All had sent her home with the same note "Does not get along well with others." It wasn't her. It was them. She'd sworn to that every time, and every time she'd gotten in trouble. Her life was nothing but one big rejection letter. She decided finally as she got into her room and sat down. What a way to live.

Aiko plunked down on her small bed gingerly. She sighed and started getting ready for bed. She sighed and flopped herself down onto the thin mattress. Why is it that my life suddenly makes less sense then my brothers whenever they were allowed near candy and unsupervised? She sighed and finally got up. She had so many memories, so many damned memories! She remembered so many stories of her fathers, of his confinement in political prison, of her own confinements that she didn't like to think about. Finally she all but snapped. She got up and went to the bathroom area and started staring at her face in the mirror. She touched her pale face and splashed some water on it. She closed her eyes and felt it all start to run off. Finally she looked up remembering something she'd said so long ago, she didn't even remember why anymore 'Human beings should not be kept in cages like animals. That could probably be the only thing that can break the human spirit.' Aiko looked at herself and suddenly realized it didn't matter about Oz, or her father, she was the one who had to look at herself in the mirror every day. She changed into a nice gray and black casual outfit and slipped out of her room.
Aiko had planned it perfectly. She knew shift changes for security were in a few minutes and she'd also met a few of the officers who did security and knew that they almost always left before their replacements showed. She was currently hiding against a wall, happy she'd opted for a dark gray shirt and black pants instead of white anything. The officers hadn't left and she was forced to flatten herself against a wall and hope they left soon. Finally they left and she took one good look around then slipped over to the cell she'd seen Fiti put in. She took a deep breath, this was it. Once she opened this door her life was going to change no matter what else happened.

Fiti looked up as the door slid open. She saw the same girl she'd seen earlier, only she wasn't wearing the stuffy Oz uniform she'd been wearing earlier.
Aiko walked over to where Fiti was and grabbed her arm and helped her get up. Neither spoke, both knowing exactly what to do. Fiti watched as Aiko darted around trying to help Fiti walk. Finally Fiti just nodded letting Aiko go and dash around and act just like all those movies she'd probably seen as a child.
Finally they came to a large hangar bay. There were several mobile suits on one end and then a few beautiful shuttles on the other end. Aiko was leading Fiti toward the shuttles. She pointed at one and whispered
"The executive shuttles." Fiti nodded understanding, one of them was prepped for launch. Aiko leaned over and said "Une was planning to go visit Treize Khushrenada today. That's her shuttle. Nobody's on board yet."
Aiko led Fiti onto one of the shuttles and sat down in the pilots seat. That was when they finally spoke.

"Thank you." Aiko heard from behind her as she started the ignition sequence on the shuttle.
"Don't thank me yet Miss Amuro. We aren't out of this yet."
Aiko finished the ignition sequence just as the other techs realized what was going on.
"Shuttle pilot, what are you doing? Stop now. We'll send dolls after you!" the man threatened. Aiko ignored him and finally the shuttle left, just in time.

Fiti was getting nervous, the dolls were activated and leaving the hangar. But Aiko didn't seem to be having a problem. She wasn't even acting nervous, or trying to get away. Suddenly some little lights started flashing showing the dolls were approaching. Aiko just shrugged and pushed a button. The lights stopped and displays showed that the dolls were retreating.
"Special executive feature." Aiko explained, "It tells the dolls we're not a target." Aiko didn"t say anymore and Fiti didn"t ask. You saved me, Fiti thought to herself And I know you've destroyed your life for it. I promise I'll take care of you, you obviously need somebody whether you'll admit it or not. With that out of the way Fiti decided to go take a nap. She got up, patted Aiko's shoulder and went to the back to find someplace to lie down.

A few hours later Aiko was getting tired herself. It was much later then she was accustomed to staying up. She went to the back and saw Fiti sleeping on a couch. Fiti Amuro, huh? I wish I could be like you. You're a very brave woman. The kind of person I can't ever become. I want to be like you, I'm going to stay with you and find out.

Stay tuned for a possible sequel about the rest of Fiti and Aiko's adventures together!