28-July-2001
Title: Chasing the Crown, an Extended Family Fic
ExFam Authors:
RavynFyre - ravynfyre@hotmail.com
von - sablexo1@yahoo.com
bonnejeanne - bonnejeanne@yahoo.com
*Special Guest Writer! Nixie the Pixie!*
Nixers - Nixerchan@aol.com
Category: yaoi, AU
Rating: NC-17 for now, that will change
Pairings: 1x2, 3+4
Spoilers: Series, Endless Waltz, Mission: Arcadia
Disclaimer: Gundam Wing characters and universe are the property of the copyright owners.
Kenny, Duan, Wufan, Tryan, Carter, Jack and the Ripper, and everything relating to Rip & Jack's universe are ours. No money being made here.
Feedback: Any and all comments, feedback, critiques welcome, be they short or long.
Please feel free to direct feedback to any or all of the authors!
WARNINGS: AU (Alternate Universe), Original Characters, LEMON in some sections. Kiddie-Angst.
Duo towed Heero along in his wake as he maneuvered himself to follow Wufei. As they reached the hallway where it was quieter, and Duo shifted his grip to Heero's other hand, he noticed the small smear of blood on his lover's thumb. "You're bleeding," Duo observed quietly.
Heero looked down and glared at his thumb. "It's nothing," he muttered.
Wufei shot a look back at the pair but held his tongue.
Duo frowned thoughtfully before casting his gaze over the kids and slipping a more amused mask over his face. "Well, those two certainly know how to liven up a party, huh guys?" Duo laughed as they approached their room.
"Hn," Kenny remarked. He watched Heero closely. It was easy to see that the older boy was rather upset, but Kenny wasn't sure if this was something to be concerned about, like back at the house, or if it was reasonably justified.
Duan opened his mouth to answer cheerily, then remembered on the dancefloor and shut up.
Kenny slid a sideways look at Duan and then smirked very slightly.
Carter seemed to be dragging behind a little. He rubbed his eyes with his fists, trying to clear his head. They were about to have a briefing; that was important. Somehow he had to try and focus through the swirling of impressions and emotions in his head that had grown throughout the evening.
Duo noticed the blond boy's lagging steps, and released Heero to lean down and scoop Carter up in his arms. Remembering Duan's words from earlier, a small frown creased Duo's brow as he concentrated on remembering the World Storm from Arcadia. "You okay, kiddo?" he murmured to Carter.
The blond child slid his arms around Duo's neck and his eyelids fluttered. He laid his head down on Duo's shoulder and closed his eyes. Without answering the question, he simply sighed and murmured, "Thanks, Duo."
The braided pilot tightened his arms slightly around Carter. "Anytime."
Tryan looked up to see Duo scoop Carter up. He was grateful because he knew his energy reserves were being tested as well. 'Gotta get bright for the briefing,' he thought to himself, then executed a cartwheel. In doing so, he felt a hand give and landed squarely on his rear with a start. He glanced around quickly, then sighed. 'Nobody sees, it doesn't count,' he thought.
Unaware that seeing was undesirable, Kenny turned and offered Tryan a hand up.
Tryan sighed, heavily. Reaching up, he took the offered hand as his face blushed crimson. "Thanks," he said, quietly.
"Hn," Kenny remarked. Then he smiled slightly at Tryan. "Long night."
Tryan nodded.
Once inside their suite, Kenny began to shed the party clothes with uncanny speed. One minute he was wearing a little tux, the next -- bam, boxers.
From her vantage in Wufei's arms, Mariemeia's eyes grew round as Kenny's tux vanished. She bit her lower lip and buried her face against Wufei's shoulder, peering through her bangs at the mostly unclad boy.
Wufei cleared his throat, causing Kenny to look up.
"Hn," the boy remarked, with no embarrassment. He sauntered into the bedroom he shared with Duan and returned in spandex, pulling a tank top over his head.
Duan watched as Kenny moved past. He groaned slightly, then scampered off to their room to take off his tux.
Heero removed his jacket and tie then moved into the room he shared with Duo without a word.
"You wanna go change, or you wanna sit and vegetate for a few minutes?" Duo asked Carter quietly, preparing to settle onto the sofa with the boy in his arms.
Carter sighed and then said, "I'll go change, Duo, be right back," he said, and scrambled down.
