Chapter One

Lista sighed and walked out of the conference room, feeling exhausted as her 14-hour day came to its conclusion. Officials smiled as she walked by, paperwork in hand. She fought her fatigue and entered her office, seeing her vice-ambassador standing before her.

"Ambassador di Nevella, I presume your conference went well?" he inquired. Lista smiled and strode over to her desk, plopping down into her chair.

"As well as can be expected, Gareth. I'm just glad that I can go home. I'm so tired," she yawned, relaxing back in her office chair. Gareth smirked and sat on her desk, shaking his head.

"I still don't know how you do it, Lista. You're running outer space, for crying out loud, and you're not even twenty. You know everyone looks up to you for it," he replied. Lista smiled and chuckled lightly.

"I can't understand why. I'm no different than you, Gareth. You can do exactly what I do every single day. You shouldn't hold me on a pedestal," Lista remarked. Gareth's smile faded and he sprung off the desk, walking around the piece of furniture to Lista's side.

"You're far too modest, Lista. Why wouldn't anyone hold you as high as they do? As a mere child you became Commander of the Colonies' army, then was promoted to ambassador as soon as the war ended. You weren't even sixteen when it all happened, so why wouldn't anyone hold you that high? They would be fools not to," Gareth explained. Lista smiled and shook her head, running her fingers through her ebony hair.

"Alright, alright. So I've accomplished a lot in a short amount of time. I guess that's something to be proud of," Lista commented. She sighed deeply and stood, gathering all the loose papers on her desk in her hands. "I'm going the hell home, Gareth. My bed is most certainly calling me right now." Gareth laughed and nodded.

"I got you. I have everything under control here. Just get home and get some rest. Tomorrow's another day," Gareth stated. Lista nodded in agreement and slid all of her papers in one manila folder signed "Confidential" on the front in bright red letters.

"Right. I'll see you tomorrow morning, then?"

"As usual. Have a good night, Ambassador."

"Same to you, Vice-Ambassador." Lista and Gareth smiled at each other, and the young woman walked out of her office, leaving the Vice-Ambassador behind her. She walked down the hall, attempting to hold back a yawn. She didn't really want to show her exhaustion, but she could only do so much sometimes.

"Ambassador di Nevella?" Lista blinked out of her musings and saw a woman making her way up to her with a small folded piece of paper in her hand. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but I have a message for you."

"A message? From who?" Lista questioned. The woman smiled and handed over the folded paper.

"I believe it came from Winner Enterprises." Lista's face brightened and she almost giggled like a school girl. Quatre.

"Thank you very much." The woman nodded and turned, walking away. Lista put the folder under her arm and opened the folded piece of paper, smiling on the neat handwriting inside.

"Dearest Lista, outside sits one of my private shuttles. I'm sure you'll know what to do. All my love, Quatre."

Lista felt her heart flutter inside her chest as she read over the small note numerous times. She wasn't going home. She was going to Arabia to see Quatre. She quickened her pace and opened the main doors to the fresh air. Lo and behold, in front of her on the landing pad was a shuttle with the Winner insignia. She smiled and walked up to the opened stairs, seeing a Maguanac pilot walk down with a bright smirk.

"Abdul."

"Ambassador, it's good to see you. I have strict orders from Master Quatre to safely transport you to his estate for an extended visit," Abdul replied. Lista cocked her head to the side in confusion.

"An extended visit?"

"I'm sure Master Quatre will want to be the one to further inform you. Shall we go? I'm sure you've had an exhausting day," Abdul smiled. He bowed his head and ushered her into the shuttle.

"You're absolutely wonderful. Thanks Abdul." The two of them entered the shuttle and without a moment's notice, it took off into the sun-settled horizon.

---

Quatre Raberba Winner paced with his hands firm behind him, waiting as patient as possible for Abdul to return with Lista. He watched the desert sky intently for any signs of the private shuttle he sent to retrieve her. Rashid strode up behind the young blonde man, stopping him with a firm hand on his shoulder. Quatre looked up at him and smiled.

"Oh, hello Rashid," Quatre greeted gently.

"Master Quatre, what are you doing out here?" Rashid questioned.

