Penname: Lady Lye

Estelle dropped nimbly to the ground and slid into the shadows as a man passed by. She had just HAD to hide her MS in the middle of the city, hadn’t she? Well, it WAS about the only place they would never think to look… She made sure he was gone before running up the alleyway to slip behind a pile of junk. Taking out a sturdy, if small, crowbar, she used it to help lever up the heavy metal covering the entryway to her hangar. She dropped the five feet inside, ducked to recover it and made her way in the dark to the hangar itself, right in the middle of the underground network of tunnels below the city. The stench couldn’t be helped.

“Time to give the kiss of death to some more of Markiah’s Soldiers, eh friend?” She said, flicking a main light switch to reveal her massive gundame. “Let’s give ‘em hell.”

_________________________________

“Mr. Winner, is it true that you’re here to discuss buying out Brazillia Connections?”

“How do your sisters feel about this bold move?”

“Mr. Winner, can you explain your strange absence for the last two months?”

“Mr. Winner- Mr. Winner- Mr. Winner-”

Their voices blurred together, making it easier for him to ignore them. Body guards and his financial and PR advisors helped to keep them from totally surrounding him and stopping his progress altogether. Reporters. He hated reporters like these, who looked for the sensational only, not caring what the truth was.

Quatre- Mr. Winner- finally made it to the lobby of the building where his meeting would take place. Yes, he was here to see if Brazillia Connections was worth adding to the Winner’s vast business. Yes, his sisters approved- they had been the ones to suggest it. Of course he COULD explain his absence, but why would he? Really, that information was top secret.

“Mr. Winner- Mr. Winner-”

He let his people turn them away while he took the elevator to the ninth floor. He was only here because it was convenient to his real purposes. Such a coincidence that his sister Alexandra had found a company ready for them to acquire located right where he needed to be. And he did need to be here. Impatience was the only word to describe him right now. He wanted out of business suits and office buildings and onto the streets to find Estelle. Lord only knew what was happening to her right now. All those girls… they were so inexperienced and they were being shipped off on missions like this? When he found her he would- he would what? Tell her to give up and go home?

“Ah, Mr. Winner,” a short man obviously of the indigenous Indian peoples offered Quatre his hand. “It is excellent to finally do business with you.”

He would have to think about that later. “I agree, Mr. Shakal.” Quatre forced himself to pay attention as the man began a lengthy and involved multimedia presentation to prove that his firm was worthy of being acquired by the Winners. It was just like any other presentation… never mind. He eventually tuned it out. Afterall, he wouldn’t be making the final decision in reality anyway.

A loud explosion rocked the entire building and the presentation abruptly stopped.

“What the hell!?”

“It’s a Mobile Suit!”

“It’s destroying the foreign military base!”

“It’s- It’s-” they all stared out the windows in total shock.

“It’s a gundam,” Quatre whispered, awestruck, before running out of the room.

_________________________________

Mobile suits seemed to pour out of the building almost faster than she could shoot them down. They came at her from all sides, trying to distract her with taunting tricks, but Estelle Brownlow was not to be toyed with. With a yell she aimed straight at the source. “Target Lock- accept your Final Kiss!” The hangar burst into flames and she smiled grimly.

She looked down at her beeping radar. “What the-?!” Something new was heading into the battle zone. It distracted her so much that she nearly didn’t see the suit flying straight for her face. “AH!” she quickly got her weapon between her and it and fired. “Shite, that was close…”

“This is Former Gundam Pilot 04, I demand that you state your name and intentions,” a voice buzzed through over the comm.

“Gundam Pilot?” Estelle blinked. “I thought they disappeared after the war… You can call me Dame 02, Pilot 04. I’m here to wipe out as much of this base as I can. I suggest you get out of my way.” Gundams… predecessor to her precious gundame. She racked her brain for everything Madam Anthony had ever told them. The five young gundam pilots who had fought in the last war were supposed to be the toughest soldiers of their time. But they had disappeared into the stuff of legends, hadn’t they? The war had been so very, very long ago… She watched a Virgo come into her field of vision.

“Are you the same suit that fought in Sydney?”

“How would you know that?” she quickly cut down another Capricorn.

“I was there.”

So familiar… she knew it sounded familiar… if she could just think who- she prepared to fire again.

