of gloating nor of the camaraderie she displayed upon first entering. Treize sat back, crossing his long legs and considered the formidable young beauty in front of him. That would be the last time he underestimated Lucretzia Noin.

            “I’m sending you to the sharpshooter school at the Saint Petersburg base.”

            “I’m to be a sniper.”

            Noin sat feeling more stunned and sickened than she hoped she appeared. Sniper duty meant only one thing. Assassin. He wanted her to become an OZ hit man…or hit woman, hit person? She let her thoughts tumble along ridiculously in a desperate attempt to ignore what her heart screamed at her. No. She could kill in battle but could she learn to kill in secret? It was well known that most of OZ’s snipers were women. Not only did that give the assassins a built in disguise--after all who expects that from a woman?—but it was determined by someone along the way that women had better nerves for such an occupation. Lady Une was rumored to be one of these secret assassins, a theory Noin did not doubt. The idea of becoming another Une sent a cold shiver up Noin’s spine.

            The idea made her nauseous. She had never approved of OZ’s covert activities, but wavered on whether or not they were truly wrong. The world of politics was one of intrigue, she had learned that much in her diplomatic training, but could the systematic murder of individuals really lead to peace? Even if she could find a way to accept the idea that assassination was a necessary tool, could she become such an instrument? Some would argue that it was no different from killing in battle. A life taken is a life taken, regardless of the circumstance. Those people would see her as a murderer regardless.

            The lieutenant did not argue with His Excellency over his decision. She made few more comments at all before being dismissed. It was a little too much to take in just then and she decided to let it go for the time being. Noin would have plenty of time to consider whether or not she was suited to such an occupation. At that moment she didn’t want to think about it. She needed time to decide what to believe.

            Noin made her way back to the BOQ and plopped down on a comfortable couch. The day was turning out to be truly bizarre. Pushing all thoughts of her new assignment out of her head for the moment, Noin found her thoughts resting on something else Treize told her. Zechs was also leaving. Evidently he had known for all day and had yet to mention it. According to Treize, Zechs was to leave tomorrow morning and report to his new post in space. It was an open ended assignment, one that would quite probably keep him in the colonies for months, and he hadn’t even hinted at the prospect. Once again, he shut her out.

            As she sat looking out a nearby window, enjoying the breeze from it’s open shutters, Noin spied Zechs. He walked in, looked around a bit then caught sight of Noin. She watched him approach, hoping he intended to confess to her now, but knew he wouldn’t. Instead he asked why Treize had called for her. Noin indicated that she was being sent on yet another new assignment, but avoided elaborating. She didn’t really want to discuss it with anyone just yet, particularly Zechs. She was being secretive now as well, she knew, but at least she told Zechs she was leaving soon. As they chatted, he made no indication that his position had changed at all.

            During a lull in the conversation, the two took up gazing out of the window and watched a small group of OZ recruits and two girls Noin knew to be granddaughters of the Romefellar representative they met earlier that mornint, General Noventa. They were all very animated, evidently planning a party at the Noventa estate. Normally, the idea of a stuffy Romefellar event would not appeal to Noin, but the teenagers she eavesdropped on weren’t suggesting such an event. It would be formal, yes, but just for the younger members of the group. No “old geezers” as one young lady succinctly indicated. A party.

“We should go.” Noin whispered, leaning toward Zechs. The young man nodded and moved to stand, but Noin put a hand on his arm to halt his progress. “No. I mean we should go to the party.”           

“Are you suggesting we crash a ball?”

            “Yes,” Noin replied, nodding enthusiastically.

            “I don’t know…”

            “I know it seems impulsive. I’m certain if we approached the Noventas and introduced ourselves, they would gladly extend an invitation, but I think it would be more of an adventure to just sneak in.”

            “It would be rather embarrassing for two OZ lieutenants to be caught crashing a party. We could get in trouble.”

            “Only if we get caught.”

            “So…we just won’t get caught, right?”

            “Right!”

            “Very well, we go…on one condition.”

            “What?”

            “No uniforms. We sneak in as civilians.”

            “You mean I have to wear a dress?” Noin’s whisper disappeared at the thought of an uncomfortable, frilly evening gown.

            “Yes. That’s the deal. This was your idea, remember? If you want to back out…”

            “I’m not backing out of anything, pal. I’ll wear a dress, but I refuse to wear anything with tulle and a bow on the butt.”

            “I’m holding you to that,” Zechs commented wryly as he looked at his watch. “How much time does that leave us to scrounge up formals?”

