12-Oct-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: 1+2+5, 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.
Mei walked over towards her father, her expression thoughtful, but untroubled as she climbed up into the seat next to him. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she embraced him, resting her head on his shoulder. "It'll be okay, papa. You can help me understand it all, and I'll help you smile again," she said quietly.
Treize looked down, feeling a shock and a little explosion in his chest at his daughter's words and actions. His arms went around her automatically, before he remembered to feel awkward. He felt a constriction in his throat and a sudden burning in the back of his eyes, that was quickly quenched with a spill of moisture. His arms tightened and tightened again and his head bowed, pressing his face into her shoulder.
After a moment he realized he might be crushing her, and relaxed his arms, without removing them from around her small body. Taking a deep, and it had to be admitted, shaky breath, he murmured, "My sweet child... I am so... sorry..."
Mei sighed, feeling something in her chest that had been tight for a while suddenly relax. "It's okay, papa. We beat It. Don't let It keep winning even after It's gone," she said, her fingers stroking his shoulders soothingly. After a moment, she continued in a quieter voice, "Will Mister Zechs be living with us now?"
Treize blinked, stroking her back without knowing he was doing it. He leaned back a little, searching her face. "Nothing has been decided, Mariemeia. But I care for him, and he is a good man... better than I. I want the best for you, and for him, and while I am not the best, I want to try and be better."
Mei sighed again, shaking her head slightly. Deciding that she was too sleepy to try and argue with him about all that 'being the best' stuff, she simply replied, "You will be." Leaning back into him, she hugged him again. "I hope he does. He makes you happy." A large yawn attacked her suddenly. "'M tired. I think I should finish my nap."
Treize found himself hugging her tightly, then felt a pang as he realized he was not taking care of her, the poor child was exhausted. He stroked her hair and moved a little to one side, making room beside him, between he and Zechs. "Yes, you need rest. When you wake up, we will be on Earth," he predicted. "Then we will all talk together. Mei.. Mariemeia... I love you."
"I love you, too, papa," she replied, leaning back to look into his eyes, a sweet smile upon her lips. Biting her lower lip, she looked over her shoulder at the boys for a moment. "I told Wufan I'd be back..." she offered hesitantly.
Realizing that her new ties to the young Chinese boy were very strong, he confronted his issue - he wanted her to stay close by him. Looking over at the young boy, he met Wufan's eyes as the child looked over, watching them both. Inclining his head towards Wufan, he said quietly, "If you wave to him, I think he will understand that you will be back a bit later."
"Oh," she replied, looking back over at the group. Meeting Wufan's gaze, she offered him an apologetic smile, then settled in the space that her father had made for her, attention not really leaving the Chinese boy. Shifting to rest her head against Treize, she mouthed, "Gonna take a nap," to Wufan.
Wufan smiled and nodded. He looked from Mei to Treize and smiled again, before returning his attention to the others.
Giving a little sigh of relief, Mei closed her eyes, murmuring, "Love you, papa."
"Love you, Mei," he murmured soothingly, stroking her back. As she quieted, he looked over to the ice blue eyes close by. "Perhaps... there *is* redemption, Milliardo," he murmured almost inaudibly.
Kenny had been sitting quietly in Heero's lap, and as the conversation had revolved around the subject of Duan's mooning the surveillance camera, he began to relax a bit more. As the kids quieted and Carter yawned suddenly, Kenny turned in Heero's lap and looked straight up into the older boy's face, indigo eyes looking into Prussian blue.
Heero gave Kenny a private smile. "How are you doing?" he asked, quietly.
Kenny looked back for a little while without answering. Then he said, "Heero... I think I remember you saying it's ok to fail... but I'm not sure when. We... had a fight...?"
"Yeah," Heero said. "From what information I'm getting, it looks like they hooked you up to a machine and made you fight us. It was tough, but all that really matters is that we beat the IT."
Kenny absorbed this for a few minutes. He looked down, and then back up. Then he swallowed, and said, "The... d-doctor... he acted like he d-didn't remember..."
Heero frowned slightly. "No, he didn't remember. In the end, he thought we were all back about two or three years ago... when the first war ended. He was ok back then," Heero said.
Kenny looked down and then back up. He felt water fill his eyes and tried to make it stop. "Heero..." he said, and his voice was a tense whisper. "B-back at the base... I... sometimes... sometimes I wanted to do what... m-my Dr. J said... he looked at me and... an' talked to me... and said when I did good, well, when I did ok..." Some of the hot liquid leaked across his cheeks. He didn't know how to say that he had secretly wanted some kind of father figure, he just felt it was some kind of betrayal.