“You’re Estelle, aren’t you?”

Her eyes widened in shock and the cannon’s blast missed it’s course by a long shot, destroying one of the buildings instead of the latest MS. “Who the hell are you?” she croaked. “Who are you!?” she angrily turned the cannon on him. A fuzzy image began to appear on the comm. She squinted at it. Bl-blonde hair? And blue eyes and- and- “QUATRE!” she screamed as a Scorpio plowed into him from behind. She could hear his yell over the comm., but couldn’t bear to watch the pain register on his face as his suit collapsed to the ground. “Quatre! Quatre! You- Damn you, Markiah!” she destroyed every suit in the vicinity, taking the rest of the base down with them. “Quatre-” she couldn’t get the gundame to move fast enough and she jumped down from the cockpit, running to his fallen MS. “Quatre!”

“Uhh,” he groaned, managing to open the hatch before worrying about his injuries. “Estelle…”

“Quatre!” she scrambled into the cockpit of the Virgo. “Are you hurt? What are you doing here? Are you crazy or something? How could you-” she stopped helping him, frozen in shock. She stared into his pure face. His angelic blue eyes looked back at her calmly, if in pain. He knew what she would say next. “You’re- you’re a gundam pilot?” she whispered.

“Was,” he corrected, then winced in pain.

“Here, let me help you,” she pulled away the seat belts and helped him to stand. “Why are you here, Quatre?”

“No time… they’ll come soon,” he nodded in the direction of sirens already rapidly approaching and flinched.

“Let’s get you out of here,” she dug in her pocket for a voice command remote and spoke into it. “Forward, three. Reach down, 20. Wait for further.” She swore as she saw red trickling down the back of Quatre’s shirt. The giant MS moved by itself to reach down 20 or so feet and extend it’s hand to them. Estelle helped Quatre to stand then directed the arm to bring them to the cockpit where she quickly got them off the scene.

_________________________________

Quatre woke hours later to the feeling of something cool and damp being gently rubbed across his head. A soothing ‘sh’ calmed his racing heart and he was able to relax enough to open his eyes.

Estelle smiled down at him in the dingy light. “Glad to see you’re awake.” She rewet the cloth and finished washing his face of all the dust. “How do you feel?”

“Uh, sore,” he said honestly, trying to sit up.

“Don’t,” she placed a gentle hand on his chest, unknowingly making it beat faster. “I don’t know how badly you were injured yet. What were you thinking, Quatre?”

The concern in her eyes made his heart soar, and he swallowed hard to try to suppress the feeling. What was he thinking? He didn’t need to think. He would go anywhere for her. He looked around the room for the first time. It was small and badly lit in the back where they were, though a window brightened what could be called a kitchen come living area. He was lying on a rusty metal bedframe softened only by a fairly thick, if hard mattress.

Estelle pushed a wavy wisp of hair behind her ear and into the scarf she had tied over it. “Are you hungry?”

“Uh, no, thanks. Estelle, why did you come here?” he managed to pull himself up a little so he could see her better.

She busied herself putting away the washcloth and bowl of water. “I don’t know how much I can tell you… I mean, in a way, you lied to me, Quatre,” she turned to face him. Hurt and betrayal was there, but not anger. “You were in that battle- I recognize your voice now.”

Quatre could feel anger rising in his voice. “If you want to talk about lying-”

She looked away, avoiding his gaze. “I’m not denying that I lied to you as well.”

Good god she was gorgeous standing there in the light from the window next to the sink. So simple and so open and honest. “I forgive you if you can forgive me.”

“Done,” tears welled a little in her eyes and she quickly wiped them away. “Quatre, you’re my best friend. I’m so glad you’re here,” she strode over and hugged him tightly.

Startled, he hugged her back. Best- friend? “But Estelle, why did you come?” he held her away from him so he could see into her face.

She sat on the bed next to him so they could talk. “It’s because of that Markiah guy. He’s out to take over the world. We girls had to split up to try to cover all his biggest bases. So I’m here trying to wipe out as much of his military force as I can. It’s as simple as that. And please don’t be angry with Relena, it’s not her fault. She didn’t want us to go.”

“But- you have so little experience,” the worry was written all over his face. “You’ve lived in that Keep your whole lives- how can you expect to do all this alone?”