            “Three hours and thirty-two minutes.”

            Zechs looked up, sighing. “How do you do that?”

            Noin shrugged, “Maybe my parents were Swiss?” [1]

            So began the mad dash for tux and gown, both Zechs and Noin racing about, hoping to be ready before the other. Noin ground her teeth as she stepped into the fifth shop she tried. It wasn’t going well. So far, all she had found were overblown prom gowns from Hell, or rather sluttish looking sequined things held together with spaghetti straps and good wishes. If she didn’t find something in the next shop, she was going to…

            Before she could finish her own thought, Noin walked right into the perfect dress. Actually, she wasn’t looking where she was going and stumbled into a mannequin wearing the perfect dress. It was a simple design, made of deep violet velvet. The sleeves were close fitting and luxuriously long, the cuff flaring out over the back of the hand. Along the scooped neckline, a random scattering of tiny delicate crystals had been sewn into the pile, almost unnoticeable until the light caught them. The same was repeated along the hemline. It had a very subtle, and to Noin, very appealing effect. She knew that the other women at the party would be draped in elaborately tailored gowns of brocaded silk or heavily sequined chiffon, but that simply was not Noin’s style. She enjoyed soft, dark colors and little frippery. She was finally attended to by the shop girl who retrieved the gown in Noin’s size. It fit like a glove, not too tight but following her figure in all of the right places. The selling point for Noin was the length. It stopped just at the tops of her ankles, saving her from the possibility of tripping over the hem.

            To her delight, she found out the shop also carried matching shoes for the gown as well as undergarments and other necessary accessories. Noin accepted the shoes and a crystal hair ornament to match the dress, but turned down the jewelry which was both out of her budget and far too gaudy for her taste. She sped back to the base, hoping to go back out to find a necklace to match later, but upon arriving found she had no more time. She had considered picking up some makeup on her way as well, but she had never really liked wearing it and was not comfortable with experimenting at such a late date, so she skipped it. Showering and dressing took little time, but finding a hairstyle that she liked proved more difficult. She fussed over her hair for about an hour before finally deciding to use the crystal hair clip to hold back one side of her hair and allow the rest to hang free.

Noin stepped back and took a good look at herself. Suddenly Lieutenant Noin of the Specials Mobile Suite Corps was Lady Lucretzia of Romefellar. For once she actually looked the part. The rich hue of the dress almost, but not quite, matched the color of her eyes, something she had not noticed in the shop. It complimented her light complexion, she mused, then blushed at her vanity. She thought of herself as an attractive person, but she honestly hadn’t paid that much attention to how she looked other than to be presentably attired. As she looked at the mature young woman reflected in the glass before her, Noin found herself feeling pretty. The change in her appearance from the OZ officer to the lady in the mirror was uncanny and more than a little daunting.

Noin shook off her misgivings and started down to meet Zechs in the common hall. As she descended the staircase, Noin noted Zechs smugly leaning against the wall, fully dressed. He beat her downstairs and was evidently proud of it. Noin cast her gaze to the steps as she walked, unwilling to watch the expression on her friend’s face change. She looked so very different tonight, she was certain Zechs would react. Either by laughing at how she had transformed herself into one of the courtier’s of Romefellar, or he would be stunned by the fact that she looked like a girl. She didn’t know which would be worse: ridicule or stunned surprise that she could actually look beautiful if she made the effort. One suggested her dress was totally inappropriate, the other that he hadn’t found her all that attractive before. Reaching the bottom step, Noin smoothed at some imagined wrinkles, gathering her wits before meeting Zechs’ gaze. When she did look up, she wasn’t prepared for his reaction. Instead of a bemused smirk or wide-eyed shock, Zechs simply smiled. It was a warm knowing smile, pleased but not surprised.

            “Well? Do I pass muster, sir?”

            “Of course. You always do.”

            The last bit brought a blush to Noin’s cheeks which she diligently tried to hide by turning to the hall mirror.

            “I was going to buy a necklace or something, but I didn’t have time. It looks a little plain.” Her hand rose to her throat absently as she spoke. Zechs stepped up behind her, head tilted in consideration. An idea seemed to spring to his mind and he reached under his collar, pulling at a chain.

            “I have an idea. Here.” He removed his mother’s locket from its home around his neck and unhooked the clasp. He brought it around in front of Noin “Why don’t you borrow this for the night?”

            “Your mama’s locket, Zechs? Are you sure?”

            “I’m sure,” he affirmed quietly, fastening the clasp behind her neck. “I think it compliments your gown perfectly.”

