One week later

Brussels, Belgium

Relena watched through the shuttle window as it entered the earth's atmosphere, and her world came screaming back into focus.

She felt as if she hadn't been home in years, even though she knew, somewhere in the back of her mind, that it had only been a little over a week. She and the others spent that time quarantined in the medical bay of the Preventer's ship, the Aventinus, to wait out the eradication of the deadly virus. But Relena was scarcely aware of the time as it passed. She spent her days and nights vacillating between sleeping and crying. At one point, she mustered up the courage to phone Evangeline to start making Timothy's funeral arrangements. The queen was businesslike as usual, but in their vid-phone chats, Relena could see Evangeline's red-rimmed eyes, framed by dark circles. In a few days' time, she looked as if she had dropped twenty pounds and aged ten years. Relena inquired after the rest of the family each time they spoke, and the queen would respond, simply, that they were carrying on as best they could. It was as if they were talking about the wedding, or anything else.

And the irony did not escape Relena that, just days earlier, she was planning to spend the rest of her life with Timothy. She was supposed to marry, not bury him.

The injustice, the unfairness, the randomness of it all enraged her, as did the death of her dear friend, Sandy. Sometimes, Relena couldn't even pinpoint who she missed more. Both had become integral parts of her life over the past few years, and she couldn't fathom going on without them.

Her friends seemed to be taking turns looking in on her during their week of quarantine, mostly Duo or Sally. Sally, with her medical pedigree, kept Relena fed, hydrated and cared for, while Duo attempted to keep her entertained. While he was far from his jovial self, Duo couldn't help but smile when he divulged a long-kept secret: Hilde was pregnant, around 28 weeks. The news provided a welcome distraction from Relena's dark thoughts; it was nice to focus on someone else, for a change. Although she shared Duo's worry about the virus, Hilde had assured him that she was staying home until receiving the all-clear.

The call at last came in, and, for a moment, there was a collective whoop of celebration throughout the ship. Even Relena felt a rush of relief. As much as she was dreading facing her life from here on out, it would be nice to set foot on solid ground again.

She wondered, as the shuttle made its descent, what the others would do once they got home. Duo was dropped off at a colony spaceport to go home to his pregnant wife, but everyone else was returning to Earth. Including Heero. Relena figured Sally and Wufei would soon get back to their Preventers work. Trowa would probably check in on Quatre.

But what would Heero do?

In their long, emotional conversation last week, before everything went crazy, Heero had made it sound like he still had a lot of fighting to do. Relena wondered if he would be on the run, fighting in the shadows, for the rest of his life.

They hadn't spoken to each other all week, despite being in close proximity on the ship. While Relena talked here and there with Duo or Sally, Trowa and Wufei had only spoken to her to give their condolences. Heero had only acknowledged her with a tip of his head, the few times she managed to venture out of her room and happened to catch his eye. In the past, she might have thought him cold, but she could see the warmth and concern in his steady gaze. She privately appreciated him keeping his distance while she grieved.

Soon they were exiting the shuttle at the spaceport in Brussels. Goodbyes and hugs were exchanged on the tarmac. Une met up with Sally and Wufei to take them back to Preventers HQ. Trowa was catching a cab of his own. A car was waiting for Relena to take her to the nearby airport, where she would catch a flight to London, and another car to Wales from there.

Une greeted Relena with a brief hug, expressed her condolences, and then quickly relayed information about Sandy's funeral. It was to be held in Brussels, two days after Timothy's. She apologized that it didn't give Relena much time to make travel arrangements. Relena told Une that she would do her best to be there.

And then Relena was sliding into her cab, already exhausted thinking about the long day ahead, not only the travelling but arriving in Penarth and diving right into tasks she was dreading. She pictured the faces of Evangeline, Andrew, Spencer and Kitty, and fought fresh tears as they formed.

And then someone was opening the car door, and she knew instantly, without looking up, who it was.

Heero slid in beside her, wordlessly shutting the door and fastening his seatbelt. Relena nearly asked what he was doing there, but then she knew. Even if he wasn't there for her comfort, he was still technically on assignment. And so she said nothing throughout their car ride, nor when he shuffled behind her through the Brussels airport, then again when they touched down at Heathrow. Neither of them spoke a word until they were finally on their way to Wales.

As usual, Relena was the first to break the silence.

"I didn't think I'd be coming back like this," she said softly as she gazed out the window, taking in the lush English scenery. She would miss these views.

"I know," Heero answered, keeping his voice low. And then he said nothing more, as their fingers curled together. Relena wasn't even sure which one of them had reached out first. Maybe it had been simultaneous. It didn't matter.

"Thank you for being here," she said after several minutes. "I know this is difficult."

Heero frowned, as if wondering why Relena was apologizing to him. "I… wouldn't leave you like this."