"I sent Abdul to get Lista from her meeting and bring her down here. I have missed her so much, but I understand how much work she has with being the Ambassador of the Colonies. I can relate to a point with running my family's business, but she is charged with running all of space. She has so much to contend with on her own, and I know she could use a break," Quatre explained. Rashid smiled.

"So you are bringing her here to wait on her every whim," Rashid deducted. "Miss Lista will be comfortable here, sir. I will personally see to it." Suddenly, Auda came running out of the estate, saluting both Rashid and Quatre. "What is it, Auda?"

"I have just received contact from Abdul. He will be here within the next few minutes. He also wanted me to deliver a message to Master Quatre from Ambassador di Nevella." Quatre's eyes widened slightly at the sound of her name.

"What was it?" Quatre asked.

"She said to stop pacing." The blonde Arabian man smiled and chuckled.

"I suppose she knows me more than I thought. You can go, Auda, and thank you very much for the message," Quatre said. Auda nodded and turned, heading back into the estate. The boy looked up at Rashid. "I'm not quite sure what I will do when I see her, Rashid. It seems as if it's been such a long time."

"It has been a lengthy amount of time for the two of you to be apart, but she will be here shortly, and we will be out of your way so you can spend time with her, Quatre. We have all seen the care you show towards her. We will do whatever you wish while she's here," Rashid vowed. Quatre nodded and turned his attention back to the sky, seeing a small glowing light. It was his private shuttle on the horizon. "Well, it seems as if the Ambassador has finally arrived. Her room is ready, Master Quatre."

"That's quite alright, Rashid. I would prefer if she stayed with me. I suppose I should have clarified. Forgive me," Quatre apologized.

"Nonsense, Master Quatre. No need for apology. If you would like, I will leave you alone with Ambassador di Nevella upon her arrival."

"Of course not, Rashid. I am sure she'd like to see you, too. Just as you're my family, you are hers as well," Quatre smiled. Rashid nodded, his happiness hiding behind his stone expression.

"Very well, Master Quatre." They turned towards the shuttle, now preparing for its landing before them. Quatre's hair blew back from the powerful wind, and the shuttle placed itself in front of them, its engines shutting off. Quatre closed the distance between him and the shuttle, his heart beating out of his chest in anticipation. The stairs extended out from the shuttle and there, standing before him, was a smiling ebony-haired woman with sparkling emerald eyes. Lista. Quatre could feel the tears welling up in his eyes upon seeing her after what seemed like so long.

Lista made her way down the stairs in her official uniform, carrying in plain view the letter he sent with Abdul. The Maguanac warrior appeared behind her carrying her single manila folder. Once stepping foot on the desert floor, she walked towards Quatre, her smile never faltering.

"Quatre." The blonde Gundam pilot put his arms around her, pulling her into a heartfelt hug.

"Lista, it feels so good having you in my arms again. It seems like an eternity has passed since I've last seen you," he whispered. Lista smiled and giggled.

"Quatre, it's only been a week. I saw you at the reunion meeting last week in the Colonies along with everyone else," Lista reminded him. She pulled away. "But I have to say, I am very pleased you brought me here." She turned to Abdul. "Thank you for making the trip to get me, Abdul." He smiled.

"Of course, Ambassador di Nevella. You know I'd do anything for such a beautiful woman." Rashid's glare tore through him, and he chuckled nervously.

"Don't you have something to do, Abdul? Get going," Rashid ordered. Abdul nodded and bowed to Lista once before running off with a goofy smile on his face. "Ambassador, welcome back. I think I speak for the entire Maguanac Corps when I say I am glad to have you visiting with us. If there is anything I or any of us can do to make your stay more comfortable, please do not hesitate on asking." Lista smiled.

"Thank you, Rashid. And please, right now I'm not an ambassador. Call me Lista. We're on closer standards than that of professionalism. You're my friend, and I'm yours," Lista smiled. Rashid returned the expression and nodded.

"Of course, Miss Lista. Now, I will leave the two of you alone to catch up. I will be in the study if you need me, Master Quatre."

