Chapter 2

Disclaimer: What means this strange word?

The Earth Sphere Unified Nation had gathered it's leading officials in the L4 Colony cluster for a meeting of affairs. At this meeting would be: the Earth Sphere President; the Vice Foreign Minister, Relena Darlian; Commander in Chief of the Preventers, Lady Une; the top six ranking Preventers, Code names Fire, Wind, Water, Ryuu, Shi, and Hunter; as well as the heads of the leading Colony and Earth corporations. Including Winner Enterprises Incorporated and DeAugust Industries.

The year After Colony 198, October. The L4 Colonies were in great preparation for hosting such a prestigious meeting.

((insert Gundam Wing opening sequence))

As they drove to the first day of the conference, the fall foliage blurring by, Quatre recalled that dinner had been pleasant enough, even if a bit strained. Miss Lillia seemed as if she were trying too hard to be nice. A slight frown crossed his face and just as quickly disappeared. He would have to concentrate on the conference for now.

Lillia frowned, staring out the window, /This is going to be more difficult than avoiding Heero Yuy. I can't contradict his statements about what he would like for the Earthsphere, to do so would be to lie and go against my own desires. So how can I get him to dislike me during the conference?\\

As they pulled up Quatre sighed seeing the media circus, "This is going to be difficult..."

"Is it?" Quatre looked at Lillia, head tilted, as she continued, "Either we exit together and let them think what they want, or one of us exists first and the other takes a trip around the block before exiting."

"I think the second option would be most feasible, so whom first?" Quatre had noticed a disdainful edge in her tone.

Mustering her strength, Lillia managed to give Quatre a look that clearly said he was an idiot, "Well the press would be all over you like a flock of vultures on a decaying bovine carcass. Me they would hardly notice. So whichever you would prefer."

Quatre, slightly disturbed by her description, suggested that she go first.

They first day of the conference was not going well, the colonies knew what they wanted but they didn't want to be indebted to the Earth. The Earth knew what it wanted and it didn't involve the colonies, and stuck in the middle were the Preventers and the businesses that had operations on both regions. Quatre spared a moment during one of the heated debates and glanced around. He knew most of the people present but very few made it to the list he called friends. And among those were: Miss Relena, who was trying to calm the debaters; WuFei, who was there not only as a Preventer but as a representative of his home colony which some wanted to rebuild. Mister Milliardo and Miss Noin were present as representatives of the Terra-forming project. Duo on behalf of the Sweepers and as an advocate for the rebuilding of the Maxwell Church. Lady Une was the key spokesperson for the Preventers, with Dr. Sally Po as her assistant. Quatre noticed that Heero was present on security detail, which was a comforting fact.

"I still don't see why, if the colonies desire such independence, those of us from the Earth don't just leave them to it. If they don't want our help then so be it, we won't help in any way!" Mr. Aarons, of a prominent shipping company, almost shouted.

As the Vice Foreign Minister was about to speak another voice interrupted, "If that is how you feel Mr. Aarons, then you need only do no business with any company that has operations in the colonies, and refuse to purchase any items that are colony made."

Everyone turned their attention to Miss Lillia Flores, Relena recovered and addressed Miss Flores, "What do you mean Miss Flores?"

Lillia looked at Relena who, like herself, was one of the younger members of the conference, "What I mean Minister Darlian is that anyone from Earth who doesn't wish to trade with the colonies is free to boycott colony products. Likewise anyone from the colonies who doesn't wish to trade with the Earth need only boycott their products."

"That is an outrageous suggestion!" exclaimed Mr. Aarons.

Lillia regarded him icily, "Then I'm afraid, Señor, that you are contradicting yourself. You voice the opinion that the colonies should fend for themselves, yet when it is suggested that if you feel so strongly that you refrain from assisting them through purchases, you object. You either want to trade with the colonies or not."

Mr. Aarons glared at the young businesswoman, his tone snide, "And what about you? DeAugust Industries is based on Earth, it makes deals with the colonies, and, if rumor is to be believed, yourself and Mr. Winner will soon be married."

Quatre tensed, no one short of his friends, his trust-worthy staff and a couple of his sisters knew about that. He looked toward Lillia who merely smiled.