            The couple stood like that for several minutes, gazing at their reflection. They made quite the perfect picture of young bluebloods, the image of the future Treize always expounded so. Zechs had chosen a rather old-fashioned style tuxedo with an elaborate waistcoat underneath the jacket. His platinum hair, now far past his shoulders, hung loosely down his back with a fringe shading his forehead and eyes. Noin had always thought him handsome in uniform, but that night he looked downright dazzling. It was as though he were back in his true element. The elegance of the black suit set against his pale hair and sky-blue eyes. He was perfect. As Noin silently absorbed his beauty, Zechs stepped back and slipped his mask over his head. Suddenly the moment was broken.

            “Is that really necessary?” Noin asked quietly. “You might stand out.”

She wanted a half-way normal night. Just this one evening as a normal girl and boy, enjoying a nice evening.

            “We don’t know who will be there. I don’t think anyone will question us.”

            Noin nodded a bit stiffly. They stood in silence for a moment, looking at their new reflection. Zechs held out his arm, his mouth curving a bit as he asked, “Shall we, Lady Noin?”

Noin curtseyed and took his arm graciously. “Of course Count Merquise.”

            As they left the BOQ, Zechs paused to tell one of his junior officers where they were going, using a tone of voice that told of the hell the boy would catch if the evening was interrupted for anything other than a dire emergency. The officer nodded nervously and held the door open for the two. Zechs had called a cab to take them to the Noventas residence. It was a short drive. They might have walked, Noin pointed out, but Zechs said they might tire themselves out before they got to dance.

            Despite a hairy moment or two on the way in, the evening turned out to be as much fun as they hoped. They danced almost every dance together, occasionally taking breaks to hit the desert table and divest it of its chocolate cake. They did eventually meet the Noventa girls, who turned out to be rather pleasant people. The youngest, Noin noted with amusement, seemed particularly taken with Zechs. She was a sweet girl with large blue eyes who resembled Relena a bit. Noin could tell from Zechs’ attentive manner that Sylvia reminded him of his sister as well. When the next song started, he gallantly asked the thirteen year old to dance. Noin gave him an affectionate smile and nod as he escorted the elated girl out onto the floor. She watched from a distance for a while, thoroughly enjoying how the evening progressed. She was so absorbed, Noin didn’t notice a young man approach until he placed a hand on her arm and called her name.

            “Paolo? What on Earth are you doing here?”

            “Forgive me, Lucretzia. I called your headquarters and one of your team members said you would be here. I hope you don’t mind?”

            “Of course I don’t mind! I had no idea you were in Marseilles.”

            “I was on my way back to Livorno and I had a layover. I’m sorry to interrupt your evening, but I needed to talk to you.”

            The grim look on Paolo’s face and his unexpected arrival alarmed Noin somewhat. “Of course. Let’s go out onto the balcony.”

            Noin glanced over to the dance floor and caught a glimpse of Zechs and the youngest Noventa granddaughter, Sylvia, still spinning happily to the music. They would be occupied for a while more, so she led Paolo outside. They strolled along the balcony railing for a while in silence. Noin studied her friend closely, noting the air of solemnity that replaced his usual light-heartedness. His shoulders were hunched and, Noin noted with concern, he looked as though he hadn’t slept well in a few days.

            “My father passed away last week.”

            Noin gasped in shock and gently put her arms around the young man as she whispered, “Oh, Paolo, I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”

            Paolo hugged her back tightly before pulling back, wiping at his eyes once. “It was rather sudden. A heart attack while he was on a business trip to Denmark. I didn’t want to tell you over the phone. I wanted…needed, really, to tell you in person.”

            Noin took the young man’s hand and gave it a squeeze, waiting for him to continue.

            “I only have a short time before I have to get back to the airport. I’m taking his body back to Livorno.”

            “When is the funeral?”
            “In a couple of days. Can you come?”
            “I’ll be there,” Noin reassured, squeezing his arm, “You’re my friend, Paolo, I’ll always be there for you.”

            “Yes, I know. You’re a very loyal person, Lucretzia. I’ve always admired that about you. So did my father,” he added with a smile. “You know, he was convinced you and I would marry one day.”

            Noin looked down. “Yes, I think most of Livorno expected that.”

            “Yes. My father was always asking me when I was going to be brave enough to ask you to come home…he expected me to get married by the time I was twenty, just as he did. He was anxious for a grandchild, someone to carry on his name. I wanted to please him, of course, so I always tried to do what he expected.”