“We were trained excellently at ‘that Keep’,” she replied curtly. “Besides, it’s not like you gundam pilots did much before you got the gundams.”

That stung. “That’s not entirely true. Some of us did fight for years before Operation Meteor.”

“Oh yeah? Who? Who are these other ‘experienced pilots’?” she asked, then it dawned on her. “Th- those other boys- your friends- are they-?”

“Yes. Trowa, Duo, Wufei, Heero and I were the pilots of the gundams,” he said honestly. “And you five girls? You all pilot those- gundame?”

“Lying bastards!” Estelle stood quickly and started to pace. Quatre stared at her, surprised. “All of that and neither side ever knew- ARGH!” she kicked over a chair, venting her frustration. “Heero… he didn’t need to train with us, did he? Is he one of those ‘experienced pilots’?”

“Yes, he is. So is Trowa. Wufei fought as well. Duo lived on the streets. I lived a pampered life.” He hung his head, finally realizing it. “I’m probably the last person to be talking about having experience…”

Estelle closed her eyes and counted slowly to ten. Damn her temper. Damn it to all hell and gone. “Quatre, I’m sorry. I- I- shouldn’t have reacted like that. It’s just- we could really use your help,” she said honestly, startling him into looking up. “It’s true. We DON’T know what it’s really like to be out here. We could certainly use your help. Are you willing to give it?” there was pleading in her eyes now. She was afraid. In her heart of hearts, she was afraid to do this alone.

“I’ll help,” he agreed immediately. “I don’t know if I can speak for the others, but I will help.”

“Thank you,” she whispered gratefully.

---

The butler supervising in the relatively small house Quatre had rented for his stay blinked as his master got out of a taxi and helped a girl nearly his height and with hair only a few shades darker out of the taxi.

“Master Quatre?” he asked.

“Rudolph, this is Ms. Brownlow,” Quatre lead her up the steps. “She’s an old friend of mine. She’ll be staying in the house with us. She’s to be given full privileges and will need to keep her own hours. Understood?” (AN: NO it’s not Rashid. Get over it.)

“Yes, Master Quatre,” he bowed uncertainly and let them pass. Who’d have thought he’d ever go for one of THOSE!?”

Inside, Estelle tried to cover laughter with her hands. Quatre gave her an odd look. “What’s wrong?”

“Well, you know what they’re going to think,” she giggled.

“What do you mean?” he blinked, wide-eyed and innocent.

“They’ll think I’m your pet whore or something,” she laughed, mischief sparkling in her crystalline eyes. “Nothing further from the truth, hmm?”

Quatre went a few shades paler than normal. “Oh no,” he muttered, blushing.

“Don’t worry, it’s not like we’re going to fuel the rumors,” she laughed again. “They’ll think it’s the oddest relationship ever! Come on, I want to get settled. There’s a lot to do still.”

“Uh, yeah, sure,” he said dazedly. “Upstairs, third left.”

“Thanks again, Quatre,” she leaned over and kissed his cheek lightly, winking before heading upstairs.

Quatre sighed and let his head drop, but he was smiling. This WOULD drive the servants crazy, wouldn’t it?

“Master Quatre?” Rashid of the Maganauc Corp was staring at him.

“Don’t worry, Rashid,” Quatre laughed, suddenly becoming aware of all the huge bruises he had sustained. Nothing more serious though, luckily. “We’re just going to have an interesting stay here,” he looked up the staircase fondly.

_________________________________

The next morning happened to be a Saturday and so they spent it quietly. Quatre spread out at a worktable in the spacious sitting room and Estelle sat in the window seat, drawing what she saw.

Quatre threw down his pen in frustration. The incredible wordiness of the documents lead to the same thing every time it seemed- someone trying to create a loophole for themselves. He had to read each one through to find the error, and if it sounded reasonable, he usually had to read it three more times to find the loophole which was guaranteed to be a thousand times worse than those that were obvious. He rejected document after document, knowing that if he didn’t someone else might not catch the problems.

Estelle looked up briefly from her work. “What’s the problem?”

“This business deal… if we bought out the company, we’d acquire our on ISP and would be able to give the product to all our employees at home as well as at work and could still make a profit selling it to others. But their lawyers have come up with the most insidious contracts,” he sighed.

“Why don’t you write one and present it to them?” she continued to sketch.

