War And Peace
Disclaimer: The text used in here was taken fom the CN airing of gundam wing which the Bandai, Sunrise ect companies own.
Chapter 5
Noin yawned as she closed the door of her office. She had been the head instructor for a little over nine months and a few weeks ago she had been promoted to Lieutenant. She hadn't wanted the promotion but Colonel Treize had insisted that it was her due. Noin loved her job; the paperwork was endless but teaching future soldiers the skills and techniques that would one day save their lives was rewarding. Noin was worried as rumors of the colonies rebellion reached Lake Victoria; she just wanted peace but if the rumors were true she knew that peace wouldn't be a reality for a while. She sighed as she opened the door to her spacious quarters, one of the perks of being in charge, and slowly shed her clothing. Noin smiled as she passed by the photos on her dresser. Her one regret was that she hadn't taken a picture of Zechs without his mask on, but she had only seen his bare face twice and taking pictures was the last thing on her mind. She blushed as she remembered the look on his handsome face as he looked at her for the first time. Noin dragged herself back to reality and walked into the bathroom. As she waited for the tub to fill, her mind went back to him. She wished she knew how he felt about her. Life was painfully lonely without him and as each day passed the rift between them grew. He wasn't even Zechs anymore, he was the “Lightning Count” now and news of his exploits came to her everyday. Noin smiled sadly as she lowered her tired body into the warm water, she wondered what he was doing and if he was happy.
Zechs closed his eyes as he sat down inside his carrier. It had been over a year since he had last seen her but the memories were vivid in his mind. He went back to them when he needed peace and he had never needed it more than now. Zechs played the recent events over again in his tired mind. Since the arrival of “Operation M” his life had been turned upside down. He had been the first one to face a Gundam and the only one so far who had survived the encounter. He had lost two of his soldiers in that first encounter and three more had died when he had tried to recover the sunken mobile suit from the sea. Zechs' heart weighed heavy with guilt; he was responsible for the deaths of five of his men and had caused the demise of several others. He was pulled from his thoughts when Otto informed him of a call from the Lake Victoria Base. Zechs' spirits lifted as he recalled that it was the name of the base that Noin was stationed at. He watched as the monitor blinked on and was met with a close up of Noin's face. She was as beautiful as ever and Zechs had to stop himself from smiling at her grinning face. It had been months since he had heard her voice but it was as warm as ever as she said, “It's been quite a while Lieutenant Zechs.” He was surprised by how formal she sounded and attempted to lighten the conversation, “You're looking good as usual Noin.” Zechs could tell she was taken back by his reply but she didn't comment, instead she grinned and said, “I hear you've been pretty busy these days, rumors about the “Lightning Count have made it all the down here to Victoria.” His smile faded into a frown as he remembered the increasing rumors about him, “I don't like where the rumors are headed. I've become the target of enemies and allies expect more than I can handle.” Zechs watched curiously as she turned her back to him, allowing him to see her surroundings.
Noin had to look away, she couldn't see his eyes but she could still feel the intensity of his stare and she knew if she continued to look at him she would slip and tell him how much she had missed him. The words, even now, were on the tip of her tongue, but instead of saying them she commented on his stated dislike of the rumors surrounding him, “I think rumors are great. You heard any rumors about me?” Noin waited patiently knowing her question had surprised him but she wanted, no needed, to know if he cared enough to check on her every now and then. She only had to wait a moment before he replied, “I've heard that you've done well training pilots also that you're a superior all round soldier. But Noin you used to hate war, so what's with all the effort you're making?” Noin turned, surprised and touched at the same time that he had remembered that about her. She blinked and smiled as she replied, “I'm honored that you seem to remember so much about me Lieutenant… my efforts are for my love of outer space.” Noin listened as Zechs informed her why he was on his way there and wished him a safe journey as she cut her communication with his aircraft.
Zechs was confused; although Noin seemed happy to see him she had displayed almost no emotion when they had talked. Had the months apart done that much damage, he wondered silently, she had always been a very expressive person and to see her so… detached was disturbing to say the least. His thoughts were interrupted however when Otto commented on how foolish the government was being and how even civilians knew what went on at the Lake Victoria Base. Zechs smiled and said, “And I'm on my way over there. Noin is about the only one that will welcome an annoying lieutenant.” He watched as Otto tilted his head to the side and said, “Didn't you graduate from the Lake Victoria Military Academy together?” Zechs was surprised that he knew and said so. He listened as Otto assured him that everyone knew whom the top two students where who had graduated from the Lake Victoria Military Academy and that he knew that Zechs had been the top student. Zechs smiled bitterly and said, “She was always trying to be second, in order for me to look better. It looks like she will be helping me once again.” He was silent as he thought back to those days. He had always wondered why she had allowed him to beat her and up until that night he'd had no clue as to what her motives were. Zechs knew now that she had done it out of love but even knowing that didn't absolve the guilt he felt for allowing her to let him win. He sighed tiredly and tried to focus his thoughts on the report in front of him, it would be several hours until he reached Noin's base.
