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?)
Translation Note: Tousan/Otousan, father, represents Heero. Chichi is often
times used for Wufei. Daddy, Duo.
***These stories and the ideas contained within are copyright of the author. No reprinting or posting without permission of said author. ***
~Atlanta, Georgia, USA June AC 242 ~
Nicole snuggled closer to the warm body in the narrow cot with her, entirely opposed to the idea of fully waking up yet.
"Mmm." Dylan seemed to agree with her.
All too soon, however, there was that infuriating knock on her door.
"Miss Craft? Miss Craft, it's time for you to head over to the stage, Miss Craft."
Dylan gave her a reassuring squeeze, but Nicole still didn't want to get up from her afternoon catnap.
"I'm up. I'm up!!" she finally growled, first at Dylan and then the page boy outside. "Tell Terry I'll be down in a few!"
Next to her Dylan snickered. Nicole bumped against him, smiling.
"You funning me?" she teasingly growled.
"Not at all," Dylan replied cheekily. And then he leaned over, rubbing his nose against Nicole's and asked, "You ready for tonight?"
She stretched, yawning, and replied, "Not yet, but give me two cups of chamomile tea, half-an-hour of make-up and one back massage, and I'm sure I will be," she taunted.
Dylan grinned, rolling over out of bed. "We better get going then if we're going to get all that accomplished."
He still had his own thorough search to perform before he would allow Nikki up on that stage tonight, and it had nothing to do with hair curlers or eye shadow.
Two days ago a small bomb was found directly under the very stage Nikki was supposed to perform on. Luckily, Dylan had been the one to find it--whatever influence watched over his life, he definitely thanked it that night. He wasted no time in calling up his contact in Preventers. Bombs were not his field of expertise...
But could he really be blamed if his curiosity got the better of him while he waited for the suits to show up?
No, of course not.
Okay, so Dylan and his sisters couldn't be said to have had an exactly *normal* childhood, though he knew their dads had tried hard. Still, once you got over the fact that his parents were three handsome men, not a lovey-dovey man and woman couple, there was the fact of who his parents actually were and the part they'd played in recent history. Exactly how many people could say their parents were the legendary gundam pilots?
It was to be expected that he and his siblings were possessed of extraordinary talents.
For instance, from his simple observations of the device silently ticking away, Dylan knew it was a counter-top job. Whoever had put this bomb together was definitely not a professional. It was a messy job, really. He could probably disarm it, but with Nikki so close by, he wasn't going to try it. Instead, he went upstairs to wait for the Preventers.
Thankfully, they didn't take long.
The three Preventer men who arrived didn't look like much, dressed down in jeans and flannel, not wearing any shiny, flashing badges; Dylan was grateful for their discretion. (All that he needed was for Nikki's Dad to find out. Zechs would probably come storming down when his daughter refused to return home, and knowing his Dads, one if not all would come with Zechs, and then they would all harp on him for not insisting Nikki come home immediately. No, thank you. He would much rather return home after the threat was over.)
"Hey, Max," the man nearest to him bobbed his head in greeting.
Dylan nodded back, taking the man's hand in a rough handshake before eyeing up the other two men; and then he led the pack down to where the bomb awaited.
"Didn't think I'd be seeing you again," the senior officer went on conversationally as he began examining the device.
"I get around, Mike, you know that."
Michael Bradocks, eldest adoptive son of Lady Anne, Head of Preventers, and her wife, Doctor Sally Po, nodded and began humming as he carefully, but quickly, disarmed the bomb.
It took only two breathless minutes.
"Amateurish," Mike growled with annoyance, handing over the separated pieces to the two other men. "So, have you thought of heading home anytime soon?" the elder man asked casually, taking on a paternal tone as he let Dylan lead back out of the room.
Dylan smiled. "Uncle Mike" was only a handful of years older than Dylan's fathers and he already had two grandchildren, but he continued to keep an eye on the younger Maxwell, mainly because they ended up seeing one another often on various missions.
"I'm planning on heading out that way after I take care of things here," Dylan was saying when Nikki's excited voice had chimed from behind the quartet.
"Uncle Mike!"
"Nicole!" the older man greeted warmly, catching her up in an enormous hug.
"What are you doing here?" the blonde girl asked, eyeing the two men behind Mike, who glanced away nervously before exiting with haste. "Did you come to see the show?"