"I would like to point out that since my father's death I have become the head of DeAugust Industries. Secondly I find that 'making deals with the colonies' has helped DeAugust Industries reach number two in the top grossing companies of the entire Earthsphere. And finally, whether or not Señor Winner and I have a personal relationship is no one's business but our own." Lillia fought to keep her features schooled and her voice even.

Beside Mr. Aarons, Ms. Martine spoke up, "But if the heads of DeAugust Industries and Winner Enterprises Incorporated do marry then the possibility exists for a merger between the two companies which would give the two of you a monopoly."

Quatre frowned, he hadn't thought about that, but his worries increased when Lillia made her next statement.

"You fail to realize some very important facts. The first of which is that should Señor Winner and I marry DeAugust Industries would be run by the executive board until such time as my heir or heiress comes of age. It's in the bylaws of my company." Furious whispers met that statement. Ignoring the whispers Lillia, looking at her notes, continued, "Besides which, who ever said I wanted to marry Señor Winner."

Silence prevailed over the entire conference hall.

((Insert commercial break))

The meeting had continued well into the afternoon and now was just ending for the day. Tomorrow would start the second of the three days for the conference. Quatre and Lillia spared their images, since the better part of the colony and probably the Earthsphere was now aware that they were discussing a possible engagement, and departed together. The two remained silent through the majority of the ride.

"Would you care for anything specific for dinner tonight?" Quatre asked politely. Part of him was grateful that Miss Lillia had no desire to carry out her father's wish. But another part, the part that was jealous of Trowa, was hurt.

Lillia stared ahead blankly, "What ever your staff has planned will be fine."

Rashid frowned, from what everyone who had met her so far had said, Lillia Flores was a cheerful and outgoing person. Even Mister Yuy said she was delightful, and gaining praise from him was an accomplishment in itself. Yet since this morning she had been reported as having acted cold, distant, and somewhat shrewish. There was no reason for such a sudden change.

When they pulled up to the estate Rashid got out and opened the doors for them, earning his usual thanks from Master Quatre, but a half-nod from Miss Flores, as if she wanted to thank him but something prevented her from doing so.

Rashid continued to watch both of them as Auda approached with their messages for the day. Master Quatre was ever polite if a bit daunted, Miss Flores... Yes the staff was right about her sudden change.

Briskly taking the message sheets Miss Flores spoke in an equally brisk if somewhat cold tone, "If you'll excuse me, I think I'll retire for the evening." Avoiding direct eye contact with anyone she walked off.

Knowing that she was being watched as she left didn't help. /Do they have any idea how difficult it is to seem rude when they are so polite?\\ The confused and hurt look on Quatre's face most certainly did not help.

Once in her room she closed and locked the door, then kicking off her shoes and removing her jacket sat on the bed and opened her laptop. She had twenty messages. She answered them in order: first, to all nine cousins who wrote her, that she was well, the conference was going okay and she would keep them updated. Messages ten through sixteen were deleted as junk mail, the seventeenth through twentieth messages were from him.

Before she could stop, Lillia found herself composing a message to him:

Hello Heero,

I'm sorry I couldn't write sooner, things have been a bit hectic as you know.

What with preparing security for the conference and everything else...

I would like to talk to you some time soon, if even through IM or real-time

Emails. I find myself in a difficult position and...well...I just don't know what to do.

It's not that I expect you to have answers for me but it would be a relief to

talk to you, something that always cheers me up.

I saw you again recently and am glad that you are well, at least physically.

I hope to hear from you soon.

Your Admirer

Without even realizing it Lillia hit the send key. Then while she was going over some of the reports from her company she received an instant message:

WingWarrior01: Please excuse the screen name Duo created it.

Lillia blinked then had to cover her mouth to keep from laughing, it definitely sounded like something Duo Maxwell would come up with. As she typed her response she felt a small stab of guilt.

KarisumaHana: I think it sounds cute.

She didn't know what possessed her to answer, not only was she in the house of her almost fiancée but both men, Quatre and Heero, were likely just doors away from her.

WingWarrior01: At the least this will teach me not to be out when Preventers does any further sign-ups.

KarisumaHana: True, or at least to not entrust Duo Maxwell with such duties.

There was such a pause Lillia was afraid he was going to sign off.