Relena clucked her tongue, about to disagree with him, but changed her mind. "I appreciate it."

Heero thumbed gently at her palm. "I'll stay out of your hair. Don't worry. No one will know I'm there."

"Nonsense," Relena murmured, finally turning her head to look at him. "You won't be in the way. You can stay where you did last time. The family will understand I need my bodyguard." The word sounded silly and forced, but there it was.

"Right." Heero nodded. "Even if their security is sufficient?"

"They will understand." Relena turned her face back toward the window. "And even if they don't, no one will be in the mood to argue," she added solemnly.

"Very well." Heero nodded again, effectively ending the conversation. Relena closed her eyes gratefully as they fell back into silence.


Next day

Penarth, Wales

Relena pressed a kiss to her hand, then rested it over the casket, draped in the UK and Welsh flags, a final time before it was lowered into the ground. The move earned a grunt of disapproval from the queen, who stood to Relena's right, but she didn't care if she had broken protocol. It was her final gesture of goodbye to her fiance.

The memorial service was closed-casket due to the circumstances of Timothy's death. Relena didn't need to see his body and, truthfully, she didn't want to. She would be forever grateful to Heero for going back to get Timothy's body, even if he no longer resembled the man she had known for the past two years. But she'd already survived the horror of watching Timothy die; she didn't need to relive it. She wanted to remember him the way he was before… Relena swallowed hard against the lump forming in her throat as she stared at the wooden casket, shiny and gleaming in the sunlight.

Relena tore her eyes away as men with shovels began spearing dirt onto the casket. She stole a glance at Evangeline, whose features remained impassive as she kept her pale blue eyes trained on the casket. King Andrew, standing to the right of Evangeline, was dabbing at his eyes with a handkerchief. Spencer stood grimly next to his father, his eyes and nose red as his hair, his arm slung around his new girlfriend, Penny. The blonde American was sobbing openly. Relena resisted the urge to roll her eyes. The girl had probably only met Timothy once, if at all.

And then there was Kitty. The tween, dressed all in black save for two blue ribbons affixed to her strawberry blonde braids, appeared to be bravely trying to adhere to old adage, "stiff upper lip," but her lower lip was trembling. Relena's heart twisted and she broke away from the lineup, lowering herself to the smaller girl and wrapping her in a hug. Kitty pressed her face into Relena's black peacoat and whimpered.

"What happens now?" The younger girl sniffled into Relena's coat. "Will we still get to see each other?"

Relena smiled sadly down at Kitty and gave her a squeeze. "Of course. I will visit you whenever I can, and you can come stay with me anytime you like."

"In Sanc? At the castle?" Kitty asked, her hazel eyes hopeful.

Relena nodded. "Of course. Although it is a boarding school now…"

"Maybe I could go there!" Kitty brightened. "I hear it's fancy…"

Relena chuckled softly. "Let's wait and see what your mother says," she whispered, her eyes glimmering. "That would be lovely, though." She gave Kitty's braids a little tug. The younger girl's eyes filled back up again.

"I really wanted us to be sisters," she said softly, lowering her eyes to her black mary-janes. Relena folded her into another hug.

"We are sisters."

She released Kitty and reached up to unclasp the necklace she wore. It was a gold, heart-shaped locket, a little trinket Timothy had given her - mostly as a joke - on their first Valentine's Day together. Relena thought it was appropriate for the day, and, now, an appropriate gift for Kitty.

"Your brother gave this to me," she explained. "Wear it and think of us both, okay?"

Kitty nodded and sniffled again, then eagerly removed her gloves and stuffed them in her pockets. Relena pressed the locket into the Kitty's hand, then the younger girl fastened it around her own neck. The gold heart popped against her black coat.

"Beautiful." Relena smiled.

Andrew turned to the girls, and enveloping both into a bear hug. Then he kissed Relena's cheek and looked at her fondly. "Darling girl, I want you to know you will always be a daughter to me. You are welcome in our home, anytime."

Relena felt her throat tighten, and she turned teary eyes up to the king's kind green eyes. "Thank you," she whispered.

Spencer joined in the group hug next, pressing a kiss to Relena's other cheek. "Love ya, sis." His voice cracked. Relena grabbed him in another hug. "Love you, too." Then Penny approached Relena shyly and gave an awkward little curtsy before murmuring, "I'm so sorry for your loss." Relena pulled her into a hug as well.

The group began trudging their way out of the ancient graveyard, where centuries of royals had been laid to rest. Save for the queen, who was fixed in place, still staring as the men continued piling dirt onto the casket. Relena returned to Evangeline's side.

"Your Highness," she whispered, trying to be respectful, but wanting to tell her that they should go with the others. The queen held up a hand.

"Evangeline," she corrected. "Or, just 'mum.'" Relena nodded, smiling a little to herself. And then, protocol be damned, she rested her hand on the queen's inner arm. She thought she heard a little hitch in Evangeline's voice as she spoke again.

