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By KewlGurlEC66

Authors Note: Nevik, Grace, and names of some places in the story...MINE. Gundams,

Chapter I

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The year was after colony 197, in the heart of colony thirteen, the newest and largest man made colony. It was late in the evening on a hot summer’s day. The giant, peach like sun was resting on the shoulders of the long rolling mountain range, Kso (Key-so). The sky was pink and purple with a tint of baby blue, showing good fortune for the few sailors back on Earth. A very strong breeze blew willingly though the sky forcing everything in it’s path to bend and alter. Everything seemed to face eastward toward the Modran Sea (Mon-drain Sea), located a mile away from the big city. The branches on the giant trees waved to and fro in the wind. Their leaves whistled and swayed in the wind bringing music to the lone colony, but they soon blew off and landed on the flourished green grass, which lied below the mammoth beauties. Silence again. A light sprinkle of rain fell to the soft ground. The rain had no song to sing, no soul to give, but that did not stop its steady flow. The soft green grass absorbed the precipitation as soon as it landed. Few puddles lined the the busy streets of the most populated city, Zorrative (Zor-a-tive). The downtown stores were crowded with people trying to escape the rare drizzle of water. Empty shopping bags and lost umbrellas ran wildly down the streets, never stopping to look back at Zorrative, they were headed for Marcolo (Mark-cold-o), the countryside city located due east.

Cars sped through forsaken roads spraying water out from beneath their spinning wheels, soaking everything in its path. Three triplet towers stood strong and proud against the powerful wind. They did not bend nor did they sway. The breeze whipped around the sharp, sturdy corners of the towering masters. The towers tried hard to stop the flow of the wind but the air current simply blew more beautiful and more graceful then ever, no one could stop it. A rainbow streaked through the sky, it’s colors bright and lively. It told the towns people promise, a promise of only small rain.

A young girl walked through the puddles on the side of the street. Her light brown hair danced wildly in the wind as her ankles roughly scraped up against the curb. Blood trickled off her flip flops and onto the wet pavement, she left a trail of blood every step she took. The blood was swept away and forced down the dark and damp sewers, but the scrapes stayed bold and true on her ankle. The light blue tank top that she wore blew in the vicious breeze. Small drops of rain dripped off her tan shorts. The back of her right leg bore a brutal gash and a small third degree burn marked her left leg.

Her fingernails were light and plain, no special polish designed these nails. Her hands and fingers bore small scars and gashes. Her left arm was marked with zigzagging scars. Around her right wrist was a chain bracelet, the letters S-P-Y marked three of the metal links. Her gentle, warm, sky blue eyes stared straight ahead. Her face on the other hand was weathered, scared, and scratch. Below her left eye was a small scar and another on the right corner of her lip. Her face had a blank statement on it, happy or sad, violent or peaceful, no one knew for sure. Her skin was light like the suns morning rays, bright and beautiful. Around her neck hung a necklace.

It appeared to be a locket with the letters FS3 engraved on the front. Her neck also bared a Mithril choker. Its links were bound tight to one another, a feeling she has never shared before with anyone. The back of her neck was burnt severely, but had no scars or gashes. On her right stood an older woman, in her late twenties. Her hair was dark purple and her eyes light like amethyst. She stared affectionately at the young girl. Slowly she stretched out her hand, being sure not to scare her, and gently combed through the girl’s soft, flowing hair. The girl flinched at first, but continued to stare straight ahead. She smiled lightly.

"Won’t you step away from the curb," The woman said softly.

"Sorry, it is a habit. I’ve done it ever since...well you know, the accident," the young girl said with a slight Irish accent.

"I know, but isn’t about time you broke that habit?"

She placed her hand on the girl’s left shoulder and gently pulled her away from the curb. The young child timidly walked on.

"I’m right here," the woman said patting her lightly on her shoulder. "You’re not going to get lost."

The girl relaxed a bit, but continued to walk slowly. They pass a few blocks and then come to a slow stop.

"We’re here," the lady said.

They stood in front of a giant skyscraper. It seemed to touch the soft, pink clouds that form a small blanket for the resting sun. The girl touched the side of the building with her small, fragile hands. She ran her fingers down the rough wall. The older woman slowly walked up to the girl placing her hand on her shoulder.

"He works in here," she continued.