Noin sighed as she floated around in Zero G and watched her pilots training in the weightless atmosphere. She loved it here and often came here when she needed to think. She looked up as she heard the sound of metal scraping metal. Annoyed that she had been interrupted from her thoughts, she rebuked the two soldiers harshly reminding them that Zechs would be here later and they didn't want to embarrass themselves. Noin sighed and returned to her thoughts. It had been one year and twenty-two days since she had last seen Zechs and she was anxious to see him again. The hour allotted for training came sooner than she expected it and dismissed her soldiers. She wanted to get cleaned up before Zechs showed up. Noin quickly took a shower, keeping in mind that she still had to get the Taurus suits ready for departure. As she dried her hair her eyes traveled to the lone picture frame and she sighed. She stared at it for some time and smiled sadly, “Zechs Marquise, or rather Peacecraft, come here and let me help you out.” Noin took once last long look at the pictures before going to her bedroom to get dressed.
Zechs yawned as Otto informed him that they were approaching the base. When had he fallen asleep, he wondered silently to himself before buckling his safety belt and gritted his teeth as the carrier landed roughly. Zechs winced as the bright light entered the carrier. Already he could feel the heat from the hot African sun and it reminded him how much he had hated the weather here. He grunted as he stretched and listened with amusement as he heard his spine crack. Zechs stepped out of the carrier and made his way down the steps. Noin was waiting for him, her hand raised in a salute. He fought the urge to pull her into a hug and he saluted sharply and held his hand out. He watched with amusement as she raised an elegant eyebrow and took his hand gently. Zechs felt a shiver go up his spine despite the fact that they both wore gloves. He watched as she saluted and shook hands with Otto and his other men. She was still the same kind woman he had known but he was somewhat jealous of the warmth she was showing towards his men. Zechs smiled slightly when she ordered two of her soldiers to escort his men to their rooms; finally he would have some time alone with her. He nodded silently when she asked if he would like a tour of the base and followed her as she showed him the improvements and changes she had made. Zechs was beginning to get frustrated; there were soldiers everywhere she took him. It was as if she didn't want to be alone with him. He sighed and casually looked at his watch. When he looked up he caught Noin looking at him, “Are you tired Lt. Zechs?” He didn't answer, choosing instead to stare at her, wondering why she insisted on continuing to use his title instead of his name.
Noin turned away and sighed; he had changed; he was never this silent or cold around her and it hurt. She began walking away and was startled when she felt the clothe of his jacket rub up against hers as he fell in step beside her. “Where are we going now Noin? I thought you were done showing me the base.” She smiled slightly and said, “I have yet to show you the new officers club.” Noin led the way through a maze of hallways and corridors and finally came to the door of the club. It was late and the club was empty. She was a little nervous about being alone in the same room with him so after pouring them each a glass of wine she preceded to take a seat at the bar across the room from where he sat. They were silent for a while as they sipped their wine but the silence was broken when Zechs asked, “When will we slip the Taurus's out?” Noin kept her answer short and sweet, “0700 hours tomorrow.” His reply was just as short, “That's close.” Noin turned to face him; “I've heard the enemy won't show on radar so we've got extra soldiers watching for them.” She waited to see if he would confirm the rumor and was surprised when he answered, “That's the best strategy, good thinking, Noin.” Noin smiled and allowed the slight blush to rise to her cheeks; fairly positive he wouldn't be able to tell with the colored lights on. “I appreciate your compliment Lt. Zechs,” she said softly as she took another sip of her wine.