Quatre turned to look at her, blinking. “You know, I never thought of that.”

“Just tell them what your requirements are and if they can’t or won’t meet them, then don’t make the deal,” she said sensibly.

Quatre took a moment to think about this. “Estelle, you’re brilliant!”

“But of course,” she smiled teasingly. The smile stayed as Quatre telephoned his people (AN: yes, they were WAY too stupid to think of this on their own… people tend to lose perspective when under pressure…).

The next few mornings passed similarly, with Estelle working on her laptop to try to hack into the network of the next base she was targeting. Quatre spent the afternoons in meetings but they had the evenings together to talk and to grow even closer than before. There was a real bond between them, one that would be hard to break.

The fact that it wasn’t the sort of bond Quatre so obviously wanted was beside the point.

_________________________________

AN:

Lady: *WEEPS*

Duo: *pats her head awkwardly* There, there, it’s ok… You’re not a failure at writing…

Lady: But- but- it’s WRITER’S BLOCK! I just cannot write this middle portion! And this is the second time this has happened!!

Duo: So just TELL THEM what’s supposed to happen and get it over with! Jump to the good parts! Believe me, the other BCs are more than long enough! *pout* Except mine. Mine is too short. Wufei’s is a lot longer.

Lady: You’ll take what you get and like it. :p Ok, people, here’s the deal:

Quatre has fallen deeply in love with Estelle- he traveled halfway around the world for her! Stelly, the amazingly unobservant artist, is completely unaware of his deeper feelings for her. Really, the casual, open friendliness between them is worse for Quatre, who is trying his best in this time to get to know her still better and win her heart. This is something you won’t see often, people: A frustrated Quatre. He loves her- she’s oblivious. He wants to protect her- he has no MS. He’s constantly being bothered by work. He doesn’t have any kind of outlet. When I say ‘frustrated’, I mean ‘aggravated to the point of cracking if something doesn’t happen soon’. And still she’s oblivious. Oi, am I vicious or what? Yeah, I’m having trouble writing and showing all this… Let’s jump to somewhere near the end of their stay here…

Duo: *coughs* Firstly- everyone, here is the great part about contacting Lady Lye- she actually listens to you. Show’em, babe.

Lady: *eyes shine* YEEEEEEES… Via the WONDERFUL MIRACLE that is Instant Messaging, Pagemaster suggested a song to help me bridge the gap here!! THANK YOU, PAGEMASTER-CHAN!! *hugs and hands Pagemaster a prize of her choice of La Femmes plushie* See? Contacting me is NOT a waste of time and I will NOT turn you down. The more real reader feedback I get, the happier I am.

Duo: You mean the bigger your ego is.

Lady: :p You kidding me? I get the most honest constructive criticism from people I IM cuz they get to know me! So don’t be afraid- speak up!!

Duo: ^_^ It’s ok to harass her into writing more, too…

Lady: BAKA! *bops him on the head* ^^; No threats, please… They aren’t nearly as effective… Right, songfic time! Whoo hoo! ^_^ Ja ne, minna-chan! Wave to the people, Duo!

Duo: *waves feebly as the scene cuts*

_________________________________

(AN: The song is “Complicated” by Carolyn Dawn Johnson. Yes, I’m keeping track of all the music I use for a Femme-y soundtrack that will be posted on my website upon completion, along, hopefully, with lyrics and places to find it and stuff. So, here’s a disclaimer- it ain’t mine. It’s from Quattie’s POV, which might sound strange, but I like the gentle tone of it, and for those who don’t know- Quatre’s voice in the original Japanese is played by a woman. So it’s really not that weird. :p)

I’m so scared that
The way that I feel
Is written all over my face
When you walk into the room
I wanna find a hiding place

*Quatre is speaking with Rashid while waiting for his breakfast to be served when Estelle walks in, cheerful as always, and plops herself into a seat, pleasantly inquiring after Rashid and the other Maguanacs. The conversation falls on Quatre’s dead ears as he finds himself staring at her. He shakes himself out of it before either can notice and casually butters his toast.*

We used to laugh
We used to hug
The way that old friends do
But now a smile and
A touch of your hand
Just make me come unglued

*Estelle and Quatre are walking through the shopping district, several Maguanac attendants in the vicinity to keep an eye on them. She talks and Quatre listens= or tries to- he keeps getting distracted. She is pushed into him by a fellow pedestrian and apologizes, continuing as though nothing has happened, but Quatre is lost to the world; disjointed.*

It’s such a contradiction
Do I lie or tell the truth?
Is it fact or fiction
The way I feel for you?