Heero felt his chest tighten. Reaching up, he brushed the water from Kenny's cheeks with his fingertips. "It's not wrong to feel that way, Kenny," he said. "Even though Dr. J, my doctor, made me do things I didn't want to sometimes, he was nice to me too. The man I called my Father wasn't what people would call a good man. He was like J too. He taught me things and told me good stuff when I did something right. That's ok. A person needs to hear that. You didn't do anything wrong."
Kenny searched Heero's eyes, and then leaned his face against the older boy's chest. A little of the achiness and fear and shame leaked away. It might take a long time for all of it to go away, but Kenny felt the safe feeling start to return, the one he'd only ever had with Heero and Duo. He relaxed a tiny bit more and one hand fastened on Heero's tank top and fisted around a bit of it. He leaned against Heero and closed his eyes for a minute.
Heero's arms tightened around Kenny, holding him securely. For a moment, he felt himself at peace in a way he had never quite experienced before, the exception being the quiet times with Duo. Bending slightly, Heero kissed Kenny's forehead. "Hey, do you forgive me for fighting you?" he asked.
Kenny looked up, his eyebrows drawing together. Then he said, "No... because if you didn't, it wouldn't have ever been over." He buried his face in Heero's neck and held on.
Heero sighed deeply, holding on to Kenny for dear life. "Then maybe it took the two of us to make it over as quickly as possible," he said, following a thought. Then, he stroked Kenny's back soothingly. "I love you, Kenny," he said.
Kenny hugged Heero tightly and then relaxed back on his lap. He heard the words and whispered, "...you too."
Duo pushed himself up off the floor, intentionally making noise as not to startle Kenny as he slipped up behind the boy and wrapped his arms around both Kenny and Heero. "We both love you very much," he said before bending his head to murmur more quitely in the boy's ear. "I'm very proud of you, you know."
Kenny blinked and turned his head to look up at Duo. His eyes were a little shiny and the dark blue depths were full of doubt... and hope. "Duo..." he murmured softly. "I tried to fight with you..."
Duo shook his head a little, tightening the hug a little. "No. The IT made you fight with us. That wasn't your fault, Kenny. No one blames you for that at all. I'm proud of you for doing what you could to protect the others, even though it had to be scary. I'm proud of you for being so brave... and I wish that you'd never had to be. I'm sorry, Kenny... But I love you, and I'm never gonna stop loving you."
Kenny blinked and a couple of drops tracked down his cheek. His hand reached around, hesitantly, and his fingertips brushed Duo's thick chestnut braid.
"Thank...you..." he whispered.
Duo felt something in his chest both loosen and grow tight at the same time, twin tracks of moisture getting lost in the unruly brown mop of Kenny's hair as Duo turned his face against the child's head and shoulder. Disengaging one hand just long enough to pull his braid around front, he offered it to Kenny, drawing back enough to stare at him as if trying to memorize every plane, curve, and crease of Kenny's face, storing away something too precious to even entrust to memory. "No, Kenny... Thank you."
Kenny curled his fingers around Duo's braid but it was much thicker that Duan's and his hand didn't go all the way round it. Kenny pressed it to his cheek. His eyes closed. He relaxed a little more and then his fingers loosened. Exhaustion was returning, the short nap hadn't banished it, merely held it at bay. His eyelids fluttered and he murmured something but it was clear he was sliding into sleep.
The fingers of Duo's free hand glided softly against Kenny's cheek. "Go back to sleep, kiddo. We'll keep you safe here," he murmured quietly.
With a little snuffling sigh, Kenny curled back against Heero's chest and surrendered to Morpheus.
Heero looked down at Kenny and nodded to himself. This was a good beginning.
Duan and Wufan watched the exchange closely. The little braided boy looked down and blinked back tears of his own. He was happy and grateful that the older boys were living up to the bargain they'd made in Arcadia. He was certain that they would take care of his brother.
Wufan sighed. He too, looked away. For him, however, it was more a matter of propriety. The moment was a private one for Kenny and the others. He glanced up and saw Wufei, making note of his condition and wishing that he had some green tea aboard.
Wufei caught Wufan's glance and made a beckoning gesture.
Wufan moved closer and placed his hand on Wufei's arm. "You should probably get some rest," he said. "When we get back, I can make you some tea. That wound is going to ache some. It'll be okay if you're not in a good mood."
Wufei smiled. He patted the place beside him. "It hurts like hell," he confided. "I look forward to the tea, young dragon. Think you could rest some more?"
"Yes, I know," Wufan said, sitting down beside Wufei. "I got caught once back on the base." He then yawned and nodded. "I could rest some."