"Okay. Me too," Duo answered, watching the boy slip off to his room before glancing up at Wufei.
Wufan climbed up onto the sofa and settled back, waiting for the briefing to begin. He glanced up at Wufei and Mariemeia, then back to the coffee table.
Wufei stroked Mariemeia’s hair gently. "I don't like the idea of you going back to your room alone," he said quietly. "There's room for you to stay in our suite across the hall, and Sallah is there. I'm certain she would not mind having you stay."
"Could you... Could you let Une know, so she doesn't worry? She worries a lot..." the girl asked hesitantly.
"I will let her know," he said firmly. "I think she will feel better knowing you are with someone while she is busy with her work tonight."
"I'd like that," Mei said, turning her head to rest it on Wufei's shoulder.
He patted her back gently and carried her across the room and out the door to the suite across the hall. He went to Sallah's bedroom door and tapped lightly.
"Come in," Sallah said.
Opening the door, he stepped inside. Sallah was curled on the large bed, with a book in her lap. She looked up and smiled in surprise when she saw Mariemeia.
"Hello, Marie... oh, yes, the boys are calling you Mei, now, right? Hi, Mei!" she greeted the little redhead warmly.
"Hi Sallah," she replied shyly, remembering that this was Wufan's mother.
Wufei said quietly, "Une is on duty for some hours yet..."
Before he could complete his sentence, Sallah's eyes filled with understanding.
"So Mei, would you be willing to keep me company this evening, while everyone else does whatever the heck it is they are so intent on doing?" she asked cheerfully.
The redhead couldn't contain the small giggle that burbled up from her toes and she nodded. "Boy-stuff," she added in a confidential voice.
Sallah nodded and rolled her eyes expressively. "Exactly."
Wufei set Mariemeia on her feet.
Before the Chinese pilot could let go and back away, Mariemeia tightened her arms around him slightly, daring to sneak a tiny kiss onto his cheek. "Thank you, Wufei," she whispered into his ear.
His arms tightened around her in a tight hug for a few seconds. Then he released her and stood up. His eyes were warm and the expression was very tender and caring. He brushed her hair back and then bowed to both ladies.
"Back to boy-stuff," he said solemnly. "Good night."
"Good night, Wufei," Sallah said. Then she added, "Wufan... bed... an hour tops."
Wufei bowed again, accepting the 'order'.
Sallah smiled at Mariemeia. "How about a nice warm bath and then you can put on one of my T-shirts to get comfy," she suggested.
Mei smiled and nodded, unconsciously smoothing out a wrinkle from her teal dress.
Meanwhile....
Heero went to the closet and removed the tux. He hung all of the pieces back on the hangers and set the shoes on the floor below it. Moving back into the room, he sat down on the edge of the bed and placed his head in his hands for a moment to try and sort some things through.
Nimble fingers settled onto his shoulders and started kneading firmly, silently working some of the tension out. The bed bounced slightly as Duo scooted up onto it to kneel behind Heero. Without saying a word, the braided pilot molded himself to his partner's back, offering Heero an anchor in the real world.
Heero leaned back, feeling Duo around him. "I'm sorry, koi. It's not that bad really," he said.
"What are you sorry for?" Duo asked, settling down to kiss the top of Heero's head gently, though his hands never stilled their work.
"If I made you are the kids uneasy, or worried," Heero said, "I'm sorry. That... I'm trying to work out what happened out there tonight."
"Quit apologizing. I love you, 'nuff said. We'll figure it out together," Duo replied. A smirk flitted across his lips as he continued, "We can save the bloodshed for later."
Heero raised his thumb. "Hn," he said, "Too late. It's begun." Reaching up, he took Duo's hands and pulled the braided pilot around him like a favorite sweater.
"Okay, we'll save the *rest* of the bloodshed for later," Duo corrected himself, tightening his arms around Heero as he nuzzled a smooth patch of his lover's neck. "I'm sorry too."
"What for?" Heero asked.
"Because Dorothy had you too occupied to see Wufei kiss me."
"What?" Heero said, turning his head to look at Duo. "I missed that... damn."
With his target in range now, Duo swooped in for a lingering kiss to Heero's slightly pouting lips. His tongue darted out, stroking along Heero's lower lip until he could gain entry, which Duo then ruthlessly exploited. After a long, overheated moment, he finally pulled back just far enough to smile seductively into Heero's eyes. "I think he's going to be a little bit harder sell than you were," he murmured.