*Quatre watches Estelle from the doorway as she works at her laptop, bent over in concentration.*

It’s so complicated
I’m so frustrated
I wanna hold you close
I wanna push you away
I wanna make you go
I wanna make you stay
Should I say it
Should I tell you
How I feel?
Oh, I want you to know
But then again I don’t
It’s so complicated.

*Quatre holds open a door for her, hurries ahead to open the door of the limo, brings her tea on another night where she is working and planning her next attack. She smiles up at him gratefully and accepts, thanking him, but there is nothing more.*

Just when I think
I’m under control
I think I finally got a grip
Another friend tells me that
My name is always
On your lips

*Rashid and Quatre are going over a new upgrade for the Maguanacs, when Rashid looks to Quatre seriously and asks him if Quatre’s favorite cookie really is peanut butter. Quatre blinks in surprise and stammers a yes- how did he know? Why, Estelle told him.*

They say I’m more
Than just a friend
They say I must be blind
Well I admit that
I’ve seen you watch me
From the corner of your eye

*Quatre has fallen asleep at his desk, contracts and legal documents spread about him for a pillow. Estelle peers in, smiles fondly, and returns a moment later with a blanket and pillow, tucking him into his chair. She smooths his hair back, smiling, but turns away before she can see the sweet smile coming to the sleeping boy’s lips.*

Oh it’s so confusing
I wish you’d just confess
But think of what I’d be losing
If your answer wasn’t yes

*“Master Quatre, why don’t you say something to your lady friend?” Abdul of the Maguanac corp shot Quatre a knowing look.

“Wh-what?” Quatre stared at him, wide-eyed.

“We can all see the way you look at each other,” Mohammad confirmed. “Go for it!”

Quatre was silent, staring at the window. Rashid came in to berate the errant two for leaving their chores, but Quatre heard none of it, staring into space and murmuring, “I couldn’t do that… what if… No, I just… can’t…”*

It’s so complicated
I’m so frustrated
I wanna hold you close
I wanna push you away
I wanna make you go
I wanna make you stay
Should I say it
Should I tell you
How I feel?
Oh, I want you to know
But then again I don’t
It’s so complicated.

*Estelle gets to a closed door first, and opens it before Quatre can for her, continuing as she was, completely missing his barely visible disappointment. She also takes a chair for herself rather than giving him the chance to pull it ot for her and blocks all other niceties he might have the small pleasure of doing for her. She isn’t doing it on purpose… she just… doesn’t know.*

I hate it ’cause
I’ve waited so long
For someone like you
Should I say it
Should I tell you
How I feel?
Oh I want you to know
But then again I don’t
It’s so complicated

---

Another meeting. Another awful, horrible, BORING meeting. Quatre managed to restrain himself some, though not all of his glare was directed at the innocent presenter, who was beginning to sweat and stumble in his speech. His superior, if his junior, continued to glare, tapping his pen on the table, unable to hide all his anger, and making everyone in the room, the floor, yes, the entire building nervous. But right now, the guy with the Slide Show Presentation was in the spotlight.

He fumbled and tripped his way through, sweating horribly and growing more and more nervous and uncomfortable under that unrelenting, unreadable glare. He finished weakly, waiting in silence with the rest of the audience for Mr. Winner’s reaction.

The pen tapping continued, Quatre’s expression never changing as they waited breathlessly. It slowed to a stop, the Winner heir continuing to stare straight ahead. In one smooth movement, he had stood and was gathering up his papers.

“Thank you, that’s enough for today. My secretary will get back to you,” just as quickly, he had left the room.

Quatre’s closest assistants glanced at one another worriedly and followed quickly. “Mr. Winner? Mr. Winner, are you sure-?”

“Yes. That’s all for today. Cancel the rest of my appointments for today.”

“Mr. Winner!”

“That will be all, Ms Riley!”

They both watched their young boss go. He had seemed so young and cheery before… what was eating him!?

