Disclaimer: As always I own nothing but the original characters and the situations I put them in. Everything else belongs to somebody else so give credit where credit is due.
NOTE: This is also a sequel though it isn't necessary to read the first one, "Unexpected". All you need to know is that I did successfully make Wufei and Noin a couple in it lol.
Explosive Beginning
Walking down the hallway General Lucrezia Chang rubbed her back and thought dreamily of curling up in her nice, overstuffed chair and getting off her feet. Instead, she was on her way to the Preventers' daycare to pick up her two children who were likely to run her ragged some more unless her husband of seven years could be convinced to take them on alone. It would cost her but right now she couldn't imagine it not being worth it. Well technically only one of their children would be running her ragged, she thought with a shake of her dark head, looking through the glass doors to see her five year old daughter Meilan running around like a chicken with her head cut off. That girl had more energy sometimes then her whole class put together. While they were on a sugar high. Her two year old son Max, thankfully, was the opposite of his big sister. He'd be in there somewhere with his blankie, content to look at a picture book or simply watch the other kids. He balanced out his sister nicely. Opening the door she stepped in and sidestepping a bunch of other kids called out to Meilan who stopped in her tracks.
"Mommy!" Meilan yelled out, changing directions as she raced over to her mother whose arms were already open to catch the miniature bullet with pigtails. "Is it time to go home now? Where's Daddy?" She demanded to know, looking around for her favorite person. She was a Daddy's little girl, through and through.
"He's going to meet us at the car. Now go get your back pack so we can go, okay."
"Hi, Noin." Maia Une called out as she came over with Max snuggled in her arms. He was fast asleep, his blankie dangling from his chubby hand. "He tried to wait up for you but he was all worn out." Placing a good bye kiss on the boy's downy head Maia transferred her charge over to Noin while Meilan went off to get her backpack.
"He was up late last night. Apparently there was a monster under his bed." Noin said with a wink as she smiled at her young friend. Even though Noin was her maiden name most people still called her by it. Not that she minded, after all they couldn't just call her Chang, now could they? "So plans tonight after the rest of these little darlings get out of your hair?" She added, hoping that the answer would be yes. Maia was twenty one after all but she'd yet to see the girl get serious about anyone. Well except for HIM but neither of them brought that up anymore.
"I've got a class at the community center tonight." Maia replied with a knowing smile on her face as she blew red bangs out of her eyes. She knew everyone thought she needed to get a life but she really was happy with the way things were right now. Maybe there was one vital piece of the puzzle missing but at least he was still a part of her life, right? Even if he still patted her on the head and treated her like she was still a kid, Maia thought with a weary smirk. Maybe when she required a walker he'd quit that. She could only hope.
"Ah." Maia was a teacher who'd recently decided to volunteer her services at a community center which was situated in the worse neighborhood in the city. Since Maia didn't need the money she was content to do that and manage the Preventers' daycare during the day. To say that no one was pleased with Maia's after dark occupation was to put it mildly. Lady Une and the other members of Noin's "work family" had hit the roof, convinced Maia was going to end up raped, tortured and dead if she so much as set foot in that area of town. Unfortunately Maia had inherited her father's stubbornness and she'd eventually gotten her way, with conditions. The center now had the finest security system money could buy and Maia could kill a man with her bare hands thanks to Heero. The men had all taught Maia how to fight but after Maia had dropped her little bombshell they'd taken her training to the extreme. Noin had been informed by her husband that they'd done all they could to turn the short, delicate looking girl into a destructive force of nature. She could wipe the floor with most men in fact and her skill on the shooting range was equal to Heero and Trowa, much to both men's embarrassment though they'd never admit it. Noin thought it funny but neither man appreciated her amusement.
"Don't give me that look. At the most I've had a few guys try to pick me up. That's all." Maia protested, knowing it was falling on deaf ears as she said it. They both turned to watch Meilan race back over, her backpack slugged over one shoulder as she slipped her hand into her mother's. "Now you guys head out and Meilan, go easy on your tired Mommy, okay?"
"Are you tired, Mommy?" Meilan wanted to know, craning her neck back to look at her mother.
"Just a little bit. Now lets go before your Daddy sends out a search party." Her daughter giggling at the idea Noin herded her brood out of the room, calling out her good byes to Maia who returned Meilan's enthusiastic wave.