Heero nodded, his eyes lingering on Duo's mouth. "I expected no less. We are talking about Wufei Chang here. He has to decide," Heero said. Then, he looked up into Duo's wide violet eyes. "I think you should know that you were right about Rip. You are a lot a like, you know," he added.
"Right? About what?" Duo asked.
"Right about how he is," Heero replied. "I told him that you were mine... He asked if I thought that he was trying to take you from me. Then he said, he couldn't break the set... like we were salt and pepper shakers or something."
Duo's expression shifted into a wicked smirk. "Salt and Pepper's too dry... More like Peanut Butter and Jelly... Tastier that way," he purred. "Or arsenic and Elderberry wine. He's not happy unless it's dangerous."
"Hn," Heero said, raising his finger once again. "After he grabbed me and started dancing me around the floor, I threatened to kill him. That's when I got dipped and he sliced my finger, then he licked the blood away. He said it was first blood. Duo, who or what is he?"
"I don't know, koibito. Jack says that they aren't human. I believe him," Duo replied, laying his head upon Heero's shoulder while his hands massaged absently along Heero's chest and stomach. "They're... something more than what we are... With their powers and their toys and their eternal youth... But I wouldn't wanna be them. I'm happy knowing that I have you and we'll grow old together and not have to watch the world, our world or any others, die around us."
Heero sighed. For a moment, he was silent as he pondered Duo's words. Then he shook his head. "How could I ever have forgotten that?" he said, quietly. "I'm glad too, Duo. I love you and I couldn't have done this part without you." Leaning, Heero kissed Duo deeply then moved back to look into the braided pilot's eyes.
"Don't sell yourself short, koibito. You're stronger than you give yourself credit for," Duo advised with a tender smile.
"I'm not selling myself short. I'm giving you a compliment," Heero said. "Come on, let's get the briefing done and the kids to bed, before they drop where they're standing."
Duo nodded and pulled away, slipping off the bed to start stripping out of his tux. "'Specially Carter. Poor kid. I think there were too many people here today for him," Duo agreed, shucking out of the deep red shirt he'd worn under the tux short-coat.
Heero watched for a moment, then removed his boxers and slipped on his spandex shorts. "And, yes," he said, pulling a tank top over his head. "I think I understand why you're attracted to him."
Duo threw Heero a wry grin as he pulled on a pair of black jeans and a form fitting black T-shirt. As he bent down to lace up his favorite black boots, he glanced up at his partner and innocently asked, "What about you?"
"Hn?" Heero remarked, then nodded. "Oh, well, I did say I found him to be a lot like you. Yes, I think he's attractive."
Stalking up on his partner again, Duo wrapped his arms around Heero and pulled him in tight for a deep, fierce kiss. "So I'm yours, huh?" he asked, grinning.
"Hai," Heero replied.
Duo smiled wider, nodding his agreement. He drew away with a melodramatic sigh, muttering "Mission first. Play later," as he turned and sauntered towards the door out into the suite.
"Hn," Heero agreed and followed Duo out.
Once outside, they saw Duan passing out small squares of something to everyone present. "Here, Heero, Duo. Eat this. It's part of a powerbar. It should give you some energy," he said.
"Smart thinkin', kiddo. Thanks," Duo said, accepting a piece as he settled to a seat in the center of the sofa.
The other bedroom door opened and Carter came padding in dressed in his pajamas. His face was very clear and his expression was focused. Tryan had seen him standing out on the balcony for a while, standing very very still but did not know what the little boy was doing.
Duo patted a spot on the sofa next to him, holding that arm away from his body as he watched Carter emerge.
Carter smiled slightly and climbed up on the sofa next to Duo and folded his hands in his lap.
Kenny watched the little blond and his eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "Hn," he said softly to himself.
"How's everyone doing?" Duo asked bluntly, looking around to make eye contact with everyone present.
Tryan nodded.
"I'm ok," Duan replied, glancing at Kenny and Wufan.
"Satisfactory," Kenny said quietly.
"The same," Wufan said, following Kenny.
"Fine, Duo," Carter said with a calm smile.