"Thank you kindly, Rashid," Quatre said. With that, Rashid bowed his head slightly and walked into the estate. Quatre turned back to Lista, but before he could say anything, Lista's hands were pressed against his cheeks and she kissed him with all the fervor she had built up. In response, Quatre wrapped his arms around her back, pulling her into his body. When Lista pulled away, she left Quatre breathless, as well as herself.

"I can't tell you how long I wanted to do that," Lista remarked, her voice low.

"It's been too long, Lista. One week is too long to go without seeing you. But, we will have time to spend together, which is why I have arranged for your stay here," Quatre replied. Lista's smile faded.

"I have to ask, sweetheart, about that. Abdul said something about an extended visit. What did he mean by that?" she questioned. Quatre's smile only widened.

"I have personally contacted the Vice-Ambassador and requested for you to take several vacationing days from the job so you could relax and gain some time to do what you wish. He was more than happy to oblige, so he and your officials have granted you time away. I will not let you take no for an answer, which is why I had you brought here… with me." Lista smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him sweetly on the lips.

"Oh Quatre, I should have known you would do something like that for me. You know you didn't have to do that," Lista scolded lightly.

"Of course I didn't have to do anything, but I wanted to, and I know deep down you wanted a little time off. You're not immortal, love, and I would much rather keep you in good health. This will be good for you," Quatre stated. Lista sighed and nodded.

"Yes, I know you're right. But Quatre, I don't have any of my personal belongings here," Lista pointed out. Quatre smiled and shook his head. Lista cocked her head to the side and shook her head with a knowing grin. "You arranged for my things to be brought here, didn't you?"

"You know me far too well. And by the way, I was pacing," Quatre said. Lista giggled and put her hands on her waist.

"I knew you were. You're impatient sometimes, you know," Lista pointed out.

"Only when it comes to you. Now, why don't we go inside for some tea? We can talk for a little bit and then we'll go to bed. I have a few things planned for us tomorrow," Quatre informed.

"I can't wait. I'm sure it's going to be wonderful," Lista commented. Quatre nodded and took her hand gently, pressing his lips against it.

"Let's go, then." Quatre led her inside his estate, walking her down the extravagantly large hallway. On either side of them hung a portrait of each of his 29 sisters, and all the way at the end hung one of Katherine Winner, Quatre's mother, and Zayeed Winner, his father. Lista was always saddened by seeing the portraits of Quatre's parents, especially his mother. Quatre was a splitting image of her; her eyes were a gentle sapphire and her blonde hair curled elegantly at her shoulders. A tear fell down her cheek and she smiled.

Quatre turned, catching the lone tear rolling down Lista's cheek. He stopped them and lifted his finger, wiping it away. "Lista, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" Lista laughed nervously and waved her hand in front of her, trying to wave it off.

"Oh, it's nothing, Quatre. I was just admiring your mother," she replied. Quatre's eyes glowed appreciatively, but he shook his head.

"Don't pity my parents, Lista. They would never want you to be sad for them," Quatre pointed out. "And you know more than anything I hate seeing you cry."

"I know you do. I'm sorry, Quatre. Leave it up to me to be emotional for no apparent reason," Lista replied, trying to smile her way out of crying. "Okay, I'm done. Let's go, okay?" Quatre nodded and led her into one of the gold-framed doors on the right, which was one of the spare bedrooms.

"I've arranged for all of your things to be in here, so if you need them, you know where to find them. But, I'm hoping you'll consent to stay with me rather than in here," Quatre informed, playing with his hands in nervousness. Lista smiled and put her hand on his shoulder.

"You know my answer to that, Quatre. But you know, I think I need to seriously change out of these clothes, if you don't mind giving me a moment," Lista said. Quatre nodded.

"Of course. I'll be in my bedroom doing the very same thing. Take your time." Quatre kissed her cheek and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. Lista smiled and walked to the closet, seeing nearly every piece of her wardrobe hanging before her. She opted for a pair of jean shorts and a blue spaghetti-strap shirt. The desert was a searing place, after all. Her thick, long-sleeved uniform had taken its toll on her as it was.