Zechs gritted his teeth and said sharply, “Just call me Zechs, Noin.” She was still using his title despite the fact that they were alone. He sighed and took in his surroundings. The room was nice and he wished that it had been here when he and Noin were still in school. The silence was beginning to get to him so he decided to try and make small talk. “By the way this room sure is cheery,” he said and watched as Noin looked up and said, “Most of my soldiers are young and restless, I thought this style would suit them.” He frowned slightly; he didn't want to think about the hordes of young men that surrounded Noin day and night. He still kept alive the hope that he was her only one and strove to find a neutral question that could give him an answer to a question that had burned in his mind since he left Victoria. When he could find none, Zechs simply replied, “Don't go getting to attached or parting will hurt.” “Thanks for being so concerned but my soldiers are never going to be destroyed in battle. They've been trained not to overdo things, and in my mind the value of life versus war can't even be compared.” Zechs watched as her eyes lit up with an inner passion, something he had waited the entire day for. He smiled as he remembered all the times that they had argued over this very thing and, wanting to see more of the passion he remembered in her eyes, he stated his position on the subject. “My soldiers have died Noin, I disagree with your philosophy.” She didn't disappoint him, her eyes glowed with amusement as she resumed their old debate, “Battles that risk men's lives are miscalculations, I pity the soldiers that get destroyed.” Zechs was positive she would have continued if the phone hadn't rung. He knew instinctively that it was for him and rose to get it. It was Otto and Zechs was annoyed at his friend. He listened as the young man informed him on the status of the Tallgeese and was startled when he felt his saber quiver. He turned his head and watched as Noin crossed sabers with him behind his back.
Noin smiled to herself as she rotated her saber and took a sip from her wine glass. She listened as Zechs discussed the repairs to be made on his mobile suit and was surprised when he hastily ended the conversation. Noin's breath caught in her breath as she felt strong hands on her shoulders gently working the muscles at the base of her neck, “Noin are we done with this tour?” “That's everything,” she said softly and closed her eyes, ignoring the desire he invoked when he touched her. She opened them in surprise when she felt his warm breath against her ear, “You haven't shown me where you're staying Noin.” Noin turned around and found herself pressed against his hard chest, his arms drawing her even closer. She lifted her head with the intention of asking him to release her but silenced as by his warm lips on hers. The kiss sent another flash of hot desire through her body and she moaned against his mouth. Noin was breathless as he pulled away and was surprised when he crushed her to him. “I have missed you so much Lucrezia,” he whispered softly and Noin buried her face in his soft woolen uniform breathing in a scent that still filled her dreams. She remained silent as her mind and heart waged war inside her. She knew that reviving their relationship was dangerous but she had missed him so much and needed some reassurance that he cared for her. Her mind was made up and Noin turned her head away from his chest and said, “My room's down the hall Zechs.” She looked up as she felt his hand beneath her chin. “Are you sure Noin,” he questioned softly and Noin nodded as she laced her fingers with his and tugged him towards the door.
Zechs followed her, silently berating his lack of self-control. He studied her form as she led him towards her room. She was even more beautiful than he remembered and he wanted her. He stood patiently as she unlocked her room and slowly followed her inside. Zechs smiled slightly when she turned the lights on; her room was cozy, homey and Zechs immediately felt at home. As soon as she closed the door he pulled her back into his arms. He was just about to claim her lips when she pushed him away slightly. Puzzled he stared down at her, wondering what was wrong. “Not with that mask on Zechs… I've waited one year and twenty-two days to see that face of yours and I'm not going to wait a second longer,” she said solemnly and Zechs smiled down at her as he flung the cumbersome metal across the room. “Is that better Noin,” he teased as he pulled her back against him. He cupped her face in his hands as he stared deep into the bottomless depths of her eyes. He leaned forward slowly and closed his eyes. He playfully brushed his lips across hers and groaned as she caught his bottom lip between her teeth. Zechs surged forward and kissed her, putting all the pent up desire and longing that he had felt during their separation, into the kiss. He slowly backed her against the wall and lowered his mouth to nip and suckle at her neck. He smiled against the smooth flesh as she moaned and held his head against her. Zechs moved his hands slowly down her body and gripped her hips as he pressed against her. He raised his head and stared into her eyes. They were glazed with passion and Zechs kept his eyes on hers as he raised his hands and began to unbutton her uniform. He sighed in pleasure as he felt her hands on his chest, slowly undoing the buttons of his uniform. He pushed the heavy fabric away from her and smiled when he heard it hit the hard floor.
Noin smiled back and leaned forward to taste of the flesh that she had bared. He was definitely more muscular than he had been a year ago and she was more than happy for the chance to get acquainted with his new body. Noin teased at his collarbone with the tip of her tongue, looking up as she did to see his pleased grin. She lowered her lips to nip and tease at the hardened nubs on his chest, laughing softly as he groaned and ran his fingers through her hair. She lifted her head and placed soft kisses along the line of his jaw and suckled at the sensitive lobe of his ear. Noin gasped as she felt his hands on her and resumed her position against the wall. “Zechs… I want you so much,” she panted softly as she felt his warm mouth against her. She moaned as she felt his hands unsnapping her pants and reached forward to do the same. Soon they were naked and she felt Zechs' arms around her as he picked her up. Noin wrapped her arms around his neck as he carried her towards her bedroom.
