A Matter of Heart: Heirs to the Legacy 2 (The Second Set)
A Gundam Wing Fanfiction By: Andrea Readwolf
Email: andrea_readwolf @hotmail.com
Rating: YA/Mature
Families: First Generation
YMC Fam (Yuy-Maxwell-Chang Family: Trinity, Mara Jade,
and Dylan);
Winner Fam (Quatre + Trowa, Triton&Tristan, and little sis
Calista)
Peacecraft Family (Zechs Marquise/Milliard + Lucrezia/Noin
Peacecraft, Kit/Katarynna, Adrian, and Nicolette/Nicole)
Mazzolla Family (Mariemeia + Jake Mazzolla {OC}, Julian)
Catalonia-Dorian Family (Dorothy Catalonia + Relena Dorian,
Regina)
Une-Po Family (Lady Une + Sally Po, Marie Une*, Michael Braddocks,
Mark Braddocks, Matthew Braddocks)
Families: Second Generation
The Royal Peacecraft Family: King Adrian, Queen Trinity, twins Yuy (10-f)
and Maxwell (10-m)
The Winner Family (#1): Tristan + Mara Jade = Meiran (14-f), Dakota (12-f),
Jasmine (11-f), Galen (8-m), Bryce (5-m), Adrianna (4-f), Fletcher (2-m),
Hakeem (8 1/2 PN-m) *(a lot ^__^'')
The Winner Family (#2): Triton + Katarynna (Kit/Kat ^__^v) = Gabriel (6-m)
Pairings: Dylan Maxwell + Nicole Peacecraft (hoped for by Nikki); Julian
Mazzolla + Calista Winner (hoped for by Julian) [AN: has anyone else
noticed that really on Trinity and Adrian *wanted* each other from the
first? None of this 'hoped for' business...]
Archive: Yes-- www.gwaddiction.com
Warnings: The following story contains scenes that are humorous,
sappy,fluff, with rampant Incoherence, random PoV switching, and
Sexual innuendoes abound.
Original Characters are presented; all characters are IC according to
the author's interpretation of them. Mainly heterosexual
situations, with hints of YAOI and YURI (from the "older" crowd... and
*some* references to Dylan's past).
Spoilers: None to the original Gundam Wing Series at first; However, once
Julian has been commissioned by Calista for a special project, expect a lot
of rehashing of the series. It would be a plus to have read the previous
Matter of Heart Series Arc stories: "Dance of the Heart" Arc and "Oh Baby,
Baby" Arc. "Heirs to the Legacy" is built off of the stories forming
"Traditions".
Feedback: C&C is always welcomed and adored.
Acknowledgements: It's been three years... Three long bloody years. Hn.
And this damn story *still* isn't finished! Acknowledgements go out to all
the people who have helped me throughout this incredibly long Series--it
ain't over yet! Special Thanks go out to Zan, who must be my longest-kept
beta-reader to date! (And also a very good friend.... "How many more days
till A-kon?" "AW-what?" "What to you mean it's pronounced 'yeowie'? It's
spelt like 'ya-o-ee'." "Okay, now, seriously here; how squicked out do you
think people will be if I happen to mention the sexual relationship between
the twins? I mean, Triton and Tristan are very affectionate and all,
but...." ^___^)
Notes: This is the story of the children, the nine children of the 6
gundam pilots (Heero--Zechs) plus the grandchild of Treize
Khushrenada. This story will not focus primarily on the characters
from the series, but rather, the generation after them. This story is
not for all die-hard fans, but runs along the lines of a more
original piece.
Additional Note: 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 often times refer to each other as
"husband" [and thus the grandchildren might at one point refer to all five
men (six in Zech's case) as "grandfather"]; please refer back to "Promise of
the Rings" Part 13 if this causes confusion.
Additional Note 2: The chibis often times refer to their parents'
friends and partners as "Uncle" or "Aunt"--in this case, the
term is used simply as one of respect since, with the exception
of Kit & Adrian's relation to Relena, all of Quatre's sisters, and
Trowa's Catherine, none of the parents really have siblings.
Additional Note 3: As hinted at in Heirs to the Legacy #1, Zechs and Noin
have separated. Zechs has somehow been coerced into living with our boys at
Emerald Gardens (we've had the 5-somes; anyone up to a 6-some?)