They walked to the electric doors in the front of the building. The doors slowly opened. The two walk in elegantly. The lobby was almost empty. There was an old couple sitting on the bench along the west side of the building. They were reading the Sunday newspaper. There also was few gentle men standing in the far left corner drinking coffee and discussing the world’s problems and political issues.  There was a desk in the middle of the room. A young woman in her early twenties sat at the large desk typing on a computer. She had a sophisticated look, her hair pulled daintily back in a small bun and glasses on the lower bridge of her nose. She had a diamond engagement ring on her right hand. She slowly wheeled her computer chair to a file cabinet behind her and removed a file under the letter P and placed it on the desk. She opened it and continued her work on the computer, every so often she would look down at the file.

The walls of the room were marble. There were plants and flowers are at every corner, and one on the secretary’s desk. Their light purple flowers shined brightly in the evening sunlight. There were three elevators lined up against the wall, and two escalators, one pointing up the other coming down. The roof of the room was a giant dome. Magnificent paintings cover the dome’s walls. The murals were of Earth, angels, and stars. Two pillars stood on either side of the auburn brown desk. They both held long draping plants with flowers galore. The plant’s draping leaves brushed the white tiled floor below. Soft music was heard though out the building. Relaxing everyone’s mind. The two walked up to the desk.

"May I help you?" the girl said politely with a large smile.

"Yes. Can you tell us where we can find Heero Yuy’s office?"

"No problem." She said turning to the computer.

Her quick hands typed Yuy, Heero. The computer did a quick search and then came up with the floor and the room number. Below the information there was a small map of the giant building. She turned back to the two.

"Floor twenty-nine, seventh room on your right. I’ll call and tell him your coming. May I have your name?"

"Lucrezia Noin and Grace O’Reilly."

"Okay. Thank you. Just knock before you enter," the young secretary said lifting a phone to her ear.

"No problem and thank you very much."

Noin placed her hands on the girl’ shoulders, "Come on, Gracie, this way."

She led Grace to the closest elevator. Noin pressed the quite large button with an arrow pointing to the sky. The elevator opened suddenly. Noin lightly pushed Grace in as the elevator doors closed slowly behind them. Noin press the button that read 29 and they were on their way. The elevator slowly went up the first few floors as if it was ready to stop at any time, but then with growing strength it started to speed up.

"Now remember not to show Heero that you can’t..."

"I know, I know," Grace interrupted "We’ve been over this like twenty million times," she said sarcastically.

"Grace this is not a joke," Noin said trying to sound stern. "You want to be able to..." her voice trailed off as the elevator came to a quick stop on the 13th floor. A man slowly entered the elevator.

"I know, I want this position as much as you do," Grace whispered.

The young man stood in the corner of the elevator. His light brown hair slanted over half of his face so all his emotions would not show. He wore dark sunglasses. His lips were pressed tightly together. His skin was light and soft. His hands hung by his side, both in tight fists. The top button of his light blue shirt was undone and his pants were loose and lightly touched the floor. His style was completely lay back.

"What floor?" Noin asked ready to press any button.

"Same one you are going to," he said in a strong but gentle voice.

Noin turned her head looking at the young boy’s stern face. He smiled knowing she was staring right at him, but the smile lasted for only a fraction of a second. He gazed straight ahead. She smiled back, knowing exactly who he was. Oh, Trowa, I knew you would come back... she thought to herself, Towa.

The three were silent though the remaining floors. The only sounds came from the elevator passing floors and the young boy's light breathing. The elevator came to another a quick stop at floor twenty-nine. Noin and Grace got off first then the Trowa. They parted ways without discussion. Grace and Noin continued to walk on. The girls came to a slow stop right outside the seventh door.

"Let me go in alone," Grace beseeched, reaching out for Noin’s hand. "I can do it on my own, I know I can."

"Just be careful little one. Heero doesn’t take warmly to strangers," she said knocking lightly on the door. "He knows what you came for. Doctor Jay has explained already, but Heero gets to make the final judgement call."

Silence. Noin knocked again.

"He will be nice to you but don’t let it fool you. He is a wonderful actor."

"I know Noin, I know."

The door open slowly. A young man stood in the doorway. He had brown hair and ice blue eyes. He was a little shorter Trowa, roughly around six feet.

"Ah, Noin what a surprise to see you," he said shaking Noin’s hand warmly. "And who is this one?" Heero said staring at the girl.

"This is Grace. You must have already heard lots about her."

"Yes, of course. She came for the piloting job. I’ve heard about the new Gundam made just for her."

"Yes. You may speak with her in your office. She will tell you of all the training she has had to take just to get a Gundam made for her, no promises were included."