            “He was proud of you, Paolo, you know that.”

            “Yes, I know.” He looked down, smiling wistfully and turned back to her. “Lucretzia, if I had asked, would you have stayed in Rome?”
            “I thought about it.”

            “Why didn’t you then?”

            Noin took a breath, a bit puzzled as to why Paolo was talking about such things just then, but did her best to answer truthfully. “I suppose I realized that I belonged here, in the Specials, I mean. This is where my duty lies.”

            “Duty is important to you.”

            “Of course it is.”

            “Even if it means leaving behind your own dreams?”

            “No,” Noin frowned, unable to understand where the conversation was headed. “I think we are all called to do certain things with our lives. Some refer to it as a ‘calling,’ I suppose. Right now, my place is here and my purpose is with the military. One day, I think I will be led elsewhere, to a different kind of life, but for now, this is where I belong.”

            “Do your duty and leave the rest to God?”

            “Exactly.”

            “I should do what I feel called to do.”

            “Yes. Always.”

            Paolo smiled and mumbled, “I knew it would help to talk to you.” He looked down at her, taking Noin’s hands in his and smiling. “You’ve helped me a great deal Lucretzia.”

“I’m glad. I just wish I knew what we were talking about.”

“Oh, that is not important at the moment. I’m just glad I came here to talk to you tonight. I know what I should do now.”

He finished by kissing Noin’s forehead affectionately. The light clack of shoes on the concrete prompted Noin to look up. Zechs was standing a few feet away, posture a bit rigid as he clenched his hands into fists. For a hideously long moment, Noin simply stared at her escort, knowing full well what was going through his mind. She glanced back to see an expectant look on Paolo’s face. He, of course, had absolutely no idea as to the identity of the man in the mask and was politely waiting to be introduced. Noin took a step back, standing between the two young men.

“Paolo, I’d like you to meet my friend Zechs. Zechs this is Paolo. We grew up together in Livorno.”

“I’m pleased to know you, Zechs.”

Paolo smiled and held his hand out affably. Zechs did not immediately respond and for a second Noin thought he might simply walk away. Instead, he slowly took the older man’s hand and shook it coolly. “A pleasure…I didn’t mean to interrupt.” Before anyone could respond, Zechs made an elegant bow and left.

“I’m sorry, Paolo…”

“No, please,” Paolo interjected, “I am the one who has interrupted your evening. I must be going.”

Noin moved to stop him, afraid that he felt offended by Zechs’ manner. “Are you going to be all right?”

“Yes. I’m glad I stopped by to talk to you, Lucretzia.” Paolo smiled and gave her hand a squeeze. “Now, I must catch my plane.”

“Please call me if you need anything.”

“I will.”

With that he left and Noin took off after Zechs. By the time she caught up with him, the lieutenant had managed to flag a cab.

“You just going to ditch me?”

“I thought you might prefer to be escorted home by Paolo.”

They got into the cab and fell silent, mindful of the driver. The drive back to the officer’s barracks was brief, but stunningly quiet. Even the driver gave up his attempt to engage the couple after a few moments and let them be. They finally pulled in front of the main building and Zechs paid the fare. Just as they were about to step out of the cab, Noin informed her companion why their old school friend had sought her out.

“His father died?” Zechs repeated gravely.

            “Yes. He needed a friend to talk to, Zechs. That’s why he was there.”

“Noin…I’m…”

“What did you think? I planned to meet him there?”

            Noin didn’t bother waiting for an answer. She simply turned and started up the steps to her room.

            “Wait,” Zechs took a step forward as Noin turned. “I’m trying to apologize.” Again, he silently added. Noin continued walking up the steps, but stopped at the top and turned to look at him when he shouted for her to stop. “Noin! We’re not finished talking about this.”

“I’m not talking to you about anything unless you take off that damned mask.”

Noin stood with her arms crossed, a deadly calm in her voice. She definitely meant business. If any of her soldiers saw that look on her face they would be suitably frightened, but it only served to make Zechs angry. He ripped the offending helmet off of his head and hurled it down with such a force that it bounced off of the pavement twice. Noin didn’t flinch. She simply stood staring down at him defiantly, waiting, challenging. Damn, she could be so stubborn. Zechs had the fleeting urge to just walk away and leave her standing on those steps. It would certainly accomplish something. She would be angry and hurt, not inclined to forgive him yet again, he would be free of her persistent friendship and free to concentrate on what mattered most. Vengeance.  Perhaps Treize was correct, Noin was a distraction and he was a distraction for her as well. If they could not focus on their duties—solely on their duties—then they would accomplish nothing. The Alliance would prevail and all would be lost once more. It was time to let her go, once and for all. Time and separation would do the rest. Their friendship would lull, quietly dissipating into an indifferent acquaintance, nothing more. Zechs would be an old school chum, a soldier Noin served with at one time. But at that moment, they were more. So much more. They needed—he needed—to say goodbye.