WingWarrior01: Very true. The others are on and want to talk to you. I've warned them off any personal questions.

Lillia barely had time to blink when a chat room invitation popped up. Knowing she would never hear the end of it, at least from Duo, if she didn't enter...

Online Host: You have now entered "Lounge Time"

KarisumaHana: Let me guess, Duo created the chat room?

Just05: And all of our screen names save yours.

Shinigami02: Hi Tenshi. You up for another night of drinking?

WingWarrior01: ...Duo...

KarisumaHana: lol. Sure how does this weekend sound? I'll be in dire need of a good strong drink by then.

Shinigami02: ...Seriously?

KarisumaHana: Yes seriously.

InochiNoKokoro: Are you truly that distressed?

Lillia didn't need to check the profile to recognize that screen name as belonging to Quatre and she couldn't answer without revealing who she was. Not only was it proving difficult but also hurtful to keep this up.

Shinigami02: Woohoo! I got a date with Heero's secret admirer! :D

Just05: Maxwell shut-up.

InochiNoKokoro: WuFei please be polite in front of our guest. Duo don't taunt Heero you know he's likely to find you and shoot you.

InochiNoKokoro: Trowa are you still there?

SadClown03: hai

InochiNoKokoro: Are you okay?

SadClown03: I dislike this screen name

Lillia couldn't help but laugh at that.

WingWarrior01: You are not alone in those sentiments.

Just05: Likewise. So 'Karisuma', you braved the horrors of drinking with Maxwell?

KarisumaHana: The only horror was the hangover the next day.

Shinigami02: Hey! I resent that! :P

Lillia rolled her eyes then noticed her IM window flash.

WingWarrior01: What's wrong?

She didn't want to lie to him, but how could she let him know without him finding out who she was.

KarisumaHana: Nothing a little rest and possibly a vacation wouldn't solve.

WingWarrior01: I know it's a personal question but, why?

Lillia stared at the screen. How could she tell him the reasons she felt so strongly toward him?

KarisumaHana: You did so much for the Earthsphere during the wars and after.

WingWarrior01: Those are reasons to admire not love.

He was right. But she had been drawn to him for reasons she couldn't explain. Before she could type an answer she noticed the chat room flashing.

Just05: You resemble it. You are a low class hoodlum.

InochiNoKokoro: WuFei!

Shinigami02: Don't sweat it Q, Wu-man is just jealous that he doesn't know how to have fun. Isn't that right Tenshi?

Shinigami02: Tenshi? you still there?

KarisumaHana: Sorry. What was that?

Just05: Nevermind we were picking on Maxwell.

KarisumaHana: Is that all? I thought I missed something important. ~_^

Shinigami02: I thought you loved me ;_;====

Just05: Maxwell what is that?

Shinigami02: It's my sad face with a braid. :)

Just05: You and your damned emoticons.

KarisumaHana: I think it's cute, and no sorry Duo I don't love you.

InochiNoKokoro: So Trowa how is everyone at the circus doing?

SadClown03: Fine...Excuse me a moment.

Just05: 'Karisuma' how did you first meet Yuy?

WingWarrior01: Since that qualifies as a personal question you don't have to answer that.

Shinigami02: Especially since that would give away your identity, ne? ^_~

Just05: How is it you know who she is?

Shinigami02: Because like I said we went drinking once before, and I didn't start the evening drunk.

InochiNoKokoro: You never did say why you were so distressed Miss Karisuma. I'll understand if you feel that is a personal question.

Damn Quatre Winner and his understanding nature.

KarisumaHana: It's just pent up stress. No big deal.

Shinigami02: No big deal? Tenshi you really need the drink, especially if you've been working on the conference security. I know I'll need it.

Lillia was about to respond when a new IM window opened.

Shinigami02: How long you gonna wait to tell him about yourself?

KarisumaHana: I don't know. I have another personal matter to deal with first.

Shinigami02: Like what? maybe I can help you.

KarisumaHana: Not unless you can help me convince someone I'm betrothed to that it wouldn't work because I'm in love with his friend.

Lillia blinked at what she had sent, and silently cursed herself.

Shinigami02: ...Holy shit! Are you saying that you're L.D-F.?