"Alas," Uncle Mike smiled fondly. "Not tonight. I had to ask Dylan here some questions."
Nikki glanced from Dylan to Uncle Mike, and then back again. Finally, she stepped back, closer to Dylan, as though he was her comfort zone. "What's going on?" she asked again.
"Not much," Dylan replied, brushing his hand along the small of her back. "Did you want me for something?" he asked then to redirect her focus.
She started and then stepped away. "This dress or the purple?" she asked, holding her arms out and displaying the red satin dress she was wearing.
Dylan eyed the material critically before asking, "For which number?"
"Argentina."
"This one," he replied readily. "The purple one makes you look too skinny."
"That's what I thought," she grinned, leaning up to peck his check, murmuring, "thanks."
Dylan watched her until she was around the corner and safely away. When she was gone, he looked back to Mike, who was watching him suspiciously.
"You know what you're doing, kid?"
Dylan grinned up at him cheekily, something he was getting good at after spending so much time with Nikki. "Not a clue. But then, I wasn't given much of an option in the matter. Me and pushy blondes... you know." He shrugged.
Michael nodded sagely. "Speaking of pushy blondes, how's Winner?"
"Callie?" Dylan's smiled faded a little. "She's good. From the last time I talked to her, it sounded like she was sleeping with Jules, though."
Blinking at that, Mike shook his head. "She told you that?" If it was true then stars pity his poor nephew.
Dylan laughed. "Not in the least, but I've gotten good at reading Calista Winner."
Mike eyed him, frowning. "I'm not sure I like the idea of that woman sleeping around with my nephew," he said plainly. "But then again, I'm not fond of the idea of you sleeping around with my little cousin, either."
"How's your granddaughter?" Dylan hastily switched the subject, leading the older man down a trail that wouldn't take him into troubled waters.
That had been four days ago and since then Preventers had been running every test imaginable on that device. Dylan had yet to hear from them.
That was, until he escorted Nicole to her dressing room and then headed to the stage.
Where Preventer Stone was waiting for him.
"You have something for me?" Dylan asked his 'Uncle Mike' just as soon as Nikki was safely behind her dressing room door.
The stone-faced Preventers' Agent was not sporting a friendly-like smile, as was customary. Instead, Michael Braddocks looked seriously pissed. He jerked his head toward an open door, and Dylan nodded, leading the way into the small office.
Door shut firmly behind the pair, Dylan turned and stared at the older man, waiting.
"I won't stay long." Calista was nervous as they pulled up into Emerald Gardens' drive.
Five minutes later, after a quick search of the customary rooms where you might find the residents of such an estate proved empty, Calista and Julian were out on the patio, where a small crowd of people were laughing and chatting and lazily sipping iced teas and lemonades, while children (small and big, alike) splashed around merrily in the sparkling pool.
Meiran was the first to notice the newcomers, and, with a shout, she dragged herself up out of the water and rushed over to her aunt.
"Wait!" Calista commanded fiercely, holding up a hand to stop the enthusiastic girl. "This is a Segovia suit. It's worth more than ten years' worth of your allowance."
The eldest daughter of Tristan and Mara Jade Winner looked duly contrite, but that didn't stop her father from completely engulfing his sister in a sopping wet hug.
"Hey, little sis!" the blond man groaned. "Long time no see!"
Calista bit her tongue. It was the only the only thing that prevented her from losing her voice in front of the children and cursing her *dear* brother up a blue streak.
After that, it was only a matter of time before everyone was hugging and laughing and having a grand time together. Hours flew by in what seemed like minutes until it was already late into the night and the little ones were sleepily blinking as the older ones chatted on seemingly without end.
It was then when a tingling sensation attacked out of nowhere, though only three people were truly aware of it. On the floor and curled up on the sofa next to and on their parents, the little ones squirmed a bit, but otherwise did not stir. Looks shot back and then forth until, finally, Triton stood with a yawn and stretch, reaching down to lift Gabriel up against his chest.
"We need to get home," he said, yawning again. "It's really late, and this one's already out."
"So soon?" Trowa asked, frowning from where he sat, too comfortable to move really with Quatre snuggled up against his side and Duo's feet propped up on his lap.
But Tristan was sitting up now, too. "It's late," he said, pulling a sleepy, extremely pregnant Mara Jade up with him. "You should just stay over the night. You're tired."
Triton laughed, but nodded. "You know, we have that nice big house. We should use it *sometimes*."
