Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing, and am making no money off of this fic.
AN: Just a note to let people know that there are some sexist slurs in later chapters. Read safely!
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Turbulence by luvsanime02
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Chapter 1
The last thing Frank Parks expects when he finally feels well enough to come back to work are rumors going around about him and Agent Yuy. Especially those kinds of rumors.
Oh, not that Frank realizes this is what's going on at first. For the initial hour or two that he's back, all Frank knows is that people are wishing him a well recovery, or saying how relieved they are that he's alive. Agents he's worked with for years slap his back and bring him coffee. All he sees are wide smiles and bright eyes.
It's only around lunchtime, when Frank's heading to the restroom to discretely take his meds without anyone watching, that he first hears the rumors.
"Gotta admit, the guy's got balls. Going after her?"
"Hey, man, she's hot. I'd bang her, too."
"Still can't believe someone finally got past that glare of hers."
Frank might not have thought anything about their comments. Office gossip is nothing new. There are always rumors about agents getting together, or breaking up, or whatever. Sometimes, they're even true.
The mention of that glare, though? That makes Frank pause. That's not a typical description about any of the other attractive female agents in Preventers. In fact, Frank can think of only one rather infamous agent that they're likely to be describing.
Frank frowns, but there's really nothing he can do about it. Rumors aren't against the rules, and anyone that's been through schooling knows that protesting only makes them worse, gives them credence. Just because Frank doesn't think that Agent Yuy is the type to sleep around with a fellow agent doesn't mean that anyone else agrees with him.
After he determines that it's best to just ignore them, Frank walks into the bathroom and past them, and into a stall. After a moment, he comes to the uncomfortable realization that all three of the men have gone quiet. He doesn't know why, exactly. Do they just not want to continue talking in front of someone else? Frank doubts it. From what they were saying, it sounds as though the rumors are already widespread throughout the building.
So it's just Frank that they don't want to mention Agent Yuy in front of. Well, Frank supposes that makes sense. After all, they have to know that he was just on a mission and had his life saved by Agent Yuy. That's not the sort of thing that tends to make someone inclined to tolerate malicious rumors.
Still, why are they so worried about Frank overhearing? Do they think he's going to run to the commander, or something? Although, now that he thinks about it, Commander Une probably would be angry if she heard the newest gossip.
Frank ignores their sudden silence, and waits until they leave the bathroom before taking his pills with some water from the sink. His leg is still throbbing. He really wants to lie down and sleep, but he feels so useless staying at home in bed while Laurie is trying to work and pay attention to him at the same time. She's been so worried about Frank ever since she got the call that he was in the hospital, and she's got enough to do around the house without him getting in the way.
She still wants to meet with Agent Yuy, he suddenly remembers. He'll have to ask Agent Yuy about that when he next sees her.
Frank leaves the bathroom and heads over to the cafeteria, but suddenly pauses when another thought hits him. Where is Agent Yuy? She's been completely absent all morning. Frank assumed that she would be the type of person to at least check in on an agent who was injured while out on a mission with her, but she's not here.
Frank's worried about that. With the rumors taken into account, he doesn't like the picture that's forming in his mind. Agent Yuy hasn't quit or anything, right?
No, that'd be ridiculous. Frank can't even imagine the Preventers Corps without Agent Yuy as part of them. She's probably the best agent they have.
Slowly, he makes his way into the caf, determined to buy a sandwich or something quickly so that he can rest his leg already. However, Frank barely gets halfway across the room before the prickle of eyes watching him gets to be too invasive, and he starts looking around.
Some of the agents who catch his eyes look away hurriedly, but even more of them… don't. Many of them - other male agents, especially - are giving him significant looks and winking, or even saluting him. Every one of them seems to be in good cheer, as though inviting Frank to join them in their joke.
Frank has the uncomfortable feeling that those rumors regarding Agent Yuy also involve Frank a lot more than he might wish for, as much as he doesn't want to believe it. Frank's almost twenty years older than Agent Yuy. Might even be, actually; he has no idea exactly how old she is. The point is, she's technically young enough to be his daughter, for God's sake. Not to mention that Frank's happily married.
Some of those agents winking at him or giving him significant looks have been over to his house. Have met his wife. Frank feels sick to his stomach. Suddenly, he's no longer hungry. Not even caring how it looks, Frank turns around and leaves the room without buying anything.
He could be overreacting, putting the pieces together wrong. Frank hopes that's what's going on, actually. That's much better than the alternative.
Why isn't Agent Yuy at work? This question keeps coming back to him while Frank walks back to his office, paying more attention now to everyone around him. He's the subject of several sidelong glances and amused looks along the way. Everyone's acting like whatever's going on is all one big joke.
Laurie's picture greets Frank when he enters his office. So does the picture of Jake and Cassie, his kids. Do his fellow agents really think that Frank's the type of man who would throw all of that away? Who would hurt his family like this? His career?
He can't do anything about their opinions, either, and that's worse than all the rest of it. Protesting would only make him seem guiltier. Frank sits down and finally props up his leg, and then puts his head in his hands. He doesn't know what to do. He has the sudden urge to call Laurie and ask her how she's doing, to tell her about all of this, but he doesn't want to hurt her.
She'd be even more hurt if she found out about these rumors from someone else. With a deep sigh, Frank lifts his head and pulls his phone out of his pocket. This is not how he expected today to go.