Wufei blinked and then shook his head. "You can tell me about that one later, ok? Let's rest."
"Ok," Wufan said over another yawn. Closing his eyes, he leaned next to Wufei's side, trying to be careful to give the older boy some room. Seconds later, he was asleep.
Duo's expression smoothed out and softened as he watched Kenny drop off. Glancing up, he caught the expression on Duan's face before Wufan slipped past him to sit beside Wufei. Giving Heero's shoulder a quick squeeze, Duo pushed himself to his feet and slid around his lover, dropping to a seat with Duan, Carter, and Tryan. Lifting Duan, he tucked the boy against his side, closer to Heero and Kenny, before gathering the other two with his free arm. "Don't think you guys can get out of that whole us loving you thing, too," he teased lightly before giving them all a reassuring squeeze.
Carter smiled sleepily. "Oh good," he said simply.
"Works for me," Tryan replied with a yawn of his own. "You know this saving the world job is tough!"
Duo grinned, a quiet chuckle of agreement escaping him. "We still have a bit to go before we get back to the Earth. Why don't you guys go back to sleep?"
"You don't think we'll be called to fight in the mobile suits?" Tryan asked.
"Something tells me that it's all covered already," Duo replied, nodding over towards where Treize and Mei sat beside Zechs. "Besides... You've earned a little down time."
Reaching over, Tryan hugged Duo's neck. "Okay, but wake me up, if we get into a fight. Come on Carter. Let's get some shut-eye," he said, looking over at the little blond.
Carter was already curled in a ball and eyes closed.
Duo leaned down, pressing his lips to both their heads before tightening his arm around Duan. "How you doin'?" he asked, voice just loud enough to carry to the braided boy.
Violet eyes looked into Duo's and Duan nodded. "I'm okay," he said, softly, watching Duo closely. "What about you?"
"Better now that I have you guys back," Duo admitted. "It was kinda scary out there for a little bit."
Duan looked down. "They made you fight Kenny, right?" he asked.
Duo nodded, leaning his head down to rest atop Duan's for a moment. "We didn't know he wasn't out there in the suit at first. I didn't wanna lose him... any of you, too."
"So you didn't know. That's why you were scared," Duan said, working some things out in his head.
"That's part of it," Duo agreed, eyes tracking over the boy held tightly against Heero's chest.
"What's the other part?" Duan asked.
"There's a lot of other parts," Duo replied with a small sigh, turning his attention back towards Duan. "I was afraid of what might have happened to the rest of you. I was afraid of what might be happening to everyone back on Earth. I was scared for Heero, and Quatre, and Tryan, and Trowa. I was scared of myself. There was a lot of stuff. But I'm glad you're back with us now. I'm proud of you guys, too. You did quite a number on that base together," the braided pilot said with a small grin.
Duan grinned. "Yeah, we did," he admitted. "Well, you don't have to be scared anymore. IT's dead. Can't hurt your world anymore."
Duo's arm tightened a little more around Duan and he bent his head down to brush a quick kiss across the boy's forehead. "You're pretty smart," he declared with a smile. After a moment, he sighed quietly. "I may need your help, kiddo."
"With what, Duo?" Duan asked, twisting his head to look up at him.
"I was just kinda starting to get a feel for this trying not to be overprotective thing," Duo said slowly, meeting Duan's eyes levelly. "Don't be afraid to tell me when I'm being a jerk now, okay?"
Duan thought about it and then nodded. "Okay," he said. "But you should know. We know you guys will look out for us. We may bug ya about it, but it's nice to have someone who cares whether or not we get blown up," he said. "And you're not a jerk."
Duo turned his head, resting it against Duan's once again. "I can't imagine life without you guys," he admitted quietly. "I couldn't imagine life without you almost from the moment you popped out of those bushes back by your old base. I think it'd kill me if you ever got 'blown up'. Love you, Duan."
Duan took a deep breath and relaxed in Duo's arms. "I love you very much, Duo," he said, looking down and blinking a lot. "I know I'm a pain sometimes, but if I am, just hit me or something. You and Heero and Wufei have been very good to me. I... I sometimes don't believe that it's... that I rate like that. I can see Kenny and the others rating it, cause that's how I think of them."
"Well... if you're a pain, them I'm bigger, which means I must be a bigger pain," Duo replied with a small grin, making it a joke between them. "And if *anyone* ever hits you again... if you and Kenny don't beat them up, then they'll have to deal with me. No one hits my kids," he continued, voice lowering to almost a growl of protective vehemence. Duo closed his eyes then for a moment, taking a deep breath. "Ya know... I'm starting to think that that 'rating' thing... it must just be something about us, because I think like that about myself sometimes, too. But you're one of the very best things that has ever happened to me, Duan... That means you rate. You rate everything, and I'm gonna keep telling you that and doing my best to help you see that. You'll get sick of hearing about how much I love you and how special you are."