Duo quirked an eyebrow up at the blond boy's quick revitalization before nodding in satisfaction. "Any observations or concerns about today?" he asked, once again looking around at everyone.
"That Marcus guy was a dick," Duan said.
Duo snorted. "I think we pretty much covered that already."
"Well, we observed that Jack and Rip are here, but you probably observed that too," Kenny commented with a touch of dry humor.
Duo smiled, glancing with a slightly forlorn air at the empty spot on his other side before nodding at Kenny. "Never be afraid or anything to tell us something you think we may already know. Different people see the same thing in different ways," he advised.
"Okay," Kenny said, crossing his arms over his chest. "Well they're here, and they wanted you to know they were here. They have a cover that gets 'em into the Vice-Minister's circle. They're pretty tight with Dorothy. I'm not sure but I think maybe they are setting up to do backup."
"Excellent observation," Duo complimented Kenny. "Next?"
"Quatre and Trowa are doing stuff, too. I don't know what all, but I saw them," Tryan offered.
Wufan looked up to Heero and Duo. "I think that this man, Marcus is ...well, he is not right. He reminds me of one of the officers on the base," he said.
"How much does he remind you? Just similar, or like Lev was to Une?" Duo asked.
"No, not like Lev and Lady Une. He just... feels all wrong," Wufan replied.
Duo nodded thoughtfully. "Wufei's right. You guys steer clear of him. We'll see if we can find out anything about him."
"So, we should inform you if he doesn't steer clear of us?" Wufan asked.
"Absolutely," Duo replied, his eyes narrowing dangerously, although the flash of dark anger was clearly not directed at any of the children.
"I observed that Heero's a good dancer," Duan said. "And I also observed that you, and Heero, and Wufei have gotten much closer since we've been here."
Wufei shifted slightly but kept any thoughts to himself.
Heero's eyebrow arched. "Oh you have, have you?" he said, moving quickly and picking Duan up off the floor.
The little braided boy giggled and held on tightly.
"Is that all?" Heero asked the assembled.
"It's watching," Carter said in a quiet, calm voice. "Not so much before but now It is."
"Since when?" Duo asked, resting a protective arm around the boy.
"Since tonight," Carter answered. "It... a sense of It came in with all the new people for the party. I can't pinpoint it right now, I'm sorry, Duo. Too many people, I've never been around this many people all together at one time, before. I think It was going to be looking this way already, but we might not have very much time."
"Don't be sorry, kiddo. You're doing your best. Just don't make too big a target of yourself, okay? Not very much time until what?" Duo asked, giving Carter a hug.
Carter sighed slightly. "Until we're noticed," he answered. "Then we lose the advantage of surprise."
Duo frowned thoughtfully to himself before glancing up at Heero, and then Wufei.
Wufei listened intently to the young boy's words and frowned, running them through his mind consideringly.
Heero nodded slightly. "Then we'd better get this underway," he said, placing Duan back on the ground.
Duo glanced up and met Wufei's eyes again, obviously leaving mission discretion up to him on this one.
Wufei met Duo's look and his frown deepened. He glanced around the room.
"We are going to talk to someone about this. Someone that... It doesn't know about, not any more. I've done everything in my power to keep it that way for a long time."
Kenny tilted his head as he listened to this, and glanced at Duan, and then at Wufan.
Carter looked at Wufei.
"You know, don't you?" the Chinese pilot said to the little blond.
Carter nodded. "Yes. For a while, even when I didn't know who he was. He's so strong in your thoughts - it's like you carry him with you sometimes. No one who was dead could be that strong a presence."
Wufei nodded slowly, tense, but consciously trying to release some of the tension from his body.
Wufan looked from Carter to Wufei, hazarding a guess as to who they were talking about. Unless it was someone he hadn't researched yet, then the person he was thinking about being still alive would definitely have a great impact on this world. He sighed, finally, putting his suspicions on the back burner, as Mariemeia came to mind.
"So, when do you leave?" Duan asked.
"As soon as we get you guys settled in, I imagine," Duo replied, "But we shouldn't be gone too long..." As his voice trailed off with a hint of uncertainty, he glanced up at Wufei again for confirmation.
Wufei nodded silently. Suddenly he felt very uneasy about leaving the children. Aside from going to school, they had never been long away from at least one of the pilots.
