War And Peace
Chapter 9
Noin yawned and untangled herself from him. She looked at the discarded towel intertwined in the covers and smiled. She glared at the COM unit on the floor as it beeped. It had pulled her away from a most enjoyable sleep and Noin wasn’t happy to have to answer a call so early in the morning. She opened the COM unit and stared at the reports in front of her. Most of them had to do with supplies and confirmations of the incident with the gundam. As she scrolled through them, a single report caught her eye. It was a request for extra men and mobile dolls from the specials headquarters. Noin was immediately curious and began to read the long report. She gasped when she saw the mission’s objective and Treize’s signature at the bottom. The extra mobile suits were to be used to assassinate Relena Dorlian, Zechs’ sister. Noin wondered if Treize knew that Relena Dorlian was actually Relena Peacecraft and decided that he must have no idea that he was about to assassinate one of his closest friends family members. She looked at the sleeping figure of Zechs and knew he would be devastated if his sister was killed. Noin had sworn to protect him and decided that any punishment she might receive from Treize would be worth it. She pulled her uniform from the night before back on, grabbed her COM unit and left the bedroom. Once in the living room she punched in the number to Treize’s office. Treize’s smiling face greeted her, “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen your face Lucrezia and to what do I owe this pleasure?” Noin couldn’t help but smile, he was the only one who still referred to her by her first name. “Your Excellency, the reason I called was to confirm the target of your current mission.” She saw the confusion on his face and quickly continued, “Relena Dorlian sir.” Noin watched as Treize lifted a forked eyebrow at her, “Yes she is the target for our current mission. Why do you ask?” Noin bit her lip nervously; so he didn’t know. “I asked because she is Zechs’ sister.” She watched for any sign of surprise from her commander and wasn’t surprised when his face remained passive. His voice wasn’t so passive, though, and Noin could here the uncertainty in his next question, “Are you positive Lucrezia?” She nodded and watched as he rested his chin in his hand. “Lady Une is at this very moment in the middle of carrying out this mission. She won’t be pleased when I call her back.” Noin smiled gratefully, “Thank you very much Colonel Treize. I’m sure Lt. Zechs will be pleased.” Treize smiled slightly at her, “Zechs has always gone out of his way to help me out. Saving Relena is the very least I can do to thank him for all his efforts. Please give my regards to Lt. Zechs.” Noin sighed in relief when he cut their communication and sat down on the couch.
Zechs groaned and rolled over. Instead of encountering a warm body he was met with cool sheets. He opened his eyes and grunted in protest when he saw that Noin wasn’t with him. Zechs sat up and glanced around the poorly lit room; he wondered where she could have gone. He stood up and stretched, noting with dismay that he still had his uniform on. He looked at the towel that was tangled in the sheets and smiled. Zechs made his way towards the bathroom but stopped as the rich smell of coffee hit him. He entered the kitchen and was disappointed to find Noin already in uniform. He made his way over to her silently and kissed the exposed skin of her neck, laughing when she jumped. “Good morning Lucrezia,” he said warmly with another kiss against the side of her neck. Zechs wrapped his arms around her as she leaned back against him, “Did you sleep well last night?” She nodded sleepily and Zechs nibbled on her ear, “Do you want to go back to bed?” She shook her head and turned around to face him, “No we need to get going.” He groaned and pulled her against him, stroking his hand absently down her back. “Come with me to the shower then,” he ordered softly, frowning when she pulled away. “No, you go on ahead,” she said as she turned back around. Zechs shrugged and ignored the growing surge of disappointment that came over him. If she didn’t want to shower with him that was fine, he just thought that after last night she would want to be close to him. He guessed he was wrong as he stripped the heavy uniform off and stepped into the shower. Zechs turned the water all the way on cold and groaned in protest when the freezing cold water hit his bareback. He sighed as he roughly washed his body. He wondered if perhaps her cold shoulder had anything to do with last night. She had wanted him but for once all he wanted to do was hold her and know that there was still someone who loved him. Zechs growled softly and shook his head. Noin wasn’t that shallow so it had to be something else. He smiled softly when he realized the answer to his question; god, sometimes he was so damn boneheaded. Zechs dried himself off, wrapped the towel around his waist and made his way towards the bedroom.