Duan turned in Duo's arms and threw his arms around the older boy's neck. Leaning his head against Duo's shoulder, he dropped his guard, too tired to keep up the bravery. "Duo, I was scared a lot," he said, not trying to stop the tears anymore. "They took Kenny and I thought they were gonna kill him. I missed you a lot. We did okay, but between you and me... I wanted you to know... I got real scared. You understand, don't you?"
Duo's arm tightened around the boy, almost crushing Duan to him. "A long time ago, Sister Helen told me that real bravery is not not being scared... but continuing on even though you *are* scared," he said gently, carefully slipping his other arm out from behind Tryan and Carter so he could reach up and brush the tears away with his fingertips. "I was scared, too, Duan. Real scared that... that I wouldn't be good enough to help you guys. That I'd lose you all, too. I understand, Duan. I understand, and I am so proud of you," he said, wrapping his other arm around the child and holding him as close as possible.
Duan wiped at his eyes as he listened to Duo's words. The tone of his voice was more important to Duan than even the words as he felt himself settle in Duo's arms. He felt safe and protected. It was a rare thing. "I knew you'd come for us, Duo. You're a Gundam pilot. The best," he said, feeling sleepy. "Love you, Duo."
"I love you, too, Duan. That's why I'd come for you," Duo said, loosening his grip to smooth Duan's bangs out of his face. "You should get some rest, too. We've got a whole world to terrorize when we get back," he grinned.
"Deal," Duan said and then yawned. Blinking up at Duo, he said, "You missed me?"
"Always, kiddo," Duo replied dutifully, hugging Duan once again before repeating himself fervently.
Duan burrowed deeper into Duo's embrace and fell asleep with a small grin on his face.
Zechs had, to this point, kept himself as unobtrusive as possible, with eyes turned to the shuttle window, in some attempt to give deference to the privacy of the conversation going on around him.
Looking from father to sleeping child, he replied just as quietly, and with a touch of reverence for the scene, "It seems like a good road to start from."
Glancing down at Mei for a moment, Treize offered Zechs a slow, small smile. "You were right. Not that I had reason to doubt, but she *is* wonderful," he murmured quietly, almost wonderingly. After a moment the small smile turned a little wry. "She thinks that you should stay with us," he offered, his voice amused, even as he made the statement a question.
"That might... would be ideal," Zechs said, looking again from Mei to his lover. Picking up on the uncertainty in his own voice he shook his head. "I'm sorry," he began, "It's been a while since things have had... possibility in them."
Treize lifted a hind to ghost fingertips across Zechs' cheek. "It has," he agreed in a soft whisper. "Can you feel it now, though?"
Zechs' hand came up to still Treize's, resting on the back of it in a warm, familiar gesture, "I fancy better than I ever had."
The smile teasing at the ginger-haired man's lips warmed, widening a little more as he shifted his attention once again to his daughter and then back to his lover. "I'm glad," Treize said simply. "I love you, Milliardo."
Zechs gave a contented sigh, allowing himself to soak up the sentiment a moment before murmuring, "Love you too." With long hesitation, he reached out and smoothed the red hair of the child curled in Treize's lap. "This is going to be difficult isn't it?" he said, without regret, just in the manner of speaking a slow realization out loud.
"Probably," Treize agreed, the lightness of his tone unable to hide the undercurrent of worry and a return of guilt for a moment. Something in his expression shifted, firming like steel in quicksilver-blue eyes. "We've faced more daunting tasks," he continued confidently. "Together... we can face even this."
Treize suddenly bit back a rueful laugh as she shook his head slowly. "I'm sorry to sound like a broken record, Milliardo. I've been without you for so long... I'm half afraid that you will vanish in the next heartbeat like a broken dream."
The hand covering Treize's shifted, interlacing fingers smoothly. "I don't mind listening to it again," Zechs confessed, "I don't think there's any danger of my tiring of it either."
"Good," Treize sighed with relief. "Because I'm likely to continue doing it, if for no other reason than to persuade myself that it's all real." He paused then, glancing away as he drew his hand, and Zechs', away from the Preventer's cheek to rest gently upon Mei's shoulder. "I am sorry that I did not find you before I retrieved the Gundam for Heero," he said quietly.
"There's no fault, after things started falling apart, I would have been a little hard to find anyway," Zechs said, "Besides, I could fend for myself, you had someone to protect."