Noin led the girl in and then left. She waited just outside the office door, trying hard to listen to their conversation though the door. Grace sat in a large armchair. Heero sat at his cluttered desk. He stared at the young girl, thinking of a good approach to spark up a conversation.

"You don’t talk much, do you?" Heero said breaking the silence.

"Noin would beg to differ," she said staring over his shoulder.

"So, what is your Gundam’s name?"

"Nevik," she answered abruptly. Staring at a giant bookshelf that stood behind Heero.

"Nevik?" Heero said in disgust. "What type of name is that?"

"I don’t know. Why don’t you ask your father? He is the one that gave it it’s name."

"True." Heero got up and stood right in front of the child. He glared into her blue eyes. "How old are you?"

"Sixteen. And you, I've noticed, must have lied about your true age. No seventeen year old can get a job as a chief business man, that I know of."

"You’re smart, and right. I did lie. But what are you going to do about it?" he said grinning.

"Nothing. Just mentioning it."

He again glared her in the eye trying hard to get her to look at him. Nothing was working. Huh, what’s a matter with her? He thought. Can’t she see me? He slowly turned his head looking at the giant bookshelf that stood next to the large window. Is the sunlight in her eyes? He thought tilting his head with confusion. He slowly made his way to the window, closing the long drapes. He returned to his desk. Again he glared into her enchanting blue eyes. He slowly waved his hand in front of her face, but she didn’t blink or even flinch. Heero stood up again and started to walk around the young girl seated in the chair, making a few sudden movements. The girl kept on staring straight ahead. He took his desk lamp off his cluttered desk and flashed it right in her weathered face. She didn’t close her eyes. What’s up with this girl?

"What does this mean?" he said flashing the SOS signal on the wall.

"That means..." she paused, biting her lowing lip "...umm."

Sweat rolled down her red face. She clenched her hands into fists and shifted uncomfortably in her chair. Heero held up a picture of her magnificently built Gundam.

"What is this for? Mine doesn’t have it. How about this?" Heero said in an almost mocking way. He raised one eyebrow and reached out his hand as if he was going to touch her eye. She didn’t pull away or blink, like most would. She couldn’t be...could she? He though putting together pieces of information.

"Why don’t you ever make eye contact with me? Don’t you know where I am?"

Her eyes searched the room for his face. Heero knelt down next to her staring at the side of her face. I’ve got you figured out, he thought to himself, grinning.

"I’m over here," he whispered softly into her ear. He reached out and touched her face.

"What are you? Blind or something?"

"No!" she screamed.

"I think you are," he said with a devilish smile on his face. He rose to his feet and headed toward the door. He turned around slowly to look at the pitiful, yet beautiful girl. Shimmering tears flowed down her face, leaving clean marks as they fell silently to the ground. He opened the door quickly trying hard not to feel compassionate towards the young blind girl.

"Noin, bring me talent not blindness."

Noin was leaning up against the opposite wall talking to Trowa.

"Oh no," she whispered Trowa, "he knows."

Noin looked though the wide opened door. Tears rolled down Grace’s baby soft skin.  Washing dirt away, but bringing bad memories, shame, and pain in. The door slowly closed isolating Grace in the room.

"Heero I can explain," Noin said reaching out for his hand.

Heero pulled his hand away, "Explain what? She’s blind."

Noin looked at the closed door, then up at Heero. "Heero please, she passed the same training you had. She’s an ace pilot."

"Everything?" Heero said lifting one eyebrow. "Even the sight test? That one too?"

Noin looked to the ground as a tear fell from her eye. She grabbed hold of Heero’s shoulders looking at him straight in the eye.  "Give her one chance. Just one. Let her prove herself," she begged. "Please Heero, please."

"No!" Heero screamed coldly. "Get her out of my office, now."

He pulled away and headed for his office door. He slowly opened it revealing the blind girl. He turned looking at Noin. Noin looked back at Trowa hoping for some answers and refusing to made eye contact with the cold hearted Heero. Trowa seemed as if he didn’t hear anything. He had is back turned to the two who were once quarreling.  He was looking out the large window at the end of the hall. She placed her hand on his warm back.

"I know you heard everything," she sighed slowly. "You don’t have to hide it, Trowa."

He turned his head and smiled slightly, "You’d better get her out of his office," Trowa said softly.

Noin turned facing Heero again. She slowly walked into the large office. "Come on Grace, let’s go."

"I failed the hardest part of the test," She said as more tears fell down her face. "I can’t do anything anymore."

Noin placed her hands on Grace’s shoulder. Gently pulling her to her feet. "It's okay. At least you tried." She led Grace out the large door.