Knowing from past experience to keep a firm grip on her easily distracted daughter's hand Noin led them through a labyrinth of hallways, knowing that by now her daughter could navigate them as easily as she could. Her daughter had been walking these halls since she could crawl, always finding some way to get away from their watchful eyes. Thank God she was finally in kindergarten, even if it was only every other day. Her daughter needed to work off her energy with other kids, not on overworked soldiers. Finally getting to the right door they waved good bye to the night watchman then headed down the rows, passing quite a number of cars considering the time which was close to six in the evening. Meilan, seeing her daddy lounging against their car gave a squeal, jerking on her mother's hand to let her go, only to have the grip tightened. "Oh no you don't." Noin said with a warning look downward. "The last time I did that you almost ran right in front of a car. Your daddy's day was stressful enough without you giving him another heart attack. Thirty is too young to die and there's no way he's getting off that easy. He's going to be there to help me deal with you as a teenager whether he likes it or not."
Pouting Meilan knew better then to question her mommy. Daddy could be reasoned with but her mommy's word was law in their household. Unless Daddy talked her into it. When they were almost there her mommy let her hand go and with a happy yelp Meilan raced over to her father, giggling with glee as her father scooped her up and gave her a toss in the air, catching her easily. Wrapping her arms around his neck she snuggled close, her head on his broad shoulder with a happy sigh.
"Well that's one less kid to put to bed." Captain Wufei Chang said with a nod of his head in his son's direction. Not that Max was usually a problem to get into bed but he was still a kid who would rather be awake then sleeping. Plus Meilan had been known to rile her brother up if only to delay the inadvertable.
"Looks like." Noin agreed as she opened the car door and settling her son into his car seat quickly had him strapped in while Wufei got Meilan settled in beside her brother. Once their two munchkins were secure they climbed into their own seats and pulling out headed home for what was hopefully going to be a somewhat quiet evening. No such luck.
An hour and a half later Maia had passed the last child off to his mother before she closed up the daycare for the night. Double checking to make sure the door was secure and the security system on she gave a nod of approval. Slugging her book bag over her shoulder she headed for the parking lot as well, her long red braid swaying behind her. Catching sight of a familiar figure walking towards her she pasted on a bright smile, lifting a hand in greeting. "Hello, Trowa."
"Maia." Trowa said simply, nodding his head in acknowledgment as he glanced in the direction of the dark daycare, coming to a stop in front of her. "Going home?"
"No, to the center." Maia corrected, knowing that the answer would annoy him, even though those green eyes of his would give nothing away. They never did and even though she'd known him since she'd been a child she still often got the feeling that she didn't know him at all. Not that she hadn't tried.
"Remember to park under a streetlight and have someone walk you to your car." Trowa told her, rather then requesting. He hated the fact that she'd chosen to work in a place like that, even as he accepted that nothing he said would change her mind on the subject. Her head was harder then his sister's. That was saying something.
"I know, I know." Maia said with a sigh, having heard this so many times by so many people it had long ago stopped being funny. She wasn't even sure if it had ever been funny. You'd think that Trowa of all people would understand. She'd never really had a childhood so regardless of how she looked or what it said on her birth certificate she was plenty old. Maybe not as old as the pilots but she was no bubbling school girl either.
Trowa was well aware that he and the others annoyed her to no end with their constant reminders but that didn't stop him. Her head barely brushed against his chin after all, for Christ sakes. True he was tall for his age but still; she was small and all the training in the world, even first class training, couldn't necessarily save you. He'd seen her in action for himself and as impressive as she was she was still the girl he'd watched grow up from a child and he wasn't about to just let her do what she wanted because she thought she was all grown up. "Drive safe." He finally said, nodding his head slightly. The look in her eye said any more advice would be ignored anyway.
"Always." Maia replied with a wink, moving to let him walk past her. Turning her head to watch him go she sighed, wishing that God would do her a favor and inform the men in her life that she wasn't in need of their constant babying anymore. She was pretty sure that Heero, Wufei, Duo, Quatre, Milliardo and Trowa would all be treating her like this until the day she married. Even then it would be tough going getting through them to get to her. They'd chased off more then one would be suitor, not that she'd minded too much. After all, if they couldn't get through those six then what did she want with the guy anyway? When you grew up with those men you set your standards high which was one of her big problems. She had to be the only twenty one year old virgin in the galaxy who could claim to constantly be surrounded by gorgeous men in uniform and not affected by them. There were plenty of men she could have shown interest in but really, when your ideal man was based on the six male legends of the Preventers organization the pickings were slim to none. Especially when you were still in love with one of them, she silently added. Sighing again Maia shook her head then continued down the hallway, hoping that it wasn't too cold outside and that she could find a parking spot at the center near a street light. Trowa was bound to ask tomorrow.
Picking up his pace Trowa just caught the elevator, sliding in beside his friend Duo who was looking the little worse for wear. "You really should have taken a nap or something." Trowa commented, taking in the bags under Duo's eyes and the fact that the younger man looked like he could pitch forward at any moment into oblivion.