***These stories and the ideas contained within are copyright of the author. No reprinting or posting without permission of said author. ***
-Paris, France 1st of February AC 242-
"So what was that all about?" Dylan Maxwell asked the minute they were clear of the playhouse.
Nicolette's smile faltered only for a brief second before gearing up into a wry sarcastic smirk.
"Some people conveniently forget I'm a big girl who can take care of herself, who doesn't need constant protecting," she answered, slipping her tiny hand into his as they casually headed south.
He let her lead the way since he had no cravings at the moment; however, he wasn't about to let her brush off what had happened back in the playhouse. No one was *that* protective of an actress--even such a popular actress as Nikki had become. What's more, those men were her co-actors, not professional bodyguards.
"Oh? And why would Crabbe and Goyle there think you need such forceful protecting?" he asked, purposefully keeping his voice light and teasing. There was a story here, he knew it; just as he knew she did *not* want him to know.
Nicolette dropped her chin and looked up over at him with large green eyes through thick, honey-dust coloured lashes, a pouting smile on her lips. "After all, Dylan, I'm just a helpless young woman who lives all by herself. I *need* protection."
Dylan snorted and then shook his head laughing. "If anything, it's your peers who need protecting from *you*!" he grinned back at her as she dropped the 'little-lost-sheep' act.
"No, but really," she continued. "They're just very protective of me. Overly protective, you could say." She turned them into a corner restaurant. "I'm sure my father stopping by two months ago didn't help any, either," and then leaning over to whisper confidentially in his ear, she said, "I think he threatened them with bodily harm."
Dylan just shook his head again, grinning. Yes, he could see his 'uncle' doing something like that. Zechs was very protective where his children's welfare was concerned--something Dylan had only begun to realize about the man (and his own fathers) more recently, after his leaving home.
"How is your dad?" he asked now, knowing Nikki was in more contact with home than he ever was.
"Oh, you know," the platinum blonde young woman replied, smiling at the man behind the podium and raising two fingers. "Everyone's doing good. I don't know, what was the last thing you heard?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, surely you've kept some type of contact with your dads or something. Maybe even with Calista," she turned narrowing green eyes on him as they both took their seats at their table. "I know you don't expect me to believe you haven't. Besides, I know you've been sending postcards and gifts home."
Dylan grinned and stopped pretending not to know anything.
"True, true. Okay, last time I checked Papa was going to babysit the twins so Trinity and Adrian could go to the peace conference in L2--are Yuy and Maxwell feeling better now? I know they had a bad cold and that's why Trin didn't want to leave them alone--"
"Yuy's recovered nicely," Nicolette replied, "But Max is still sniffling."
"I'll have to send something special to them, then," Dylan mused, and Nikki smiled.
"I'm sure they will like that. You're a very kind uncle."
Dylan wrinkled his nose and scratched his scalp. "Yeah, well, I have to make up for not getting to see them regularly, no da?" Then he smoothed his hair back into its braid. "Let's see, and I understand Mara Jade's and Tristan's brood are doing good?"
Nicolette beamed. "Yes, they're doing great. Meiran's just been accepted to five of the top high schools in the entire Earth Sphere, everyone's really excited. And Galen won a science award just last month, which Bryce almost destroyed, to hear Galen tell it. Bryce, of course insists that he was only trying to help. Jasmine and Dakota are both healthy, but your sister was complaining because they just don't seem to take their studies seriously, and their high school entrance exams are coming up soon."
"I'm sure my sister is just exaggerating a bit," Dylan replied grinning. "After all, if she received anything less then a 100% on her own papers, it was a major catastrophe."
"Yes, well, I would be inclined to agree with you... anou..." Nicolette sighed. "I'm sure you've heard this by now, but, Jasmine was suspended last week for fighting in school, while Dakota was giving internal suspension for *skipping* school. I just... I don't think school is agreeing with them."
Dylan was grinning though. "If you ask me, it's just proof that they're Mara J's and Tristan's kids. What did my dads say about it?"
"Oh! They're being very good about keeping their noses out of it!" Nicolette grinned. "And if they're not, I doubt Daddy's going to tell me."
"True, true," Dylan conceded. "What about Kit's and Triton's kid? Gabriel, right?"