"It’s not only your choice. The others should get a say," she whispered into Heero’s ear.

Heero rolled his eyes and entered his office slamming the door behind them. Noin looked back, there was nothing more she could do for the blind child. Heero fell back into his overstuffed chair. Not just your choice, my butt. He reached over and flicked on a radio to relieve stress. He closed his eyes trying hard to get out of this world of hatred. He listened to he radio, catching every word it blurred out from the song ‘Grace’ from U2.

Grace, she takes the blame

She covers the shame

Removes the stain

It could be her name

Grace, it’s a name for a girl

It’s also the a thought that changed the world

And when she walks on the street

You can hear the strings

Grace finds goodness in everything

Grace, she’s got the walk

Not on a ramp or on chalk

She’s got the time to talk

She travels outside of karma, karma

She travels outside of karma

When she goes to work

You can hear her strings

Grace finds beauty in everything

Grace, she carries the world on her hips

No champagne flute for her lips

No twirls or skips between her fingertips

She carries a pearl in perfect condition

What once was hurt

What once was friction

What left a mark

No longer stings

Because Grace makes beauty

Out of ugly things

Grace finds beauty in everything

Grace finds goodness in everything.

"Grace," Heero mumbled to himself. "Grace." He opened his eyes slowly and switched off the radio. He slowly stood to his feet. "She’s the one."

He rushed to the door and opened it. He stared down the hall. No one was to be seen. He ran back into his office and pulled the drapes open. Noin and Grace were standing just below. Heero pulled the window open.

"Noin!" he yelled out. "One chance, she’s got one chance."

Noin looked up and smiled at him. "What time?"

"Tonight at nine. I’ve got to rally up the others."

"Thank you Heero, Thank you."

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Part Two

Blinded Nevik

By: KewlGurlEC66 

Authors note: Okay, this is part two of my series Blinded Nevik. Once again, Grace and names of places are mine. Everything else is, yep you guessed it, not. The song from Linkin Park isn’t mine, it’s theirs. This story has lots and lots of talking involved, don’t ask cause you don’t want to know. And this is about the funniest the story is going to get, I’m not the jokester type. Personally, I hate this part, but hey I can’t just skip a part. Um...that’s about all so um...enjoy. 



Chapter II

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The other pilots were impatiently waiting in the lobby. They had received the call from Heero over three hours ago. "Where is that Heero?" Quatre asked looking down at Duo, who was slouching on a hard wood bench. 

He was wearing sunglasses that were lowered on his nose, and a black, leather coat. His arms crossed over his chest, with disgust of waiting. 

"Don’t ask me," he said shifting uncomfortably on the trestle, he was trying hard to find a comfortable spot. "I’m tried up with waiting. Let’s just go home."

"No, Duo, we can’t. Heero said it was important. Something about a girl." 

"If it was so important, why is he making us wait?" he asked slowly turning his head to face the young boy. "That’s what I thought," he said after a moment or so of silence.

His long brown hair swung silently on his back as he changed his position again. He fixed his eyes on the main elevator. C'mon Heero, what’s taking so long? he thought silently to himself. Trowa was standing on the left side of his third class friend, Duo. He made little motion. His eyes sometimes scanned the room uncertainly, as if someone was tracking him down, or he was constantly being observed and studied. He slowly leaned back on the wall and crossed his arms across his cold body. He glanced over at Quatre. Why can’t I be happy like Quatre? Why am I always depressed? he thought. Wufei stood in the far corner by himself. His black, slanted eyes were closed and he made no movement; he appeared dead. His arms were crossed in front of his well-built body and all of his weight was supported on the frozen wall, little weight was on his feet. 

The secretary stared at the three young boys grouped in front of her. Her fragile fingers hovered over the red security button. One wrong move and I’ll press it, she repeated in her mind, Just one. She slowly reached to the bottom drawer with her other hand and opened it slowly. The open drawer revealed a small handgun. She patted it softly. It was her only defense against the group of outcasts. Her eyes drifted to the other end of the room where Wufei was standing. He is posing no harm...yet, she thought fixing her eyes on him harder. Is he even alive? I can’t catch one breath he takes, if he is even breathing. She again focused on the three at the other end of the room. 

Wufei leaned forward, putting all his weight on his feet. He slowly opened his eyes and began to make his way to the desk. Quatre, Trowa, and Duo turned their heads in unison to watch him. The secretary watched them closely and followed their glances. She spotted Wufei and without thought pressed the secretary button. She then drew the gun and fired it. Wufei fell to the floor in pain. Blood sprayed everywhere. He grasped his right arm, luckily the bullet only nicked his upper arm. Duo jumped to his feet and the others to began to run over to the injured Wufei. 