"Your sister is a very brave and wise young lady," Treize observed, looking back up to meet Zechs' gaze. "It must be a Peacecraft family trait."
Zechs broke the contact, glancing downwards for a moment before a half smile crossed his features. Giving Treize a level and deadpan stare he declared, "Disappear again and you'll become acquainted with the other one," he said. "Tracking."
A wide smile broke over the ginger-haired man's features, his shoulders shaking with silent laughter. "Duly noted."
Trowa glanced around the shuttle and smiled as he saw the little ones asleep again. Sitting down beside Quatre, he took the blond pilot's hand in his own. "How are you holding up?" he asked quietly. "This has been hard on you."
Quatre smiled and squeezed Trowa's hand. "No... not really. Harder on them," he said softly, nodding towards the children, and his eyes strayed to Heero and Duo as well.
"Hn," Trowa said, with a nod. "I'd like to help them out," he added, looking at the sleeping forms of Tryan and Carter. "Just having a hard time thinking of what I can do and not be in the way."
Quatre nods. "It's okay," he said. "I think things will work themselves out, you know?"
Emerald green eyes settled on Quatre's face. "Still want that job with the circus? Doesn't pay much, but I can probably swing some all-beef franks for you,"
Quatre grinned. He placed his other hand over Trowa's. "I want any job that keeps me close to you," he said simply.
"I'll make sure that happens then," Trowa replied. Reaching up, he brushed Quatre's cheek with his hand. "We can discuss it over breakfast, lunch or dinner in bed," he said, with a wink.
Leaning forward, Quatre gave Trowa a sweet kiss on the mouth and then leaned back. "That sounds perfect."
Trowa settled back against the seat with Quatre's hand still nestled in his own.
Dorothy found herself standing in the garden under the dark sky and realized she was just outside her office. With the briefest of squeezes, the hand around hers released its hold and trailed away.
"Thank you, Mister Bates," she said quietly, meeting his cool green gaze with something of a toneless sigh.
The green-eyed blond returned her look with his typical, slight smile. "No thanks, please, Dorothy."
She returned his smile with a small one of her own before turning her attention to the few bright specks of light that braved the twilight sky. "The task is done. Will you be turning your attention to other worlds now? Away from ours?" she asked, her voice level with an attempt to betray no preference either way, though with limited success.
He shrugged slightly. "Perhaps. Though we might stay for a little while, or return when we wish. This plane is... unique in a way."
"Unique?" she echoed questioningly, her slight smile widening a hair. "I'm sure Relena would not object to future visits. I..." she paused, glancing at him from the corner of her eye, "I would welcome them. If it would not offend your sensibilities to watch me grow old... then don't be a stranger, Mister Bates?"
Taking her hand once again, he lifted it to his mouth for a brief brush of his painted lips.
"To see you pass through the gates of time would be interesting, Dorothy," he said. "Though I'm not sure where you got the notion that I have sensibilities..." Smiling, he bowed. "There is one thing that I would like you to do for me."
A quiet chuckle escaped her as she turned to him. "Probably the same place that you got the notion that you are a monster, but we all have our delusions to cherish," she replied with a smile. "And what is it that I can do for you? I feel as if there is much I need to repay you for."
"Simply read this, when you have the time.... and take whatever action you feel is best," he answered, handing her a small data disk.
She accepted it with a grave nod, and then, greatly daring, leaned forward to brush a chaste kiss upon his cheek. "I should get back to Miss Relena."
His mouth curved in a less than innocent smile and he simply bowed.
With a polite curtsey in return, Dorothy turned and slipped through the doors into her office, pausing only to tuck the disk away safely in her desk before continuing on to Relena's office.
"The children are safe. The Artifact is no more," Dorothy announced to the wheat-haired girl as she shut the door behind her.
Relena started up from her chair and ran to Dorothy, throwing her arms around the other girl. After a few moments of hugging her tightly, she leaned back a little. "I saw..." she said in a soft voice. Then her mouth pulled to one side in a wry smile. "But you know what? Pargan... came over at one point and... he asked me why I was staring at a *blank* vid screen."
Dorothy's lips twisted into a mirror of Relena's smile and she shook her head once. "There's still so much that I only half understand at best, and I imagine you're even more in the dark than I am," she said with a sigh. Suddenly, she pulled Relena tight against her again, and rested her cheek upon the other girl's shoulder. She stayed like that, simply holding Relena against her, for several long moment before quietly admitting, "It spoke to me."
Relena's eyes widened. She reached up and gently brushed Dorothy's bangs back. "Are you all right?" she asked simply.
"Now, yes. The temptation... I understand better now how easy it was to lose oneself to It," she replied, slowly withdrawing just far enough to let her gaze wander over Relena's face. "I'm glad I went."