"I tried. I could hear Kaylee and Tyson yelling in my sleep." Duo said wearily, sending Trowa a pity me look. His three year old daughter was down with the chickenpox just as his nearly one year old son was cutting some teeth. He and Hilde were about ready to sell them both their children to gypsies at the moment. Not that any sane person would buy either of them. He also had no doubt then when he got home his wife would hand them both over to him. Thank God for late meetings.
Since he thankfully couldn't relate Trowa awkwardly patted Duo on the shoulder, the two riding up the rest of the way in silence. Stepping out when the doors slid open they headed for the meeting room beside Lady Une's office, slipping in to find they were the last arrivals. Taking their seats everyone turned to face Lady Une now that everyone was present and accounted for. Lady Une had only been speaking for five minutes when the sound of loud beeping went off. All eyes turning they watched as Heero pulled out his cell phone.
Seeing Lady Une's disapproving look Heero explained. "It's on emergency only." Putting the phone to his ear he raised an eyebrow when he recognized the female voice on the other end, sounding distinctively out of breath. "What's up?"
"Where's Milliardo Peacecraft and Mariemaia Une?" Came her breathless reply, the sound of her feet running on concrete reaching Heero's sensitive ears.
"Milliardo's here with me and I don't know where Maia is. Why?" Heero wanted to know, a sense of cold dread washing over him. This was his emergency line after all. She wouldn't use it unless it was one.
"You have to find her now. Her car is wired to explode and so is his. I don't know what kind, I couldn't get more then the how and the why." Was her response. "Have her detained and send a bomb squad for the cars."
"She was on her way to the center." Trowa called out, his eyes narrowing at the naked fear that came into Heero's eyes at his words. "What's wrong? What's going on?"
"Get someone to intercept her now." Heero ordered, pointing at Lady Une who, not even bothering to question, ran over to the phone, punching in numbers rapidly. "Where are you?" Heero demanded into the phone, straining his ears to hear her. He could hear faint traffic but mostly just her steady breathing and footsteps. "Apparently Maia's on her way to the parking lot right now, she might be there already."
"Then you better hope someone slows her down. I'm on my way to the parking lot as we speak. If I see her before she gets blown up I'll do my best to stop her." Was the response before the line went dead.
Cursing Heero jumped to his feet. Seeing the expecting looks he quickly summed it up, Lady Une in the background ordering for someone to find her daughter and bring her to the meeting room. "Someone's rigged Peacecraft and Maia's cars to explode."
Hanging up the phone Lady Une stared at Heero in horror. "I tried to get a hold of the station on her floor..but no one picked up. I couldn't reach any of the other attendants...I ordered the main desk to deploy soldiers to the area." She said slowly, as if in a daze.
"My contact is on her way there now too. I'm going to go see what I can do." Heero announced, his eyes moving around the room. "There are three ways she could have taken to get to her floor." His question obvious.
"Your source is reliable?" Milliardo demanded, getting shakily to his feet, the others getting up as well as they all headed out of the room at a run, intent on taking different routes in the hopes of running into Maia. There were three routes she could take and God willing someone had waylaid her on one of them.
"Yes. If she says there are bombs rigged to your cars, there are bombs rigged to your cars." Heero said grimly, running a hand through his hair as he called out orders for everyone to split up, deliberately putting Lady Une with him. She looked like she needed looking after. Just please God, let them get there in time.
Waving once more at the parking attendant Maia shifted the strap on her shoulder to a more comfortable position. She'd gotten caught up looking at George's latest grandchild's pictures and now she was running late. Picking up her pace the parking garage was silent except for the sound of her sandaled feet on the concrete. Swearing when she saw that once again the soldier with the spot beside her had parked too damn close again Maia imagined strangling the man with glee. Well if she scratched his precious car it was his own damn fault. She'd told him again and again to watch how close he parked to her Viper. Walking over she unlocked the back door and throwing her book bag into it had just closed the door and opened her own when she heard someone yelling her name. Leaving the door open Maia had just taken a few steps, her mouth opening to call out a who's there when suddenly there was a large blast, followed by a consuming heat as she felt herself flying forward, her body being thrown over her neighbor's car and into the car beside it, her head smashing into the car's windshield. Then everything went black.
The whole parking garage shaking with the force of the explosion Heero, Trowa, Trinity and Lady Une came out of the door in time to see the west end of the floor burst into flames, pieces of debris littering the ground as they raced towards the site of the explosion.
"MAIA!" Her mother screamed, her hands in front of her mouth as she stared at the wreckage that had once been her daughter's beloved car. "MAIA!"