She nodded, snatching up a bit of cheese and apple slice from the platter a waiter set on their table. "He's a bright child, in the same class as Galen. You could say they're competitors of sorts, constantly fighting to be number one in their class."
"Who's winning?" Dylan asked, smirking.
"Oh, it volleys, back and forth," she reassured him, winking. "You can bet it leaves something to be discussed when the family all gets together for Sunday nights.
Dylan snatched a bit of proscuttio and let the salty meat melt in his mouth.
"And I understand your cousin got married recently, right? I think Callie was telling me something about it."
"You mean Regina? Aunt Relena and Dorry's daughter?" Nicolette nodded. "Yes, she married some boring bureaucrat almost two years ago. If it wasn't for Dakota and Jasmine 'accidentally' setting off the fireworks early, it would have been a dreadfully dull wedding."
Nicolette launched into the dreadful details while they ate, and then, after a short pause, she said the name he was dreading to hear. "You... you haven't asked about Hisoka," she said softly, not looking up at him from across the table.
His hand clenched around his fork, and he closed his eyes to block the sting of tears that always came when he thought of his youngest nephew.
"How... how is he?" he asked after another moment, trying to block out the sight of the tiny boy whose body was too weak to support life.
"He's.... doing better," Nicolette said hesitantly. "He had a bad fit a month ago, but he's recovering. The last time I called, Daddy told me they were hoping he'd be released from the hospital soon. They're... they're still not sure how long he will live," she whispered. "I'm... I'm sorry for bringing it up, but... I thought you should know, so you could go visit him, lend your sister your support. She could really use it right now."
Dylan licked his dry lips and sighed. "Yeah, I was thinking of getting back there sometime soon...."
"Excuse me, Mademoiselle," a server bowed. "But this message has been sent for you."
"Merci," Nicolette answered, accepting the slip of paper. Her hand began to shake as she quickly skimmed the few scrawled words before she quickly dropped it to the table to steady herself.
"Nikki? Hey, Nikki, what is it?" Dylan asked, frowning at her reaction. "Who is it?" he asked as he reached out to take the note from her. She made a quick protest, but he was too quick.
<<The sins of the Father shall be redeemed by the child. Your life is forfeit.>>
"Nikki, what is this?" Dylan asked with a calm he was far from experiencing. "Do you know who sent this too you?"
Swallowing, she shook her eyes. "It's nothing, Dyl, just some silly prank."
Dark blue eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Have you received many of these 'pranks'?"
"Not really," she began, but meeting his eyes she stopped and exasperatedly, sucked her teeth before answering. "A few, within the last couple of weeks."
"How many is a few?" he question feeling a knot of worry grow in his stomach.
"I don't know," she replied, sounding angry now. "I didn't bother to count them before throwing them out!"
"Have you told anybody?"
She looked at him hard.
"Just who am I supposed to tell, Dyl? The police? My parents? Do you have any idea what my Father would do if he found out?"
She was breathing heavy; Dylan quickly weighed his options. Rummaging in his pocket for some local currency, he snatched her hand and dragged her from her seat. "Come with me," was all he told her before leading her on a merry maze of side streets and boulevards with little seeming pattern.
Practically skipping to keep up, Nicolette managed to gasp out, "Where are we going?"
But Dylan didn't answer; instead he led her into a museum.
"Dylan?"
"Do you trust me?" he queried instead, starting to casually stroll from one room to another as if they hadn't been just racing through the streets.
"Well, yes, of course I--"
She didn't get to finish because he had pulled her against him...
...and kissed her.
The moment was spoiled when a guard approached them saying this was a public place and not suitable for that type of display.
"Ah, gomen, gomen!" Dylan replied, bowing to the man before taking her hand and leading them off.
She could hear the guard say something about 'tourists' before they were out of earshot. And then they were back in the chill of the cold outside air as Dylan continued to lead her. Frankly, Nicolette was too much in shock to protest or ask anything right at the moment, and even when he led her up to the third floor of a little townhouse she still didn't say anything.
"Here, sit down," Dylan said, moving her into one of the soft plush chairs in the room before heading to the bedroom and returning with a fluffy blanket. "I called down to Dame Lafayette to warm up a pot of tea."