His mood suddenly changed. Zechs walked slowly up the stairs to meet Noin, watching her own attitude softened and her posture relax as he approached. He finally came to rest in front of his fellow officer, on the step just below hers, which left them face-to-face. They held each other’s gaze for a few moments, their eyes silently questioning and answering. Zechs took the last step, now standing over the lovely young woman who had provided a lifeline to him in his darkest hours. The woman who watched his back in a fight and kicked his butt in a duel. The only constant in his life since the age of five. He moved forward a step, causing Noin to back up, but only a step as her back met with the wall to the side of the front entrance. Zechs stood there, staring down at her, enjoying having her so close and the discomfort it caused in his companion. He was about to let Noin go forever, but tonight she was still part of him, a part that no one could take away until he was ready to let go--not OZ, not Treize, not even perfect, good-boy Paolo--and Zechs wanted to prove that.

“I thought you wanted to talk.”

Noin’s quiet voice broke through the young man’s thoughts, bringing a light smile to his lips. “We are,” Zechs murmured, leaning forward to place one hand against the wall behind Noin. They took up their staring match once more, soft puffs of breath the only sound disturbing the space between them. The lieutenant leaned forward again, this time placing his other hand to the wall, arms now on either side of the young woman before him. Zechs was amazed how just being near Noin could make his heart beat faster and his breath irregular. She had that affect on men in general. He knew because he watched.

“What is Paolo to you, Noin?”

There it was. The question she had been dreading, though Noin didn’t really feel as though she should. It wasn’t as though she did anything wrong. Still, when she thought of her evenings with Paolo, she could not help feeling as though Zechs would be hurt to find out. Noin ultimately answered with the simple truth.

“We’re friends.”

“So are we.”

Zechs pressed forward, just a fraction, his body language hinting to a deeper meaning behind his spoken words. A light color rose to Noin’s delicate features, but she did not look away, instead returning the man’s gaze relentlessly. As his clear eyes bore into her own, Noin became increasingly uncomfortable. Her eyebrows furrowed slightly and she glanced away for a split second before capturing his pale blue eyes once more. Noin tried to steady her breathing before answering again.

“We went out a few times when I was stationed in Rome…I told you that, remember?”

“No. I believe you said you were ‘hanging out’ with him.”

“Same thing.”

“Is it?”

She was a little irritated by his prodding and refused to speak. His voice took on a hint of teasing, but also the merest hint of anger.

“Did you let him hold your hand?”

Noin narrowed her eyes and simply replied, “Yes,” hoping to irritate him with her honesty.

Zechs leaned in a bit closer. “Did you let him put his arms around you?”

“Yes.”

“Did you let him kiss you?”

His voice remained cool and unemotional as he leaned forward a little more, successfully causing a full blush to form on Noin’s face. Her eyes dropped down to the young man’s lips as she answered, “Yes.”

“How?”

She stared at his mouth, too entranced to respond.

“Show me,” Zechs insisted, his lips almost, but not quite, brushing hers. To Noin’s consternation, she trembled slightly at the near contact. He was playing a game, she could feel that, a duel of sorts, and he was winning. He had her pinned to the wall, yet they were not touching. His presence, his closeness was enough to root her to the spot and he knew it. Zechs knew perfectly well what he was doing and that Noin had no idea how to respond. Checkmate.

Where the hell did he learn that? Was that how Treize behaved with women, did Johnny?  Six years of observing the Kushrenada brothers evidently taught Zechs something. Noin wrenched her eyes away from his mouth and looked up into his eyes, searching for some reason to shove him on his ass again. She expected some glint of mocking or perhaps the look of triumph he wore when he bested her in some competition. Instead she saw uncertainty and the suggestion of something else. Fear? Not exactly. More like the realization that he was about to cross line and there would be no turning back.