"Oh my, I’m...I’m so...so sorry," the secretary stuttered. 

"Sure you are," Duo said staring at her with anger in his eyes.

The three pilots attempted to dress the wound, but Wufei just pushed them away. 

"I don’t need your help," Wufei mumbled under his breath. 

"You don’t?" Trowa asked quietly. 

"No," Wufei said glaring up at him.

He pushed Quatre away again and made an attempt to stand. Trowa pushed him down rudely. "Where do you think you’re going?" he said holding him in place.

Wufei looked up at him, all he wanted was to be left alone, but he didn’t have the strength to pull away from Trowa. He sat still on the bloody floor, allowing Quatre and Duo to touch the wound. They dressed it quickly, before Wufei could have another chance to get away. 

Suddenly five men came bursting in through the doors. They were all dressed in black and navy blue. Guns and ammunition hung off their bodies. Three of them pointed their guns at Wufei and the others.

"What’s wrong?" the leader of the group asked.

"I shot him," the secretary said softly dropping the gun to the floor. 

"You what?" 

"I shot him!" she screamed as tears rolled down her face "I shot him!" 

"Are you okay?" the man asked staring down at Wufei.

"I’m fine," he mumbled as he turned his head away.

The five stared at each other, uncertain of what to do. "Do you want us to take you to the hospital just down the street? They can look..." 

"No," Wufei said softly. "I’m fine."

"You sure now?" he asked.

"No," he said slightly raising his voice.

One of the men tapped the other on the shoulder. "I think we should take him. He looks kind of weak," he said to the leader.

"He looks pretty healthy and stubborn to me. Why don’t you try to pull him out of this place?" 

"Still, I’m not sure we should just leave him, what if something happens?" 

"Ah...c’mon. You’re not saying you feel bad for him are you?" 

"It’s not that, but what if she shoots him again? There must have been a reason."

"It’s not really any of our business, now is it? If they would like to tell us, they would. Come on let’s just get out of here, nobody’s saying anything."

"Fine, let’s go."

They turned back to the secretary and the four pilots. 

"Well if no one is going to talk this over with us then we’re going to have to get going."

The four friends glanced at the paranoid secretary. She was shaky and disturbed by what she had just preformed. A few minutes passed. The five men shrugged and started off.

"Wait!" the secretary finally said. After a long silence she continued, "Take me with you." 

The men stared at her. "What?" one of them asked. 

"Take me with you," she repeated as she slowly stood to her weary feet. "I don’t want to stay here, with them." She began to make her way over to the five. The five shook their heads.

"You can’t. You must stay here, at your job," one said as the five slowly left the lobby.

"No! Don’t leave me," she pleaded but they were already gone. She turned back to face the four strangers and walked slowly to her desk. She sat with tears welling in her eyes. 

Duo and Quatre stood to the sound of an elevator door. All four looked at the elevators lined up against the wall. In one of the elevators stood Heero. He stared at the four in a group with blood beneath their feet, then at the secretary crying at her desk. Kay, what did I miss? he thought to himself. He slowly made his way over to the four to greet them. Duo, Quatre, and Trowa began to walk to him, Wufei followed them. 

"Hey, guys. Long time no see," Heero said greeting his four friends.

"Hey," Duo said grasping his hand warmly. "So what’s the deal with the lady?"

"Oh right. Let’s go, they are probably waiting for us."

Duo headed for the elevator. 

"Hey Duo," Heero said.

"Yeah?"

"Where are you going? They’re not here."

"They’re not?"

"No, they at the building next door. This one closes in an hour."

"Oh," Duo said walking back to the four. "Well what are we waiting for, let’s go." 

The five walk out of the building. Duo gazed up at the full moon that hung in the cloudless sky above. The town was eerily silent.

"Is the town always this silent at night?" Quatre asked as he glared down the forsaken street. 

"Yeah, why?" 

"Earth is never this quiet," Quatre said staring up at Heero.

"Well this ain’t Earth."

Heero led the four to a very small building across the street.

"This?" Duo said pointing in disgust. "This isn’t even a respectable shack." 

"You thought we were going to have a top secret meeting in something like that?" Heero said looking over to a towering monster.

"Well I didn’t think we were going to have a top secret meeting in that dump."

Heero rolled his eyes and opened the door. They followed him in. They walked in silence. Heero slowed his pace allowing Trowa to catch up with him. 