"That's why they call it a summer home," his brother teased, helping to support his wife upstairs with a shout calling behind him. "Everybody better be upstairs in bed before I get in my pj's or there'll be no bed time stories tonight!"
The pitter-pattering of little (and big) feet sounded shortly thereafter as the room cleared of everyone except Julian, Calista and her fathers and uncles.
"That was pretty sudden," Duo mumbled, lifting his elbow high enough to peek out at the others. 'Mmmm,' he thought, drinking in the sight of Zechs, Wufei, and Heero tangled up pleasantly enough on the opposite sofa.
But Heero had other thoughts in his mind. "It's been a long time since we've seen you home, Callie," he said almost innocently. Heero? Innocent? "I know your nieces and nephews are happy to see you, but why ARE you here?"
Calista was about to reply when Wufei spoke up first.
"And not that I am unhappy to see Marie's son so grown up and prosperous," the Chinese man added smoothly, "But to see you here with Calista Winner makes me wonder why."
She couldn't help the wry smile that twisted her face. "You've been reading philosophy again," she accused, but went on. "Is it so surprising for me to stop by and visit if I'm in the area?"
"Yes."
"So why are you two together?" Quatre asked pleasantly into the strained silence.
"Funny you should ask," his daughter replied, twirling a stranded of sun-bleached hair. Casually, she stood up and strolled over to the desk situated in the back of the room.
Julian studied the people around him. People he had known his whole life. People who were a part of his extended family. For some reason they seemed like strangers tonight. Even the woman now sitting at the desk was different from the woman he had woken up to this morning.
What was going on?
Calista reached into the desk and, as if it wasn't anything strange, pulled out a gun and began checking it over. "You see," she was saying, "I have commissioned Julian's services for a little pet project of mine."
The tension in the room was high as seven pairs of eyes watched her. Julian still didn't have a clue what this was all about and was even more disturbed seeing Calista casually empty the seven golden bullets into her palm and pocket them. She stood, assuming her "I am WEI" posture and attitude.
"It's a story I've had my mind set on doing for ages now," she continued, strolling back towards them. "I was just waiting for the right person to write it."
Duo was sitting up now, staring hard at the blonde slip of woman. The other five men were sitting stiffly, as if preparing themselves for some type of blow.
"So," Quatre asked, forcing his voice into some state of calm. "What is this story about?"
Was it just coincidence that had Calista now perfectly positioned for a clean exit out the door?
"Ah, yes. A grand story, to be sure!"
"Callie..." there was a warning tone in Trowa's voice. One that the others shared but dared not put to sound.
"Julian has agreed to write the story of the five Gundam Pilots."
Lips pressed tightly together in white, stressed lines.
"Six, if Julian's as persuasive as I think he is," the woman added, grinning. And then, "Well, it's late, and I'm rather tired, but I suppose you will want to get started, so, I'll leave you gentlemen at it. Try not to stay up too late."
And then she was gone.
Leaving a very surprised & uncertain Julian alone with six very, very unhappy men.
Preventers were frustrated; but they didn't have anything on Dylan, who was practically seething.
Nothing.
The bomb had given them nothing. Not even a tiny clue.
Together, Dylan and Michael set up a map, pinpointing exactly where Nicole had been when she received her threats. Two more agents were assigned to Dylan's case, a young couple in their late twenties, who, thankfully, were not against working under Dylan's charge.
Preventers Agents Onyx and Sardonyx were friendly, with a sharp eye for detail, and great respect for one Dylan Maxwell who had worked with them both on several different occasions.
It also helped Nicole to be around some younger women, Dylan noted, watching as Agent Sardonyx waited impatiently for Nikki to grab her coat and purse from the chair. The "girls" were going out "shopping."
"Sulan," he called, just before the door shut behind the two.
The dark haired young woman looked back.
Dylan nodded.
Sulan winked and then was gone.
It would be okay. Nikki was with two highly qualified people. She would be fine, but... that didn't stop him from worrying.
Dylan checked the calendar again for about the millionth time.
This blasted tour wasn't going to end until August.
*
Obena and Sulan giggled like schoolgirls as they strategically placed Nicole between them.
"So, what exactly are you looking for?" the raven-haired woman asked, eyeing the younger blonde with a smirk.
"I'm not sure," Nicole mused, eyes darting from one item to another. "But I'll know it when I see it!"