Noin turned her head as she heard the sound of the door opening. There stood Zechs dripping wet and looking sexy as hell. She averted her eyes when he smiled and dropped the towel and went back to packing her suitcase. She sighed when she felt his strong hands on her shoulders and lolled her head back when he began working the tension out of them. Noin closed her eyes and kissed him back when she felt his lips gently claim hers. Their kiss was long and slow and left them both breathless. She smiled at him when he groaned huskily and moved away to get dressed. In less than ten minutes they were packed and ready to go. Their ride back was rather uneventful and Noin was glad to get back to her base and her men. She was greeted warmly by her soldiers and staff and laughed softly at the respect and almost awe they bestowed upon Zechs. He was clearly annoyed and uncomfortable by the added attention and Noin could tell he was ready to retire. She smiled and told her men that Lt. Zechs was tired, and then led him to his room. “Thank you Noin,” he replied gratefully as he sat down on the plush couch that decorated the middle of the room. She sat beside him and couldn’t help but sigh in pleasure when he pulled her close to him. His voice was rough, yet strangely gentle, as he whispered her name against her hair. “Have you been reading the reports lately?” Noin’s heart nearly stopped and she prayed that he wasn’t talking about the attempt on his little sister’s life. “Yes,” she answered cautiously, not willing to give any more information than that. “Then you’ve seen the possibility of a break with the Alliance.” Noin twisted her head to look at him, “Yes.” He smiled at her and kissed her gently, “Treize has informed me that we will break away from them in a few days.” Noin was surprised, “But how will we pull it off?” Zechs was silent a moment before answering her. “We have men stationed at every major and most minor bases all over the world who will attack and take over their respective bases all at the same time. In a few days the Alliance will meet to discuss the current relationship with the colonies. Treize has been feeding false information into the computer that makes it look as though all the top Oz officials will be at the meeting, thus tricking the gundams into destroying the leaders of the Alliance.” Noin was amazed; the plan was brilliant. “Where do we fit in Zechs?” She asked softly. He smiled down at her and answered, “We will help out at the bases that lack Special soldiers.” She yawned and rested her head against his chest, “Sounds good.” Within moments she was fast asleep.
Zechs wrapped his arms around her soft, sleeping body and layback against the couch. Her last sentence had surprised him; for someone who despised war she had sure sounded happy about starting one. He was interrupted from his thoughts when she nuzzled her face against his neck and he couldn’t stop the groan that escaped his lips. Somehow, someday soon, he was going to have to learn how to ignore the desire she invoked in him. But, he smiled at the thought; he might as well enjoy it while it lasted. Zechs could feel his eyes growing heavier and started to close them. A sharp beeping noise stopped him and Zechs groaned when his hazy mind recognized the irritating sound as his COM unit. He cautiously moved his body away from hers, pulled on his discarded mask and walked towards the annoying instrument. He accessed the call and was surprised to see the beautiful, cold face of his friend’s aide. “Lt. Zechs this is Colonel Une, but I assume you already knew that.” Zechs sneered and lifted an eyebrow beneath his concealing mask, “Yes I know who you are. What do you want?” He hid the smile that threatened to show on his face as he viewed her outraged expression. “His Excellency has instructed me to inform you and Lt. Noin that the Nairobi base is in need of your assistance. We have limited soldiers there and it will prove to be a fierce battle.” She was silent as she waited for his confirmation but Zechs merely stared at her. He had seen the way Treize looked at her and found himself wondering, for perhaps the millionth time, what his friend saw in her. She was beautiful, yes, but there was something extremely cold and unforgiving in her eyes, not to mention that every soldier beneath her referred to her as “the bitch” behind her back. Not a good match for a man as brilliant, well liked, and handsome as Treize. “Well,” her impatient voice brought Zechs back to reality, “do you understand the mission.” He was tempted not to answer her but decided he had egged her on long enough, “Yes. When will we attack?” He asked in a clipped voice and watched as anger flashed in her eyes. He knew had he been any other man save Treize’s closest friend that she would have already lost her temper with him. “Tomorrow the Alliance meets. I suggest you have your men and mobile suits ready and in the air at approximately by 1900 hours. I will be sending you the signal so be ready.” Zechs sighed and stood up, “Thank you Colonel; we’ll be ready.” He breathed a sigh of relief when she cut their connection and sat back down.