Relena leaned forward and kissed Dorothy softly. The she sighed. "I'm glad you're back," she said.
"I am, too," Dorothy replied, disengaging herself reluctantly and leading Relena back to her desk. "The palace is still standing, and Milliardo didn't seem too distressed to have been spirited away from the battle. Things fared well after my departure?"
Relena nodded, pulling the blond over to a couch at the side of her desk. "The battle is over. The Maganacs helped to destroy the controlled suits around the world, and my brother, Noin and some others stopped the ones who were coming here," Relena explained. "I've issued a statement that the disturbance was caused by a small group of terrorists, that were stopped by the Preventers, with the help of the Gundam pilots on the Moon. The worst of the alarm is quieting. And we had a bare handful of civilian casualties, caused by the controlled suits. We were very lucky. Local people helped the Maganacs in almost every case."
Recalling Jack's words about the future he'd come back to redirect, Dorothy nodded. "Very lucky." Cradling Relena's hand in her own, Dorothy studied it, trailing one fingertip over the Lifeline briefly. "The others should be returning soon, if my time sense hasn't been totally corrupted. There will be as much to do tomorrow as there was today. You should rest soon."
"I think... yes, I think it's time to have something in the way of lunch, er, dinner?" Relena mentioned thoughtfully. Then she smiled at Dorothy.
Dorothy clucked her tongue disapprovingly, though there was an amused glint in her eyes. "Barbarian. What would you do without me to make sure you take care of yourself?"
"I'd probably disgrace myself and waste away or have a nervous breakdown," Relena agreed happily. "Let's put a... a raid on the kitchen!"
Dorothy grinned in agreement, popping up to her feet and pulling Relena along with her. "Shall we scandalize them all by making a pizza with everything we can fit on it? Perhaps add a couple of canned sodas?" she asked, getting into the mood.
"Perfect!" Relena said, following her blond companion.
Piloted by Abdullah, the shuttle set down at the Preventer's small spaceport. A great deal of the facility had been trashed by the controlled suits under Dr J's program, but space had been cleared for the incoming transport and those who were to meet it.
The first thing Sallah saw was Heero and Duo, coming out, carrying respective small boys who were sleeping the sleep of the exhausted. Behind them, Wufei had somehow managed to scoop up Wufan, carrying him again his unbandaged side. The little Chinese American boy was sleepy but his eyes were open, if heavy-lidded. Quatre and Trowa carried Carter and Tryan, and Zechs, with Treize carrying Mariemeia, brought up the rear of the small procession.
Sallah greeted each pilot, quickly scanning the children as they went by. She made note of Wufei's injury as she lifted Wufan from his arms. "You, bed," she said to the Chinese pilot, even as she felt Wufan's arms tighten around her neck.
Wufei's mouth twitched slightly. "Onna," he said, but his voice had more warmth than indignation. "I'm a Gundam pilot, I do not need to be put to bed." Then he leaned over and gave her a soft kiss on the cheek. Lowering his voice, he said, "I am sorry that Wufan was in danger. We will do our best never to let it happen again."
Sallah smiled. Looking up at Wufei from inches away, she replied, "I thank you for bringing him back in one piece. I don't need reassurances, because I'm wondering who's going to keep *you* out of danger. Now, that shoulder must be killing you. You look pale. We'll see to it later, then you go to bed and I don't care if you *are* a Gundam pilot. I'm a doctor."
Wufei grunted softly and simply patted Wufan's back one last time.
Looking up, he saw Sally standing not far away. Going over to her, he said quietly, "He's dead. I am sorry - for you."
Sally looked down as her eyes filled suddenly. The sadness that she felt shocked her for a moment until she remembered that Marcus was a human being and that her own personal integrity mourned even at the passing of such a creature. She nodded, then looked back up at Wufei. "You're hurt," she said.
Wufei shook his head. "It's unimportant," he said. "Duo makes a passable field dressing."
Reaching up, Sally cupped Wufei's face in her hands. "Promise me, you will get some rest and not resist too much. I can't lose you," she said.
"I am not lost," Wufei muttered. Then he placed his good arm around Sally and gave her a quick hug. "I think *you* need rest as much as I, woman. So get some."
"I will," Sally said.
That elicited a smile from the young pilot.
"Hi, Ma," Wufan said, sleepily. "We made it back and no one is hurt too bad. Course, I think we need to watch Kenny some."
Sallah looked down at her sleepy son and smiled. "Got it, Commander Po," she said. Hugging him to her again, Sallah sighed deeply. "I love you so much," she said.
