Author's Notes: I've had this idea lying around for a while; it's just a quick break from Wanders while I fix *cough* stuff. I think this one's a dramatic romantic comedy to sum it up. I really like the way it's starting to turn out, even though it's a compensation for Wanders. Anyhow, it's a 1+R paring with no one else but made up characters and a very happy Zechs and Noin. It's an AU obviously, but there's a twist. Unlike my lil' epic, I'm expecting you to expect the unexpected but you're not going to get the kind of unexpected you think you are. J You know, 'cause I mean like that.  Don't know how long this one's going to be, so brace yourselves. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: Hmm… I'm pondering…

Dedication: This story is dedicated to the three most important people in my life at the moment. Ani-chan, darling, you support and sweetness is always appreciated. Oneechan, for making me laugh and for being my partner in crime… *singsong voice* I'm still waiting for your e-mail. And to Starlight-oneechan, my twin star who will promise not to go Evil Kamui on my butt. I love you too, *winks*. This is for all of you.

**

We all try to live our lives in harmony. For fear of falling overboard…

Travis, "Side"

A Moment's weakness

By Eve

Prologue: The Art of Reasoning

He once had a girlfriend that told him that everything there is to know about someone could be found in the way they organized their office. He dumped her a week later. He sighed and buried his face in hands. He usually didn't take any cases like these, but for some reason his office had insisted in enlisting his *expertise* for this case. Ironically it was just before his vacation.

*Stupid* job.

His eyes wandered around the silent office of the Foreign Minister of France. With file in hand he stood, walking over to the Monet hanging over an oak desk filled with magazines. It's an original, he thought half-tempted to reach over and touch the magnificent artwork. Although, he remembered there not being a painting there the last time he visited the minister. The room had a woman's touch.

He returned to his seat, opening the file he had carried with him since he had left the office. Typical case, this definitely was. There was the rich and prominent family with the genius son and the beautiful daughter that had everything going for them. Tragedy strikes, family fights, and there's a runaway. And in this case, it was the daughter. His fingers traced the information that he was beginning to memorize. The odd thing about this case, however, was the fact that the family had made no effort to try to find the lost heiress at all. There was a filed police report, media conference for a week, but no police involvement and no private work at all. Family secrets, oh what fun…

"Monsieur Yuy, thiz way."

He looked up at the blushing secretary and gave her a nod, biting back a scowl. Couldn't some women be in same goddamn room with him without blushing? He sighed. He had to be thinking about the lack of a love life he had. Case Yuy, think about the case.

He found himself in an elaborately decorated room, once again. More paintings of several French artists, flowers of almost every color, which were making him, dizzy, and a single silver picture frame with a woman he didn't recognize. A beautiful woman, no older than thirty sat on a small wooden swing. Her raven hair was cut short and styled neatly and her blue sundress clinging to her curves. It was his kind of woman, neat and simple with a tender kind of beauty. Too bad they were all taken…

"Agent Yuy?"

He looked up and found himself gazing at the son of the Minister, Millardo Peacecraft. The man was trying to look imposing, but too avail was it working.

"Your wife, am I right?"

A tender smile appeared on the other man's face. He was an idealist trapped in a soldier's body, he realized. Can't wait until I meet the rest of the family.

"I understand your office sent you on last minute," Millardo spoke, motioning for him to sit down. Heero nodded, eyes trained around the room. No pictures of his parents and…

"I thought I was supposed to meet with your father, sir."

The other man narrowed his eyes. "My father has been ill for the past couple months. My mother is tending to him."

"I understood-"

"Are you here to find my sister or not Agent Yuy?"

He said nothing and Peacecraft continued. "Your superiors have told our family that you are worth bringing to Paris to help us. We need- we need Relena home and safe, my father is dying Agent Yuy. He wishes to see his daughter after all these years, that is all. The time to bring her home is extremely critical."

Heero stood, gaze never leaving the other man. Pain, but there was something else he couldn't put his finger on. Millardo slid a file towards him.

"I ask you again, Monsieur Yuy, are you going to find my sister? Or will you deny a dying man?"

**

            A dying man's wish.

            It's what drives me in a way, I guess. Memories of my own family, assaulted me that day. No one should die alone.

            My mother always said life was strange. We can't control our paths, but we can shape them to be our own. I don't understand what really compelled me to take this damn case. I could have had someone else doing the job at the snap of my fingers, but there was something about this situation and about this girl. I have to do this, it become like a dying need. I don't care how long it will take. I find myself in Moscow, now with the cold attacking my skin like a hard slap to the face. It could be a start, it could be an end.

I don't have anything but a picture of her and memory, but somehow I will find the mysterious Relena Peacecraft and bring her home.

I *never* leave a case unsolved.

**