"So Trowa, what did I miss back there?" Heero whispered and glanced back at Wufei.

"The secretary went and opened fire on us," Trowa said sarcastically.

"Oh really? I couldn’t tell."

"Yeah, it was horrible. She called security and took a shot at Wufei, barely hitting him," Trowa said with a smile.

"Did security show up?"

"Yeah, they wanting to take Wufei to the hospital."

"They wouldn't even get him out of the door, never mind the hospital. He is so stubborn," Heero said laughing. 

"Got that right." 

The five took a right turn and headed down a long winding staircase. "How top secret is this meeting?" Duo said after walking down the first twelve stairs. 

"Very top secret," Heero said with a grin. 

"Oh, right. You think a girl is going to be able to manage all the stairs, or are we going to help her out?" he said jokingly.

"She’s not your average girl."

They came to a sudden stop at a small door. Heero pushed it open, and they started down another staircase. 

"How many staircases are there?" Duo said with a sigh.

"Last one," Heero said looking back at his companions. 

"I came here for a meeting, not an aerobics class." 

"Duo, Duo, Duo, what would we do without you?" Heero said sarcastically as they came to a sudden stop. 

They all stood staring at a large door. Heero slowly pushed it open. The room was small and dark. The walls, floor, and ceiling were cement and there was one light hanging in the center of the room. There was a long wooden table and a few chairs in the center of the room. 

"This place is really attractive Heero. Why don’t we just stay and have a grommet dinner here?" Duo said jokingly. 

Quatre stared at him and shook his head.

"We’re having dinner at my place," Quatre replied. 

"We have to travel again," Duo complained.

"It doesn’t take that long. Maybe a half an hour or maybe..."

"I hate traveling," he interrupted. 

Duo slouched down in one of the wooden chairs and kicked his feet up on the table. Heero sat down next to him and pushed Duo’s feet off the table. Trowa sat down next to Quatre on the table and sighed heavily. Wufei stood by the door, holding his arm. The five waited there in silence for fifteen minutes.

"And when were they suppose to be here?" Duo said finally, breaking the silence.

The four looked over at him, but didn’t reply. Duo scuffed his feet against the hard, cold floor. "Fine don’t answer me."

Wufei leaned against the wall and closed his eyes. Five minutes passed. Then, suddenly, the door swung open. Noin stood next to Grace. Heero and the others rose to their feet in surprise. 

"Sorry we’re late," Noin said with a smile. 

"It’s okay," Heero said as he fell back into the chair. "So where do we start?"

"Umm..." Noin said biting her lower lip.

"Well you can tell us who this lovely lady is," Duo said as he approached Grace and took her hand.

"I’m Grace O’Reilly," she said pulling her hand away.

"Oh, fresh are we? I like that in a girl."

"I like guys who know when to stop trying to impress a girl."

"I am impressing you, not trying to."

Grace rolled her eyes.

"Don’t roll your eyes at me. Do you even know who I am?"

"Does it look like I really care?" 

"Duo, that’s enough trying for the day," Heero said as he pushed Duo into the wall. "Come Noin, let Grace talk to us," he said. 

Noin looked down at Grace and nudged her softly. "Tell them Grace." 

"I...I...umm....I’d like to be...part of the team. I want to pilot a Gundam," she said softly.

"Alright! Finally a girl on the team. Life becomes interesting," Duo said happily. 

"Are you any good?" Trowa asked with a weak grin.

"I...I guess I’m okay."

"We could use another helping hand," Quatre said.

"Ah, but wait. Life gets interesting again. Tell them about your little secret, Grace," Heero said with a devilish smile. 

"I...I....I’m...umm...I’m," she said as she bit her lower lip. "I’m blind."

"You’re what?" Duo said in surprise.

"I’m blind," she repeated with a sigh. 

"How can you pilot a Gundam if you’re blind?" Quatre asked.

"Noin helps me, she’s my eyes."

"It’s very complicated, but just watch her pilot her Gundam. She’s an ace," Noin said reassuringly. 

"I think she should join. It would be good for all of us," Duo said smiling lovingly at the girl.

"I think it’d be okay, but I’d have to see her pilot first. It’s hard to believe a blind girl could pilot such a complicated machine," Quatre said also smiling.

"I don’t think so. You guys, she’s a girl, a blind girl," Heero said angrily.

"What do you two think?" Noin asked as she glanced at Trowa and Wufei. 