"Love you too, Ma," Wufan said, feeling at home and safe again. Closing his eyes, he fell back asleep.
Lady Une watched the procession of pilots and children with great relief in her heart. She managed to catch Heero and Duo's eye as they walked past her. "Welcome back," she said, simply, then moved to the approaching men in back.
Looking up, she smiled at Zechs and Treize as her eyes fell to the little bundle in the former OZ leader's arms. "I guess that talk is unnecessary now," she said to Treize.
Lips curving in a wry smile, Treize nodded. "For now, at any rate," he replied. "We heard about the troubles here... You are... unhurt?"
"I'm fine," Lady Une said. "There were some casualties, but we managed to get by with remarkably little alarm. And you?"
"Fine," he replied, his expression turning both thoughtful and a little wondering. "More than fine. Free," he continued, turning his attention to the girl still slumbering in his arms. "And fettered. It's a relief."
Lady Une smiled. Moving closer, she reached up and touched Mariemeia, smoothing the young girl's red hair. "I am glad to hear that. She is a remarkable child and eager to learn. She needs you."
"I think we need each other. I have much to learn as well," Treize replied.
"You will teach each other," Une replied. Folding her hands, she glanced up at the two men again. "There is a car that will take you back to Sanq. Rooms have been prepared for your arrival. I've been assured that they are away from prying eyes, so you should have some privacy for as long as you wish. Let me know if you need anything else and I will try and get it for you."
"It will be fine," Treize assured her. "And you... When does the Lady rest?"
Une took a deep breath, considering the question carefully. "As soon as the last report is filed. In fact, this is my final official duty of the night," she said. "The same as usual."
Treize carefully shifted Mariemeia to free one hand long enough to brush it gently across Une's cheek. "Valiant Lady," he murmured quietly, letting his fingers trail down to wrap around her hand, drawing it up to his lips for a soft kiss. "I hadn't realized how much... how much I'd missed while I was 'dead'."
Lady Une gasped a little at the contact of Treize's lips against her hand. "You'll probably grow weary of hearing this, but it is so good to have you back. The world has been a little grayer without you in it. And I'm not alone in thinking this," she said.
Treize's gaze tracked to the tall form of the blond Preventer standing several discreet paces away. "I know," he said quietly. "Thank Wufei for putting an end to my foolishness. Will you ride back with us then? I'd like to get her tucked safely into a bed," he said, turning his attention back to Mei.
"Of course," Lady Une replied. "And I'll thank Wufei every day... for putting an end to your sorrow."
As they walked, Lady Une moved closer to Zechs. "Are you all right?" she asked, concerned.
The tall man ducked his head into a small nod. "Better actually, I think," he replied.
The lady smiled. "Good," she said, touching his arm. "That's good to hear."
As they neared the van, she added, "I promise... no paperwork on this one."
"I think this one might be best off record for the most part," he said then flashed her an apologetic smile, "I do, however owe you a great deal of explanation later."
Climbing into the van, Lady Une sat down. "Explanation isn't necessary," she said. "Just relax and enjoy your vacation."
"You've been telling me to do that since it started," he murmured wryly.
"Perhaps you will be able to implement it now," she said, glancing over at Treize and the sleeping bundle in his lap.
Following her gaze, Zechs smiled. "I think there's a much better chance of that."
Sally climbed into her jeep and sank back into the seat. The accumulated tension from the situation vanished as she sat staring at nothing. The relief from seeing the children and the pilots safe and back on Earth was palpable. As she tried to process all of the information which had assaulted her senses, she felt her brows knit together.
Sally heard footsteps approach and a few moments later Noin jumped into the other seat. "Can we say, 'long day', kids? I never expected to spend my evenings putting mobile suits to bed again. Give a fellow Preventer a lift?"
Sally looked up. She nodded, suddenly moved to action by Noin's words. Reaching for the ignition, she stopped. "It's... over," she said.
The dark haired woman nodded, watching Sally closely. She reached over slowly and took Sally's hand. "You okay?"
Sally's fingers curled around Noin's as she looked up into her warm violet eyes. "No," she said, "Suddenly, everything is all right, but I feel ... empty inside. I'm a strong woman, Noin, but.." Looking down, Sally stopped herself, realizing that she might be disturbing her friend.
Noin's fingers tightened, squeezing Sally's hand gently. "That's why you're going to stay with me for a while," she said simply. "I've got room in my apartment. I had your things from the Palace sent there. No argument, and don't get mad, either."
Sally was quiet for a moment, then she nodded. "I'm not mad," she said. "I can't promise what kind of company I'll be, but I'm grateful."