When they first planned this trip, it was with the premise that Heero would be staying behind. Now that he knew, it was obvious that he had to be included in the discussion with Treize. But the idea of all of them leaving and the kids staying behind bothered him.
Duan shrugged. "It'll take as long as it takes," he said, philosophically. "We'll probably crash here and if anything comes up, Sallah's across the hall."
Heero looked at Wufei and Duo, suddenly feeling a slight discomfort himself.
Duo nodded slowly at Duan, trying to stifle the twinge of unease he'd been feeling since he'd come clean to Heero that afternoon. He was already well aquatinted with the sensation of being over-protective of the kids, and this agitation felt suspiciously similar. The manor wasn't as secure as the house back on L2, although it was crawling with Preventers. He sighed to himself and glanced back at his partners, firmly bringing to mind his promise to himself to stop insulating the boys so much.
Looking to Duo and Heero, Wufei said quietly, "What else do we need to cover in the briefing?"
Heero glanced up at Wufei, then looked back at the young boys. "If no one has questions, then I think that's it," he said.
"I know it's probably lame," Duan said. "... but you guys be careful."
"Never lame," Duo corrected with a soft smile, "And we promise, we will."
Wufan stood and walked over to Wufei. Looking up, he said, "If you're going where I'm guessing, then please remember Mei." He kept his voice soft so that only Wufei could hear.
Wufei sat on his heels in front of the boy. He looked back seriously. "I will," he said, in the tone of a vow.
"Then I'll look after Ma and her while you're gone," Wufan said.
"Good," Wufei said. "And don't forget to look after your brothers as well."
Wufan nodded.
Kenny glanced around the room, making eye contact with everyone. He looked up at Heero and Duo.
"This guy you're going to talk to - he can help with the mission?"
"Hai," Heero replied, watching the small boy, carefully.
"So what's the problem? There's some kind of catch, otherwise why do you have to go talk to him?" Kenny asked.
"He's... hiding now. Because of things that happened in the past. There's a lot of people who may not understand," Duo explained, pondering the question himself. "We're gonna see what we can do about that, too, I think."
"You mean he doesn't trust anybody, is that it?" Kenny asked, looking at Duo.
"I think it may be closer to him being afraid that no one will trust him," Duo replied, then remembered what Wufei had told him about how Treize had planned on dealing with Epyon and the Crown when they found it. "I think he may be afraid of a lot of things... like living."
Kenny frowned slightly. Then he said, "Take Carter with you."
Heero frowned, then looked up at Duo. "I don't think..." he began and then stopped.
The braided pilot glanced over at Carter thoughtfully, before tossing a glance at Wufei to see if the other pilot had heard the suggestion.
Wufei was scowling slightly, his eyes moving from Kenny to Carter. Finally he looked up at Heero and then Duo, and lifted his shoulder slightly. The silent message was, 'I'm outta my level here... your call.'
Duo's urge to protect the children warred with the part within him that handled missions. If they were so close to losing the advantage of surprise, then they would need all the help and information that they could get. There was no doubt that Carter's particular skills would prove invaluable, however, the day had already proven to be straining to the young boy. And Heero was already an expected/unexpected addition to the visit. Duo frankly didn't feel comfortable invading the man's privacy like that. Then again, there were far more important issues at stake than one "dead" man's privacy.
"What do you think, Carter?" he asked softly, turning to look at the young boy again.
"No," Heero said, cutting in. He walked over to the sofa and knelt in front of Carter. Reaching up, he brushed the boy's bangs back away from his face. "If you feel up to it, then we'll take you," he said. "The responsibility is ours and if you don't want to go, just say so, ok?"
Carter sighed and then closed his eyes for a moment, seeming to be a little less serene than before, but at the same time, a bit more *there*. He put his arms around Heero's neck. Then he just kind of rested there for a minute. Sitting back up he smiled up at Heero with a very sweet expression. "I can go," he said firmly. He turned his head and looked at Kenny, and his eyes crinkled a little at the corners.
"You're smart, Kenny," he said softly. Then, "Thank you."
"Hn," Kenny remarked, scuffing one foot slightly. "You are doing some kind of training thing, right? To focus or something."
Carter nodded. He sighed a little. "Yes. But it makes things feel so very far away. At the base, that was ok, but I don't like it, here."
Kenny nodded back. "I know. I had training things like that too. That's how I guessed what you were doing."