Noin looked over at his pouting face and smiled. He looked incredibly sexy when he pouted like that. She nudged him with her foot and was surprised when he leaned down and kissed her gently. Noin turned away, “Was that Lady Une on the line?” Zechs frowned at her and shook his head, “No, that was Colonel Une. She’s only a lady in the presence of Treize.” Noin rolled her eyes and sat up, “What did she want?” Zechs repeated what Colonel Une told him. Noin sighed and lay back against the couch. She had known that a war would eventually break out but she had hoped it wouldn’t be this soon. She felt Zechs’ arm around her, pulling her closer. “You don’t have to go Noin.” Noin pulled away and turned to face him, “I’m a soldier Zechs, I will fight.” She stood up and stretched, “I’m going back to my rooms now. If you need anything just call me.” As she started towards the door Zechs voice stopped her, “Noin, what’s wrong?” She turned and smiled slightly, “Nothing Zechs. Why?” Noin was surprised when he stood up and walked towards her. “It’s just… ever since last night you’ve been somewhat distant.” Noin laughed softly, “I’m just tired Zechs that’s all. One doesn’t get a whole lot of sleep around you.” She watched as his eyebrow arched and a small smile broke out across his face. Then she leaned forward and briefly touched her lips to his, laughing when he tried to deepen the kiss. “I’ll see you in the morning,” she called out over her shoulder and sighed as she shut the door. As Noin made her way down the hall she thought back to the events of the day and the upcoming battle. She hated war and found it ironic that she should make her living from it, but the military academy had been the only place that had taken her in after her family’s annihilation. Like Zechs, her family had also been destroyed by the Alliance. Not for their beliefs but for their refusal to join the Alliance. She understood the pain Zechs felt but had never felt the rage and thirst for revenge that he did. Noin knew that it consumed him and was the driving force behind everything he did. She also knew that it would be his downfall if he weren’t careful. She groaned as she stepped into her room and made her way towards the bedroom. Not even caring that she still had her uniform on, Noin fell on the bed and within seconds she was fast asleep.
Zechs growled softly as he tossed and turned in the bed. Sleeping wasn’t the same without her. He missed the warm weight of her body against his as he held her through the night. Zechs sat up and flipped his light back on. He was sorely tempted to go to her room but he ignored the strange impulse and rose to his feet. He needed to get a good night’s sleep but there was no way that he was going to get any sleep in the bed. Zechs grabbed his pillow and a sheet and made his way to the large couch… Morning came to soon and Zechs struggled to turn away from the sunlight that shone through the parted curtains. He moaned loudly in protest; no matter which way he managed to turn, the sun persisted to find him. Finally he gave up and struggled to his feet. The sheet, which was twisted around his feet, tripped him and he fell with a loud curse. He froze when he heard the sound of laughter coming from the kitchen. Zechs looked up quickly, tossing his long bangs from his face. There in the doorway to his kitchen stood Noin in full uniform dress. It was then that he noticed the strong smell of coffee in the air. He flashed her a grateful smile and stepped from the troublesome sheet. “How long have you been here Noin?” He asked before stopping and giving her a quick kiss on the mouth. He smiled when he tasted the bitterness of the coffee on her lips and gave her lips a teasing lick before walking past her to the bathroom. It took only moments to shower and dress. Zechs sniffed the air as he stepped from the steamy confines of the bathroom. The coffee that had filled the air so thoroughly was gone and in its place the smell of food filled the air. Zechs looked down as his stomach growled and sat down at the table. He looked at the food she sat before him and reached over and pulled her into his lap. A small laugh escaped him as she struggled to get away from him. Zechs planted a kiss against her cheek and released her, “Thank you Noin.” He took a tentative bite and smiled up at her. “This is good,” he said softly as he took another bite. Zechs reached up and rubbed the flat of his palm against his aching jaw. He had smiled more in these few days with her than he had smiled in nearly twelve years. He looked over at her as she ate in silence. Zechs smiled when he felt her clothed leg rub against his. He could definitely get used to this.