"You don't have to be company for me," Noin said, releasing Sally's hand almost reluctantly. She smiled. "And I do have a bottle at home with a native American bird on the label."
Sally took a deep breath. Looking back up at Noin, she felt her senses suddenly clear. A smile appeared on her face and she reached up without thinking to brush the dark hair back from Noin's face for a moment. "Now, that sounds promising," she said, noticing, and not for the first time, how beautiful Noin was.
The MS pilot ducked her head slightly. Then she leaned back, crossing her arms behind her head. "You're in the driver seat," she said with a slight grin. Then she yawned. "Did you know I had a hot tub put in? This would be the night for it, too. Not that I'm rusty, mind you, but it *was* a full day. I think I have steaks thawed..."
Sally turned the ignition switch and gunned the engine of the jeep a few times. "Lucretia Noin," she said, turning on the lights. "I think I'm in love with you. Hot tub...steaks...a bottle.. Suddenly, I can't think of a think to feel sorry about. It'll all come crashing down on my head later, but I think you've just provided the perfect escape."
Noin's grin widened slightly and then settled into a slightly mysterious smile. "It's only step one in my master plan," she answered calmly. "So there's no hurry to fall in love all at once. I got time."
Sally pulled the jeep into traffic and headed down the street. She glanced over at Noin with a smile and slightly puzzled expression on her face. "Hn," she said, thinking about Noin's words. Finally, Sally smiled fully. "Okay," she replied, heading towards Noin's apartment, familiar with the route.
Noin watched Sally drive, and the Chinese woman's smile warmed her. She was going to be all right, Noin thought with relief. And the dark-haired woman swore silently to herself that she'd make certain Sally would be better than all right in time. Noin would see to it that she was happy.
After much juggling of propriety and insistence, Mariemeia was carefully tucked into her bed in Une's suite, Lady Une was convince to remain in her own room, and Treize and Zechs were installed in the suite across the hall. Treize sighed with a little relief as he shut the door behind him; Une had certainly gotten much more persuasive in the last two years. Be that as it may, he refused to put her out of her own room, nor take Mei from a familiar environment after such a stressful day. Turning a wry look on Zechs as he faced his lover, Treize smiled slightly.
"Persistent these days, isn't she?" he asked.
"She's had an enormous amount of practice," Zechs said, toeing off his boots and taking a sprawling seat on the couch, "But then, she's never lacked in persistence."
Treize nodded thoughtfully, crossing over to stand behind the couch. Leaning down, he brushed his lips over Zechs' brow briefly before resting his hands upon the Preventer's shoulders and kneading slowly. "I'd thought for a few moments back there that I might have lost you again," he confided in a low whisper.
Zechs eyes closed involuntarily and he sank a little further back into the cushions and Treize's fingertips. "I don't know how you kept strong," he said when he found some sort of an answer for it. "You've always amazed me."
"Amazement... sounds dangerous, Milliardo, love," Treize replied, forcing his tone to be a little light. "I'd much rather it if you simply said 'I love you'. That doesn't make me feel quite as old as 'amaze' does."
"Old at 26?" Zechs reached up and tugged gently at Treize's wrist as an invitation. With a touch of a lighter tone he added, "I was trying to compliment you."
Treize allowed himself to be moved, slipping around the couch to settle on it beside Zechs. Slipping his arms around the taller man, Treize rested his head upon Zechs' shoulder for a moment, taking advantage of their privacy to allow himself a moment of... not quite weakness, but need. "I know, Milliardo," he replied softly. "I'm not sure if I'm ready for compliments, yet. There's too much I still feel... responsible for. Too many people who still see me as some sort of Messiah, despite my mistakes." He lifted his head then, though he didn't release his hold. "I shall work on accepting them more... gracefully," he promised with a teasing twitch of his lips.
Zechs had completed the embrace automatically. "Would it help if I just replaced them all with 'I love you?'"
Treize's smile widened gratefully. Rather than responding verbally, he simply leaned in once more and brushed his lips over Zechs'.
After a long moment, he broke away to look searchingly into Zechs' eyes. "Promises to keep," he murmured. Wrapping the Preventer back in his arms, he continued softly. "Come, Milliardo. It grows late. If I don't retire soon, then my nervous energy will get the best of me and I'll encamp myself outside Mariemeia's door."
"As much as that would be interesting..." Zechs let the thought trail off, punctuating it with another lingering kiss. With a reluctance, he disentangled from the comfortable embrace to stand. He took a step towards the adjoining room and looked over his shoulder.
Treize allowed a half-smile to cross his lips as he followed in his lover's wake, although he didn't close the bedroom door behind him; one concession to his newfound parental nervousness.
TBC
End of Part 61
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