"I think it’s fine. We need a helping hand and if she’s not good enough she’ll just be killed out there. If that’s a risk she’s willing to take, why not? It’s not a bad thing to try new things," Trowa said softly. 

Everyone, but Grace, looked at Wufei. 

"I’d have to see her pilot," he said just above a whisper.

Noin smiled and softly and patted Grace on the shoulder. Grace smiled as she thought finally, I’ve got the chance to be what my parents once were. 

"So, where's the Gundam kept?" Heero asked a bit angry from the outcome of the meeting.

"Dr. Jay’s place. A few miles out of town," Noin said. 

"Well let’s head there now, before morning comes," Heero said as he headed for the open door.

All seven headed up the stairs and stepped out onto the wet street. They crossed the street and entered a large parking lot. Heero unlocked the doors to a red convertible mustang. 

"I’ll drive! I’ll drive!" shouted Duo.

"No you’re not. I’m driving," Heero said as he sat down.

"But you don’t even have your license." 

Heero shook his head. "We aren’t suppose to have any kind of I.D., remember?" 

"Oh yeah, of course," Duo said reaching into his pocket.

He pulled out an ID from his pocket and dropped it on the ground. He stepped on it and smudged it into car grease. "Anyway, how much did this sweet car cost?" he said changing the subject before anyone caught on to what he had done. 

"I didn’t buy it. I stole it."

"You’re a horrible person," Duo joked as he sat down in the passenger seat.

"What are you doing? You get the back seat. Noin sits up in front, she’s the one that knows the way." 

"Sorry Heero, I’m going to have to miss out. I have another meeting I have to go to. Here are the directions to his house," she said, handing Heero a slip of paper.

"I’ll meet you guys there."

"Haha. I get to sit in the front." 

"Kay, we’ll meet you there. Grace is coming with us, right?"

"Yeah."

Heero started up the car as the others got in. Grace was wedged between Trowa and Wufei. Beside Trowa was Quatre. Duo put on his sunglasses and placed his feet up on the dashboard.

"Don’t get too comfortable," Heero said as he pushed Duo’s feet to the floor.

Duo stared at him for a while then he flicked on the radio and searched for a good station. Heero flicked the radio off quickly.

"I hate music," he mumbled to Duo. 

"Don’t drive too fast," Noin joked as Heero began to pull out of the driveway. 

"You trust me, don’t you?" he said with a smile and then turned out of the drive. The wheels squealed in agony. 

Noin laughed as the dust blew wildly around her. Heero was already on the highway and booking it at one fifty. Grace’s hair whipped back in the strong wind. All six of them were silent for the first few minutes, till Duo turned on the radio again. He flipped through the stations till he found a song that pleased him.

"I love this song!" he yelled above the music as he turned up the radio. The radio blared out ‘In the End’ by Linkin Park. 

It starts with one

One thing I don't know why 

It doesn't even matter how hard you try

Keep that in mind I designed this rhyme

To explain in due time

All I know

Time is a valuable thing

Watch it fly by as the pendulum swings

Watch it count down to the end of the day

The clock ticks life away

It's so unreal

Didn't look out below

Watch the time go right out the window

Trying to hold on but didn't even know

Wasted it all just to

Watch you go

I kept everything inside and even though I tried it all fell apart

What it meant to me will eventually be a memory of a time when I tried

I tried so hard

And got so far

But in the end

It doesn't even matter

I had to fall

To lose it all

But in the end

It doesn't even matter

One thing I don't know why

It doesn't even matter how hard you try

Keep that in mind I designed this rhyme

To remind myself how

I tried so hard

In spite of the way you were mocking me

Acting like I was part of your property

Remembering all the times you've fought with me

I'm surprised it got so (far)

Things aren't the way they were before

You wouldn't even recognize me anymore

Not that you knew me back then

But it all comes back to me

In the end

You kept everything inside and even though I tried it all fell apart

What it meant to me will eventually be a memory of a time when I tried

I tried so hard

And got so far

But in the end

It doesn't even matter

I had to fall

And lose it all

But in the end

It doesn't even matter

I put my trust in you

Pushed as far as I can go

And for all this

There's only one thing you should know

I put my trust in you

Pushed as far as I can go

And for all this

There's only one thing you should know

I tried so hard

And got so far

But in the end

It doesn't even matter

I had to fall

And lose it all

But in the end

It doesn't even matter 

Heero flicked off the radio. "Hey!" Duo said giving Heero a ruff shove. "I was listening to that!" 

"I have to concentrate," he replied nudging Duo away. "What exit Quatre?" 