Noin looked over at her superior officer and was shocked at the pleased expression on his face. She smiled to herself and glanced at her watch. They had about twenty minutes until they were due at the carrier to load and prepared for the upcoming battle. Noin looked up at Zechs, surprised by the intense expression on his handsome face. Without warning she found herself imprisoned in his arms, his lips against hers. Noin groaned in disappointment when he released her and sighed when he pulled her head against his chest, his voice warm and husky with suppressed emotion in her ear. “Be careful out there today,” his breath tickled her ear. Noin looked up at him and smiled, “You don’t need to worry about me Zechs.” She watched as his lips curled into a frown and pulled away. She gave him a warm smile, gathered her things and made her way towards the carrier runways. She waited, hoping that he would show up and give her men the orders but when it appeared that he wasn’t coming she gave a small sigh sighed and ordered her men to load their suits and wait for further orders. Noin looked at the horizon line for any sign of him and when she could find none; she boarded Zechs’ personal carrier to wait for him.
Zechs had sat in the hard chair for several minutes after her departure wondering how intense the upcoming battle would be and what it would mean to him if she were harmed. Deciding, finally, that that was an area of thought he didn’t want to explore he stood, stretched and adjusted the heavy woolen jacket of his uniform. He checked his messages and was fairly surprised that there were none concerning his mission. While he knew that the purpose of the mission was to take over the base he was unsure how to go about it. Zechs knew that there were Specials soldiers at the base and that any plan to take over the base would include them. He figured he would be informed and if not he would just have to take matters into his own hands. With one last look at his room, Zechs shut the door and made his way towards the runways. He was surprised that the soldiers were already loaded into their prospective carriers and felt somewhat embarrassed when it appeared that they were waiting on him. He climbed into his carrier and smiled at the glare Noin gave him. He took a seat beside her and looked at the two young men talking in the cockpit. Grunting loudly to interrupt them from their conversation, he ordered them to give the orders for takeoff to the other carriers and settled back in his seat. Zechs sat in silence looking over at his lover when he was sure that she wasn’t looking at him. He found himself wondering again why she loved him and why she wanted to help him. Caught up in his thoughts he didn’t notice that she was looking at him until it was to late. He thought he saw her smile but didn’t dare look back at her. He started to say something but was interrupted by one of the young pilots. “Lt. Zechs, Nairobi Base is asking us what our purpose is here.” Zechs sighed and fixed a menacing glare on the young man, “Tell them we are conducting maneuvers over the Mombassa area.” “Sir,” the young man quipped and Zechs listened as he relayed the message to the base. He closed his eyes as the familiar adrenaline rush entered his body and tried not to think of the innocent blood he would soon be coating his hands in. Innocent blood that would coat hers as well, he thought suddenly and turned to look at her. She was so innocent he didn’t want to taint her with his sins. “Listen,” he began hesitantly, “this battle might leave you feeling disturbed later on Noin.” She gave him a gentle smile and said, “I do trust you Zech and if I know that this is an important attack than I will fight.” He smiled grimly and turned away. It really didn’t matter in the end whom ruled the world. The Alliance and Oz were one and the same; the rich controlled one and the joint military councils of the world controlled the other.
Noin sat quietly and waited for the order to begin the battle. It had been a while since she had been in a battle and her last had seriously wounded her self-esteem. She looked up when she felt a strong hand cover hers, “Noin don’t worry, it won’t be like last time.” She met his intense gaze with one of her own and smiled at him. The pilots voice suddenly rang out, ruining the moment. “Lt. Zechs Operation Daybreak is underway.” Noin watched as Zechs quickly withdrew his hand and stood, “Very well all units descend now.” She followed as he ran towards the mobile suit hanger and climbed into her suit. Within minutes they were dropped and Noin prayed that they would both make it out of it alive.
AUTHOR’S NOTE: Just wanted to thank all of you who have followed my story thus far and for all of you who have commented on it. Sorry it has taken so long to install the next segment. With a new job, school and ball, life’s been pretty hectic. Don’t worry though I will try to submit at least one chapter a week. Please continue with the reviews and I hope you enjoy my next few chapters.
Thanks again,
Raven Mist