KarisumaHana: Please don't tell anyone, and why the initials?

Shinigami02: Because we've both been ignoring the chat room and Heero could be monitoring the IM's.

KarisumaHana: ...oh...

Lillia noticed that Quatre and WuFei had been commenting on the silence and inquiring if she was okay, also that Trowa had returned.

KarisumaHana: Sorry I got distracted by this article I found.

InochiNoKokoro: That's okay, would you like us to let you go?

KarisumaHana: No thank you. How's Nicole doing Trowa?

SadClown03: ...You know Nicole?

Again Lillia cursed herself.

Shinigami02: How else do you think she found out that I knew Heero's email address?

Another IM from Duo popped up:

Shinigami02: First rounds are your treat.

Lillia silently agreed to that and returned her attention to the chat room.

Just05: So you're a Preventer?

KarisumaHana: I think it's safe to say that everyone in this chat room is at least a part-time Preventer. Isn't that right Mr. Winner?

InochiNoKokoro: True and please feel free to call me Quatre.

Lillia thought back to that first meeting at the front of the estate...

KarisumaHana: Well I'd hate to be a spoilsport, but it is getting late...

Shinigami02: I'll talk 2 U l8r 2 arrange where we'll meet, k?

KarisumaHana: Sure.

Just05: You understood that?

KarisumaHana: Yes.

Just05: Then you must be tired. Good night 'Karisuma'.

KarisumaHana: Good night WuFei.

InochiNoKokoro: It was nice to talk to you, I hope we can all meet you sometime soon.

Oh if he only knew...

KarisumaHana: That would be nice. Good night Quatre, Good night Trowa.

SadClown03: Oyasumi...and hopefully I'll have cracked the code on this and have a new screen name next time we talk.

Shinigami02: :P

Lillia closed the chat room and turned her attention to the IM.

WingWarrior01: Do you feel well?

KarisumaHana: Yeah just tired. I'm sorry we couldn't talk longer.

WingWarrior01: That's ok. Maybe we can talk again tomorrow?

KarisumaHana: I would like that. If I have the time I'll be on.

WingWarrior01: Same here. Oyasumi nasai.

KarisumaHana: I love you because not only are you strong enough to provide others with strength but your heart allows you to do that willingly.

Oyasumi nasai, mi amore.

Heero was about to respond when she signed off. He sat and stared at the screen for a while. Duo knew who she was. She knew Nicole. She was a Preventer, and she knew Spanish as well as Japanese. It wasn't much but it was something to start a more extensive search with.

Heero started a search of the Preventers Personnel files. Search perimeters: Bilingual, Spanish.

That brought up twenty-eight files. He narrowed the search further. Search perimeters: known associates; Preventer Shi and Preventer Ice.

The list narrowed to ten.

As he read through the list he started eliminating names:

Wind, Zechs didn't hate him that much;

Water, Sally would sooner send letters to WuFei;

Fire, Noin was most assuredly in love with Zechs;

Ryuu, Unless there was something WuFei had neglected to mention...;

Ice, Nicole was happily married to Trowa;

Chinmoku, Trowa didn't have enough of a sense of humor to pull this kind of prank;

Shi, Duo wasn't talented enough to be two people in a chat room;

Inochi, Quatre wouldn't do something like this;

Hunter, Heero himself...;

Nemesis, Heero started to pull up the personal files on Nemesis.

Preventer Nemesis

Real Name: Unknown

Age: Unknown

Ethnic Origin: Unknown

Physical Description: Unknown

Other Notes: Nemesis is Multi-lingual, fluent in English, Spanish, Japanese, French, German, and Russian.

Nemesis has knowledge in Technical Repairs specifically Mobile suits and Space vehicles.

Nemesis is a master of disguise and can blend into any and every situation, able to alter physical appearance as well as vocal inflictions, thus why physical description is unavailable.

No other information available.

Puzzlement swept over Heero for he knew Lady Une kept meticulous records on all Preventers, all information was required as part of the Preventers application process.

((Insert Ending sequence))

Author's Note: I personally thought this was the funniest chapter in this story….*shrug* Anyway, Lillia's IM name means charisma flower roughly translated. And if you put yourself in duo's mindset everyone else's screen name's make sense.