"The next one," Quatre said softly as he read off the directions Noin had handed them. "Then a right at the second pair of lights, and an immediate left on to a side road called Ed Write Drive. She said the house is huge, we can’t miss it."

Heero pulled off the highway. Rubber burned off the tires as he pulled off the main road and onto a narrow road. Empty valleys bordered the small road. The road ran off for miles, twisting and turning as it went. 

"I’m not seeing any houses, Heero," Duo said looking down the long road in front of them. "Are you sure we went down the right street?" 

"Yeah, I’m pretty sure," Heero answered speeding up a little.

"This place is deserted," Duo said laughing loudly he looked down at his feet.

"Not that deserted," Quatre said pointing to a large, white house far in the distance.

"Oh my God," Duo said looking up at the large house. "That thing is huge! We’re like ten miles away and it looks like a mansion!" 

"Noin said it was big," Trowa said with awe. 

Duo pulled his sunglasses off for a better look. "She didn’t say it was going to be a mansion!" 

"It’s not that big," Grace said with a giggle.

The five of them stared at her in confusion.

"What are you smoking?" Duo asked after a short silence. 

"It’s nothing compared to my house," Grace said laughing. 

"I’m going over to live with you," Duo joked. 

Grace shook her head. The others laughed softly.

"And I thought I had a big house," Quatre mumbled. 

Heero pulled the car into a large driveway and shut the car off. The house stood towering before them. It was mostly white with blue hinges surrounding the windows. It had a large wrap around porch and a balcony for the second floor. The house itself was nothing compared to the large cement garage standing behind it. The garage looked like an extremely large, prosperous factory.

"Finally, you’ve arrived," an elder voice sounded the quiet countryside. 

Everyone’s head, but Grace’s, turned suddenly towards the door leading into the house.

Dr. Jay stepped out onto the porch. Duo jumped out of the car and walked slowly towards the large house. Heero stood slowly and walked towards Jay. Quatre and Wufei followed slowly in his footsteps. Grace slid on the leather seats till she reached the edge.

Trowa followed slowly behind her, watching her carefully. She slowly planted her feet on the soft ground as wind and dust blew around her. Trowa stepped down next to her and started off towards the others, but he stopped shortly when he realized that Grace was not following. He looked back at the young child standing in a cloud of dust. Trowa reached back slowly and placed his hand on her back. He pushed her slightly in front of himself and guided her towards the others. Grace smiled at him shyly. Her gentle eyes seemed to say thank you. 

"Did you have any trouble finding the place?" Jay asked once they were all together. 

"No trouble at all," Duo answered still amazed by the size of the elder man’s dwelling. "Well that’s good. I was afraid you couldn’t find it out here, in the middle of nowhere." 

"You’ve got to be kidding, Jay," Quatre said staring at him. "Only a blind person could miss this place, no offence Grace."

"It’s okay," she said shrugging her shoulders. "How’s Nevik doing?" 

"Fine, fine. Just as you left him. Are you going to pilot for these five fine men?" 

"Yeah," she said sighing slowly. "I’ve got to prove I can actually do them some good."

"Boys," he said shaking his head, "you don’t know talent when you see it." 

"Come on, let’s go and wake Nevik up," Grace said giggling. 

"Now, now my child. We must wait for Noin, you know that. So with that said, but not done let’s go inside and have tea or would you rather have coffee?" 

"Coffee’s fine," the boys said in unison.

"Okay then, come, come in side. We have important issues to discuss," Jay said happily. "Grace, you stay out here and wait for Noin to come." 

"Do I have to? I want to discuss with you guys," Grace whined. 

"Yes, Grace. I have to talk with the boys alone."

Grace turned around and crossed her arms across her chest, very displeased. "I always get left out," she mumbled under her breath.

Jay nudged her softly. "You’re not all alone. There’s someone here to see you." Jay said slowly opening the porch door.

A large golden retriever jumped out of the open door. His tail wagged joyfully when he saw the girl. He jumped up on the girl and licked her face happily. Grace smiled and rubbed the dog’s ribs. 

"Cobey!" she said kissing the dog’s head. 

"He’s come to keep you company," Jay said as he and the five boys disappeared into the large house. 

Grace slumped down onto the porch step. Cobey lay down next to her and rested his head on her lap.

"Me and you Cobey, were a lot alike. We both always get left out in the cold." Grace said with a smile as she combed through the dog’s silky fur.

Grace let out a sigh of joy. Finally, she was reunited with the only one she had left, the one she loved, the one who listened to her thoughts without complaint or interruption, her best friend. 

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