"Where are we?" she asked finally, staring at him with large green eyes.
And Dylan realized what was different about her.
"Your eyes are green," he murmured, brushing a strand of soft blonde hair away from her face before answering the question she'd asked. "This is where I'm staying for a while. I helped Dame Lafayette out once a couple years ago, and she's been kind enough to lend me a place to stay."
"But, why are we here?"
"Well, I didn't know where you were staying, and even if I did, we were being followed."
"Followed?"
There was a quick rap on the door and Dylan went to thank and relieve the kindly elderly woman of the tea tray. He sat the tray down on a small round table before pouring two cups, adding two sugars and a slice of lemon to one and handing it to her.
"I want you to tell me everything that has happened, Nicolette Peacecraft."
"It's Nicole Craft, now," she whispered shakily. "Daddy insisted we change it in case... in case..."
"In case someone found out you were connected to Milliardo Peacecraft, or even his daughter, and blamed you for his mistakes during the Eve Wars?" Dylan finished, grimacing. It was a fear his own parents had harboured, but they had a head start since no one knew who the gundam pilots really were. "But someone found out, didn't they?" he guessed, and Nikki nodded.
"The first... the first note arrived shortly after Daddy visited," she told him, her voice little more than air. "It said, 'the sins of the father shall be rectified by the blood of the child.'"
Dylan's eyes flared wide and he swallowed angrily.
"What did you do with this note?"
"I threw it out. I-- I ripped it up and tossed it in the rubbish. And then... and then a second note showed up a couple of days after that," she told him. "Only, Vanessa, she read it first and told everyone, and since then they've all been acting crazy."
"If they've been acting crazy, it's because they're concerned for you," Dylan told her sharply.
"I know."
Dylan sighed, taking in a deep breath and releasing it. He did this five times before he picked up the phone in his room.
"Call whoever you need to and tell them you won't be returning tonight."
"Oh, but--Dylan--"
But his hard gaze broached no refusal, and his hand steadfastly held out the receiver. Shakily, Nicole took it.
"Where... where do I tell them I'm staying?" she asked.
"You don't have to tell them anything more than you're staying with a friend and you'll see them tomorrow at practice," he replied, heading back into his room.
When he returned several minutes later, he was dressing in dark clothes that matched the approaching night.
"Where are you staying while you're in Paris?" he asked, pulling on a pair of black gloves.
"Dylan? What are you planning on doing?" Nicole demanded, finding enough spirit in her frozen limbs to push herself out of her seat and stand in front of him.
"I'm going to take a look around your place," he answered, "But first I need to know where it is."
She looked at him, hope, confusion, and a little bit of worry in her large eyes.
"Why are you doing this?" she asked, staring at him without blinking.
He stopped his inventory and looked at her. Sighing, he reached out and pulled her into a tight hug.
"Listen, Nikki P. You're family, whether by blood or by choice, and no one hurts my family, got that? Let me take care of this for you."
Faintly, she told him where she was staying.
It was Quatre's and Trowa's turn to visit the hospital.
No, that makes it sound like an unpleasant chore, and while most visits were filled with heartache, the opportunity to see their grandson was never a chore. In fact, the five men had to draw up a schedule that would allow them all to visit the little boy without overwhelming him. It so happened that on this happy day, when Hisoka would be allowed to come home, it was Quatre's and Trowa's turn to visit the hospital.
Back home, Wufei and Duo were overseeing the arrangements for a small welcome home party. Meiran, Galen, and Gabriel were helping--mostly likely with little Bryce and Adrianna trying to help, too--while Heero worked with Dakota and Jasmine in the meditation room.
At least, that was the plan they'd laid out. How well things were going now that they were gone, well..
Galen and Gabriel were probably arguing over the proper way to do something. Bryce and Adrianna had probably forgotten they were supposed to be helping and were now happily squirting each other with silly string. Meiran was probably ranting about how children were incapable of doing even the most trivial thing, while Wufei and Duo took care of cleaning up the mess of the two little ones while setting things up for Hisoka's return.
Yes, that was a more likely picture of what was happening at Emerald Gardens right now.
But it didn't matter, because today, Hisoka was coming home, and everyone was in high spirits.
End Part 2
Andrea Readwolf
Please send comments to: andrea_readwolf@hotmail.com