Sulan laughed, eyes darting from one person to another, ever alert to who was around them.
*
Dylan decided enough was enough.
He set up a secure link to Preventer Stone's personal comm.
Julian stared agape at the door Calista Winner had just exited through, his mind racing and the room in completely silence.
<<"I want you to write a book for me. Possibly two.">>
<<"Julian has agreed to write the story of the five Gundam Pilots.">>
<<"What? Your biography?">>
<<The Gundam pilots.>>
<<What else could he do but agree?>>
<<"Six, if Julian's as persuasive as I think he is.">>
<<"You're... you're really serious, aren't you?">>
<<"Tell me how much they taught you about the Eve Wars on that planet of yours?">>
<<"I just want their story told, properly. I want you to look at all the information, to interview each of the pilots, and then write as objectively or gundam-favouringly as you can.">>
<<He was going to meet the Gundam pilots.>>
<<"Of course you won't be allowed to show anyone, and definitely not publish, until after..." she swallowed "Until all the pilots are d-deceased." She cleared her throat.>>
<<"Julian, the work I want you to do will... conflict with a lot of your beliefs.">>
<<What kind of people were they now, in the aftermath of what they had fought so hard for? >>
<<"That sounds about right," she murmured with heavy sarcasm.>>
<<He wondered what they were like. >>
<<"You are, of course, permitted to back out, but I sincerely doubt that once you start you'll be able to quit.">>
<<"What? What do you want me to do?">>
<<"It will be very demanding, time consuming, and in some cases, it will probably seem like you're trying to pull teeth...">>
<<"A biography, yes, but not mine." >>
<<"I imagine you will have some difficulties dealing with certain issues surrounding their story....">>
<<What kind of people could they have been, to make the choices that they'd had to make?>>
<<"If you agree to do it, I can almost positively guarantee you, this will be the most worthwhile project you've done to date, if not that you will ever do.">>
<<"I honestly believe you are the only person who could do this story the justice and dignity it deserves.">>
<<"You're forgetting something: no one knows who those pilots were.">>
<<"Once you agree, once you start to work on this, you'll understand why it is so important to me, Jules, and I think it will become very important to you as well.">>
<<"But... but *how*? How do you know who they are?">>
<<"I want you to write a biography of the gundam pilots.">>
<<"Well? Will you do it?">>
<<"What kind of story are you trying to get here?">>
<<"How am I supposed to interview someone I don't know?">>
<<"Well, it's late, and I'm rather tired, but I suppose you will want to get started, so...>>
<<"The five Lagrange Colony Clusters, after several years of repression by the Earth government, rebelled and sent special soldiers down to Earth on their behalf. After approximately one year of massive death and destruction...>>
<<"I'll leave you gentlemen at it.">>
>>Rebelled and sent special soldiers down to Earth.>>
<<"I'll leave you gentlemen at it.">>
<<Rebelled and sent special soldiers>>
<<"I'll leave you gentlemen at it.">>
<<Special soldiers>>
<<"I'll leave you gentlemen at it.">>
<<"Well? Will you do it?">>
<<What else could he do but agree?>>
<<"Six... and sent special soldiers.>>
<<Oh fuck.>>
Julian had six relatives who he was terrified of upsetting, and they just happened to be in the same room with him right now and very, check that, extremely upset.
For the first time since he'd agreed to this project, Julian was having second thoughts.
Julian jumped when someone spoke.
"You know... " Duo said deathly. "I hope you're not fond of your daughter, Cat, because I'm *really* going to hurt her."
Quatre, however, was too angry for words.
"You'll have to get in line, Duo," Trowa replied in his husband's place.
Calista held her breath outside the door.
Sure she had removed the bullets from the gun, but that didn't mean one or all of them wouldn't hurt Julian. But then again, it was *her* their anger should be directed at, and hopefully they realized that, too, and wouldn't take it out on poor Julian who really hadn't known what he was getting into.
Calista Winner grinned and tried valiantly to swallow a giggle as she picked up her car keys and left.
Oh, but she was a bad girl!
End Part 9
Oooh... does anyone remember Heirs 1 where our darling Quatre and Calista were fighting about Mara Jade's and Tristan's lack of wedding vows? She's smart, though---she takes off before anyone realizes she's gone! tee hee hee! And Julian won't let any of them to escape!
Andrea Readwolf
Please send comments to: andrea_readwolf@hotmail.com