"I'm staying," she said sharply, "until the task is done."

Relena nodded solemnly. "Then I will stay with you."


Heero surveyed the scene from a hilltop overlooking the graveyard. The sun was shining in defiance of the sad day, the lush green scenery singing against a brilliant, cloudless sky.

As he watched Relena with the royal family, he couldn't help but admire her strength and grace, even in her sorrow.

"She is a remarkable woman, your Relena."

That voice. Heero froze before turning to see where it had come from, coming face to face with his superior and tormentor.

Jin.

The tall, middle-aged Japanese man was clad in a long, black trench covering what was probably an expensive black suit. With a black wool fedora tipped over one eye, he looked exactly like the head of Asia's deadliest mafia might look. Way too conspicuous to be here. Which was probably one reason he had staked out Heero's hiding spot.

"Are you here to gloat?" Heero turned angry eyes on the older man. "Putting aristocrats in the ground is your thing, isn't it?"

"It is not my… favorite activity," Jin answered in a velvety tone as he moved to stand alongside Heero. "Besides, we had nothing against Timothy Lockhart. He had very little influence or ties to Romefeller."

Heero glared up at the taller man, exasperated. "Then why did you plan to kill Relena if she married him?"

"That's different," Jin answered evenly. "She has far more power than anyone here." He swept a hand over the scene. "Especially over you. And me."

"Huh?" Heero couldn't help but raise a brow in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"I suspect she didn't tell you, then." Jin tipped up his hat to look down at Heero with both of his almond-shaped, obsidian eyes. "I came here at her request."

Heero felt his blood go cold as he watched Relena hugging the young Lockhart girl. "No," he whispered urgently. "You can't…"

"Can't meet with the most powerful woman in the world?" Now it was Jin's turn to arch an eyebrow. "And why not? I am most intrigued by what she might have to say..."

And then Heero was unholstering his gun and pressing it to Jin's temple in a single motion. "Or, this ends now."

"Murder at a funeral? Sounds like a bad film title," Jin chuckled, seemingly unfazed by his agent's action. "I don't think you want to pull that trigger."

"What makes you think I don't?"

"Because if you do, you'll be hunted." Jin spread his hands. "If you don't, you walk away a free man."

Heero held his weapon steady. "Why should I believe you?"

"Because you've fulfilled your end of the contract. You're free to go, Shin Kenshin. Or, should I say Heero Yuy? Let me know how I should address my holiday cards…" His lips spread into a devilish grin.

"How is that possible?" Heero glowered. "You kept adding to my hit list. Dr. Harkness committed suicide." There was no point in trying to cover up the truth; he knew Jin would already know.

"The virus has been remedied. We have taken the head off the beast," Jin said simply. "And while there are still fringes of Romefeller clinging to the coattails of ESUN, we believe we can simply continue shifting the balance of power our way from the shadows, as we've been doing for years. It doesn't hurt when there are government officials willing to hear our cause." He swung his black eyes in Relena's direction.

Heero cocked his weapon, pushing it further into Jin's flesh. "If you drag her into this…"

"Heero, I assure you, I had nothing to do with this meeting. Relena contacted me." Jin looked at Heero pointedly. "Perhaps this has more to do with you? I won't know until I speak with her."

"And I'll be there," Heero seethed. "Watching. And if you so much as lay a finger on her…" He pulled back the hammer on his gun, preparing to pull the trigger.

"I understand." Jin's gaze tightened. After another tense moment, Heero slowly lowered his weapon.

"When are you meeting with her?"

"Tonight," Jin answered, turning to walk back down the hill. "After dark."

Heero frowned. "Where?"

"Why don't you ask her?" Jin grinned. "You don't think she'd tell you?" Heero just deepened his scowl until the other man relented. "In the castle gardens. Surely because she has adequate security."

Heero holstered his gun. "Again, I'll be watching."

"I would expect nothing less," Jin chuckled, then turned to go. Heero watched the man's tall, dark frame slinking away as he moved down the hill. Then the older man looked back up at Heero over his shoulder. "Oh, yes... One last thing."

"Hm?" Heero looked down at him quizzically.

"Adios, muchacho." Jin let out a low chuckle.

Heero frowned in confusion, watching the unknown, laughing man clad in black walking away from him. Who the hell was that guy? He rubbed at his eyes, feeling a sudden headache coming on. Where was he, again? That's right. Lockhart's funeral. He blinked, wondering where his mind has gone. Then he turned his attention back to the scene below, watching as the mourners filed away. All save for Relena and the queen.


Penarth Castle, Wales

Nightfall

Relena took a slow sip of the tea she'd fixed herself. She was careful, these days, to make her own beverages. Especially when she had unknown guests.