The game suddenly ceased. Noin wrapped her arms around the young man’s waist, pressing her cheek to his chest. She expected a hesitant, possibly negative response, but instead Zechs embraced her in return. His arms held her firmly, but still with a tenderness he rarely showed. Noin felt him rest his chin atop her head, his tense chest muscles relaxing considerably as Zechs began to play with her hair. They stood there in a silent embrace for a long time, Noin slowly rubbing his back, Zechs methodically stoking her hair. The young woman allowed her eyelids to flutter shut as a calm warmth fell upon her. She always got sleepy when someone played with her hair. She was almost eighteen years old and it still worked.

Again, all they had was confusion. He drew her in yet pushed her away. Noin tried to simply enjoy the new truce between them, but a nagging thought continually invaded her comfortable haze. He still didn’t mention his new orders. All night Noin tried to convince herself that Zechs didn’t say anything because he had changed his mind and refused the post, but she knew better. His ambitions would not permit such a thing. He was being sent to command the best troops in OZ. It was a position of prestige, ultimately a stepping-stone in his ascent in Romefellar and therefore the best way to position himself for a brilliant revenge. But there were stumbling blocks to bypass, obstacles to his goal that the young man had struggled with since he was very young. Friendship, kindness, compassion. Everything they once offered one another without reservation, everything she held dear. Zechs sought to purge himself of those qualities.  He saw her as a weakness even as she saw him as a source of strength.

“You weren’t even going to say goodbye, were you?” Noin whispered the question against his chest, almost hoping he did not hear.

The young man tensed slightly, but said nothing. It wasn’t necessary. Noin could feel what he was doing. Zechs was trying to let her go. If he simply left without a word, it would make everything much easier. He could push her away as he had once before. He had failed then and she wasn’t about to let him succeed now, at least not completely. Parting would be difficult, but they had been separated before, under much more trying circumstances and yet they still managed to find their way back. Noin believed, trusted deep in her heart, that it would always be so. Yes, their duty owned them at that moment, but not forever. One day, revenge would be complete and a new day would dawn.

            The young woman tilted her head up, raising herself up on her toes to align her face with his. She kissed Zechs, delicately offering him a last bit of warmth before he flung himself into the cold void of space, into the bitter arms of hate.  He responded gently, accepting her farewell and returning it in kind. Noin made a fist in the fabric of his shirt as Zechs coaxed her lips apart. He hesitated, again waiting for her approval just as he has asked permission for their first kiss. He could be brash and impulsive, occasionally annoying, but beyond all of that, he was a gentleman. A frustratingly honorable gentleman who would not take the upper hand in such a situation unless she allowed. So there they stood, open mouths pressed together, but neither willing to push forward. Noin suddenly felt very childish and naïve. She had never kissed anyone in that way and was embarrassingly unsure as to how to continue. The young woman tilted her head a bit more, unclenching her fists and sliding her hands up his back, hoping Zechs would get the idea and make the next move.

            Zechs cradled the back of the young woman’s head, rubbing his fingers against her scalp while his free hand slid down to her waist, carefully pressing her body to his.  An interminable pause ensued before Noin finally felt the warm tip of the young man’s tongue lightly scrape against her teeth and flick against her own. After a shy exploration, the two settled into the kiss, allowing instinct to take over. There was an undeniable passion to the kiss, yet also a timidity and restraint as neither was willing to let go completely. Noin’s mind blanked, only her physical senses remaining alert as she committed the taste and feel of Zechs Merquise to memory. It would be all she had of him for months at least, possibly longer, and she would have only this to remember until they met again.

Let Zechs think this was a last goodbye. She knew better.

 

=================== End Chapter 9 =====================

Geez….that last bit came out like a romance novel [shudder]. Sorry. I hope, though, the mushiness makes up for the kiss with Paolo. The part about Noin going to sniper training is a little abrupt, I know, but I needed to introduce the idea in this chapter. I couldn’t think of a better way, so sorry if it’s bad or out of place.

Mwah!! Thanks for the lovely reviews! I appreciate you guys!!

Next chapter: Noin’s past comes back to haunt her and she struggles with the idea of becoming an OZ assassin. Chapter 11 will pick up with the series [finally!].

Disclaimer: [grrrrrrr] I don’t own Gundam Wing. This fic is for entertainment purposes only. Satisfied? [ <>^<>  ß unhappy Zechs waiting to pounce on nasty lawyer-people who might find a way to halt fanfiction. After all, fanfics are the only place Zechs sees any action with Noin. Zechs likes fanfics. He likes them a lot.]

[1] I took this from a TV show, but I don’t remember which one. I just remember those two lines of dialogue and thinking it was incredibly funny. Hey, I’m a fanfic author. I live to plagerise.