Carter leaned against Heero, looking a bit more tired than before, but less distant. More like the little boy they knew and less like an infallible psychic device.
Duo rested a hand on Carter's shoulder, heaving a purely internal sigh of relief both at the change in the boy and the fact that he would be with them tonight. With the Crown "looking" in their direction, if the dreams came again, Duo would be much happier if he could be there for Carter. Not that the braided pilot would likely be able to do much more than that, but it would comfort Duo at least.
Heero wrapped his arms around Carter and picked him up. He looked back at Kenny and nodded in approval.
Kenny looked down, a little color coming to his cheeks. He went over and sat down next to Duan and studied the pattern on the carpet intently.
"Okay, then everyone in bed clothes and then we'll be ready to go," Heero said. "Briefing is over."
Wufei stood up and said, "I'll be right back." Then he disappeared out the door.
Heero looked over at Duo. Reaching down, he squeezed the braided pilot's shoulder. "Are you ok?" he asked, quietly.
Duo tossed his partner a thoughtful look before turning it into a half smile. "Yeah, sure. Just thought I'd join you in Paranoia, that's all," he replied with a dubious shrug.
"These are paranoid times," Heero replied, stroking Carter's back gently.
Duan stood and took Kenny's hand. "Come on," he said.
Kenny nodded and glanced at the two older boys. "Hn," he remarked, ducking his head slightly, and followed Duan back to their room.
"You guys forgetting something?" Duo called wistfully as he held out empty arms.
Duan stopped, then walked over to Duo. Wrapping his arms around the braided pilot's neck, Duan hugged him tightly. "Be safe," he said.
Kenny sighed silently and then ran over to Duo and hugged him at the same time. "And don't goof off, get back as soon as you're done!"
"Yes, sir. That's a promise, sir," Duo replied smartly, before letting the two go.
Heero reached down and ruffled both of the boy's hair affectionately. "We'll be back in no time," he said.
Tryan looked up at Heero, catching his eye. "Bring him home and you too," he said, opting for a quick hug of Heero's legs and a kiss for Duo's cheek. "And you be good," he said to Carter.
Carter nodded. "I'll try. Watch the guys."
"Consider it done," Tryan replied, then scampered off to change clothes.
"I'll be across the hall," Wufan said to Duan and Kenny.
Kenny nodded. Then he tilted his head. "Hey," he said suddenly. "We could all go over there. That way if anyone came in here, they'd be surprised." He looked up at Heero and Duo questioningly.
"Great plan," Heero replied. "Less ground to have to cover. Ok, get dressed and get Tryan. We'll let Sallah know."
Wufan sighed, visibly relieved. He went over and gave Duo a big hug and then hugged Heero's waist. "I'll let Ma know," he said, taking off.
Wufei moved down the hall quickly. He was looking for someone and with the party still going on, was slightly concerned that it might take him a few minutes to find his quarry.
As he entered the downstairs area, he looked around quickly. Not seeing the tall figure with platinum hair that he was seeking, he began moving quickly through the area, opening doors and covering as much ground quickly as he could.
"You need to get a little rest, I think," Noin said, leaning over Sally. She took the empty glass out of the Chinese woman's hand and stood, pulling the other woman up and draping her arm across her shoulders. "Come on... You can nap in my room, I won't be going to bed for hours yet."
Sally looked up at Noin and smiled, giddily. "Okay!" she said, happily. "I'll probably have more fun there than in my own bed with... poopsie," she added, then giggled. Then, she placed her hand over her mouth. "Zechs, you didn't hear that," she instructed.
Zechs, fighting to keep a solemn countenance in the face of "poopsie," simply nodded. "Not a word," he said, pushing himself to his feet as well. Moving to Sally's other side he glance over at Noin, "I'll help get her up the stairs at least."
"Stairs?" Noin said. "You *have* had a few tonight, haven't you? I plan on using a modern device called an 'elevator', believe me!" She grinned at Zechs. "Don't worry, I'll get her settled and come back to check on you. Try not to go into a coma or something before I get back, ok?"
Sally looked up while Noin and Zechs were talking. "Damn, you're a beautiful man," she said, with a smile.
"Oh lord," Noin muttered, rolling her eyes.
"No fair, attacking from both sides," Zechs said, hands raised in bemused surrender. Taking the step backwards to what he'd designated as his chair for the night, he sat back down with a wry look at Noin, "I'll think of a suitable reply later."