(AN: I TOLD you he was frustrated!!!!! And if anyone makes any baka hentai comments on what KIND of frustrated, I’ll smack ‘em.)

Estelle glanced up from the detailed map of the city’s sewer system as the front door slammed, rocking the house. Alarmed, she blinked and stared to the doorway, listening to the sound of pounding feet before Quatre came into the study, dropping his briefcase haphazardly on a chair and going to pace by his desk, a scowl on his face. She watched warily, as he turned towards his desk, riffled through it, slammed the drawer shut without taking anything out, began to pace again- and then collapses in his desk chair with a weary sigh.

“Rough day at the office?” she asked after a moment.

“That’s an understatement,” he groaned and leaned back in the chair, turning it around to look out the large windows.

“Well, I think I know just what you need,” she said, folding the map and putting it and her other files away.

“And what’s that?” he asked tiredly.

“To come on my mission with me tonight. You’ve been really restless lately and the exercise will do you good. Promise you’ll come?” she pinned him with her intense green eyes.

He swallowed hard. “How can I refuse?”

________________________________

“How CAN I refuse?” Quatre begged, already dressed for their mission.

“You can’t. That’s the beauty of it,” Estelle replied lightly, checking her equipment. “The mission is this: Large, and I mean HUGE shipments of certain alloys have been delivered to a warehouse in this area. We go in underground, infiltrate, have a look around and regroup. Understood?”

“If I knew this was purely to find out information, I could have stayed behind,” Quatre muttered irritably, completely out of character.

Estelle spared him a bemused glance, noting the change. “What alloys could possibly be important enough for us to investigate?”

He frowned and paused to think- then flushed as he realized his stupidity. Of course. How obvious. Gundanium.

Estelle watched it register on his face and nodded. “Titanium, too. Now let’s cart our arses out before somebody decides they want to know where we are.”

Quatre didn’t protest and they slipped out into the night. The industrial sector of the city was quiet, a few late workers, but other than that, very few people to call the alarm if they were spotted. They slipped among buildings easily, silent in the dark.

Estelle had chosen what seemed to Quatre the world’s tightest, sleekest black jeans and turtleneck he had ever seen. Her hair was back in a ponytail and it fell in honeyed waves loosely to her shoulders, a few tendrils framing her face in the light filtering from other sources. Quatre swallowed hard and picked up his pace, following her lead. He couldn’t afford thoughts like that. (AN: *evil cackle* I adore this job… OOC? HAH. Welcome to my world.)

He stopped himself from running into her as she raised a hand and peered carefully around a building, then waved them on. Before he could quite realize what was happening, she had darted ahead and was instantly lost in the darkness. He searched wildly with his eyes for that flash of honey, but found none- and nearly had a heart attack as a hand grabbed his and yanked him inside a warehouse building.

Unrelenting green eyes held him in place as she held up a finger for quiet and then she released him, away again and almost gone in the dark once more, like a wraith. Barely there. He hurried to follow and they stopped before a seemingly ordinary door. Estelle examined it thoughtfully and then reached into one of the pouches at her belt. She pulled out a skeleton key and knelt to get to work, while Quatre kept watch, both of them growing edgier as it became clear that the lock wasn’t going to give easily.

Suddenly the tumblers fell into their place by chance, and triumphantly Estelle stood and eased the door open. It was an ordinary room; more storage space. Nothing out of the ordinary, not too neat, not too messy.

“This has got to be it,” Estelle muttered and moved forward to run her hands along the seams of the metal sheets that lined the walls. Something caught Quatre’s eye and he moved forward to examine it. If he didn’t know better, he’d say that that looked like a very old lock system panel- his eyes widened and he motioned her over. Her eyes lit and she quickly fished out the combination to open the lock, keying it in.

A panel on the far wall slid away, barely creaking at all, indicating that it was used frequently enough to be oiled. They glanced at one another and then followed the revealed steps down at least five stories underground. Just as it seemed they might have made a mistake in coming down here, the stairwell opened onto a much larger room, dimly lit by hundreds of lights hanging from it’s ceiling suspended by their cords. It seemed to be a cave, carved into the earth and supported by man made supports and engineering.

But it wasn’t the room so much that baffled… it was its contents. The two intruders hung back, their jaws both lax. Both uncomprehending.

Massive. Powerful. Thought never to be seen again.

Very much still alive.