The tall, middle-aged Asian man calling himself Jin crossed his legs in his chair, obsidian eyes fixed on her. He sat facing Relena in an armchair in the King and Queen's private study, where Relena had taken up temporary residence at the mighty oak desk. Her would-be in-laws had retired hours ago, their eyes heavy-lidded with sorrow. Relena had stayed up with Spencer and Kitty a while after that, reminiscing about Timothy until the little girl fell asleep in Relena's lap. After Relena had tucked the child into bed in her pink princess room, and made sure Spencer had gone to his own room with his girlfriend, she tiptoed back downstairs, and waited.

The mystery man in all-black came to her, as promised. Relena granted him access and explained his appearance to the baffled security guards as her shrink. No one seemed to want to question her after that.

Now that sat in near silence, but the older man leveled her with a coy smirk.

"You're quite something, Miss Darlian," he cooed. "Or should I say Peacecraft?"

"Enough with the small talk," Relena said calmly, smoothing her skirt beneath the desk. "I want to know why you took Heero away all those years." She fixed her coolest stare on the man, refusing to be intimidated.

Jin's smile widened. "My understanding is that my charge already filled you in quite a bit. And now that I've relieved him of his duties…" His head tipped to the side, his black fedora staying in place. "There's really little to discuss."

Relena's eyebrows lifted. "You… what?"

"Well, isn't that what you asked me here to do?"

She sat back in her seat, regaining her composure. "Why should I believe you would let him go so easily, after all of the horrible things you forced him to do?"

Jin's expression darkened. "Yuy more than fulfilled his end of the bargain, so I completed mine. But I wanted to come here, in person, to make your acquaintance." He unleashed another Cheshire grin and extended his hand toward hers. "You are quite lovely, you know."

Relena instantly recoiled. "Excuse me," she muttered, fighting the flush that threatened to crawl across her cheeks. After all her years in politics, she was still occasionally astounded when an older man in a position of power decided to hit on her.

"What's the matter, my dear?" Jin scooted forward in his seat. "You're awfully red… There's no need to be embarrassed." His smile turned downright sinister as he clamped his hand down on hers. "No one will hear…"

Relena worked to keep her shock in check, while rummaging around for the pistol she holstered inside her formal skirts. She only worried that she wouldn't be able to shoot the man first; he was the head of a crime syndicate, or fleet of ninjas, or however Heero had explained it. Relena's mind was a blur as Jin rose to his feet.

"I need your assurance that you will leave Heero alone from now on," Relena blurted, already fearing the worst, but needing to regain control of the situation.

"Of course." Jin spread his hands. "I'm a reasonable man. We can come to some sort of agreement, I'm sure." His dark eyes glinted at her. "For a price."

Relena's eyes went round as Jin loomed over her. Unconsciously she shrank back against her chair, still trying to grasp her weapon.

And then the heavy oak doors of the study burst open.

Heero stood in the doorway, his gun cocked and aimed at Jin's head.

"Who the hell are you?" he growled.

"What?" Relena gasped as Jin chuckled and rounded on Heero, withdrawing his own handgun.

"You've forgotten already, have you? I'm impressed," said Jin. "I always worry that little parlor trick never really works..."

Heero's eyes tightened. "What the fuck?"

"Never mind." Jin smirked and withdrew a gun of his own, aiming it straight at Heero. "It's been nice knowing you, Yuy."

Relena lifted her arms, her pistol still held tightly between her hands. She leveled it at the center of Jin's back and squeezed the trigger. With a blast of gunpowder, the bullet left the barrel and entered through Jin's back, severing his spine. Jin froze for a moment, and his own pistol slipped from his hands and clattered on the ground. As if in slow motion, his body crumpled to the ground in a heap.

With Jin on the ground, Relena could see Heero's face. He had the same shocked expression that she'd seen him wear weeks ago, when she'd stopped the attempted assassination of the ESUN President.

This time, a smile spread across his lips.

The End.


A/N: The Edge of Oblivion: The Story to End All Gundam Stories.

That was what we set out to write, and while we realize that was a lofty feat, we hope we at least managed to keep you entertained. To those of you who have followed this story from the beginning and patiently awaited updates over the course of three and a half years (WHOA), thanks for sticking with us! It really means a lot.

When you set out to write these stories, you never really know how much blood, sweat and tears, and MORE BLOOD 'CAUSE ZOMBIES you'll actually end up pouring into it. We wanted to write a Gundam Wing epic, with all kinds of crazy subplots - Secret ninjas! Royal families! Illuminati agenda! ZOMBIES! - and hey, we got to the end, just in time for Halloween week, so, all in all, MISSION: ACCOMPLISHED. We hope you're happy with the result and stick around for more Glam Squad epics, coming soon!

You readers make all of this possible. Thank you for believing in us.

What do you think the Squad will cook up next? ;)

-RGS