"Noin," Sally whispered, or thought she was, "Now's your best shot," she continued with a wink. "... come back and get him."
Noin sighed and began pulling Sally out of the room. "Baka," she said softly. "For a smart woman sometimes you are so incredibly slow. Come on..."
With that, she dragged Sally out and off to the elevator.
Alone in the room again, Zechs shook his head. "A coma?" he mumbled with a half smile, one hand slipping up to rub at the bridge of his nose. /I couldn't if I had wanted to, Sally drank almost the entire bottle./
The door to the room opened a few minutes later. Wufei looked in quickly and then stopped. "Here you are," he said and came in. He looked at the way Zechs was sitting in the chair, then saw the glasses and the bottle. He stopped. "Zechs..."
Zechs looked up at the other's entrance, and then followed the Chinese man's gaze. With a shrug he said. "It's probably not as bad as it looks, but I'm not much of a judge." After some consideration he added, "I'd offer, but the cabinet's empty and I don't have a clue where Noin dug it up."
Wufei scowled. His arms crossed over his chest he said, "I was looking for a man I could trust with the safety of something infinitely precious, and I find a sot."
"Back to this again," Zechs said, a slight undertone of a growl accompanying the words. "It sounds more like you came to fling insults."
Wufei stiffened. "This was a mistake," he growled in return. "You said you wanted to be a part of the solution. I was going to take you at your word. Hn," he muttered, turning back to the door, anger, mixed with a note of disappointment and even worry detectable in his voice and expression.
"Judge and jury," Zechs muttered, the words just barely making it to Wufei's ears. There was a shift of movement behind Wufei, and in a louder tone, Zechs called, "Exhibit A, then, catch."
Wufei turned instantly, his hand up for whatever he could hear moving through the air towards him.
The projectile came as hardly a flash of reflected light, but when plucked form the air turned out to be a small glass, bone dry. The tall man, now standing, shrugged, "Someone had told me it wouldn't be wise before bed. Anyway, someone else seemed to want the bottle more than I did."
Wufei studied the other man. his scowl softening slightly to a frown. He took a deep breath and then let it out. "If I have drawn an incorrect conclusion, I apologize," he said with a touch of stiffness, but enough sincerity to make it clear he was not pretending. He took another breath and then said, "Duo, Heero and I have to leave for a few hours. Probably not more than three, perhaps four at the most. The... the children..." He took a deep breath again and then continued, "I don't like leaving them without protection. I know the house is full of Preventers but... they aren't... they are special. I was going to ask if you would... make sure they stay safe."
Zechs studied the other man for a moment, his own defensive anger and weariness draining out as other implications began to sink in. Considering for a moment, he finally asked, "How would you suggest?" he said, circumspectly giving his assent and voice holding a note of mixed gratitude. "They've already implied to me that they don't take well to being watched over," he explained with a bit of humor.
Wufei set the empty glass down on the floor out of the way of foot traffic. Straightening, he looked soberly at Zechs. "They will accept it if they know. As for how... how would you do it if they were your children?"
Looking vaguely uncomfortable, the taller man admitted, "I'd never thought of children actually. An adjoining room, or just staying alert in the same one," he said with some awkwardness. Considering for a moment, he gave the other man a suddenly serious and sharp look, "Are you expecting anything to happen?"
Wufei met the taller man's eyes. "I always expect something to happen, even when there is no reason to think it will. It is the only way to be prepared. They are staying in the suite assigned to Sallah, myself and Wufan. The main room has a comfortable couch. Mariemeia is sleeping there tonight as well."
Zechs nodded to Wufei, before scanning the antechamber and finding a small writing desk. A little common courtesy at least. Walking to that corner and fishing out a pen, he replied, "Why do I get the vague feeling that I'm going to be in more danger of mischief than they could ever be." he said, half to himself.
Wufei tilted his head. Then he said, "The greatest danger you will be in is that if you are not very careful, the keys than unlock your heart will be stolen by small, nimble fingers. Don't say that you weren't warned."
Finishing the brief note to Noin, Zechs rejoined the pilot at the door. "I discovered that pocket empty yesterday."
Wufei smiled slightly and nodded. Then he turned to the door.
TBC
End of Part 34
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