She pulled her hair up and tied it into a ponytail before exiting the room. She closed the door with a quiet click and walked down the hall to the main door beside the portraits of Quatre's parents. She knocked on the door and quickly afterwards, it opened and Quatre stood before her with a smile. He had changed from his usual formal attire to a pair of light blue shorts and a white t-shirt.

"Come on in, sweetheart. I'm almost finished." Lista smiled and he moved to the side, letting her walk in his master bedroom. She gasped lightly when hanging gloriously in front of his bed was a portrait of none other than herself. It was a colorful painting of her clad in a flowing jade green dress and a bright smile on her painted pink lips. She was standing in a flower-bedded field with a bright cerulean, cloudless sky behind her. A gentle breeze was blowing through her long black locks of hair.

"Quatre… When did you have this done?" she asked quietly. Quatre smiled and walked up beside her, putting his hand on the painting.

"It's actually fairly new. I had it commissioned a few days ago. I wanted you to be in my room at all times, even when you weren't physically here. It comforts me," Quatre explained.

"But, how did you have it done without me being the model for the artist?" Lista questioned.

"Well, I didn't need a model for it. I had it painted with merely you in my memories. He went by the descriptions I gave him of you, which were very precise I have to say. Every little detail of you is embedded in my mind," Quatre responded with a smile. Lista couldn't help but giggle at him.

"You never cease to amaze me. I can't believe you would do that. You're incredible, Quatre," Lista gushed. She put her arms around him and kissed him quickly, pulling away teasingly before he could kiss her back. "So, how about we sit on the deck and enjoy the cool desert air with a cup of tea? That sounds comforting enough to me, don't you think?" Quatre nodded and led her out of his master bedroom, closing the door behind him. They smiled at each other and held each other's hand tightly.

"Master Quatre!" The two Gundam pilots turned to the opposite end of the hallway, seeing Ahmad running towards them.

"What's the matter, Ahmad?" Quatre inquired.

"We're receiving indications of enemy mobile suits closing in on the estate, but we have no clue where they are coming from," Ahmad explained breathlessly. Lista's eyes widened and she looked at Quatre in worry.

"Quatre, I don't have my Gundam here with me. What are we going to do?" Lista asked.

"Ahmad, prepare Sandrock for me. I will go out to battle. Does Rashid know of this?"

"Yes, he does. He's preparing the Maguanac mobile suits to aid you in battle," Ahmad replied.

"Very well. I would like for you to remain behind and protect Lista for me while we take to battle. We must find out what has driven these mobile suits to come here. Hurry. I will be in the hangar shortly. Arm yourself, Ahmad. I wish harm not to come to Lista, so I'm counting on you to protect her while we take care of everything," Quatre ordered. Ahmad bowed down.

"Absolutely, Master Quatre. I will prepare your Gundam for you." With that, Ahmad ran off. Lista turned to Quatre, her frown practically tearing through him.

"Quatre, I want to fight with you. Don't go acting like this. It could be resistance against me. There's a possibility they're enemies coming after me and have traced my presence here. I don't want something happening to you or the other Maguanac soldiers on my account. Don't fight on my behalf," she scolded.

"Lista, have you learned nothing of me during the wars? I will not let harm come to you like it has befallen my father and other loved ones," Quatre remarked. "Please don't fight me on this." He put his hand on her cheek, caressing it softly. "If my instincts are right, then it's someone coming after you, which is why I want you the least involved in this confrontation as possible. Please, Lista. You're all I have left." Lista sighed and shook her head at first, then nodded once.

"Alright. But I'm going to arm myself. I'm not going to let Ahmad protect me. I'll fight too, but only if they make it in here. I'll find out what's going on while you're on the battlefield. Be careful, please," Lista gave in. She pressed her lips against his passionately, as if they wouldn't see each other alive again. "Be safe and keep in contact with me. I'll be watching and waiting. Keep me posted, okay?" Quatre nodded and turned, running off after Ahmad. Lista sighed again, wondering who could possibly be coming to start a battle in the middle of the desert, and in the nighttime at that. It was convenient that she had just arrived there and these unknown mobile suits had closed in on their position. She couldn't help but worry about what was going on. She hoped it wasn't going to be the start of another war. She didn't know if she could take another one.